Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
At the front of our house there are a couple of bushes
which at this time of year seem to be alive with waxeyes
(or sivereyes, or if you want to be really picky, Zosterops
lateralis lateralis). The waxeye is one of those birds that
arouse an emotional response in me. It seems like a tiny
flying jewel. They seem relatively unafraid of humans and
often allow me to walk quite close to them flitting about
in the bushes (them, not me ... I don't flit anywhere).
Sadly the neighbourhood cats also observe where they play
and try to sneak up on them. I know it's not cool to
intervene in these natural processes, but any cat
attempting to stalk a waxeye while I am on watch is likely
to cop the nearest heavy object I can hurl at it. A child
next door asked if I don't like cats when I shooed hers
home, and I was forced to explain that it's rather that I
love the birds. They are funny things when they feed on
whatever it is that Mary has put out for them. One will
peck away for a while until the next in line gets impatient
and lets loose with a diatribe in the ear of the greedy
one. And so the process repeats until they are all put in
their place by the arrival of something bigger such as a
starling, or a bellbird or one of the many finches. In
addition to the waxeye, we are blessed with the presence of
the delightful fantail who in turn is blessed with the name
Rhipidura fulginosa placabilis, or in Maori, Piwakawaka.
The fantail truly flits, performing seemingly impossible
mid air tumbles and reversals in its pursuit of flying
insects. The magnificent tail which gives the bird its name
is undoubtedly the key to this agility. In a way, this
weeks election campaign has reminded me of the fantail with
the ability of politicians to stop and reverse themselves
in mid-air. <sigh!> Just one more week to go.
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 On with the news:
Injured New Zealand motor racer Matt Halliday has been moved out of intensive care. His car collided with a wall two weekends ago, while racing at the Kansas City speedway in the feeder series to the Indy Racing League. He sustained a collapsed lung, concussion, extensive bruising, a broken arm, a fractured ankle and broken ribs. His manager Kenny Smith says a specialist surgeon has inserted pins into Halliday's broken wrist, and although the operation was successful, the patient is in considerable pain. Problems with the collapsed lung are mostly behind him and the concussion has fully receded, although there is no indication when Halliday will return to racing.
Tonight's leaders debate on TV One is being seen as a colourful and entertaining talkfest. Our political editor Barry Soper says the debate was the best he has seen this election. He says no one really won it, but United Future's Peter Dunne came across strongly as the voice of reason, which is what he needed to do to pick up support. Barry Soper says the unstructured nature of the debate did not suit Prime Minister Helen Clark. However, National Party leader Bill English revelled in it and showed he had a sense of humour, in spite of a cutting question from host Paul Holmes regarding Bill English's relevance to this election campaign.
(Colourful? Entertaining? He inhabits an alternate universe to me. - BH)
A Feilding man has been sentenced to five years in prison, for unlawful sexual connection with a child under 12. The man had a five year relationship with a girl when she was 9 and he was 19. The case was complicated by the man living with the family where the girl's mother knew of the relationship. Now 27, the man has been acquitted of rape, but pleaded guilty to indecent assault and three charges of unlawful sexual connection. He has been told to pay $5,000 reparation to the victim by means of $50 a week, starting three months after his release from prison.
(I fail to understand why the child's mother is not also facing charges. As I understand it from the media reports, she seems to have failed to provide the protection that the child deserved. - BH)
The Palmerston North man discharged on a count of murder will be back in court at the end of the month. Leon Hakaria walked free from a depositions hearing in Palmerston North today, after the charges against him and two other men charged with manslaughter were dropped. They had been charged with the killing of teenager and Black Power prospect Wallace Whatuira in February. Two JPs discharged the three following advice from the prosecution. Earlier, a key Crown witness retracted a statement to police in which he identified all three men. But the legal action is not completely over. Hakaria is due back in court at the end of the month to face a number of minor charges. Meanwhile fears of clashes between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power are expected to bring an increased police presence to Highbury, the suburb where the February killing took place. Community Board Chairman George Hills hopes today's events do not lead to further friction between gangs. He says the Highbury community had rallied together after the shooting, and made great progress.
Fears a smouldering gang war in Palmerston North will be fanned into flames again. It follows the collapse of the case against three men charged with killing teenager, Wallace Whatuira. Leon Hakaria had been charged with murdering the Black Power prospect while Andrew Popo and John Waara were accused of manslaughter. They walked free this afternoon at the end of a depositions hearing. Two JPs discharged the men on advice from the prosecution. This morning a key Crown witness retracted an earlier statement in which he identified all three men. Detective Inspector Doug Brew says police ultimately relied on the cooperation and integrity of that witness, and in the absence of that, the prosecution could not proceed. The suburb of Highbury where the February shooting took place has been the scene of several clashes between Mongrel Mob and Black Power members.
Nine new charges have been laid against a Wellington man, accused of sex offences dating back more than half a century. The 74-year-old former school teacher was charged following a complaint from a man over alleged abuse between 1959 and 1961. Since the arrest, six new complainants have come forward, saying they were abused between 1950 and last year. Police raided the man's Eastbourne home today, which led to the nine indecent assault charges being laid. The complainants range from elderly men to one as young as 16.
Tranz Rail is working to clear the backlog of ferry passengers stranded on both sides of the Cook Strait. Foul weather and rough seas have forced the cancellation of six crossings, stranding around 1600 people. Tranz Rail spokeswoman, Jo Roberts, says Interislander ferries are now sailing again. She says they hope to clear the backlog with three crossings this evening. Around 200 people are waiting in Wellington. Jo Roberts says if conditions ease, there may be a special evening sailing of the Lynx. Meanwhile, the Desert Road has reopened, after snowfalls closed it earlier today.
(The weather was so rough that the coastal freighter, Kent was leaving its berth near the railway station when it was caught by a gust. It was blown across the other side of the basin where I understand it came into sharp contact with a barge and tore a hole in its side. Voyage cancelled. The company is trying to spread the load onto its other two smaller ships, the Suilven and the Straitsman. - BH)
The National Party has called on Finance Minister Michael Cullen to further explain what he means by a more flexible approach to inflation. The latest Consumer Price Index shows inflation is now at 2. 8 percent for the year, close to the Reserve Bank's upper limit of three percent. National finance spokesman David Carter wants Dr Cullen to be clearer about his calls for a more flexible interpretation of the zero-to-three-percent inflation band. Mr Carter says given today's CPI result, Dr Cullen needs to explain just where his tolerance for inflation lies.
The High Court in Napier has heard that a Hastings teenager was trying to break up with her boyfriend when he stabbed her to death. Twenty-seven-year-old Aaron Middleton has pleaded not guilty to murdering 16-year-old Karen Nant last September. In the Crown's opening address, the court was told about the accused's drug habit and the events that led to the fatal stabbing. The Crown says the victim was trying to break up with Middleton, at the house they had been sharing when he stabbed her with a knife. The court heard she was raced to hospital by the friend of a neighbour but was dead on arrival. The trial is expected to continue until Friday.
An army medical officer has had a dramatic start to her posting to Waiouru. Captain Rose Fraser was called out at 3 o'clock this morning, when Melanie Gradwell went into labour. The snow in the central North Island town was so bad that police at one point had to tow the ambulance sent to get Mrs Gradwell. Captain Fraser, who transferred from Christchurch just 10 days ago, says medical officers believed the woman's contractions were far enough apart for there to be time to transport her to Taihape in an army vehicle. Captain Fraser says while they know their limitations, army medical staff are trained in obstetrics.
(Apparently the ride in the back of the Unimog ambulance was no great thrill for Mrs Gradwell. - BH)
Education Minister Trevor Mallard is urging the PPTA to get the first step of their arbitration process sorted out by the end of the day. The secondary teachers' union says it has to first agree on the terms of reference, the make-up of the arbitration panel and the time frame for talks. Then it will ask members to accept the process, all of which the union says will take at least 10 days. But Trevor Mallard is not buying into that. He says he cannot understand why members can not be contacted today, given that they already have the terms of reference. Mr Mallard says the PPTA could hear back from teachers by tomorrow, and the process could be underway by Wednesday. Meanwhile, fifth formers, who are again facing the prospect of being sent home by striking teachers, would be sitting School Certificate - if ACT had its way. The party has today released its education policy, calling for bulk-funding of schools, and the scrapping of the NCEA. ACT's education spokeswoman, Donna Awatere-Huata, says school has become an unpleasant place to be, because of the new internally-assessed certificate. She says it has put a huge workload on teachers and children alike. Mrs Awatere-Huata says if ACT has a role in government, it would scrap the NCEA immediately, and have School Certificate in place this year.
(I think this has dragged on for so long that public reaction is now purely at an emotional level rather than an analytical level. The rights and wrongs of the arguments seem to me to have got lost, and instead, people just take sides. - BH)
The Desert Road has reopened, after a day of delays caused by snow. Transit New Zealand spokesman, Ian Cox, says conditions are still a little treacherous, and care is needed. He says temperatures are still low and winds strong, with rain forecast for later in the day. Meanwhile, trucking companies are reassuring customers that their goods are getting through. The Road Transport Forum says most large freight companies are using alternative routes to cope with road closures.
The Commerce Commission has received a clearance application from an Australian based company, Consolidated Extrusions, to take over the New Plymouth-based brass and copper alloy extrusion business of the MCK Group. Consolidated Extrusion is a joint venture between Austral Bronze Crane Copper Limited and Simsmetal Limited. The former makes and distributes non-ferrous metal products and plastic pipeline systems, and is a distributor of plumbing supplies, with operations in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Simsmetal Limited is an Australian based metals recycling, resource recovery and industrial services group. The division of MCK they want to take over manufactures solid and hollow brass and copper alloy extrusions, as well as aluminium extrusions, shower screens, wardrobe doors, brass and bronze components and car parts. It was originally part of the company McKechnie PLC, which first established a metals manufacturing facility in New Zealand in 1953. It distributes its products in New Zealand and Australia, and exports to a number of countries. The Commission has to decide whether the merger has the effect of substantially lessening competition in any market if it is allowed to go ahead.
Three men charged with the killing of a Palmerston North teenage gang associate in February will not stand trial. The trio has been discharged at the end of a depositions hearing this afternoon. The two JPs hearing the case ruled there was not enough evidence for the men to face trial. Leon Hakaria was charged with the murder of 16-year-old Wallace Whatuira, while Andrew Popo and John Waara were accused of manslaughter. Earlier today a key Crown witness changed his evidence. The 16-year-old witness who testified through a video link retracted his earlier statement to police in which he identified all three men. He now says they were not part of the armed group that carried out the killing. The three men have been remanded at large to reappear later in the month on a number of minor charges.
British and American scientists claim to have found human beings possess a gene which can protect them against the AIDS virus. The scientists, from Kings College London and the University of Pennsylvania, have discovered that the HIV virus normally blocks the action of this gene by producing a particular chemical. They have found that if this protein is removed from the HIV virus, the gene is able to block the HIV virus from reproducing. Without the gene, the virus hijacks the body's own cells and makes them produce copies of the virus to infect other parts of the body. The team reports in the journal "Nature" that they hope the discovery could lead to new avenues of treatment for HIV sufferers. At the moment, HIV is treated by using different combinations of drugs to relieve the effects of individual sections of the virus's life cycle. They only slow the disease, and do not get rid of it altogether. The team says it hopes to see new treatments. which take a whole new angle at treating the disease based on this latest discovery, within the next 10 years
Secondary teachers could get their way after all. Education Minister Trevor Mallard says the Government will accept the outcome of the alternative dispute resolution being proposed to end the teachers row. He says that could obviously mean more money and different conditions. Trevor Mallard says while the process is non-binding on the PPTA, it is the union's call whether to accept the decision made by the panel. He has announced two members of the panel - senior civil servant Dame Margaret Bazeley, and Bruce Murray, recently retired principal of Tawa College and former PPTA principals' council chairman. The Government is still finalising a third member.
The man who hit the headlines after being shot by Christchurch police has been sent back to jail. Jason Williams has been on bail since December, but on condition he does not drink alcohol. He is charged with assaulting a police officer with a weapon following an incident last November which resulted in him being shot. Today, Williams' lawyer Rupert Glover asked for bail to be continued, while a second psychiatric report is sought. But Crown prosecutor Chris Lange opposed that, mainly due to an incident in May this year when Williams was charged with threatening to kill after consuming alcohol. Judge Colin Doughtery denied Williams bail. The 32-year-old will appear in court again, next week.
The controversial National Certificate of Educational Achievement would be scrapped immediately, and replaced by School Certificate - if Act has a say in Government. In its education policy out today, Act says the scheme is nothing more than an experiment on our children, and leaves them with little time to involve themselves in school life. Party leader, Richard Prebble, says there is little positive that can be said about the NCEA. He says it has been a disaster, with teachers overwhelmed by paperwork and with pupils disillusioned because they are not getting real marks. Act would also bulk-fund schools and pay higher wages for better performing teachers.
(One of the regrettable aspects of New Zealand politics is the number of times various parties have as an election plank, the repeal of some piece of legislation created in the previous session. I can foresee the sequential destruction and re-formation and destruction of the ACC for example in the years to come. - BH)
A West Auckland man charged with murder has made a brief court appearance on the North Shore. The 66-year-old is accused of shooting a 65-year-old Beach Haven woman on Friday night. Police were called to the incident around seven, and arrested the suspect at a Whenuapai address a short time later. The man has been remanded in custody until July 29th after appearing in the North Shore District Court this morning. The judge has ordered the 66-year-old to undergo a psychiatric assessment. He has been granted interim name suppression.
Transit's working furiously to clear snow covered central North Island roads. Parts of State Highway One and State Highway 49 were due to open at lunchtime, but Transit spokesman Ian Cocks says the roads are still icy and treacherous. He believes it will be several hours before the Desert Road can reopen. Senior Sergeant Shane Lye says police had a busy night rescuing snow-bound drivers. He says, while several alternate routes are available, police are advising against travel. Senior Sergeant Lye says the snow was expected to continue to fall until early afternoon. Meanwhile the weather has also forced the cancellation of six Interisland ferry crossings. Interisland spokeswoman Jo Roberts says the weather should clear for sailings to resume late this afternoon. Around 1600 people are stranded either side of Cook Strait.
Elective surgery at Auckland Hospital has been cancelled for Thursday and Friday, because of a strike by orderlies and kitchen staff. The disruption comes after a below- inflation wage offer from the Auckland District Health Board. More than 200 workers at Auckland, National Women's, Greenlane and Starship hospitals are striking, but the Board is shuffling services so that only Auckland is affected. Paul McFarland from the Service and Food Workers Union says the orderlies are a very important part of the hospital's operation, and he is surprised the board thinks it can limit the disruption to such an extent. He is meeting with board members tomorrow to hear how they plan to continue with almost full operations in the other hospitals without breaking the provisions of the Employment Relations Act over casual workers. Paul McFarland says the difference between what the orderlies want and what they have been offered comes to a total of just $65,000 a year.
The secondary teachers' union says it will not be considering a plea from the Education Minister at a meeting of its executive tonight. Trevor Mallard has written to the PPTA, urging it to scrap tomorrow's industrial action. He's copied that letter to every secondary school in the country. Mr Mallard says there is absolutely no reason why teachers should walk off the job, given that the government and the PPTA have agreed to a process of independent arbitration in a bid to solve the row. He says teachers are telling him they have had enough of being mucked around by their union. The executive have been discussing matters via a conference call this evening.
The daughter of a prominent Maori activist has come under scrutiny for her role in a West Auckland community organisation grants committee. Hinewhare Harawira, the daughter of Titewhai Harawira is the subject of complaints about how she dishes out grants, and her interview techniques. Internal Affairs is now investigating. It says such complaints are rare. It is understood Ms Harawira has not declared her interest in seven other competing community groups. These groups have received around $30,000 in funding from the West Auckland Community Organisation Grants Scheme committee, of which Ms Harawira is a member.
Trevor Mallard is now appealing directly to teachers to call off tomorrow's planned strike action. The Education Minister has written to the PPTA, urging it to can tomorrow's industrial action. He has copied that letter to every secondary school in the country. Mr Mallard says there is absolutely no reason why teachers should walk off the job, given that the government and the PPTA have agreed to a process of independent arbitration in a bid to solve the row. He says it is important teachers understand that industrial action is having no effect whatsoever on the process already agreed to. Mr Mallard says they should understand that once their union gives the okay, the process will get underway. He says teachers are telling him they have had enough of being mucked around by their union.
Internet filters are seen as the best way to block students from accessing objectionable information on the Internet at school. The head of Northcote Intermediate School in Auckland Michael Wilks has been fired after objectionable images were found on his work computer during routine maintenance. Police and Internal Affairs are now investigating. Internet Safety Group chairman, Hugh McKellar, says students are well aware downloading such images is unacceptable. He says most schools have filters to make sure this does not happen. Mr McKellar says some children know ways to get around the safeguards, but education is the best tool for keeping them away from objectionable Internet sites.
(Hands up any technologically competent person who thinks that filters are effective? - BH)
The Greens have outlined their science and technology policy to the Royal Society of Scientists in Wellington. The policy calls for a move away from the profit focus used by Crown Research Institutes, and for more public sharing of research information. Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says New Zealand should look to become a world leader in sustainable management of resources, and that would need to be underpinned by science. The policy was well received by some of the scientists with one molecular biologist saying it was unfair to say the Greens are anti- science. However, Ms Fitzsimons was challenged by other members in the audience over the party's stance on GM.
A Police Officer has told the High Court in Napier she spoke to the man accused of murdering his girlfriend, only hours before she died. Twenty-seven-year old Aaron Justin Middleton is accused of stabbing Karen Nant to death in their home in September last year. Constable Jude Hill of the Hastings CIB visited the house earlier that day. She told the court she spoke to both the accused and the victim about an unrelated matter. Constable Hill was later called to hospital where she found out that Ms Nant had died. Under cross examination, the court heard the accused had not tried to disguise the blood on him at the hospital. Constable Hill also said Middleton became very emotional when told that Ms Nant was dead.
Shutting down the Evening Post and setting up its replacement has proven to be a multi-million dollar task. The owner of the Dominion and the Post says it will take a one-off hit to its bottom line of $8. 4 million this financial year. INL chief executive, Tom Mockridge, says most of the money's been spent on the 84 redundancies that resulted from the merger. Other costs include design work on the new paper and changes to signage. Mr Mockridge says since the Dominion Post was launched on July 8, its circulation has not dropped below 100,000. He says more than 90 percent of subscribers to the Evening Post have switched over.
(It's a little like a bereavement. Each evening, I look around, still expecting to find the Evening Post in the lounge. Sadly, it is never there. The "new paper" is like the Dominion on steroids, with the comic strips occupying more space than they did before because the are reproduced at twice their previous magnification. As the Mainland Cheese advert says on TV, good things take time. - BH)
A leader of the country's biggest trade union is telling the Greens to get real, as far as the genetic modification debate is concerned. The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union's general secretary, Andrew Little, says he has had enough of the scaremongering by the Greens. Mr Little says the party would have us believe genetic modification in all its forms is dangerous. But he claims that is not the case. He says the Greens do not talk much about the benefits of GM, particularly in the health field, where people suffering from diabetes are getting relief. The Union will hold a workshop on GM at its annual conference later this week, before arriving at a formal position.
The Department of Conservation says its draft Maori Policy is aimed at including people, not excluding them. The Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations is accusing DOC of racism, saying the policy discriminates against non- Maori and non-iwi Maori New Zealanders. DOC's general manager of conservation policy, Keith Johnston, says when the department is managing huts and tracks it works closely with outdoor recreation groups, and on staff issues it works with the union. He says that does not mean the organisation is excluding people but simply working with those most affected by the issues.
Shares are posting only modest losses on the local market, despite a roller-coaster ride for overseas equities in the past 24 hours. The SE 40 closed down eight this afternoon at 2057. A late rally on Wall Street this morning saw the Dow recover from a five percent loss to close down just half a percent. Earlier, there was talk of panic selling on the London Stock Exchange, where the Footsie dropped below four thousand for the first time since December 1996. International investors are spooked by fears about the future of the US economic recovery.
Baycorp Advantage has scored a contract to provide debt recovery services for Australia's largest telecommunications company Telstra. The three year contract is effective from next month. Baycorp Managing Director Keith McLaughlin says the contract is a strong endorsement of the relationship the company has with Telstra. "This is a terrific boon for our collection services unit, which became fully part of the Baycorp Advantage Group in June this year. We have ambitious growth plansfor this part of our business, and this is a significant step towards achieving this."
The School Trustees Association says the sacking of an Auckland principal is a wake-up call for other schools. The head of Northcote Intermediate Michael Wilks has been fired after objectionable images were found on his work computer during routine maintenance. Police and Internal Affairs are now investigating. School Trustees Association President Chris France says schools generally have good policies in place on Internet use. But he says schools can always review procedures. Chris France says with upwards of 50,000 people working in schools, it is likely that there will be other cases of abuse of the Internet. Northcote Intermediate Board of Trustees Chairman, Ian Coombridge, says the school has been rocked by the revelation, and parents have been fully supportive of the dismissal. Mr Coombridge says Mr Wilks did not have a lot to say when confronted. Meanwhile, police are unsure how long their investigation will take saying it is still in its early stages.
Finance Minister Michael Cullen says inflation over three percent is no reason to panic. Dr Cullen has told a farmers' conference that a breach of the top end of the Reserve Bank's zero-to-three-percent inflation target will occasionally happen, for good reason. Inflation figures released yesterday put the current annual rate at 2. 8 percent. Michael Cullen says he will renegotiate the policy target agreement with the next Reserve Bank governor, due to be appointed later this year. The Finance Minister says he expects the entire target range to be used if required, so as not to stifle non-inflationary growth.
The National Party is advocating preferential health treatment for war veterans. Under its newly-released senior citizens policy, every district health board would have a dedicated service for older people. National's senior citizens spokeswoman Dr Lynda Scott says her party wants to increase funding for carer relief, education and to residential care facilities for the elderly. Dr Scott says the party will also recognise the contribution of New Zealand servicemen and women by introducing a Veterans' Card. The card will give holders priority access to health care. She also says National is committed to providing superannuation at 65 percent of the average wage for a couple aged 65.
Wellington police are considering extraditing a former Catholic priest who has been the subject of several claims of sex abuse. A number of complaints have been made by former students of Alan Woodcock, who now lives in Britain, while he was at St Patrick's College at Silverstream in Upper Hutt. Wellington District Commander John Kelly says the complaints cover a three year period between 1982 and 1985. They deal with offences allegedly committed by the Marist priest in Upper and Lower Hutt, Wellington and Palmerston North. Superintendent Kelly has received a report on the matter, and is now discussing the issue with the Police Commissioner's office.
The reason why women last longer than men may have finally been revealed - they sleep better. A team of US scientists from Pennsylvania has found women sleep better than men - and even if they do not sleep well, they cope with the deprivation better. The average life expectancy of a woman in the western world is around 79 - whereas for men it is a mere 74. The research team says when they stopped men and women from getting a good night's sleep, only men showed higher levels of a chemical which contributes to the development of diabetes and obesity. The chemical, tumour necrosis factor alpha, effectively makes men more susceptible to serious illness if they do not get enough sleep. The scientists also found that women have nearly twice as much deep sleep a night than men. The researchers' paper, published in the journal Chemistry and Industry, theorises that women's sleep habits evolved to help them cope with the disturbed nights which happen when they have babies.
Wednesday, 17
Education Minister Trevor Mallard is trying to stop the School Trustees Association from taking legal action against the secondary school teachers union. Mr Mallard says he has learnt that the Trustees want to take legal action against the PPTA to stop the teachers' strike action. He is asking the Trustees to hold off pursuing legal action until mid-day tomorrow, to allow the PPTA to consider bringing forward its decision on whether to go to arbitration. Mr Mallard wants an answer from the PPTA by Saturday night.
A family of six has been evacuated from Otira, after the father started showing signs of meningitis. A child and his teacher made the two hour journey to Christchurch by ambulance this afternoon, after the child showed signs of the potentially fatal disease. An ambulance service spokesman says when the father also started showing signs of meningitis, it was decided to bring the entire family in for a check up. He says the reason to use the rescue helicopter was for strategic reasons, not because it was an emergency. If they had not flown the family in, it would have been a four hour round trip for two ambulances.
(It turned out to be a false alarm - BH)
ACC has joined forces with Federated Farmers in a bid to cut the number of serious and fatal injuries on the nation's farms. Eleven farmers are seriously injured every day around the country and one farmer is killed on their farm every three weeks. The new injury prevention programme is called FarmSafe. Small groups of farmers will be encouraged to attend local, half-day interactive seminars, which are scheduled to begin next month,. The seminars will eventually reach 550 locations over the next year, with organisers hoping to see 8000 people attend. The seminars will focus on the common causes of farm injuries, what can be done to avoid them, and how farmers can identify and deal with potential hazards on their properties. ACC chief executive Garry Wilson says his organisation paid out $45. 4 million last year to agricultural workers. The most common causes of farm injuries are animals, All Terrain Vehicles, manual handling, falls, and noise-related damage.
Winston Peters is promising to slash taxes for exporters and hold an independent inquiry into red tape, if he forms part of the next government. At a pre-election forum in Wellington, the New Zealand First leader has told Business New Zealand that rapidly expanded export growth is the key to boosting the economy. He says NZ First would reduce the tax rate on new increased export net profit to 20 percent. Mr Peters says he would also get rid of fringe benefit tax, and give businesses investing in new technology "tax holidays". He says in addition, NZ First would have a successful export guarantee scheme, unlike the current one where no applicants have got through the bureaucratic maze. Meanwhile, at the same conference, a bleak three years has been predicted by National's leader Bill English, if Labour gets another term in office. He told the employers they can expect to pay more taxes and more money to workers, if they give Labour another go. Mr English says the biggest difference between National and Labour is Michael Cullen's superannuation fund, which he claims will benefit Wall Street bankers when investment funds flow offshore.
China says the Falun Gong poster displayed at Auckland International Airport until two weeks ago presented a very deceptive picture. The airport authority ordered removal of the display after complaints from travellers. It says the poster fails to fit with its political neutrality policy. The Chinese government says Falun Gong is an evil cult which it has banned since 1999. Embassy spokeswoman Gui Fang Guo says the cult has created a lot of problems and by the end of last year had caused 1700 deaths. Mrs Guo says Falun Gong's ringleader is now in the United States.
(There is considerable disappointment over the actions of the airport. The posters were in no way political, but rather religious. The "travellers" who complained were apparently diplomats of the People's Republic. It will be a sad day indeed if we are bullied into enforcing the political attitudes of the PRC here in NZ. - BH)
The union representing workers at Carter Holt Harvey's Kinleith pulp and paper mill says the company's half year result shows there is no need to cut staff. The forestry company has announced net earnings of $73 million for the six months to June, up from a $15 million loss at the same time last year. Carter Holt Harvey has proposed cutting its workforce at the Kinleith mill in half. Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union general secretary, Andrew Little, says the case for drastic cuts at Kinleith no longer stands. He says the company is a cyclical business, and the result shows it is now out of a trough and heading towards a peak.
(While I have every sympathy with those whose jobs were cut, wasn't the shift from trough to peak precisely the purpose of the cuts? - BH)
Provisional police crime statistics out today show a 2. 5 percent drop in crime. Significantly, violent crime was down by almost two percent, while sexual offences were down by more than 10 percent. The figures were taken for the ten months to 30 April this year, and are compared with the same period the year before. Police Minister George Hawkins says worst violent crimes are showing encouraging trends downwards, while overall crime has dropped in 10 out of 12 districts.
Jim Anderton's floated the idea of a financial transactions tax to New Zealand business leaders. The Progressive Coalition Party leader has told the Business New Zealand annual conference in Wellington, that it would be an attractive alternative to GST. Mr Anderton says a financial transactions tax is more broad-based, and would be more successful than a tax on goods and services. He says in comparison, it is a very efficient, low cost tax with virtually no compliance costs. Meanwhile, the leaders of all political parties have each given an address on how their party would get New Zealand into the top half of the OECD. Predictably, they have simply outlined their economic policies.
The frustration level with industrial action from secondary teachers has reached a climax at one Hamilton school. Another round of rolling strikes began today, with Year 13 students kept home from school. And while Hamilton Girl's High teachers have been striking, the school's Board of Trustees has been docking their pay. Principal Lil Garland says the decision was made a while ago, with the board trying to weigh up loyalty to staff with taking their responsibilities as an employer seriously. Other schools throughout the Waikato will be talking about the issue over the next couple of weeks. Some have indicated they may take the same action.
The country's largest union is vowing to run a political and industrial campaign for an extra week's paid leave, unless Labour puts it on the agenda in its next term. Labour Minister Steve Maharey has told the Business New Zealand conference his party will not introduce four weeks annual leave, if it is returned to Government. Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union general secretary, Andrew Little, says they are disappointed. He says they have warned the Government they will campaign for it, and will work to include an extra week in as many collective agreements as it can.
The actions of police in the lead-up to the killing of an Auckland man are to be investigated by the Police Complaints Authority. Mr Priestly was fatally beaten with a blunt instrument last week in a Mt Roskill mosque, where he was a cleaner. A 21-year-old man charged with the attack had earlier been driven to the mosque by police, responding to a domestic incident. Auckland Police Western Area Controller Inspector Steve Shortland says the investigation does not mean the actions of the officers were in any way wrong. He just believes an independent investigator should look at the case. The inquiry is expected to take up to two months. The murder accused is back in court next week.
A teacher who has conducted a survey of other teachers throughout the county claims the NCEA is flawed. The survey of 1,500 teachers from 89 secondary schools shows 90 percent of teachers have no confidence in the systems moderation process. Seventy one percent of the teachers said they were considering leaving the profession, if NCEA is fully implemented. Shirley Boys High School teacher, David Newton, says the moderation of the NCEA is the biggest problem. Mr Newton says more than half the teachers surveyed did not think assessments under NCEA gave students a valid indication of their ability. Meanwhile, National's Education spokesman, Nick Smith, says the Government needs to listen to teachers. Mr Smith says most teachers do not believe the new qualification will be credible with employers, parents, universities or the students themselves. The survey results were released at the Christchurch headquarters of the National Party this afternoon but Mr Newton claims to have no political affiliation.
There has been a sharp decline in the number of properties selling in New Zealand. Figures out today show there were 7,486 sales recorded during June, compared with 9,061 in May. The June figure is however up significantly on June last year when 6,147 properties changed hands. The national median price for real estate eased also. The median in June of $184,000 was down from $188,000 in May, 2002 but still up on the June 2001 figure of $177,000. Real Estate Institute President Rex Hadley says the decline was not unexpected. "The total number of homes sold always tends to ease back in the winter months and, after all the excitement in the market so far this year, we view June's returns as a seasonal adjustment in the marketplace. "Mr Hadley does expect sales volumes to ease further over the next few months. He blames this on the time of year, and also on the current shortage of listings throughout the country. On a regional basis all areas recorded a drop in sales volume although three regions went against the downward trend when it came to the median price. Canterbury/Westland, Otago and Manawatu/Wanganui all recorded slight median price increases.
A World Bank executive is calling on Pacific Islanders in New Zealand to stop sending remittances home for general spending by relatives. Instead, Denise Aldous says the money should be channelled into developing businesses in the islands. Ms Aldous, who is general manager of the World Bank's South Pacific Project Facility based in Sydney, has addressed the Pacific Economic Symposium being held in Auckland this week. She says sending money home is a drain on ex-pat Pacific Islanders, and instead of being spent on new televisions or refrigerators for their relatives it should go towards the overall economic benefit of the island nations.
(Hmmm. That's a can of worms, Denise! As I understand it, the thrust of her speech was that the ex-pats should take their skills home and put them at the service of their country, rather than just using them to generate cash flows to the islands. Denise is a former BNZ officer who, if I recall correctly, was nominated as the young New Zealand Banker of the year back in the 1980s. There is a little irony in one ex-pat telling others to go home, surely? - BH)
Secondary teachers throughout the country are beginning to hold meetings to decide whether their union should enter into an alternative dispute resolution process. Independent arbitration has been proposed by the government to resolve the pay dispute. Schools have received consultation material from the PPTA today. It has asked all of its 300 branches to discuss the information and vote on it. They have until next Tuesday to advise their national office of the outcome. Principals have been asked to allow time for their staff to discuss the arbitration offer.
A jury has been warned to set aside previous trial and media coverage of a fatal incident in Lyttelton more than two and a half years ago. The opening arguments have been made at the High Court in Christchurch, as the manslaughter trial of local businessman Derek Powell begins again. Powell faces a manslaughter charge over the death of 45- year-old Christine Clarke at a waterfront protest at Lyttelton in December 1999. The Crown alleges Powell departed from reasonable standards of care, when he accelerated through picketers running over Christine Clarke. The Defence maintains Powell was acting in self- defence, as he was being assaulted by other protesters and under the circumstances the Crown's argument does not apply. A new jury had to be sworn in today after the last one was dismissed following a problem with one of its members. Chief Justice Sian Elias told the jury the case has received substantial media coverage. But she urged them to set that aside.
Around 300 people have braved the rain on the steps of Parliament this afternoon, to highlight their concerns over violent crime. The rally organised by the Sensible Sentencing Trust, included the relatives of many victims of violent crime, and is a sequel to a similar march held up Auckland's Queen Street. Politicians from all the parties were on hand to speak to the rally, including Justice Minister Phil Goff. He told the crowd that the Government is trying to tackle the issue of violent crime by getting at the causes. He said they were ensuring that young people don't go on from being minor offenders, to being hard core criminals. Speakers for the Trust were unimpressed and Organiser Garth McVicar told the crowd there was a simple solution to stopping violent crime. He says society must introduce life without parole for our worst violent offenders. A large number of white crosses were laid on the steps of Parliament to represent all the homicides committed in New Zealand over the past decade.
The School Trustees Association is keeping its options open on taking the PPTA to court. It regards teachers' ongoing industrial action as illegal, but has decided not to proceed with immediate court action. A Trustees Association spokesman says it is heartened to learn that the government's proposal of independent arbitration has some support among the PPTA executive. He says going to court remains an option, but in the meantime the Association intends making sure it has the support of school trustees. Year 12 students were sent home because of the teachers' strikes today, and it is the turn of Year 11 students tomorrow. The PPTA says it's entitled to take industrial action until an agreement is ratified.
(Suddenly everybody rounded on the Trustees, and told them they had made an error of judgement. - BH)
The National Party is making little headway in winning over voters, Labour's slide continues, and Peter Dunne's good showing in television debates has achieved nothing - according to the latest opinion poll. In fact, Dunne's party United Future has slipped slightly in tonight's TV3 NFO poll, making it even more likely that he will be the only MP from the party in parliament after the election. Labour is still well out in front with 46 percent of the vote, down from 48 percent a week ago after having been through the furnace of the GM corn allegations and paintergate. And despite all its hard work, National climbs only one point to 25 percent support. The Greens climb from eight to nine percent support, New Zealand First continues its powerful pre-election resurgence, maintaining its eight percent following, and ACT holds steady at six. Jim Anderton's Progressive Coalition slips fractionally to 0. 7%, and Christian Heritage is down slightly to one percent. The margin of error is 3. 1%.
(It seems I am likely to be blessed with Mr Dunne as my MP again, though his party may not gain much traction - BH)
A letter has been sent to the Greens' co-leader, Jeanette Fitzsimons, pleading with her to reconsider her threat to bring down a Labour-led Government - if it lifts its GM moratorium next year. Our political editor says the letter has been written by Progressive Coalition leader, Jim Anderton, who is appealing to Ms Fitzsimons' sense of fair play. Mr Anderton is promising the Greens his party will not support the release of GE, until it is proven safe. He says he will promote legislation to that effect in the new Parliament. Mr Anderton tells Ms Fitzsimons she is threatening to bring down the Government regardless of progress on improving the environment, reducing poverty and creating jobs. He says he has written the letter out of a genuine concern for the country's future.
(I would be very surprised if Anderton appeals to Fitzsimons ;-) - BH)
Is Coronation Street a potential killer? There are fears lay people are endangering lives while trying to save them and television programmes are part of the problem. New Zealand's Resuscitation Council is investigating the possibility that some instructors teaching CPR and first aid may be offering potentially fatal information. The Council has heard of instructors who say it is OK to break people's ribs during resuscitation, or that neck injuries are nothing to worry about. Council Deputy Chairwoman, Pip Mason, says it is difficult to monitor the quality of instruction when many organisations use their own employees to teach CPR. And she says the portrayal of resuscitation techniques on television is also a problem. She says a recent edition of Coronation Street featured resuscitation techniques which were 'appalling'. And the University of Auckland is backing claims about shoddy CPR instructors. The University's Resuscitation Training Programme Director, Billy Doyle, says he has audited several organisations that offer in-house CPR training. He says the results show a wide variance in the level of scientific information being given out.
The Electoral Office wants to make voting easy on July 27. It has sent out 2,600,000 Easy Vote information packs around the country today. Chief Electoral Officer, David Henry, says the packs are designed to shorten queues and simplify the voting process on election day. He says the Easy Vote pack features a tear-off card with voters' personal details. The pack also lists polling places and candidates, and explains the MMP system. David Henry says 85 percent of registered voters turned out for the last election.
(Got mine. - BH)
Teachers are playing a wait-and-see-game with the School Trustees Association. The PPTA executive has rejected a call by trustees, to stop striking or face legal action. The Government says strikes are illegal while bargaining is underway. But PPTA President, Jen McCutcheon, says industrial action is lawful until a deal has been ratified. Trustees were threatening to take the matter to the Employment Court for clarification. Ms McCutcheon says the developments amount to political interference by the trustees. She says teachers want to make an informed decision about their jobs and they will not be bullied by trustees. She says if the Employment Court gets involved, it could undermine the entire consultation process, though the trustees say it could clarify the matter. However PPTA president Jen McCutcheon says she has not heard officially from the trustees but has an indication they may be backing down. She says if this is the case then commonsense has prevailed. But she says it is unfortunate their heavy- handed interference yesterday may have damaged the democratic process. Meanwhile the School Trustees have been meeting behind closed doors at the STA headquarters in Wellington, and there's no official word yet whether trustees will take the matter to court. But it does look increasingly likely legal action by trustees will be avoided.
The Government has been challenged by the Greens to stop the sale of Young Nick's Head before the election. The sale of the peninsula to an American businessman, was put on hold earlier this month by Finance Michael Cullen, in order to see if the concerns of local Maori could be met. Greens co-leader Rod Donald has been to the site today, which is now occupied by local Maori Ngai Tamanuhiri, who oppose the sale. He says under the Overseas Investment Act, it is Dr Cullen's responsibility to only approve the sale if he believes it is in the national interest. Rod Donald says he is challenging Dr Cullen to justify why it would be in the national interest to sell the land. He says the Greens expect him to stop the sale, as the land is of significance to all New Zealanders.
A social policy expert hopes her study on sexual abuse will alert government to its enormous cost to society. Shirley Julich's Massey University doctoral study claims the sexual abuse of children costs the country 2. 4 billion dollars a year. She says of that, adult survivors end up paying $900 million in lost earnings, extra health bills and a whole lot of unmet potential. Doctor Julich says sexual abuse is something our society has allowed to occur and has done nothing to address the issues. She says steps need to be put in place to look at the way we socialise young boys and perhaps give them an alternative model. Shirley Julich says the costs indicate prevention needs to be a priority, as the spin-offs of abuse can leave victims' lives in ruins. She says each year 8,600 children will be sexually abused for the first time. By the time they reach 16, a quarter of girls and nine percent of boys will have experienced sexual abuse. Doctor Julich says early intervention is the key to bringing the rate down. She says as soon as we start to support the healing of adult survivors we will minimise the long term costs.
The union movement is urging Labour not to go into coalition with New Zealand First. CTU President Ross Wilson says its support for a Labour-led government will not extend to Winston Peters' party. He says many union members put their faith in New Zealand First in 1996, and were betrayed. The party went into coalition with National following that year's election. Ross Wilson says that meant workers had three more years of the Employment Contracts Act, and a privatised ACC. Meanwhile, Progressive Coalition leader Jim Anderton has fired a shot across the bow of potential coalition partner Winston Peters. He has told a union gathering that it will be extremely difficult for either Labour or himself to ever trust the New Zealand First leader. Mr Peters' party has been rising in the polls to the point where he could potentially be in a position of holding the balance of power after the election. Jim Anderton, who would join a re-elected Labour Government, says Mr Peters has run a racist campaign, trying to beat up fear and intolerance in communities. He says very few people in the political arena will forget his performance in holding the country to ransom in coalition negotiations in 1996.
Australian aviation commentator, Tom Ballantyne, believes Qantas will have to compete with other offers for a stake in Air New Zealand. National's leader Bill English is demanding the Government reveal its plans for the national carrier. The two airlines have confirmed they are in talks about Qantas taking a 25 percent stake in Air New Zealand. But Tom Ballantyne says Air New Zealand's fellow members in the Global Star Alliance - which competes with the Qantas One World partnership - could put up a fight. He says it would not surprise him if they made a counter offer.
Around 100 members of the Food and Service Workers Union are picketing outside Auckland and Greenlane Hospitals. Orderlies and kitchen staff at Auckland, Starship, Greenland and National Women's hospitals began a two-day strike this morning. The 200 workers are protesting at the Auckland District Health Board's two percent pay rise offer. Union spokesman, Paul McFarland, says the picketers are getting good support from other hospital workers. He says both parties accepted a proposal to hire casual workers for Auckland Hospital's emergency, theatre and x- ray departments during the industrial action.
The PPTA says consultations with the Government are on track. Teachers have rejected an ultimatum by the School Trustees Association, to either stop strikes or face legal action. Trustees are going to the Employment Court to determine whether industrial action is lawful while bargaining is underway. PPTA President Jen McCutcheon says strikes are lawful until a deal has been ratified. She says the trustees' action has angered teachers. She says members must be able to make an informed decision, and that takes time.
Almost three quarters of wage earners would pay less tax under the Alliance's tax policy announced today. People earning under $40,000 a year would get a modest tax cut, with someone earning $10,000 getting around $280 extra a year. But those earning more than $50,000 would pay higher taxes, with a person earning $100,000 paying an extra $3,000 a year. The Alliance says the policy would put money back into the pockets of low and middle income earners. It says the extra $840 million raised from the tax structure equates to a one percent increase in taxation. It says that is the money needed to pay for the Alliance's free health policy. The Alliance would also scrap GST on food.
A new hospital for Southland has come a step closer, with the handing-over of a cheque worth close to $70 million. The new facility will be built on the site of the present hospital in Invercargill. Re-development work is due to begin in 10 days time. . A new mental health unit will be the first building to be completed, followed by a new clinical services building. Work should be completed in 2004.
Jim Anderton will try to get the Government to agree to expand Kiwibank's services after the election. Mr Anderton says his brainchild is proving a huge success, attracting new customers at a rate of more than 500 a week, and sprouting new branches at the rate of up to 20 a week. He says it was always forecast that Kiwibank would become profitable in three years and the bank remains on target to meet that aim. Jim Anderton says Kiwibank needs time to roll out its remaining branches. But after that, the Progressive Coalition believes it should allow it to expand its services as its independent board sees fit. Mr Anderton wants Kiwibank to be able to offer services to small businesses as well.
National believes New Zealand's chances of securing a free trade deal with the United States are fading. The Party's Foreign Affairs spokesman, Lockwood Smith, says Labour has not worked constructively enough with the US and Australia over the issue. He says the result is that Australia is now pushing ahead for a solo free trade deal with the US, and there is no sign of them wanting to share it with New Zealand. Dr Smith says National's Foreign Affairs and Trade policy out today would set up a ministerial post for relations with Australia. He says only National has the track record required to repair the damaged relationship with Australia and advance New Zealand's trade interests.
A crime expert believes the public must be wary of criminal statistics thrown at them by politicians in the run-up to the election. Police figures for the ten months to April show crime has fallen 2. 4 percent, with violent crime down 1. 7 percent. But Crime and Justice Research Centre director ,Gabrielle Maxwell, says the statistics can be interpreted many ways. She says for example, the homicide figures fail to show the breakdown for murder and manslaughter. She also points out that ACT claims New Zealand is more violent than New York. But she says what is classified as violence in this country would never be considered violent in the US. Dr Maxwell is concerned about the possible interpretations and believes there needs to be an independent assessment. She says it would be wrong to claim either a remarkable decrease or increase in crime.
NZFirst, Act sit on defence
New Zealand First and ACT have come out on top of an assessment of the main parties' defence policies, by the lobby group trying to bring back the Air Force strike wing. Save Our Squadrons is particularly keen on New Zealand First's proposal for a new maritime-focused defence force. The force would be similar to the British Royal Marines, and would include an air combat capability to support land- based units. New Zealand First is also promising to recommission the Skyhawks if possible, as an interim measure.
(Why do sub-editors leap at such appalling puns? - BH)
The Prime Minister has made another strong call for a focus on what she calls the "real" issues and also seized the opportunity to hit out at Winston Peters. Helen Clark has been speaking to a crowd of mainly Labour supporters at a public meeting in Tauranga today. She did not name Mr Peters directly, but made barbed references to him. In particular, she defended the Government's immigration policies, quoting the town's MP's wish to cut the number of new migrants coming here to 10,000 a year. She says that will only choke off economic growth, and put New Zealand back in negative population territory. She also delivered a hardline message to Winston Peters and New Zealand First over forming a new Government. Miss Clark said Labour had launched its pledge card at the last election, because of politicians not doing what they said they would, in a reference to Mr Peters' time spent in coalition.
A Southland dairy farmer says those on the land are bracing themselves for a leaner year. Deutsche Bank predicts economic growth will halve from its current four percent to two percent by the end of next year. It says a higher dollar and sharply lower commodity prices are two factors behind the slowing. Peter Phiskie farms at Waituna east of Invercargill and says dairy farmers know they will go from a payout of $5 per kilo of milk solids to as low as $3. 70. He says it will be hard, because it is the complete reverse of the past year and many farmers will be forced to pay high provisional tax as a result.
A claim many doctors lack information to advise women on whether they should discontinue hormone replacement therapy. Overseas trials show oestrogen-only HRT can cause breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes. The treatment is mainly used in this country for women who have had hysterectomy operations. In New Zealand Women's Health Action has slammed the Health Ministry claiming it is failing to inform women and doctors. Spokeswoman Sandra Coney says some women have been to their doctors and have been given what Women's Health Action regards as wrong advice. She says that is partly because the ministry hasn't given information to GPs in the first place. Women's Health Action says up to 100,000 New Zealand women have been left wondering how safe HRT treatment is. It has now launched its own campaign to inform women of the risks of hormone replacement therapy. Sandra Coney says they want to give women the information so they can decide for themselves.
(There's a lot of slamming going on, isn't there? - BH)
Act wants parliament to outlaw the Mongrel Mob, Black Power and other gangs. Party leader Richard Prebble is speaking in Palmerston North today, where police have gangs under close surveillance. It follows the failure of a depositions hearing against three men charged over the death of 16- year-old gang prospect Wallace Whatuira. Mr Prebble says 80 per cent of crime in this country is gang related and they should now be declared criminal organisations. He also wants the penalty for belonging to a criminal organisation increased.
A man is dead and two tourists seriously injured after a head-on smash between a camper van and a four-wheel drive vehicle in the Far North. Police say the tourists, from Britain, had only been in the country for two days. They were returning from a trip to Cape Reinga when the collision occurred one kilometre north of Awanui. The sole occupant of the four wheel drive, a local man, died instantly. Police says road and weather conditions at the time were excellent.
The man who admitted killing an ASB Bank employee and a pizza worker in South Auckland has been jailed for more than 17 years. Ese Junior Faleali'i pleaded guilty last month to the murders of John Vaughan and Marcus Doig. Eighteen-year-old Faleali'i was charged with two counts of murder, one of attempted murder and eight counts of aggravated robbery. Justice Potter took a starting point of 20 years in prison, but said credit had to be given for Faleali'i's early guilty pleas. She then handed him a minimum sentence of 17 years and nine months. Justice Potter described the crimes as callous, brutal, senseless and particularly cruel. More than 80 people packed the courtroom to witness the sentencing. Among the crowd were members of the Sensible Sentencing Trust, as well as friends, family and work colleagues of the victims. Mr Vaughan was murdered on May 15 at the Mangere Bridge branch of the ASB. Marcus Doig was shot dead on May 8 at the Pakuranga Pizza Delivery Company.
(A letter from the parents of Faleali'i was read out in court told of their sense of shame and disgrace at the actions of their son, and their support for whatever sentence was imposed. - BH)
The All Blacks' coach is slamming claims his player selection may be racially motivated. Ex-All Black and former Race Relations Conciliator Chris Laidlaw describes the national rugby team as the All Whites dressed in black. All Blacks' coach John Mitchell says the suggestion race has anything to do with selection is extremely offensive. He says the claims are also inaccurate with 11 of the 26- strong squad being non-European. Mitchell also dismisses suggestions his selection is conservative. He says strength of character cannot be considered conservative.
A preliminary investigation suggests a fire which killed two women and left a man critically injured started accidentally. Firefighters had to break into the blazing house in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill overnight. Police say there is no evidence of an accelerant being used but ESR scientists and a fire safety expert are at the scene trying to establish the exact cause. Police have still not released the names of the victims, as they are still contacting next of kin. Fire Safety investigators are also examining a house in Waitara where a 20-year-old man died in an overnight blaze.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is back in the limelight and in the firing line. It follows his party's rise in the polls to around eight percent, suggesting it will be a likely coalition partner. Helen Clark is ruling that out, saying she cannot forget 1996, when New Zealand First teamed up as National's junior coalition partner, shutting Labour out of power. Political Editor Barry Soper says Helen Clark might not have any choice but to deal with Mr Peters. Barry Soper says it all depends on how well Jim Anderton's Progressive Coalition Party does, along with Peter Dunne who leads United Future.
A former rugby chief believes the union has to make some tough calls to save New Zealand's international reputation. This afternoon the board will discuss the 50 page-report from former chief justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum on how New Zealand lost the right to co-host the Rugby World Cup. There are predictions of huge fallout with several executives set to be axed although others believe any repercussions could just be a slap on the wrist with a wet bus ticket. NZRFU insiders are keeping tight-lipped on what is in the report. Former Rugby Union Chairman Eddie Tonks says the worst fallout from the debacle could be New Zealand's position on the international rugby stage. He is concerned about the damage done to the country's relationship with the International Rugby Board. Mr Tonks says the union will have to consider whether that can be repaired under the current leadership.
(I find the attempts to manage the impact of the report by careful timing of its release to be bizarre. If they are going to release it at all, they should just stick it out there. - BH)
Sheep farmers are beginning to reap the rewards from an investment in research and development. Record lambing percentages were achieved last year and that is expected to be matched this year. Meat New Zealand R and D programme manager Mark Aspin says upward surges will continue with a greater commitment. He says new technologies surrounding reproductive efficiencies are being developed to keep lifting the lambing percentages. Mr Aspin says further investment in R and D will ensure these technologies can be accessed.
The campaigning is getting dirty for the Tainui seat the Waikato as the pressure builds between two Maori MPs. Labour's Nanaia Mahuta and Willie Jackson, the Alliance deputy leader are contesting the seat. A poster with featuring Mr Jackson and John Tamihere has been vandalised. Their faces have been faces crossed out and an anti- violence message has been plastered on the hoarding. Willie Jackson says he has also had a large number of his billboards destroyed. He says witnesses have told him they have seen people take down his signs and replace them with ones featuring Ms Mahuta.
3 Killed In House Fires
Three people have been killed in house fires in the North Island overnight. Two people are dead after flames engulfed a Mt Roskill home in Auckland. The Fire Service was called to the Lowery Avenue home just before midnight. Firefighters discovered the bodies of two women aged 41 and 31. A man in his 40s was also found with serious injuries. He is in a critical condition in Middlemore Hospital. Meanwhile, a man is dead after a house fire in Waitara. The Fire Service was called to the blaze just after midnight. Firefighters discovered the body of a young man believed to be in his 20s. No one else was in the house at the time. It is not yet known whether either blaze is suspicious.
Brian M. Harmer
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