Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
What a magnificent day it has been here in Wellington today
(Friday). I had to drive down to Petone this morning. Just
a little down the hill from home, the road gives a glorious
view across the closely spaced suburbs of the lower valley,
past the beachfront at Petone and over the broad expanse of
the harbour, all the way through the heads on the way to
Antactica. I am sure I have described it before, but today
the colours were just so intense that the view I see every
day just hit me between the eyes. Never do I remember such
a brilliant saturated blue as the water today. Miramar was
washed in fresh moist green, and by way of counterpoint,
one of Pacifica Shipping's bright red coastal roll-on
freighters was proceeding in a stately fashion past Pt.
Halswell on its way to its berth in the city. Its upper
works were far enough away as to gleam white, though no
doubt from closer in, she is as salt stained and rusty as
any modern ship. There was a light breeze, but it was not
so strong as to discolour the blue perfection of the water.
Somes/Matiu is too close to have that "Bali Ha'i" mystique,
but it is certainly attractive out there in the middle
distance. To the right, the little houses nestled into the
dark green bush clad hills of the Eastern bays from Point
Howard down through Lowry Bay, Days Bay and on to
Eastbourne looked as if they had been borrowed for the
occasion from one of the better oil paintings. And speaking
of Eastbourne takes me off on a tangent. In Eastbourne
Village, there is a little traditional butcher who has
started selling bacon chops. (Vegetarians should skip on to
the news about here). I first read about them in a column
written by the often acid-tongued Frank Haden. These chops
are about the size of a small bread and butter plate, say
180 mm and perhaps 18mm thick (about 3/4" for the
metrically challenged). When fried or grilled on a hot pan
or a barbecue they produce an aroma that evokes the
memories of all the egg and bacon breakfasts you ever had.
They are magical munchable, magnificent. If you are a
carnivore in Wellington, I promise they are worth the trip,
and I think I paid less than $5 for two. (I have no
connection with the butchery concerned, other than to hope
they get enough trade to stay in business and thereby
continue to supply me with marvellous bacon chops.
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 Warren Ottley from Utah. Many thanks, Warren.
On with the news:
One of Parliament's old timers has announced he will not be standing for re-election this year. Speaker in the last Government, Doug Kidd, has been a front, middle and backbencher in Government, and in Opposition. Mr Kidd is the second longest serving MP after current Speaker Jonathan Hunt, who has been there since 1966. Doug Kidd becomes the fourth National MP to announce his intention to quit. Jenny Shipley, Wyatt Creech and John Luxton are also standing down.
(I am not sure why, but despite his politics, I have always had a sneaking admiration for Doug Kidd. His acerbic style perhaps. Anyway, best of luck to him. - BH)
Tape recordings made by police of conversations with Mark Lundy have been heard in the High Court at Palmerston North today. Mark Lundy is charged with the murders of his wife Christine and daughter Amber in August 2000. On the tapes, Detective Stephen Kelly tells the accused his business venture appears to be financed by fraud, as the money funding it was from GST refunds. He tells Lundy he believes dishonesty with money can lead to dishonesty in other ways, and says he has doubts about Lundy's integrity. Stephen Kelly expresses his disgust to Lundy for using a prostitute two months after the killings, from the same company and motel, as he did on the night of the killings. The jury will hear more of the detective's evidence tomorrow.
Hopes of a free trade deal with the US in the near future appear to have been dashed. Prime Minister Helen Clark says talks with the US about a joint trading block are off the agenda, until next year at least. That follows last week's decision by the US to raise tariffs on steel imports. Helen Clark says she does not see much progress being made this year on the issue of free trade, as the US is contending with congressional elections and other pressing domestic matters. However, Helen Clark says New Zealand is ready to talk trade when the US is ready. The Prime Minister will travel to Washington for talks with George Bush later this month.
Court martial proceedings begin this week against five soldiers allegedly caught with drugs. The personnel, from Linton Army Base are claimed to have been caught with cannabis and LSD in raids, by both military and civilian police late last year. If found guilty, the five - all privates - face punishments ranging from censure to imprisonment. Army spokesman Major Kendall Langston says the case demonstrates the tough line the Army has always taken against drug abuse. Random drug tests on soldiers are carried out on a regular basis. Major Langston says about ten other soldiers were caught, last year.
The Health Minister says the priority in the budget must be for essential health services. This follows the Government's refusal to fork out extra cash to cover the positions of hospital chaplains. It is believed the lack of funding will jeopardise the work of full-time chaplains. Health Minister Annette King says she is happy to continue funding at the current level, but will not go above that. She says there is too much demand for health dollars. Ms King says there is nothing to stop the hospital chaplains approaching their District Health Boards for extra cash.
Acting Police Commissioner Steve Long has been given a ticket for having an insecure load on his garden trailer. Mr Long was pulled over by the Highway Patrol in Porirua yesterday. While the trailer was covered and tied down, some garden leaves and twigs had dropped on the road. Acting Commissioner Long will plead guilty to the offence, and the matter will be processed in the usual way.
(You have to admire the cop that gave him the ticket. I guess once you have pulled another cop over, you know that come what may you have to issue a ticket, even if you might have let an ordinary citizen off with a warning. If you did the sensible thing, someone somewhere will sooner or later run to the media and build a corruption story where none exists - BH)
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has penalised 34 students for misconduct in national school exams last year. Penalties range from reprimands to four School Certificate candidates having results cancelled in all their examinations. Nine Bursary students and 21 School Certificate students had their results cancelled in one subject. A total of 104 reports of possible misconduct were investigated. The most common form of misconduct was taking inappropriate material into an examination room.
The Government has stopped just short of labelling the Australians criminals for accepting an IRB rugby deal they knew they could not deliver on. Sports Minister Trevor Mallard says the legal advice in this country is that if a contract is knowingly signed that cannot be delivered on, then it could be a criminal offence. Mr Mallard has asked the Solicitor General for further legal advice. Asked if he was calling the Australian Rugby Board criminals, Mr Mallard said he does not know what the law is there. Mr Mallard claims the last Rugby World Cup made a profit of more than $400 million for the IRB and he believes next year's one will make at least that much. He says the fight with the IRB is part of an international rugby power game.
The Greens are challenging chicken processing giant Tegel to open up its factories to the public to see the truth behind its 'exploding the myth' advertising campaign. In the TV adverts, Tegel claims no growth hormones are used in its chickens, going on to say they are 'pure and natural' and 'barn raised'. However, Tegel's National Vet David Marks is reported in a magazine article as saying that antibiotics enhance growth, and that they are used in the birds' feed. Green MP Sue Kedgley has laid a complaint with the Advertising Standards Board, which will be heard next month. She says the difference between a growth promoting antibiotic and a growth promoting hormone is largely semantic and is meaningless to consumers. She says Tegel is being cynical and misleading by vigorously promoting the fact that one is not being used while quietly using the other on a daily basis.
Police in Rotorua have arrested a 34-year-old farmer from Mamaku, and charged him with aggravated robbery and attempted murder. He is to appear in the Rotorua District Court. The arrest follows a home invasion and shooting in the small township last Wednesday. Police have also arrested a man and charged him with being an accessory after the fact.
The Kevin Harmer murder trial has come to a premature end at the High Court in Christchurch. The 47-year-old former Selwyn District Council manager is charged with the murder of his wife on the couple's Selwyn farm in October of 1999. As the fourth week of the five week trial was about to begin today, Justice Hansen informed the jury their services were no longer required. It is believed the jury's discharge was prompted by a dispute between the Crown and defence over the admissibility of some prosecution evidence. Harmer has been released on bail until his retrial in July.
Kiwibank franchisees are to get more help. New Zealand Post is now offering to cover the cost of out-fitting their shops to accommodate the banking business. Originally it was only going to provide interest free loans, of up to $12,500, to cover the cost. NZ Post Chief Executive, Elmar Toime, says the revised offer will cost it more than $2 million. But he is warning franchisees they will have to take up the offer within a matter of weeks, as NZ Post wants to make sure there is a continuous roll-out of branches.
(I wonder what the deal is for those who had already paid out their own money? - BH)
The Human Rights Foundation is suing the Government over the detention of asylum seekers. The Foundation has filed proceedings in the High Court at Auckland, claiming that the Immigration Service is not legally entitled to routinely detain people who claim refugee status. The case will be heard in the High Court in early May. Executive director Peter Hosking says since September 19 last year the service has been detaining asylum seekers as a matter of course. He says the detentions are a breach of the Bill of Rights and international standards.
Platform shoes drew an American tourist to finding the body of Lisa Blakie in Canterbury's Porter River. The jury in the murder trial of Timothy Taylor has heard details of the discovery of the body at the High Court in Christchurch today. Ronald Perry from Michigan found Lisa Blakie's body on February 6th, 2000. Giving evidence via video link, he said he was searching for fish when he saw the body. Ronald Perry said her platform shoes seemed irregular, not something you would usually find in that sort of setting. He said he left the scene to tell his friends about the body. When he came back he noticed the boulder which was pinning Lisa Blakie down.
NZRFU boss David Rutherford is calling for all the sides involved in the Rugby World Cup to sit down and sort out the controversy. He has welcomed a reported turnaround in the IRB's position on whether New Zealand is still the sub- host of the 2003 World Cup. IRB spokesman Chris Rea is reported as saying only the IRB Council can remove the sub- hosting rights issue. That has further muddied the waters over whether some of the games will be played in New Zealand. David Rutherford believes it is time for New Zealand, Australia and the IRB to sit down and seek what he calls a 'rugby solution'. He says that involves the three parties being locked in a room and not being let out until they have sorted things out.
Russell Marshall has presented credentials to the Irish Head of State, President Mary McAlese, recently in Dublin. As High Commissioner to the UK,Mr Marshall also assumes the role of Ambassador to Ireland and to Rome. After the ceremony in the Presdent's official residence, Aras an Uachtarain, Mr Marshall and his wife Barbara were welcomed to Ireland by the local ex-pat community at a reception in central Dublin. A presentation was made by local secondary school students recently returned from representing New Zealand at a Model United Nations conference in Bath, England. Mr Marshall also presented the first prize in the annual NZ Ireland Association Essay Competition.
(The above item was forwarded by Chris Kinder who is apparently in Ireland - BH)
More tough words from the Prime Minister today on the Zimbabwe presidential elections. Helen Clark says she believes it was a "stitch-up" from the beginning. Miss Clark says there were never enough polling booths and the never-ending queues ensured that not everyone got to vote. Miss Clark says there are now concerns the Government is saying it is ahead in the count, when in fact it has barely begun. She says it has been a 'crook' election and if Mugabe is still there at the end of it, the Commonwealth should take action. Meanwhile, the election has ended, with the High Court refusing to extend voting to a fourth day. A High Court judge had ordered polling booths to be open for an unscheduled third day on Sunday night. But a different High Court judge has said no to a fourth day.
(Did anyone see the media interview in which the South African politician attempted to persuade the room full of cynical media people that it was just bad luck that thousands of Zimbabweans had missed out on their votes through "administrative oversight"? The room erupted in laughter, and the man looked quite offended. - BH)
The Government has fired another salvo at Australian rugby administrators. Sports Minister Trevor Mallard says they are damaging trans-Tasman rugby relations. Mr Mallard says the advice he has received from the Solicitor General shows the NZRFU did the right thing in not signing up to a deal that would preclude existing advertising contracts. He says the advice shows union officials would have been in breach of at least three laws if they signed a contract they knew they could not honour. Mr Mallard says the Rugby World Cup runs the risk of becoming the preserve of a small group of rich nations.
A forensic examination will be carried out on a four-wheel- drive vehicle after a 60-year-old man was found dead yesterday. His body was discovered on the banks of the Waitara River in North Taranaki. Wanganui police Senior Sergeant Warren Smith says police found the man's vehicle in Waitotara. Senior Sergeant Smith says two young women who had been in the vehicle, hitched a lift with a passing motorist to Wanganui. He says one of the girls is aged about 12, and the other around 16, and they intended to hitchhike to Palmerston North. Senior Sergeant Smith says police would like to hear from anyone who may have picked the girls up.
The Department of Conservation says it will prosecute whoever deliberately killed five fur seals in Canterbury. The seals were found dead on Sunday. The most recently killed seal had been shot in the head with what appears to be a small calibre rifle. That seal was found just north of the mouth of the Rakaia River - the other four seals were found nearby. DOC marine ranger Al Hutt says because the other four seals had been dead for longer, it is difficult to tell how they died. Fur seals are a protected species and anyone who is found to have committed an offence against them could be fined up to $5,000.
New Zealand steel exporters may yet be able to get around the 30 per cent tariff slapped on steel imports by the US last week. American officials have explained to Trade Minister Jim Sutton that New Zealand's unsubsidised steel trade is not seen as a threat to the US industry. New Zealand steel exports to the US account for around one quarter of a per cent of all US steel imports. A spokeswoman for Trade Minister Jim Sutton says both countries are looking at ways of trying to exempt New Zealand from the tariffs. Some Australian steel exporters have already secured a minor exemption, which will allow them to continue exporting a refined raw steel for use by the US steel industry.
Police investigating the suspicious death of an elderly Kilbirnie man say he regularly had school children at his home smoking cigarettes. David Douglas was found dead in his flat on Friday; an autopsy found he had been assaulted several days earlier. Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Perry says police have been speaking to a number of children who had been in contact with the 68-year-old in the days leading up to his death. He says it appears the victim had a lot of contact over many years with children who played truant from school and smoked cigarettes at the man's house.
Rabbit numbers have bounced back in parts of Otago, wiping out some of the gains farmers achieved by illegally introducing the rabbit-killing disease calicivirus. The rabbit population in the region plunged in 1997, when the rabbit haemorrhagic disease appeared at a Cromwell farm, causing the deaths of hundreds of rabbits. A group of farmers admitted introducing the virus, however not enough evidence could be found to prosecute anyone. In the last few months, a good breeding season has resulted in rabbit numbers recovering, and they are now above allowable levels across parts of Otago. The latest Otago Regional Council survey pinpoints the Tarras area in Central Otago and the Shag Valley and Pigroot areas in East and North Otago as having the highest population of the pest. Technical services director Darryl Lew says many young rabbits born early in the season have survived, pushing up numbers. He says poisoning programmes are planned in trouble spots over winter to reduce the problem.
(Oh dear! That's sad. But should we be surprised? Isn't that what the scientists said would happen? - BH)
Two helicopters with monsoon buckets are battling a forest fire, ignited by a helicopter crash, 40 kilometres west of Gisborne. A helicopter involved in a logging operation on a farm crashed just before one this afternoon. The pilot managed to get out before the helicopter burst into flames, starting the fire. He has suffered a broken leg and has been taken to hospital.
More than a tonne of black market paua has been seized in a nationwide crack-down on the illegal trade. Thirty people have been arrested, and boats and vehicles seized, in an operation involving 140 fisheries officers and a similar number of police. Raids on properties in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and the East Coast began this morning and will continue for the next few days. Fisheries spokesman Alan Meek says the operation has been in the making for two years, with some fisheries officers working undercover. Mr Meek puts the value of the illegal seafood trade at around $20 million a year.
The versatility of NZ Post and Television New Zealand chairman Ross Armstrong has been in evidence in Parliament this afternoon. National's leader Bill English cited four organisations where Dr Armstrong is either the chairman, or is on the board. Mr English is questioning whether it is appropriate for him to have so many roles. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says he was appointed to two of them by National. That did not stop Mr English claiming he got the jobs because he is known as 'Helen's little helper'. However, Dr Cullen says he got some of the jobs because he was known as Jim and Jenny's little helper. Dr Armstrong is earning almost $210,000 from chairing NZ Post, TVNZ and Industrial Research. He is also a director of Kiwibank. He was formerly a National Party office holder.
(Rule one. When you pull the trigger, make sure the barrel isn't pointed at any part of your own anatomy? - BH)
The Government appears to have given up all hope of the election in Zimbabwe being free and fair. The latest results from the Zimbabwe presidential election show the gap between Robert Mugabe and challenger Morgan Tsvangirai is widening. Foreign Minister Phil Goff says the message through from observers in Zimbabwe is that the election appears to have been manipulated beyond the will of the people. He says New Zealand observers have witnessed torture, along with people being prevented from getting to the ballot box. New Zealand is unlikely to take any formal action against Zimbabwe until after the Commonwealth observers have finished a report on the election.
Jail sentences have been handed down in the Wellington District Court today to four men convicted of vandalism at a Wellington cemetery. The four were convicted of breaking into two crypts at Karori Cemetery last October, where they removed a baby's remains from a coffin and used its skull as an ashtray. The baby's jawbone was also used as a necklace, while a ceramic urn was taken and left at a nearby grave. Eighteen-year-old Lachlan Holland, identified as the group's ringleader, was jailed for 12 months. His co-accused, Harlen Wright, Denis McCarrison and Allan Hazelton, all aged between 18 and 21, were also jailed for between six and nine months each. In summing up, Judge Thompson said claims by defence lawyers the media had blown the case out of proportion were unfounded.
There are renewed calls for secondary school teachers and the Government to get together to sort out the row threatening to further disrupt schools around the country. Teachers say they will start withholding internal assessment marks from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, from next week. The teachers are also threatening two weeks of rolling strikes, if their pay row is not settled by the end of next month. Board of Trustees Association President, Chris France, is particularly concerned at the threat to withhold NZQA assessments. He wants the Government to get involved in the industrial dispute.
The New Zealand Medical Association's cautiously optimistic about the Government's new health strategy. The Crown will inject more than $400 million into primary health care over the next three years. It says $50 million will go to establishing Primary Health Organisations in the first year. By 2004-2005, that money will increase to $195 million. NZMA chair Dr John Adams says he welcomes the Government's focus on primary health. But he is concerned the funding will fall short of what is needed. Meanwhile, Alliance leader Jim Anderton is using today's health funding announcement to have a dig at disaffected members of his own party. Mr Anderton says he is delighted, as it is the first step towards the Alliance's universal free health care policy. He says it shows dissenters in his party what can be achieved. The Alliance has split into two camps recently over the direction of the party and its role in Government.
Two men charged in connection with a shooting spree in central Hamilton at the weekend have appeared in court today. 21-year-old Josiah Charteris and 18-year-old Glenn Gibb have been charged with a number of offences, including attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, and breaking and entering. They also face a number of firearm-related charges. The lawyer for 18-year-old Gibb, Wayne Dollimore, applied for bail because of the young age of his client. But community magistrates at the Hamilton District Court denied the request, because of the serious nature of the offences and fears expressed by the victims. The two men have both been remanded in custody to re-appear for a depositions hearing in May. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old victim who was shot in the face on Saturday night is due to be released from hospital tomorrow.
Fallout from cleaner diesel. Last year, the Auckland Regional Council lobbied petrol companies to lower the sulphur content in diesel for environmental reasons. Now, mechanics have noticed an increase in diesel vehicles needing pump seals replaced in the past month. They believe the new lower sulphur diesel on sale in the North Island and Christchurch is causing pump seals to soften. Automobile Association director, George Fairbairn, says motorists who own diesel-run Japanese imports should get the pump seal checked out.
(Déjà vu - again! - BH)
The head of Auckland's Eden Park Trust says they could not have delivered a venue free of advertising in line with the demands of the World Cup organisers. New Zealand's failure to be able to deliver clean stadia may have cost the game the sub-host rights to next year's event. Clean stadia includes making corporate boxes available, even if they have been sold off. John Alexander of the Eden Park Trust says legally, there is no way the venue could be delivered clean. He says box holders do not want to give them up their prime seats. New Zealand stadium bosses will meet the NZRFU tomorrow to discuss the situation
National is accusing the Government of turning a blind eye to justice in small Hawke's Bay towns. The Waipukurau and Wairoa courthouses have been earmarked for downgrading to a hearing centre. National's Associate Regional Development spokesman Shane Ardern says the Regional Development Minister, Jim Anderton, has been travelling the country trumpeting the regional development cause. However he says Mr Anderton is unfazed by the axing of courthouse services. Shane Ardern says the Minister is denying thousands of people reasonable access to justice. A public meeting has been held in Wairoa to discuss the downgrade. Most of those present were against any reduction, saying it would leave the town vulnerable.
An Auckland woman found unconscious with serious injuries has given birth. Two women and a man were admitted to hospital after what police believe was a domestic dispute. The sisters aged 25 and 29 were found unconscious in a Manukau home yesterday and admitted to hospital. Police say one of the women gave birth to a girl overnight after an emergency Caesarean section. The baby is in a critical condition at National Women's Hospital. A 40-year old man found at another address is also in hospital in a critical condition. Police believe the incidents are connected.
Mark Lundy is in the witness stand at the High Court in Palmerston North. The man accused of murdering his wife Christine and daughter Amber has begun giving evidence in his own defence. Lundy has answered questions about his whereabouts on the night of August 29th, 2000. He has firmly denied killing his wife and daughter. His voice faltered and he became emotional while telling the court of his and his wife's difficulties conceiving a second child and their decision not to have any other children. Lundy has also given evidence about the state of his business affairs.
Fonterra, the world's largest supplier of dairy products, has signed a supply contract with a Mexican company worth $100 million over the next year. NZMP, Fonterra's ingredients division, has signed the agreement with Mexico's largest importer of milk powder, the state-run Liconsa. The agency is responsible for the supply of milk powder and reconstituted milk to the poor. The supply agreement was arranged during last November's visit to Mexico by the Prime Minister. Mexico is now one of this country's largest dairy markets, with sales running at over $400 million annually. NZMP Managing Director Chris Moller says the fact that NZMP is the world's largest supplier of dairy products and the company's provision of technical backup influenced the Mexican decision to go ahead with the deal.
More than 20 restaurants around the country can expect a knock on the door over the next few days following raids on what fisheries officers say is a huge poaching ring. Thirty people were arrested after swoops in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and the East Coast. By the time Operation Pacman wraps up, Fisheries Compliance Manager, Dave Wood expects more than a hundred arrests. He is confident of netting all those allegedly involved in this poaching ring, but he says they cannot be sure there are not other similar operations still going. Mr Wood says one way the poachers smuggled their ill gotten gains out of the country was in the luggage of Asian tour groups.
The Conservation Minister has denied promising her former electorate agent his contract would be renewed. Darryl Evans is suing Parliamentary Services for $160,000, claiming unfair dismissal and humiliation. His lawyer has told the Employment Tribunal in Auckland that Sandra Lee assured Mr Evans several times that his contract would be renewed in December 1999. However the minister says she is not in a position to renew an employee's contract, as employment decisions are left to Parliamentary Services.
There is renewed hope for New Zealand's chances of sub- hosting the next year's Rugby World Cup. Sports Minister Trevor Mallard met in secret with RWC boss Vernon Pugh in Australia yesterday and is confident the door is still open for New Zealand to co-host the tournament. Australia is planning to hold the cup on its own after New Zealand failed to agree to tough sponsorship conditions. Mr Mallard says Mr Pugh told him that some of the conditions may be able to be renegotiated. He says, if the NZRFU also makes moves, a solution may be possible.
National MP Gerry Brownlee is continuing to defend a private prosecution brought against him in the Auckland District Court. Native Forest Action supporter Neil Abel is demanding $60,000 in damages after an alleged assault. He claims the MP threatened to throw him down a staircase at a National Party election campaign launch at Eden Park in 1999. Mr Abel was removed from the meeting for heckling the then leader Jenny Shipley over National's stance on logging native timber on the West Coast.
(Judgement for the plaintiff, Mr Brownlee fined $8,500 - BH)
Fisheries officials have identified a number of tour groups allegedly involved in smuggling frozen seafood out of the country. About a tonne of illegal paua, bound for overseas markets, has been seized as part of Operation Pacman. Thirty people have been arrested so far, but it is thought that more than 100 are involved. Fisheries national compliance manager Dave Wood believes baggage containing poached seafood was put in with luggage from tour groups at hotels or airports. He says, for the operation to run smoothly, someone from a tour company's management must also be involved.
Mental health workers are threatening industrial action if a bed shortage at some facilities is not solved. The PSA says South Auckland's Tiaho Mai unit was bursting at seams last weekend, with patients sleeping in doctors' rooms and others locked in police cells until beds could be found. PSA Secretary Richard Wagstaff says it is not an isolated incident and warns nurses may start refusing to accept new patients if beds are not available. He says nurses feel the shortage is endangering their safety and that of patients. Mr Wagstaff is seeking urgent talks with the Health Ministry on the issue.
The man accused of being involved in an investment scam with Act MP Rodney Hide is attacking the merits of parliamentary privilege. New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters told Parliament that Christchurch businessman Dave Henderson and Mr Hide promoted an investment scheme that lost hundreds of New Zealands around $10 million. But Mr Henderson says it is grossly unfair that Mr Peters can make such comments under parliamentary privilege. Mr Henderson says he has challenged Mr Peters to make his statements outside the House, but Mr Peters has failed to do so.
A post-natal support group believes a New Zealand jury would have been more sympathetic towards Texas child killer Andrea Yates. The 37-year-old has been found guilty of murdering her five children. Jurors are yet to decide whether she will be executed. The Trauma and Birth Stress Group believes Andrea Yates should have been found insane because she suffered post-natal depression. Spokeswoman Sue Watson says the mental stress women go through after having children is underestimated. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist says pregnant women should be made more aware of the dangers of the condition. Psychiatrist Dr Sara Weeks believes pregnant women should be screened for post-natal depression as they are in the United Kingdom.
Claims of overcrowding in mental health units has prompted some Auckland workers to plan industrial action. Earlier this week, the Public Service Association warned a shortage of beds was straining staff and patients. PSA spokesman Richard Wagstaff says workers at Taharoto unit have now notified Waitemata Health of their intention to begin action in a week. Mr Wagstaff says the overcrowding will compromise the safety of patients and staff. He says the workers want to avoid a repeat of last week, when a bed shortage forced some patients into police cells. The PSA and Waitemata Health meet today.
The Crown has bought a piece of sacred land in the Chatham Islands to prevent its destruction. The 12 kilometre stretch of land on the island's eastern peninsula contains historic Moriori tree carvings. It will now be managed by the Hokotehi Moriori Trust. Chairman Alfred Preece says he is delighted the land will now be preserved. He says it has been seriously damaged by cattle grazing and it is planned to let the area grow back before opening it to visitors.
Helen Clark has been pleasantly surprised by the strength of the condemnation of the Zimbabwe election by the Commonwealth observer mission. The prime minister says she had a sinking feeling in the last few days following comments from the head of the mission. But the final report is scathing of the result which returned Robert Mugabe to power. All eyes are now on a three-country committee set up after CHOGM to decide if Zimbabwe should be suspended from the Commonwealth. Australia, South Africa and Nigeria make up the committee. Australia's believed to be in favour of suspension, with South Africa against. So Helen Clark says it is all down to Nigeria. She is not sure which way Nigeria will go, but says it is in a position to take a leadership role on the issue.
The Ministry of Fisheries is confident its caught the ringleaders of the country's seafood black market. Two officers worked undercover for six months to identify those involved in the selling and buying of crayfish and paua. Operation Pacman will see more than 85 people charged after a series of raids over the past two days. Ministry spokesman Alan Meek says the operation was flawless with the element of surprise on their side. He believes the most significant people were caught. Mr Meek says the operation has now reached the court phase, with the first accused appearing on Monday.
There is no more mistaking Shihad for jihad. The New Zealand band has now officially changed its name. Shihad has came under fire since the September 11 attacks for having a name similar to the Islamic word jihad or 'Holy War'. The band made an unscheduled appearance at LA's famous Viper Room announcing it will now be known as Pacifier. It is also the name of one of the band's most popular hits. One problem with the change - frontman John Toogood says his mother's already got Shihad tattooed across her back.
ACT begins its election year conference in Auckland tonight. Our political editor says since its last conference it has wallowed in the opinion polls but the most recent one pushed it over the five per cent threshold. If the party is feeling down about the polls it is not showing with leader Richard Prebble saying he expects to win 20 seats at the coming election. ACT's conference is open to anyone who wants to pop in for a look , which could pose a problem for it when it is officially opened by Auckland Mayor John Banks. Mr Banks has been plagued by protestors lately.
The last of the four teenagers convicted for the arson of Hamilton's Fraser High gym will not serve her sentence in jail. Tashina Norris has been given permission to serve her sentence at home. Norris was sentenced to 15 months jail in February, but was released on bail for a month by the high court while her application for home detention was considered. The district prisons board has decided she can serve her sentence in the community. Three other teens convicted of the crime are also on home detention. Unlike them, Tashina Norris has been given permission to continue going to school.
Wasp-men to the rescue. An operation rivalling the scene in 'Mission Impossible' where Tom Cruise was dangled down a shaft on a long rope has rid the Far North of its giant wasps' nest. The nest, described as being as big as a twin- cab truck, was located 35 metres up a tree near Pawarenga. To get rid of it, agricultural pest controller Mike Knight and a helicopter pilot plotted an elaborate plan. The idea saw Mr Knight hanging from a 30-metre strap underneath the chopper. He landed on top of the nest and doused it in poison, killing thousands of wasps. At one stage there were so many wasps on him he was weighted down. He managed to get through the experience without being stung once.
(Mr Knight was wearing a beekeeper's protective clothing over a wet suit as he dangled from a Robinson R-22 helicopter over a nest the size of a van. There are several factors in there that might cause the ordinary person in the street to wonder whether he has it all together, but I think he is amazingly brave. At one brief stage, during the TV coverage, there was this huge man-shaped swarm of wasps, and my thoughts turned to the movie "Starship Troopers" - BH)
The Commerce Commission is prosecuting cut-price airline Freedom Air, over allegedly misleading advertising. The Commission believes South Pacific Air Charters Ltd, which trades as Freedom Air, breached the Fair Trading Act by not disclosing the full cost of air fares in its advertisements. It says in addition to the advertised fares, passengers discovered they were also required to pay Civil Aviation Authority and insurance levies. The Commission also claims Freedom Air misrepresented an operational cost, as the supposed insurance levy. The maximum penalty the airline could face is a $100,000 fine. The Commerce Commission fears other airlines are advertising in the same way, and is warning them to ensure their advertising is up to scratch.
(Hmmm. I have always booked my Freedom Air tickets on the web, and have never been in any doubt as to what was ticket and what was external impost. I would certainly prefer an up front single figure, but I never perceived any attempt to deceive. - BH)
Date: 14 March 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 0.4343
AUD 0.8323
GBP 0.3068
JPY 56.36
CAD 0.6934
EUR 0.4965
HKD 3.3961
SGD 0.7946
ZAR 5.0418
CHF 0.7295
INTEREST RATES (%)
Call : 4.75
90 Day: 5.26
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