Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
Wild winds whistle round the house. Deciduous trees yield their last leaves, and whatever grit and rubbish is in the gutters is picked up and swirled away downwind. Of course, that which was upwind to begin with is flying past us at the same time. The view is hazy, and the salt laden atmosphere imparts a rosy hue to the evening light. Down on the harbour, the water is beaten surprisingly flat, though it may be that waves are more visible in the Southern reaches. Somewhere out there in the grey murk, a visible arrowhead of white foam marks the inward passage of the Lynx, whose passengers are no doubt relieved to be in the harbour and out of the surging swells in the strait. Catamarans are marvellous in a calm sea, but I get a little queasy just thinking about a passage in a beam sea. The imaginary line through the centre of the vessel describes great hunting circles. Autumn is truly with us, and we have had a few brief cold snaps already. Just over a week ago the first traces of snow for the season delineated the distant tops of the Tararuas. Winter is coming.
Sometime in the next few weeks, I shall be going to Melbourne to work with my other academic supervisor for a fortnight. As a consequence, the publication of WYSIWYG may become a little erratic for a while. Bear with me. It will come right.
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 Bruce Hamilton. Thanks Bruce, it is much appreciated. On with the news:
There are early indications kiwifruit growers could be in for a bumper season. The first container vessel load of kiwifruit bound for Asia was sold out before the ship arrived - the first time this has happened in four years. The kiwifruit harvest began almost two weeks ahead of last year and early reports say the general quality of fruit is very good. Along with Asia, shipments have also left for Europe and North America. Meanwhile, kiwifruit growers have a new tool to use. Zespri has launched www. zespri-grower. com following months of planning , trailing and testing. The company says it has purposely kept the site relatively simple. A survey of growers found that while many growers had a high level of computer and internet usage there were some limitations on the hardware they were using. Zespri is promising that the site will continue to be developed in response to grower's needs.
Computer software giant, Microsoft, has agreed to a settlement with an Auckland company, following a copyright infringement. C-tech Computers has paid 20 thousand dollars in damages to Microsoft, after illegally copying software. The company was accused of loading unauthorised Microsoft software onto computers and selling them on to their customers.
A meningococcal alert in the Bay of Plenty. There have been five reported cases of the disease since last Friday, and the area's Medical Officer of Health is urging anyone displaying possible symptoms to seek immediate medical attention. It is believed the cases are not linked to the scare in Hamilton over the weekend. Bay of Plenty's Medical Officer of Health Phil Shoemack will not identify the locations of the five cases. He says doing that could cause a false sense of alarm.
Two of the three men facing charges in connection with a fatal home invasion near Auckland, have appeared in court. Forty-seven year old Robert Oppert was shot, when he and three others allegedly broke into a house in rural Helensville, on Friday night. In the Waitakere District Court today, 18-year-old Yimano Prescott and 25-year-old Douglas Hall faced charges of robbing a man at the house of cannabis, and of breaking into the property with intent to commit a crime. Both have been remanded in custody without plea to reappear in court on May the 20th. Meanwhile, a 31- year-old man who was at the house has appeared in court charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
Caltex and BP have joined Shell in dropping fuel prices. Earlier today, Shell took two cents a litre off both grades of petrol, as well as diesel. The oil companies say the retail price will vary at a regional level. Shell says motorists in some parts of the North Island might not notice a fall, as intense competition in some areas has already pushed prices down.
The older brother of mentally-ill killer Claude Gabriel says what happened four years ago was a tragedy, but everyone has to move on. The 26-year old was found unfit to plead on a charge of murdering 17-year-old Janaya Clarke. He escaped from a Brisbane mental hospital late last year. His parents fled with him to Victoria, then Italy, and finally to Auckland where he was found by police last week. John and Alessandra Gabriel were charged under the Mental Health Act with helping their son abscond, and again have failed to appear in court, saying John Gabriel is ill. They have been ordered to be in court on May 22nd. Their son is currently being assessed at the Mason Clinic in Auckland. Robert Gabriel says his family and that of the victim have been tormented by what happened. He says Claude has to live with something he did not even know he was doing. However the mother of the victim says he should not be allowed to remain in this country. Robyn Clarke says Gabriel's family is turning her daughter's death into a circus. She also does not see why the New Zealand government should have to deal with the problem.
(New Zealand could one day face a similar problem. Steven Anderson, who like Gabriel was stark naked during the commission of his crime, was also found not guilty by reason of insanity. The result for both men, is that there is no element of punishment or correction in their present confinement. The law is saying in both cases that the crime of murder did not happen. In both cases, the situation could arise that the person is no longer judged to be insane, at which time they can no longer be held prisoner. Nor is it possible to then go back and try them for an action committed when they were insane. This is intrinsically unsatisfactory to the families of the victims, and may well give rise to a strong sense of outrage in the community. I can see no just solution to this quandary. – BH)
A heavy workload is one of the biggest drawbacks of a career in the public service. A survey of 6,500 staff from all Government departments shows three quarters of respondents reported working more hours than they were employed for. Almost one in five said they worked 10 or more additional hours a week. One quarter have concerns about being able to balance work and family life. They identified that as a significant deterrent to seeking promotion. Older men still dominate the senior ranks, although the public service is predominately female. One in five reported having experienced unfair treatment based on personal characteristics.
Winter is making its presence felt across much of the country. A cold blast sweeping through Cook Strait has forced the cancellation of this morning's Lynx fast ferry sailing. The MetService says cold winds combined with heavy rain are expected to hang around the capital for much of today. Forecaster Melanie Graham says the rain will become more persistent throughout the day, and there is a storm warning in force for Cook Strait. Meanwhile a month's rainfall has been recorded in parts of Banks Peninsula since yesterday morning. Some 62. 6 millimetres of rain has fallen in the past 36 hours in Le Bons Bay. That is as much as the average amount for the entire month of April. Nearly 38 millimetres has been reported at Christchurch Airport. Rain in the Garden City this morning has kept firefighters busy. Several basements of commercial properties including Ballentynes and Jade have been flooded. A number of homes have also been affected. The rain is expected to ease around midday.
A hint from the Maori Television Service there may be action later today over the future of the network's new chief executive. There have been calls for Canadian John Davy to be sacked over allegations he exaggerated his qualifications and work history. Finance Minister Michael Cullen last week demanded an urgent Treasury inquiry. There have been indications from the Government it may be ready today. Maori Television Service chairman Derek Fox says the board is still working through the process it has been required to follow.
There is some good economic news today. New Zealand has recorded a much better trade surplus for March than anyone was expecting. Provisional figures from Statistics New Zealand put the surplus at $451 million. Economists were expecting a much lower figure - around $57 million. Imports in March came in at just over $2. 5 billion, while exports brought in around $3 billion. They are the best monthly export figures since May last year.
The National Party has released its Treaty of Waitangi policy, calling for all historic claims to be settled by 2008. If elected, the party would require treaty claims to be filed with the Waitangi Tribunal by the end of next year. National leader Bill English says it is time for the country to move on. "I want this nation to be proud of all its history, not tired of hearing about it. National wants to settle historical claims fairly and quickly so New Zealanders can focus on an ambitious future. "He says the party would honour previous treaty settlements as full and final. National is also promising to ensure public access to rivers and lakes that are the subject of claims. Mr English has challenged the Prime Minister to a debate on Treaty of Waitangi claims. He says Helen Clark needs to explain to the public why the Government is dithering over them.
Heavy seas in Cook Strait are causing problems for the ferries today. The 8am sailing of the Lynx fast ferry had to turn back, due to swells of up to four metres. Interisland line spokeswoman Jo Roberts says all the passengers booked on the ferry will be able to sail on the Arahura. A decision on when the Lynx will sail again will be made later in the day.
Labour denies doing a deal with the Alliance to make it easier for the party to get back into Parliament. The senior coalition partner has released its candidate list for this year's election. It has given a relatively high ranking to Lynne Pillay, who is standing against Alliance leader Laila Harre in Waitakere. Labour president Mike Williams denies suggestions Ms Pillay's position at number 39 on the list means she will not be campaigning so hard at the local electorate level. The Alliance is hoping to win Waitakere, meaning it would not need to reach the five percent mark in the list vote to get MPs back into Parliament.
The share market continues to scramble for shares in Air New Zealand, with the price going as high as 51 cents early this afternoon. That was eight cents up for the day and continued yesterday's trend. The airline has told the Stock Exchange today it hopes to almost break even this financial year. This compares favourably with its earlier projected full year loss of $63. 4 million. Tim Preston from ASB Securities says there are several reasons for the share price rise, including fund managers being caught short with too few Air New Zealand shares. He says in addition several brokers have recommended the airline and increased their ratings on it
A warning that Air New Zealand is not out of the woods yet. It comes as the airline's share price surges, on talk the company might come close to breaking even this financial year. Air New Zealand chairman John Palmer says passenger numbers have recovered, and cost-cutting has also helped. Aviation analyst Arthur Lim of Macquarie Equities says airlines around the world have recovered from September 11th. But he says Air New Zealand still faces plenty of hurdles before it returns to profitability. These include continued tough competition from Qantas, and the possibility that Virgin Blue will start flying trans- Tasman. The Government owns 82 percent of the national carrier, following last year's bailout. Air New Zealand shares have risen eight cents today, and are trading at 51 cents.
The company that owns Foodtown and Countdown has had a legal victory in its efforts to buy Woolworths. Progressive Enterprises has won an appeal to the Privy Council over a decision blocking the purchase. Rival supermarket operator Foodstuffs took the case to the Law Lords. It argued the Progressive application to buy Woolworths should have been considered under new takeover rules. Progressive lodged its bid with the Commerce Commission the day before the new rules took effect. Progressive says its next step is to contact the Hong Kong owners of Woolworths, to see if they are interested in selling. Foodstuffs maintains there will be less competition if the deal goes through.
Another woman has come forward in Rotorua, claiming she was a victim of a sex attack earlier this year. It follows a plea from police, after Pourshad Marco Arvand was arrested and charged with a number of alleged sex attacks recently. He is currently being held in custody until his next court appearance on 13th of May. It is expected he may face up to 60 charges. Police have received nine complaints so far, but they believe there could still be more. Some of the women claim they were drugged before being sexually attacked.
A 39-year-old Huntly man has appeared in the Hamilton District Court today, charged with the assault of his foster child. A three-year-old boy died in the Waikato town yesterday afternoon. Results of a post-mortem examination show that the toddler died from internal injuries. Police are continuing their investigation, with inquiries in the area and a scene examination. The outcome will determine whether the man will face more charges. The accused man has been remanded on bail.
The tattered New Zealand flag pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Centre in New York has been unveiled at Parliament. The Prime Minister hopes it serves as a permanent reminder of the heroic actions of those who died saving others. Helen Clark says it is a sad memorial of events without precedent. She says it must not be forgotten that two New Zealanders died during the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The flag was handed back to the Prime Minister in a moving ceremony at Ground Zero last month, by the two policemen who found it.
(I recall vividly, the handover ceremony in which an officer from the NYPD passed the flag to the Prime Minister, and observed that if we had as much pride in our flag as he had in his own, we would want it treated with respect. New Zealand has never been especially flag conscious, and very few private citizens actually fly or display the New Zealand ensign. When it is displayed, it ought to be done properly. I saw a flag today that must have been the last 20% of the flag. The rest had literally whipped itself to shreds in the wind over a period of many months. In my view, that organization ought to remove the flag rather than treat it in such a contemptuous manner. – BH)
That four-letter word starting with F may be becoming more acceptable in New Zealand households. A Documentary New Zealand programme on TV One last night featured Maori humour. Comedian Mike King used the four-letter word a number of times, extolling its virtues as a great impact word. TVNZ broadcast a warning before the show that it contained bad language and recommended it for adult audiences. A spokeswoman says the channel only received one phone call afterwards and that was complimentary about the programme.
(Perhaps they do, but it is not how I was brought up. – BH)
The price of petrol and diesel will go up from 2008 because of a carbon tax under the Government's plans to meet the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. The Government has just released its preferred Kyoto policy today, with the intention of ratifying the climate change treaty this August. The Protocol will require New Zealand to cut back its carbon dioxide gas emissions to 1990 levels. The policy also includes cash incentives for businesses which make an extra effort to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Industries concerned about a loss of competitiveness will be protected in the first commitment period by entering a compromise contract with the Government. The agricultural sector, which is a big contributor to New Zealand's gas emissions, will be exempt from any emissions charges or trading regimes.
It is unclear whether the flow of new cars into New Zealand will be affected by major industrial action in Australia. Australia's car manufacturing industry is headed for a total shutdown because of an ongoing strike at exhaust producer Walker Australia. Holden and Ford production lines have stopped, and Mitsubishi and Toyota are unlikely to continue working beyond tomorrow. In New Zealand, Mitsubishi says only its Diamante range is assembled in Australia, and it has sufficient stocks of standard models. Toyota says it has two models assembled across the Tasman. It is not sure whether imports will be affected. Ford and Holden are both investigating any impact on their new cars orders.
An early election is once again being considered by the Government as another political scenario looms large. IRN political editor Barry Soper says this time it has nothing to do with the Alliance. National's long serving MP Brian Neeson is understood to be considering chucking it in following his selection defeat in the Waitakere seat. That could force a costly by-election there, something Prime Minister Helen Clark would probably want to avoid with a general election looming. Barry Soper says, to avoid a by- election, Miss Clark could put the issue to a Parliamentary vote. During an election year, a 75 percent majority vote is enough to avoid the need to hold a by-election. However, she could see it as the ideal opportunity to go early and blame National. Mr Neeson is expected to make his decision within the next fortnight.
(It seems Mr Neeson is more opposed to the idea of gifting the Labour Party with an early election than he is to get his own back on Michelle Boag. If there is to be an early election, I doubt it will be triggered by Mr Neeson – BH)
The Helen Clark painting that was not is to go under the hammer again. Earlier this month the Prime Minister apologised for signing off a painting as her own for a charity auction in 1999. She admitted her staff commissioned artist Lauren Foughy to do a piece for a charity auction for Save Animals from Exploitation. Miss Clark reimbursed the buyer with the $1,000 he paid for the painting. The untitled piece will be auctioned at Webb's gallery in Auckland a week today. The proceeds will again go to SAFE. One person has already expressed an interest in the painting. The catalogue was only sent out on Friday.
All secondary school teachers will be offered the option of leasing a subsidised laptop computer. Education Minister Trevor Mallard says the budget will include $25 million over the next five years to support the leasing of the computers. The deal will see the Government contribute two thirds of the cost of a laptop with either schools or individuals paying the difference. Meanwhile, Mr Mallard has told the Secondary School's Principals' Association today, that Labour is determined to show fiscal restraint in the budget. He says the $125 million pay contract being offered to secondary teachers this year is a big slice of it. Some secondary teachers are taking industrial action today over their pay dispute with the Government.
A ground-breaking survey by Otago University squashes claims organically produced food is better for you. The Department of Food Science was commissioned by the Institute of Crop and Food Research to review the nutritive, sensory and food safety qualities of organic and conventionally produced foods. Dr Diane Bourn says they have found no evidence organic food is more nutritious. And she says it does not taste any better either. However she points out organic food is often preferred because it has no or lower pesticide residues. Dr Bourn adds it is possible that the non-use of pesticides in organic food production may lead to higher levels of compounds that help to naturally protect plants against pests and diseases. She says some of these may help protect against illnesses like heart disease and cancer. This is an area where much more research is needed, she says. She says organics is a fast- growing industry and consumers deserve the best information available. Dr Bourn expects the paper to be of wide international interest to consumers, industry and policymakers interested in organic food production systems.
(Oh my goodness! How could this possibly be? Next they will be telling us that homeopathic remedies don't actually do anything. – BH)
The chairman of the Maori Television Service is confident of recovering thousands of dollars advanced to its dismissed chief executive. John Davy has been caught out lying about his qualifications, just a few weeks after the Canadian was appointed to run the channel. He was advanced $20,000. Maori TV chairman Derek Fox says the board is now trying to get that money back. Mr Fox does not believe Davy is about to do a runner, as he could have left the country on Saturday, but has not. Mr Fox has rejected opposition calls for him to resign, saying Davy's appointment was based on the best advice available. But that is not enough for National candidate and former Mauri Pacific leader Tau Henare. He says the board did not have to take the advice of the recruitment agency that interviewed the Canadian. However, the Minister of Maori Affairs is standing by the board of the Maori Television Service, for now. Parekura Horomia says he retains confidence in the board and chairman Derek Fox, despite the John Davy debacle. Mr Horomia says the Government is waiting for a report on what has happened, before considering its options. He says, for now, the board and the chair have his full confidence in terms of what needs to be done and what has been done. Mr Horomia describes the situation as a major foul-up.
(It seems that Mr Davy is now in jeopardy on a number of fronts. Is his residence in New Zealand based on the points from a degree that he doesn't have? Can it be said that in presenting a fake degree he used a document to pecuniary advantage? The police are now exploring these issues. – BH)
More havoc for ferry passengers caught out by bad weather in Cook Strait. The Interisland Line's cancelled tonight's 5. 30 sailing from Wellington, along with the 6 o'clock sailing from Picton. Earlier sailings today have also been cancelled. Interisland Line spokeswoman, Jo Roberts, says that has left about 400 passengers stranded in Wellington and around one thousand in Picton. Jo Roberts says special charter flights are being put on for those who urgently need to get across Cook Strait.
A strong hint from the prime minister that there will not be a by-election if Brian Neeson quits. There is talk the renegade National MP could quit his Auckland electorate, after his party failed to re-select him. Mr Neeson believes talk of him quitting is being put about by the Government as it seeks to engineer a crisis that would allow it to call an early election. Helen Clark denies she is pulling the strings. But she does concede that a by-election this close to a general election would be unnecessary.
Mentally-ill killer Claude Gabriel could stay in the care of New Zealand mental health authorities for another fortnight. The 26-year-old Melbourne man who absconded from psychiatric care in Queensland, turned up in Auckland last week. Queensland health authorities want him back. The Ministry of Health has completed a five-day assessment of Gabriel under a compulsory treatment order. Deputy director of mental health Dr Anthony Duncan says psychiatrists have decided to move on to a second assessment phase to see whether he needs to be committed. He says the extension of Gabriel's custody is a routine process. Gabriel's family is considering launching a legal bid to have him released from care.
A major drop in income for farmers forecast for next season is likely to slow up the local economy. Diary industry giant Fonterra is warning farmers that the final payout for 2002/2003 is likely to be $4 per kilogram of milk solid, down from its current level of $5. 30 per kg. Waikato Chamber of Commerce President Steve Saunders says businesses can expect to feel a flow-on effect. Mr Saunders says the drop is very real in terms of farmers' disposable income. He says farmers will not stop spending, but will be more cautious. Meanwhile Waikato's Federated Farmers regional president John Vincent says farmers were prepared for a drop - just not quite to that extent. He agrees there will not be a lot of extra spending by farmers next season. Mr Vincent says Fonterra has been riding the crest of a wave for the last two years. He says farmers will now be making sure the company follows through on promised gains.
Business New Zealand is calling the Government's policy on climate change 'the biggest gamble since Think Big'. The policy sets out how the Government would like to reduce greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol. It includes a tax on carbon emissions. Business New Zealand chief executive Simon Carlaw says Kyoto is a flawed agreement, because the biggest polluters on the planet will not sign it. He says these countries are looking at alternatives to Kyoto. Mr Carlaw says the Government's consultation process on climate change is going fast in one direction. Meanwhile, a corporate finance expert is also critical of the proposed $25 per tonne carbon dioxide charge. Mike Schubert from PriceWaterhouseCoopers says, even if the price is capped, it will still not be attractive to businesses. He says the cap means businesses will only save if the global price tops $25. Mr Schubert says, although big power users should be looking at ways to reduce emissions already, many of their competitors in non-Kyoto countries are not. He says that makes competition very difficult.
The United Future Party is thinking big as it prepares for the next election. Leader Peter Dunne is predicting his party will win at least three seats. He says, if the United and Future parties had combined at the last election, they would have taken 1. 7 percent of the vote which is equivalent to two seats. Mr Dunne says the parties have been together since the end of 2000 but the official registration of United Future was only two months ago. He says that, including his Ohariu Belmont seat, might give the party three MPs.
(I predict zero seats for Mr Dunne – BH)
One of the candidates who missed out on the top job at the Maori television is not interested in trying again. The service is again looking for a chief executive after the sacking of John Davy when irregularities turned up in his credentials. Mai FM managing-director Graham Pryor was one of the unsuccessful applicants for the job. He has decided to stay with Auckland's top-rating radio station rather than reapply. Mr Pryor hopes the bad publicity will not deter quality candidates from applying. But he concedes it will be difficult to attract top people given what has happened.
The new Wellington regional hospital has been given the green light. The Government has approved funding for the Capital and Coast District Health Board's business plan. The decision has not only guaranteed that Newtown will be the site for the regional hospital, but there is also good news for those in Porirua and on the Kapiti Coast. The Government has approved improvements at Kenepuru Hospital as well as more health facilities on the coast. Health Minister Annette King says the need for new hospital facilities in Wellington was recognised more than 30 years ago. She says, even though it has been a long time coming, the results will be worth waiting for.
The family of mentally-ill Australian killer Claude Gabriel is expected to apply to the courts today, to decide his future. Gabriel is being assessed at Auckland's Mason Clinic, after being found in South Auckland last week. The 26-year-old fled from a Brisbane mental hospital, where he was being held after being found unfit to plead to murder four years ago. Queensland wants him back and a detective, Geoff Sheldon, has arrived in New Zealand to liaise with authorities here. The Ministry of Health plans to seek a compulsory treatment order, under which it could return Gabriel to Brisbane. But his brother Robert says the family believes he is no threat to society and should stay on in New Zealand. He says Gabriel should live with or near his family. Robert Gabriel hopes to present the family's case today to an Auckland court.
Education minister Trevor Mallard has announced a High Court ruling that the Government, rather than schools, is responsible for special needs students will be appealed. Court action was taken in 1999 by a group of parents, who claimed the Special Education 2000 policy was inconsistent with the Education Act. Mr Mallard says the court's decision is cause for concern, as a distinction needs to be made between matters for the court and matters for the Government. He says the Crown has acted within the law in implementing special education policies and that would be the focus of the appeal.
Our most notorious politician will have his life in the corridors of power remembered at a conference at Wellington's Victoria University later this week. Sir Robert Muldoon was New Zealand's Prime Minister for almost a decade in the 1970s and 80s. Political editor Barry Soper says, while Muldoon was famously difficult to deal with, there was also a side to him few got to see. He says Sir Robert liked nothing more than to chat about politics over a scotch late at night. Barry Soper says it is unfortunate that Muldoon will most likely be remembered for the shaky state of the country when he called the snap election in 1984.
The New Zealand University Students' Association is calling for the Government to cough up for dentistry students who lost out in the mid-90s. National slashed subsidies for dental students at Otago University between 1995 and 1999. The High Court has ruled the decision was erroneous and irrational. NZUSA co-president Andrew Campbell says it is only fair the Government should pay up. He says there are students who incurred loans of up to $130,000 while trying to finish their dentistry degrees during the time National was in power.
A Canadian newspaper is reporting that John Davy is technically bankrupt. The Maori Television Service is in the process of getting back the $20,000 it paid to its former chief executive who was sacked for irregularities discovered in his CV. The Globe and Mail's investigation into Mr Davy's background has uncovered he filed for bankruptcy in 1980 and 1993. It says John Davy is still technically bankrupt because he received only a conditional discharge from the 1993 filing, in which he listed $94,000 in liabilities. Davy has admitted some of his qualifications do not appear to stack up. He has claimed that is because he has entered a witness protection scheme after carrying out financial work for a group of companies. Meanwhile, the Government has given a clear signal that it wants the Serious Fraud Office to investigate the Maori Television Service. Shareholding Minister Michael Cullen is labelling Davy a fraud and a con-man who he is glad to see the back of. Dr Cullen is defending the board of Maori Television, preferring to place the blame with the recruitment company which recommended Mr Davy. He is challenging fellow MPs to take the matter up with the SFO because, as a shareholding minister, he is in no position to lay a complaint.
The Government is sitting on a healthy profit following its Air New Zealand bailout, but it is only on paper. The recent surge in the airline's share price has seen the taxpayer's $885 million stake almost double in value. Business correspondent Roger Kerr says, while that sounds like a great investment, there is a catch. He says it is almost impossible for the Government to realise the profit, because there are a limited number of buyers for its 82 percent holding. Air New Zealand's share price has risen in response to talk that the company might actually break even this financial year. The airline's shares closed yesterday up six cents at 49 cents, a rise for the day of 14 percent.
The National Party is scotching claims a disgruntled Brian Neeson will force an early election. Mr Neeson is threatening to quit the party, after being dumped as National's Waitakere candidate. That has prompted speculation he will force a by-election or prompt the Prime Minister to call an early election. However, National's deputy leader Roger Sowry says that will never happen because Mr Neeson's seat is disappearing in a few months. Roger Sowry says the decent thing for Helen Clark to do would be to announce an election date. Brian Neeson says he is considering his options and could stand as an independent.
The government has a new coalition partner - the Progressive Coalition. That is the name Jim Anderton and his loyal MPs have chosen for their new party. Speculation has been rife since the Alliance formally spit earlier this month, over how Mr Anderton would brand his party. While Jim Anderton may claim to lead the Alliance in Parliament, because of tonight's development he now formally heads another party. That party will not be recognised in Parliament, and Mr Anderton will continue to be recognised by Parliament as leader of the Alliance.
A currency union between New Zealand and Australia has been rejected by the Foreign Affairs and Trade Select Committee. The Committee's been looking at the current CER agreement with Australia, and is recommending the Government expand it into an Australia-New Zealand Economic Community. Committee Chair and Labour MP, Graham Kelly, says the Committee also looked at whether there should be one currency. He says more research needs to be done on the issues. Mr Kelly says the Committee is also reluctant to see New Zealand give up control of its monetary policy. He says a currency union would be the very last step in the economic integration process.
The Police Complaints Authority has launched an investigation, after a 17-year-old youth was found unconscious in a Waikato police cell. Putaruru police arrested the youth yesterday, and charged him with unlawful conversion of a vehicle. He was placed in a cell, and was later found unconscious during a routine check. He is now in a serious condition in Waikato Hospital. Police say initial inquiries indicate his condition appears to be self-inflicted.
Does anyone fancy a fight with Bill English? That is the question being asked by the Yellow Ribbon Fight for Life organisers. The National Party leader is the latest addition to the celebrity boxing event, that raises money for the prevention of youth suicide. Organiser Dean Lonergan says the hunt is now on for an opponent. He says they need someone with a similar height and weight to Bill English. He is ruled out the Prime Minister because he is not sure a match between the pair would be a fair fight. The punch-up between rugby union star Inga Tuigamala and league player Mark Bourneville is tipped to be the one to watch.
The country's largest bus company is investing millions of dollars in new vehicles which will be less harmful to the environment. Stagecoach is spending $36 million in Auckland and Wellington, replacing 120 of its older buses, with new environmentally-friendly ones. The new engines in the buses will cut the emissions of carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbon by around 75 percent, compared with the older vehicles. Stagecoach Commercial director, Ian Turner, says this is a big step for the company, and comes after 20 years of developing the engine. The buses will be introduced into the city in the next two years. Mr Turner says the new buses will be an added benefit for people who already use public transport.
Trade Minister Jim Sutton says steps are already underway to address America's concerns about parallel importing. The US has put New Zealand on a list of countries that it feels lack intellectual property protection laws. Mr Sutton says New Zealand was on the list last year and it is not cause for great concern. He says a number of countries are included, among them Canada, which is America's largest trading partner. Mr Sutton says the Government is already looking at strengthening the protection for intellectual property of items including videos and DVDs.
$90m Justice Price Tag Defended
The Justice Minister believes the benefits of his new sentencing and parole laws are worth the $90 million price tag. The Government is allocating the spending over the next four years, to accommodate an increase in the prison population. The legislation passed last night introduces a 17-year minimum non-parole period for the worst types of murder. While the provision for automatic release after two thirds of a sentence has been removed, violent offenders can apply for release after serving just one third of their time. Justice Minister Phil Goff says another 300-350 prison cells will need to be built to accommodate the changes to the legislation. That works out to $90 million in capital and running costs over the next four years. The legislation is in response to the 1999 referendum calling for tougher sentences.
The Land Transport Safety Authority is backing calls from the Auditor-General's office that more speed cameras be used and more motorists be ticketed for speeding. LTSA Director David Wright says the cameras are effective at reducing speed. He denies they are just a means of collecting revenue. Mr Wright says the effectiveness of speed cameras is outlined in the latest road toll figures from last month. Twenty-five people died on the nation's roads in April, down from 41 last year and this is the second-lowest number since records began in 1965.
A recent spate of homicides is putting pressure on the agency which conducts forensic tests for the police. The ESR is currently gathering evidence for inquiries into 45 homicides and 140 sexual assaults. That is causing delays in the availability of evidence, with some criminal hearings having to be postponed by up to 10 weeks. ESR General Manager Wayne Chisnall says up to 40 scientists and technicians are handling the cases. He says they have an average turnaround time of three months for homicide files, but currently only half of the cases are being cleared by then. Mr Chisnall says it is very difficult to attract qualified scientists and it takes up to three years to train them.
(It worries me that a spate of homicides or other crimes requiring forensic services or large chunks of police time, actually diminish the residual resources left for ordinary service. I predict with some confidence that the police will overrun their budget this year, and that there will be internal memos asking officers to stop making phone calls etc. There needs to be some system of recognising extraordinary events and supplementing the appropriate budgets to accommodate them – BH)
The National Party is angered that the Government's new sentencing and parole laws have been passed. Parliament has voted in favour of the new legislation, which is likely to take effect by July. The laws are designed to impose tougher penalties on the worst criminals. One of the provisions will see the most serious offenders only eligible for parole after 17 years, as opposed to 10 under current laws. The new legislation also abolishes automatic release after two thirds of a sentence. Labour Cabinet Minister Paul Swain says New Zealanders are bound to embrace the new laws. But National's Justice spokesman Wayne Mapp says it is ridiculous that, under the changes, violent criminals can now apply for parole after one third of their sentence. He says the new laws are a sham and will actually favour the criminal.
The Japanese Prime Minister flies into the country this afternoon for a whistle stop tour. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is here for just one night but will pack a lot into his visit. He will inspect a military guard of honour on his arrival before meeting with Helen Clark at Premier House for more than an hour. Tonight he will be the guest at an official dinner in the Beehive. Trade will be the focus of the visit with Japan being New Zealand's third largest trading partner. Mr Koizumi is on a four nation tour. During his meeting with Australian Prime Minister John Howard, the pair discussed a new three-nation security agreement. The deal would involve Japan, Australia and the United States. In Australia, Mr Koizumi visited the Australian War Memorial, laying a wreath. He recently came in for criticism after visiting shrines in Japan where Japanese war criminals were honoured.
It is claimed a new rule for American actors may breach free trade. The Screen Actors' Guild has ordered its 98,000 members to stop work on projects outside the US unless the production is covered by a union agreement. Working to SAG contracts could be a huge expense for movie makers wanting to come to New Zealand. Actor-director Ian Mune believes the new rule is restrictive and may breach fair trade agreements. He says if the shoe was on the other foot, SAG would be outraged. Mr Mune says the new restrictions will hurt New Zealand's chances at getting more US productions made in this country. He believes SAG is paranoid about its movie makers going outside America to make films.
The country's third largest company is expected to post a good result today for the first half of the financial year. Contact Energy is New Zealand's second biggest power company with more than 400,000 electricity customers and more than 100,000 gas consumers. James Miller from ABN AMRO says the first-half result is not a pointer to the full year's performance because the business is highly seasonal and variable. He expects a solid result compared to last year because spot prices have been high even during the quiet time.
National's putting the pressure on Parliament's Speaker to dismiss Jim Anderton and his loyalist MPs, after evidence Mr Anderton has named and formed a new party. It is widely tipped that Mr Anderton's new party is to be called the Progressive Coalition. Former party leader Jenny Shipley says an Alliance website confirms that name. She says that is evidence there is a party in Parliament which for the convenience of claiming taxpayers' funding, does not want to be acknowledged as a party. She describes that as a farce. Jenny Shipley says Speaker Jonathan Hunt must invoke the party-hopping law, which would see Jim Anderton and his loyalists kicked out.
The Government has unveiled a new skilled immigration programme for the regions. The scheme aims to see the benefits from skilled migrants flow on to regional New Zealand, rather than just Auckland where most migrants end up. It is to be piloted in Wellington and Southland, with the responsibility falling on those areas to provide support for new migrants. Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton says the plan is a response to the healthy state of regional economies, which are now suffering a skill shortage. Jim Anderton says the Southland region has had 10 percent GDP growth over the last year.
Natural Gas Corporation is seeking compensation for an accident that ruptured one of its pipelines. A bulldozer hit a high pressure pipeline near Foxton in February, shutting off gas supply to the lower North Island for almost 24 hours. NGC claims the bulldozer was operating on the pipeline without its knowledge or approval. It is now seeking compensation of 120-thousand dollars from the contractor. NGC says it is a reminder to contractors of their obligations when working around gas pipelines.
Opponents of plans to pipe drinking water from the Waikato River to Auckland say the latest scare for the waterway is another reason to ditch the idea. It has been revealed waste water from the Hautapu dairy factory has been polluting the river with bacteria. And last month people were warned not to swim in the river because of health concerns. Treated water piped to Auckland from the Waikato is due to begin flowing this month. North Shore City councillor Joel Cayford thinks the Waikato pipeline should be an emergency supply only, and not used continuously as is the current plan. He says the long term goal should be to clean up the Waikato river.
Computer virus experts say a dangerous new malicious program is stalking users, with a payload timed to go off on Monday. The Klez virus is spreading more widely than most computer viruses, and is particularly dangerous because under some circumstances it can run itself from an infected e-mail without any attachment being opened. Normally, a virus can only infect a new computer if an unsuspecting user opens an attachment to an e-mail containing it. Once a computer is infected, Klez disables any anti-virus software which is running, and sends itself to any e-mail addresses it can find. . . but it attaches a false return address. It can also pick a file at random from the infected computer, which may contain confidential information, and sends that along with the infected e-mail to its next set of victims. The most serious threat from the virus is that it has a date related function which deletes every file on a victim's computer with a "0" in the file name. It is next timed to execute this function on Monday. Virus protection experts Symantec say they have protection tools and fixes available on their web site at http://www.symantec.com/
(Without wishing to endorse any particular product, I am relieved to say that my scrupulously updated version of NAV has intercepted all the messages bearing Klez so far. Well done! - BH)
The dumped head of Maori Television claims he is a victim of racism. John Davy has e-mailed a newspaper in his native Canada, saying he has become a political football. A story in the Globe and Mail quotes Davy as saying he is broke, and in danger. The businessman says the whole episode has been driven by exceptional racism against Maori people, on a scale he has never seen before. Meanwhile police have confirmed they are investigating John Davy. Crime Manager for Wellington Police, Detective Inspector Norm Cook, says he has spoken with Maori TV chairman Derek Fox, and there are grounds for a complaint. But he is not making any further comment.
(The whole episode has been driven by nothing more or less than one man's attempt to cheat. I regret that Derek Fox attempted to criticise the NZ Herald journalists for "Maori Bashing" when they first raised doubts. The fact that they seem to have been proven right in every particular does not seem to have brought the appropriate apology. – BH)
Two companies linked to a scheme to finance an Auckland property development could face criminal charges. The Securities Commission has released the findings of its investigation into a contributory mortgage for an apartment and car park development at Parliament Street. It is critical of two companies, The Mortgage Financier and Money Managers. The Commission has found the mortgage was offered and managed in breach of the Securities Act and other legislation. It has forwarded its findings to the Companies Office, which will consider whether to lay criminal charges. The Commission says the directors of the companies involved may be criminally and civilly liable.
Are you a rugby, racing and beer-worshipping kiwi bloke? If so, you are now in the minority. A new book exploring masculinity concludes that the old kiwi bloke stereotype has gone out of the window. 'The life of Brian: Masculinities, Sexualities and Health in New Zealand' has been compiled by several university gender experts. The book explores factions of the community, including the growing Pacific Island population and homosexuality. It also focuses on the personalities of heterosexual men and how they express their masculinity. Co-author Dr Heather Worth says it is now acceptable for New Zealand men to be different. She believes the old kiwi bloke was repressed and unemotional and made his family unhappy as well.
An international economic watch-dog has criticised several government spending decisions. The OECD has questioned the decision to spend money bailing out Air New Zealand. It says the purchases of Air New Zealand and part of Auckland's rail infrastructure entail significant fiscal cost with little clear social payoff over the medium term. It says non-strategic assets such as these should be sold, in order to free up funds for higher social priorities. It also says Kiwibank is not an efficient way to spend public money, as there did not appear to be a need for it as it does not address any evident market failure. Industry New Zealand is also criticised in the report. "Since 2000, Industry New Zealand has created programmes intended to provide assistance in the form of training and advice, with some limited funds available for direct grants. However, it is not clear that these initiatives fill a gap in what was already on offer in the marketplace. In addition, there is a considerable overlap between business development programmes across government agencies that needs to be tidied up. "The OECD expects New Zealand's economy to grow by 2.6 percent this year. It says the New Zealand economy has been remarkably resilient over the past year, particularly given the background of a world economy in mild recession. It says our long-term growth is improving, but not by enough to narrow the income gap with the rest of the world's developed economies. The report says, despite very favourable terms of trade and exchange rate conditions, the current account deficit is expected to remain large. The report says that, to sustain the current expansion and set the stage for a higher standard of living, policies in all areas will need to have a clear growth-promoting focus.
(If the OECD is agin' it, we must be doing something right? – BH)
Date: 2 May 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 0.4530
AUD 0.8375
GBP 0.3096
JPY 57.90
CAD 0.7076
EUR 0.5015
HKD 3.5416
SGD 0.8201
ZAR 4.8225
CHF 0.7284
INTEREST RATES (%)
Call : 5.25
90 Day: 5.77
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