Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
Last week, I left you as we emerged from the Manawatu Gorge. Woodville is a complete mystery to me. Everybody has to be somewhere I suppose, and there is a certain livelihood to be had in servicing those who farm and work in the district, and teaching the kids of the others, but I struggle to imagine myself ever choosing to live in one of those small rural towns. Despite the ever increasing prevalence of signs requesting that engine brakes not be used, towns like Woodville seem to me to be characterised by the flatulent blare of a big diesel stopping in a hurry. I am sure it is a nice community, but for my part, I was glad to move on. I have written quite recently of the road between Dannevirke and Napier, so I shall not repeat that part of the journey. Besides, I was driving that stretch, and it is harder to take notes when I do that. We stayed in Havelock North overnight, and spent a pleasant hour wandering the nature trails around the base of Te Mata peak. It seems to be one of those places where the local equivalent of Johnny Appleseed went around and planted at least two of every possible conifer. I imagine this was some experiment to see how well each would survive in its new country. The result is scenic enough, but I now love the natives more. On Sunday night, we celebrated our friend's birthday with a very fine dinner at the Vidal Estate Restaurant in Hastings. (See https://ssl.vidal.co.nz/restaurant.asp) I chose seared squid, and then the venison which was magnificent. Of course the wine list was from one particular label, but that was certainly no hardship, and a very good time was had by all, and I hope not least by the birthday girl. On the next day, we went for a walk along the banks of the xxx river which flows through the little township of Clive, out to see at the Southern end of Napier's wild and stony beach. The river is wide and placid, and on this day, was glassy blue. A passing athlete in a racing skiff made scarcely a ripple as she flashed upstream and was gone. On the edge of the river a variety of birds waded in search of breakast. White faced heron and Godwits, and I think Pied Stilts all picked their way delicately through the shallows, and if even half of their spearing actions were successful, were obviously feeding well. In the long dry grass that lines the path beside the river bank, I was intrigued to find an artfully constructed nest of Asian Paper Wasps (which I later reported to Landcare Research in case the spread to this location was news). After taking a picture of it from a wary distance, we wandered further downstream along the stop bank path. Bold as brass, a white faced heron sat and watched our approach from the fencepost that was for the moment the throne from which it ruled the world. It allowed us within about five metres of its royal presence before it decided its space was invaded, and slowly spread its wings and flapped languidly off towards the river. As the river widened towards its mouth, we found ourselves in open fields and turned back along the road and returned to the car.
A pleasant lunch brought the morning to a satisfactory close. We set out for home, and after a bit of dithering, assisted by a navigational error on my part, we ended up on the road through Bridge Pa, and SH50, bypassing the traffic on SH2. May I recommend this road to anyone travelling between Napier or Hastings and places in the South. It is a well formed road, narrower than the main highway, but nevertheless more than adequate. As I recall there are just two one lane bridges that require a careful approach, but otherwise we had this marvellous road pretty much to ourselves. Once we had left the settlement at Bridge Pa behind, the first areas we came to reminded me of California's Napa valley, with wide more or less level fields and distant hills. Of course, in this season, the vineyards are extremely colourful as the leaves die off in a blaze of autumnal glory. Gradually the landscape became less open, though still comparatively gentle in its contours. Occasionally an pond or dam on a farm made a passing impression, and in every case that I saw, each was choked with a pond weed of some sort. Little settlements like Tikokino and Ongaonga passed, and the road came into open areas again. We remerged on SH2 just a little to the West of Takapau, and a short run North of Norsewood, from whence the road down through Woodville and the Wairarapa was pretty much as described in previous issues.
I'm presently in Melbourne at Deakin University, so I am not sure things will work. Helen is doing extra duty on news gathering as well as formatting, since I don't have the time at present.
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 Ian Grant, temporarily at home in Waihi. Special thanks Ian for your patience.
On with the news:
National's health spokesman Roger Sowry wants urgent action taken to close a loophole in the law which prevents Australians with mental illnesses being sent back across the Tasman. Mentally-ill killer Claude Gabriel was finally returned to Brisbane yesterday, after a controversial stay at a New Zealand mental health care facility. The 26-year- old was found unfit to stand trial for the killing of a 17- year-old girl on the Gold Coast three years ago and had escaped from a Queensland psychiatric institute before turning up in New Zealand. National's health spokesman Roger Sowry says there appears to be a loophole in the law, in that criminals can be extradited to Australia but people in the custody of mental health institutions cannot. He says under the current laws, Claude Gabriel had every right to be in New Zealand.
The family of mentally ill man Claude Gabriel has thanked New Zealand for the way he was treated while here. Gabriel was flown back to Brisbane this afternoon, 16 days after he was picked up by Auckland police. He is now back in the hospital he escaped from six months ago. Gabriel was found mentally unfit to stand trial for the killing of a 17-year- old girl in 1998. His New Zealand lawyer Barry Wilson says Gabriel's family is grateful for the way authorities here handled the case. In particular, he says they would like to thank the doctors who treated Gabriel at the Mason Clinic. Mr Wilson says the family is also grateful to the police for agreeing to Gabriel's voluntarily transfer. He says Queensland Premier Peter Beattie caused Gabriel unnecessary stress by leaking details of the transfer.
(This seems to be an interesting contrast to my recollection the blast Gabriel's mother delivered on TV when she first arrived BH)
Mentally ill killer Claude Gabriel is on his way back home to Brisbane. The 26-year-old flew out of Auckland's International Airport at 10.30 this morning. He was escorted by half a dozen detectives from New Zealand and Australia on to the plane. Claude Gabriel will arrive in Brisbane at midday Australian time and be taken to the hospital he escaped from last November. Gabriel's parents were upset they were not allowed on the flight while media were, and tried to prevent it from leaving today. However due to criminal proceedings against the parents for helping their son to escaped they were unable to join their son on the flight.
Around a quarter of our population should be receiving breakfast in bed this morning. That is because it is Mother's Day where 900 thousand New Zealand mothers should be getting the day off. Women's Affairs Minister Laila Harre says like other developed nations, we have fewer mothers than we had 10 years ago and kiwi women are giving birth later in life. She says women now give birth at around 29, four years older than the norm for her mother's generation.
A major funding boost for the Auckland Museum on its 150th birthday today. Prime Minister Helen Clark has announced a $5 million dollar grant for the next five years to develop world class facilities. She says the new project will see a new six floor building which will house exhibition spaces, storage facilities, work areas, education facilities and other public areas. Miss Clark says the museum is a special place for many New Zealanders who have been visiting it since they were children. She says the government is committed to keeping it up to date.
(I heartily approve of any support to that Museum which formed so large a part in my memories of growing up in Auckland. I recall climbing the echoing marble stairs all the way to the gallery at the top where the Spitfire was stored, and looking with awe at the imprints its tyres had made in the linoleum in the brief time before it was put on supports. I think that is how a museum should be. No doubt it will fall prey to the same politically correct theme park nonsense that took away the Dominion Museum which, on balance, I preferred to Te Papa. BH)
An Invercargill hero says the speed with which a fatal fire ripped through his neighbour's house last night is a sobering reminder to be fire safe. Chris Clode and his flatmate Jason Moore are credited with saving the lives of a man and his nine-month-old daughter. A two-year-old boy died in the fire. With the help of another neighbour the pair dragged the man to safety, and then discovered the baby in her cot. Chris Clode says by the time they ran next door the house was well alight, and within another three minutes the fumes and heat became unbearable.
Long serving National MP Warren Kyd has been ousted from standing for Clevedon at this year's general election. He has been beaten by Remuera lawyer Judith Collins, who now plans to move into the South Auckland electorate.
(Old age strikes again BH)
The government is not willing to give any more money to disgraced former Maori TV boss John Davy. He was fired by the Maori TV board after he used fake qualifications and references to get the position. He is hoping to strike a deal to get more funds from the government to pay back a $20,000 allowance he was given to settle in New Zealand by Maori Television. Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton says the payment was a transfer settlement allowance for Davy to move to New Zealand. Mr Anderton says no-one in cabinet is willing to give him any more public funds.
(I am stunned that anyone would have the gall to even try this stunt. Basically, if I understood the proposal correctly. It was "I have borrowed some money from you in the course of my deception, and now I would like to go home. If you will give me some more money, I will pay you back the first loan, and have enough left to go somewhere else" Wow! BH)
Driver fatigue is being investigated as the possible cause of two truck crashes near Taupo. A light flat deck truck lost control and rolled on the Napier - Taupo Highway yesterday morning. The 46 year old driver was thrown from the truck and sustained serious leg injuries. In the second crash, a heavy truck loaded with timber failed to negotiate a bend and tipped onto its side in the vicinity of Tarawera. The truck driver was not wearing his seat belt and suffered fractured ribs. Sergeant Mark Robertson says truck drivers who do long haul work can get mesmerised by the road and need to take short breaks.
Authorities believe an oil spill in Milford Sound has done little damage to the natural ecology. One thousand litres of diesel spilled into the sound yesterday, after a fishing boat struck a rock. Most of it is thought to have been carried out by the tide. However aerial surveillance shows small patches remain throughout Milford Sound. Environment Southland believes they will evaporate in the current sunny weather and wildlife is being monitored for effects. Most at risk are the Fiordland Crested Penguin, and seals which live in, and at the entrance to, the sound.
Cambridge High School will tomorrow meet one of its students who was suspended for writing a sexually offensive essay. Fifteen-year-old Mike Scherger wrote about a student who gets an erection on his first day at a new school, as part of a school assignment. The school accused Mike Scherger of using sexually offensive language and being defiant. Principal Alison Annan says she is sick of hearing about the incident and will not say any more. Mike Scherger says his essay depicts a real-life experience that could happen to anyone and does not think a penalty or counselling is necessary.
A man who successfully applied to ban three movies from the Incredible Film Festival is denying he is targeting the festival. American film 'Bully' is the third film to be pulled from the festival, currently running in Wellington, following the withdrawal of Baise Moi and Visitor Q. The Society for the Promotion of Community Standards applied to the Film and Literature Review Board to ban the films. Spokesman David Lane says it is not a personal gripe against the organiser of the festival. He says a lot of people complained about the sexually explicit content in 'Bully', so something had to be done.
(I don't approve of Lane's actions, but on the other hand think that people have been attacking him, should instead focus on getting the law changed. BH)
The organiser of a fringe film festival is feeling gutted after being slapped with his third injunction of the year. American film Bully had to be pulled off the projector just 25 minutes before it was due to screen in Wellington last night as part of the Incredible Film Festival. A pressure group successfully applied to the Film and Literature Review board to have the film banned. The group has also had movies Baise Moi and Visitor Q outlawed. Organiser Anthony Timpson believes the group the Society for the Protection of Community Standards seems to be targetting his festival. He says he understands the group which had the film banned is basically one man with a computer and a fax machine.
Sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are in for a much needed boost. CFS is a debilitating disorder characterised by profound tiredness which can not be improved by bed rest. The government is getting behind sufferers by developing social policies which better understand the needs of those with the illness. Alliance MP Phillida Bunkle says many of the sufferers rely on expensive alternative medicines which will now be more easily accessed with the help of WINZ allowances. She says previously they have not had access to the relief they desperately need. Phillida Bunkle says she knows first hand the problems experienced by the sufferers as her daughter has the illness.
Rod Carr will be acting Governor of the Reserve Bank for the next six months. The bank's deputy chief executive took over following Don Brash's decision to stand for Parliament at the general election. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says the Reserve Bank board has recommended Dr Carr to fill the position for the next six months, or until a permanent appointment is made. Meanwhile, prominent businessman Hugh Fletcher has been appointed as a non-executive director of the board. He takes over from Sir Gil Simpson, whose term expires next month.
(Does this mean my application was declined? BH)
The Attorney-General is dismissing allegations her office leaked details of a Serious Fraud Office investigation to the National Party. The SFO is looking into whether part of a large donation from merchant bankers Fay Richwhite to the party went missing in the mid-90s. The sum involved is understood to be in the vicinity of $250,000. National Party President Michelle Boag wants to know why Margaret Wilson and the media knew about the allegations before she did. She believes news of the investigation has been leaked for political reasons, to deflect attention from the investigation into the Prime Minister's charity artwork. But Ms Wilson says she was informed because she is minister responsible for the SFO. She says sections of the media knew about the investigation before she did. Ms Wilson says there is nothing to read into the fact Bill English was notified before Ms Boag.
National is yet to be convinced about Clayton Cosgrove's boy racer bill. The Waimakariri MP is trying to fast-track a private members bill which takes a harder line against illegal street racing. Under the bill, police will have the power to impound and sell boy racers' cars. National's justice spokesman Wayne Mapp says the bill is only a piecemeal approach to the problem. He says he would like to see a package deal which also includes covering the shortage of frontline police before he lends the bill his support.
Three arrests have been made over the shooting of a man on a service station forecourt in Auckland during illegal street racing. The 25-year-old was shot in the stomach early on Sunday morning in Manukau City, and is recovering in Middlemore Hospital. Police say the Mitsubishi Galant sought in connection with the shooting has been found in Pakuranga, and a point 22 rifle has been recovered from a business premises in Manukau. Three men, aged 23, 22 and 21 have been jointly charged with attempted murder, and will appear in the Manukau District Court today.
The New Zealand School Trustees Association wants clarification from the Waikato school which stood down a student for writing a sexually offensive essay. Fifteen- year-old Cambridge High School student Mike Scherger wrote about a student who becomes sexually aroused on his first day at a new school. The essay was written as part of an assignment about how the body can betray someone. Mike's mother, Heather, has received two letters from the school's principal Alison Annan about how long the stand-down period will be and when Mike needs to go in for counselling. NZSTA president Chris France says the letters are contradictory. He says the parents need to be given some clarification about the situation. Principal Alison Annan is refusing to comment.
Organisers of the Incredible Film Festival claim a Wellington-based group is holding filmgoers to ransom. The Society for the Promotion of Community Standards is pressing for the banning of four more of the festival's films, Isle, Sex With Strangers, Gonin and Mau Mau Sex. Bully, Baise Moi and Visitor Q have already been barred due to the society's concerns. Festival organiser Ant Timpson says it is unusual for so many films to be banned at once. He says it is annoying that people who have not seen the films can get them banned when a government-appointed censor who has viewed them approves their screening.
Telecommunications company TelstraClear believes the latest round of redundancies will be the last. Another 500 positions are going from the company as it finishes the restructuring prompted by last year's merger of Clear and Telstra Saturn. Company CEO Rosemary Howard says management has tried to make the cuts a comprehensive, one-off action. But she says it is in the best interests of the company and staff to carry out mergers quickly. Most of the latest redundancies are in Wellington and Auckland, with a smaller number in Christchurch. Almost 700 people have been laid off since the merger.
(If my recent experience at trying to get through to the help desk of a TelstraClear subsidiary is anything to go by, that light may well be a train BH)
The parents of murdered peacekeeper Private Leonard Manning are going to East Timor to see it gain full independence. The United Nations will officially hand over administration of the country in a ceremony on Sunday. New Zealand's delegation, led by the Prime Minister, includes Charlie and Linda Manning. Leonard Manning was shot and killed by an Indonesian militiaman in July 2000. His mother Linda says it is an honour to be able to see what her son died for. Linda Manning hopes to meet local school officials to see first-hand what donations from New Zealand are being spent on.
The funeral of a slain pizza worker will be held at the Auckland school he was proud of. Twenty-three year-old Marcus Doig was shot in the head when a gunman with a sawn- off rifle opened fire while he was working at the Pakuranga Pizza Delivery Company last week. His funeral will be held this morning at the St Kentigern College chapel. Police are yet to catch Mr Doig's killer, who got away with around $250. Another worker at the shop escaped injury. St Kentigern College principal Warren Peat says Mr Doig's death has been difficult for the school to deal with. He says losing an old boy is never easy, but it is a privilege his family has chosen to mark his passing at the school. Mr Doig worked for the ANZ Bank in Newmarket, but at night, he took on extra work at the pizza parlour to save for an overseas trip. His killer is described as a Pacific Island or Maori man, who wore a bandanna over his face.
The company behind the controversial stage show, Puppetry of the Penis, is not surprised the Wanganui District Council has changed its mind. The council held an emergency meeting yesterday and reversed its decision to ban the play from the city's Royal Opera House. The promoter had threatened to sue the council for around $42,000 if it proceeded with the ban. Executive producer Thomas Milazzo says he knew the show would go on due to public demand. He says he is excited the people of Wanganui will see the performance.
The man who prompted the police investigation into the Helen Clark "unoriginals" will get an earful from his brother-in-law, the Christchurch mayor. Wellington anaesthetist Graham Sharpe lodged a fraud complaint against the Prime Minister, who signed artworks which she did not do herself. The artworks were sold for charity. Christchurch mayor Garry Moore is refusing to support the actions of his brother-in-law. He believes the complaint is unwise and he will tell Mr Sharpe that when he returns from overseas. He says every family has its embarrassing moments and this is his. Mr Moore believes the complaint has blown the incident out of all proportion.
(I guess the same remedy applies as for the festival complaints. It is pointless to criticise someone who is performing an act which is permitted by law. BH)
The use of meat contaminated with tranquillisers is the likely cause of the deaths of a tiger and lion at Wellington Zoo last November. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has finished its investigation into Canterbury pet food company, Dogs Delight, which supplied the zoo with meat. MAF spokesman Tony Zohrab says they have now established what probably went wrong. He says an animal that had been euthanased at a farm went on to be processed by the pet food company, which should not have been allowed to happen. Tony Zohrab says the company's operating licence has been cancelled and it now faces the possibility of more legal action to come. He says the investigation also found unauthorised slaughter of animals at the facility, an inadequate labelling and identification of product destined to be pet food and processing of animal material which was not suitable to be incorporated into pet food. Talks are also going on with the pet food industry in general on quality control matters.
The Police Minister appears comfortable with two different complaints procedures, used recently by the Serious Fraud Office and the Police. National is upset the Serious Fraud Office is not telling them who laid a complaint against the party over a funding matter. It says it is a double standard when Police did tell the Prime Minister who laid a complaint against her over the painter-gate saga. ACT MP Ken Shirley questioned George Hawkins in Parliament over which procedure was the right one. George Hawkins says the procedures of the Serious Fraud Office and the Police are both correct. National is also upset Attorney-General Margaret Wilson was told of the SFO investigation before them. The party has stepped up its calls for the Director of the Serious Fraud Office to resign. The party's deputy leader, Roger Sowry, says it has been revealed today that David Bradshaw sought counsel from the head of the Prime Minister's Department, before beginning his investigation into a National party donation. Mr Sowry says the Director has politicised a process which should have been characterised by professionalism. He says if he feels he has to tell the head of the Prime Minister's department because he is worried about her reaction, then he should go and find a job which does not require independent action. He says Mr Bradshaw's actions were grossly improper, partisan and unprofessional.
The bank worker shot in the head during an armed robbery in south Auckland today is not expected to survive. The 44- year-old father of one was shot in the head at close range as he tried to comply with the demands of a masked man who held up the Mangere Bridge branch of the ASB this lunchtime. Police are linking the attack with the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old pizza worker in the eastern suburb of Pakuranga last Monday. Police say they are worried that the offender appears to be a 'loose cannon' and has no regard for human life, who apparently threatens his victims, gets the money, and then goes ahead and shoots anyway. The man in charge of the investigation, Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford, says police have now seen security video footage from both these robberies, and it links the offender with yet another recent robbery at gunpoint, at the East Tamaki TAB. He says the similarities in all three cases are inescapable - the offender appears the same, and uses similar language. DI Rutherford says there appears to have been a car waiting for the offender after today's robbery, so they believe he has an accomplice. They took off in a black, four-door CRX Honda that was stolen two days ago from Eden Terrace. The offender is Polynesian, in his mid twenties, around 175 cm tall, with a slim build. Police believe him to be very aggressive, does not appear to be particularly well educated, and is extremely dangerous.
Police have called off a sea and air search for two men missing on Auckland's west coast. Police say three people were swept into the tide, at Whatipu beach in the Manukau Harbour this morning. One man managed to swim ashore, the other two are presumed drowned. Police have recovered a jacket and a shoe from the missing men.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is once again banging the anti-immigration drum. Mr Peters has told a Grey Power meeting in Upper Hutt, that immigration has become an issue of national security. He says it took just 18 people to commit the terrorist attacks of September 11th, and New Zealand must adopt a 'better safe than sorry' policy when considering potential immigrants. Winston Peters claims the world community sees New Zealand as a soft touch, and says the Government is allowing immigrants in to gain international brownie points and photo opportunities. He says the media is being misled, diverted, misinformed and deceived by the Clark Government.
Foreign Minister Phil Goff's expressing surprise at the verdict of Solomon Islands police, that diplomat Bridget Nichols' death was accidental. Ms Nichols died two months ago in Honiara, from a stab wound to the heart. Her death was being investigated as murder. Foreign Minister Phil Goff says he is yet to be briefed by Solomons' police. He says up until now there appeared to be no doubt how Ms Nichols died. Mr Goff says most people would feel surprised at the outcome of the investigation. But he has not any reason to doubt the validity of the evidence collected by an experienced New Zealand forensic team.
Federated Farmers says the US Farm Bill, boosting dairy and crop subsidies by 67 per cent over the next six years, is very disappointing. President Bush has signed the bill into law despite his own reported misgivings on the matter. It adds about NZ$40 billion a year to crop and dairy spending for the next ten years, and marks a further retreat from free market reforms. Canada and Mexico say it will severely strain relations with the US. New Zealand's Federated Farmers says the subsidies will lead to increased US production and more surpluses to be disposed of. President, Alistair Polson, says our particular concern will be the continued disposal of dairy products on world markets. He says New Zealand dairy farmers will get lower prices for their produce as a result. He says it does not augur well for the Doha round of world trade talks, but he understands it was a political deal forced on President Bush by circumstances. Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton says he will raise the matter during his trip to Washington next week.
University staff say the writing's on the wall for pay rises, if the government's offer of a 4. 5 percent funding increase in return for freezing student fees another year is accepted. The offer's expected to be in this year's Budget, and students believe it's enough to stop fees going up. But the University Staff association says it will also stop salaries going up much. President Grant Duncan says one university has already offered staff a rise of 3. 2 percent next year. He says that gives an indication of the sort of offers staff are likely to get. He says it probably means future industrial action.
A Massey University researcher says chronic under-funding of education is being masked by 'top-ups' from parents. Sandy Latimer says although school fees are not compulsory, only 29 percent of schools she surveyed told parents that. She says schools are not obligated to tell parents what they use school fees for, and the money may well be going to the general running of the school. She says as long as parents keep funding the deficit and fudging the school's true financial position, the Government will not be forced to act.
Police in South Auckland believe the same offender is responsible for two shootings in the past week. Last Monday a 23-year-old pizzeria worker was fatally shot during an aggravated robbery in Pakuranga. Today an ASB bank worker has been critically injured at the Mangere Bridge branch after being shot in the head during a robbery. Police say the offender entered the bank and demanded money before shooting the man. Counties Manukau Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford says there are a number of similarities between the two crimes. He says the same weapon was used and the offender shot both victims while they were complying with his demandsMr Rutherford says the suspect is also believed to have robbed the East Tamaki TAB last month but no-one was hurt during that incident. The victim of today's shooting, believed to be a man in his mid-thirties, is in a critical condition in Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland.
Two people are missing after being swept off rocks on Auckland's west coast. A search and rescue operation was launched just before 11 o'clock this morning, after reports of three people in the water off the Manukau Heads, near Whatipu. One person managed to swim to shore.
Solomon Islands police have concluded the death of New Zealand diplomat Bridget Nichols was accidental. Ms Nichols was found dead from stab wounds, outside her home in the capital, Honiara, in March. Up until now, it was thought she had been murdered. But Solomon Islands Police Commissioner, Morton Sireheti, says following briefings from New Zealand and Solomon Island senior investigators, he is confident there were no suspicious circumstances. He says all evidence points to Ms Nichols' death being accidental. He does not anticipate any criminal charges will be laid. A final ruling on what happened will be made at a formal hearing by a Solomon Islands' magistrate in the middle of next month. It is the equivalent of a New Zealand coroner's court hearing. Ms Nichols' family and Foreign Affairs have been fully briefed by New Zealand police working on the case.
The Canadian who allegedly conned his way into Maori TV's top job, has made a brief appearance in court. John Davy faces a charge of using a document with intent to defraud, and up to seven years in prison if found guilty. The document in question is the resumΓ© used to apply for the position of Chief Executive at the Maori Television Service. Davy entered no plea to the charge, and has been remanded to reappear in court this Friday. Bail conditions include surrendering his passport, and having no contact with anyone from the Maori TV Service, or recruitment firm Millennium People. Davy refused to make any comment to waiting media.
Living off the fat of the land is not paying off for home owners. The Reserve Bank has moved to tighten monetary supply. as inflation nudges the three percent target range. The Official Cash Rate's risen by a quarter of one percent, to five and a half. That will inevitably lead to a rise in home mortgage rates. Acting Reserve Bank Governor, Rod Carr, says he has sympathy for home owners with mortgages. But he says rising interest rates have not stopped businesses and households from borrowing or spending. He says kiwis have not been putoff house buying, despite it being more expensive now, than in 1990. Back then, it took someone on the average wage 7,900 hours to buy a home, today it takes 10,200, a rise of 28 percent. He says today's rise in the OCR will not be the last. She envisages a rate of around six, to six and a half percent, by midway through next year.
After years of being told a dose of heavy housework is good for your health. . . it turns out not to be quite that simple. Scientists at the University of Bristol have been examining more than 2,000 women across Britain, all aged between 60 and 79. They found more than two thirds of the participants were active at the levels recommended by doctors, mainly by carrying out heavy housework. If the domestic activities were excluded, only about one fifth of the group could be considered active. However, the researchers found that while women who walked briskly for two-and-a-half hours a week had reduced odds of being overweight, that was not true for the women who did only housework. The research team says further study should be carried out to assess exactly how much health benefit can be gained from housework alone. In the meantime, doctors recommend a regular walk brisk enough to raise your heart rate.
A small plane was forced to make an emergency landing on a metal road on the East Coast of the North Island today. The Civil Aviation Authority says the light, twin-engine aircraft was flying from Gisborne to Napier when it reported problems. Authority spokesman Bill Sommer says an emergency landing was made at Wairoa. But he says the aircraft was unable to make it that far, as it was losing power, and eventually touched down safely on a metal road just out of the town. No one was hurt
The war on terror is about to hit Australians where it hurts - in the wallet. Treasurer Peter Costello has unveiled a budget that includes a $3 billion increase in defence spending. Amongst other things, the new money will pay for a permanent regiment of crack troops, which can respond quickly to terrorist or hostage incidents. The funding follows the Tampa saga and September 11. The extra money for defence comes at a cost - prescription charges are going up and it will be harder for Australians to get a disability pension. Opponents accuse Prime Minister John Howard of squeezing the poor to pay for the war. Australia has a budget deficit for the first time in four years.
Officials have issued a shellfish ban in northern Hawke's Bay following high levels of toxic algae. The affected area is between Whareongaonga, north of Mahia, to the Wairoa River mouth. All shellfish collection is closed from the area until further notice, because of the risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning. Health officials warn anyone eating toxic shellfish in closed areas could be at risk of serious illness.
The mother of a Waikato school boy sent home for writing a sexually offensive essay has asked the school's Board of Trustees to wipe the incident from her son's record. Fifteen-year-old Cambridge High School student, Mike Scherger wrote about a student who becomes sexually aroused on his first day at a new school, as part of an assignment on how the body can betray you. Heather Scherger has been to a Board of Trustees meeting this evening, to express her anger over the handling of the incident. Mrs Scherger says she did not get an immediate response. She says a dozen parents turned up at the meeting to support her cause. She is now hoping for a letter in the post.
Oil company BP has backed off on its four cents a litre rise in the price of petrol and diesel. It put prices up at midnight on Monday, but so far only one other company has responded. Shell has increased its petrol price by two cents a litre today. But it has left the price of diesel unchanged. Other companies report no plans for increases. Today, BP halved its price increase, effective immediately. The company claims the original four cents a litre rise was justified as international crude and fuel product costs continue to rise. But it says it intends to be competitive.
A prisoner who escaped police custody during a toilet stop has been found. Urban Chicoine was being escorted from Rimutaka Prison to Rotorua when he ran away from police during a comfort stop in Taihape yesterday. The man was found in Waiouru just before 11am. Senior Sergeant Rowan Ingham says the Police Complaints Authority is investigating how Chicoine was able to get away. The 32- year-old will appear in court charged with escaping custody and is yet to face seven charges in the Rotorua District Court, including threatening to kill.
The man who was sacked as boss of Maori television has made a brief court appearance this morning. Fifty-one-year-old John Davy has been charged with using a document with intent to defraud. The charge relates to the resume the Canadian submitted in his application for a senior management position at the fledgling network. Davy has been remanded on bail following today's appearance in the Auckland District Court. The case comes up again on Friday. Davy has had to surrender his passport and he cannot associate with anyone from the Maori Television Service or recruitment agency Millennium People while he is on bail.
Students claim the Government's latest funding offer is not enough to improve the quality of tertiary education. It is understood universities, polytechnics and other providers will be offered a 4. 5 percent funding increase in this year's Budget. In return they will be expected to freeze student fees for the third year running. University Students' Association Co-president Andrew Campbell believes the funding is enough to stop fees going up. But he says it will not achieve changes which improve tertiary education, such as boosting staff wages. Andrew Campbell says the funding offer is the first in more than a decade to be over and above the rate of inflation.
The Government's pumping more than $2 million into the caregiver industry. Social Services Minister Steve Maharey says $2.3 million will be earmarked in this year's budget for foster parent organisations. He says the bulk of that, $800,000, will go to the New Zealand Family and Foster Care Federation. Steve Maharey says the funding will also be used to help Child, Youth and Family recruit an extra 250 to 500 caregivers a year over the next four years. Meanwhile, the Government has announced that an additional $4 million will go into this year's overseas aid budget.
The dollar has strengthened on the back of today's interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank. Acting Governor Rod Carr has shown he is prepared to follow the lead set by his predecessor Don Brash. Dr Carr has increased the official cash rate from 5.25 to 5.5 percent. He is worried the booming domestic economy will push inflation through the three percent barrier. Ulf Schoefisch of Deutsche Bank says the dollar has perked up on the back of today's announcement, because New Zealand's interest rates are more attractive to overseas investors. The dollar is trading at 45.80 US cents, up from 45.60 just before the interest rate announcement at 9am. Today's increase is expected to quickly filter through to mortgage and savings rates.
A Crown agency is again seeking permission to develop a range of genetically modified cows. AgResearch has lodged an application with the Environmental Risk Management Authority. It replaces an earlier application that was withdrawn last month. AgResearch wants to develop transgenic cattle which can express therapeutic foreign proteins in their milk. The public has until June 27 to have its say. ERMA says submissions on the previous AgResearch application will be applied to the new one, on written request.
The man who was shot in the head during a bank robbery in South Auckland today has died. Forty-four-year-old John Vaughan was shot while handing over money to an armed robber at the ASB bank in Mangere Bridge. Mr Vaughan underwent emergency surgery in Middlemore Hospital, but passed away at about five to eight tonight. Police say he was surrounded by family members when he died. Mr Vaughan was divorced and is survived by a nine-year-old son. Police believe the same gunman killed a pizza worker at Pakuranga last week, and was also responsible for last month's robbery at the East Tamaki TAB. The police have video footage of all three incidents. Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford says the gunman entered the ASB at about 12. 09pm today, handed staff a bag and demanded money. Mr Rutherford says the madman screamed obscenities at the staff, and after he had been handed the bag full of money, shot directly at Mr Vaughan who had his hands in the air.
The ASB says it will stand by the family of slain bank teller John Vaughan, who was gunned down as he cooperated with a robber. The 44-year-old victim underwent emergency surgery on a head wound tonight, but died surrounded by family just before 8pm. He had complied with a gunman's demands, as the ASB Bank in Auckland's Mangere Bridge was being robbed just after midday. John Vaughan was divorced, and is survived by a nine-year-old son. Police would like information about a dark coloured four-door vehicle, which drove away from the scene at speed. They describe the offender as a slim Maori or Pacific Islander aged about 25, who is about 1.85 metres - or just less than six foot - tall. Police believe the same gunman killed a pizza worker at Pakuranga last week, and was also responsible for last month's robbery at the nearby East Tamaki TAB. The ASB Bank says it will ensure Mr Vaughan's family and friends receive the best support possible, and the bank is supplying counselling and support to his workmates.
Lawyers say there is nothing legally wrong with the way the Serious Fraud Office has handled the probe into a National Party donation. SFO director David Bradshaw has been criticised for not telling the National Party who lodged the complaint about a donation merchant banker Fay Richwhite made to the party in the mid-1990s. Christine Grice of the Law Society says it is a long-standing practice to protect complainants. National claims news of the inquiry was leaked for political reasons.
The Police Complaints Authority will investigate how a handcuffed prisoner managed to escape from a police escort. Thirty-two-year-old Urban Chicoine ran off during a toilet stop on the side of a road north of Taihape yesterday afternoon. He was being escorted to Rotorua District Court to face seven charges including breaches of protection orders. He jumped a fence and ran off into bush. Senior Sergeant Rowan Ingham says police will consider looking for Chicoine today, while the PCA will also investigate the incident. Police say Chicoine is not dangerous but should not be approached.
A second potential witness to the Pakuranga pizza parlour slaying has contacted police. Twenty-three-year-old Marcus Doig was shot dead by a lone gunman while he was working last Wednesday night. His funeral was held yesterday at his old school, St Kentigern College, in Pakuranga. A man, who entered the pizza parlour just a minute after the fatal shooting, has already contacted police. It is believed he did not realise what had happened and placed the money for a soft drink on the counter before leaving the premises. Now, police say a teenager, who was sitting on a bench outside the shop, has come forward. He has told police about a friend who was in a car nearby and that person has also been spoken to. Enquiry head Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford describes yesterday's funeral, which he and other detectives on the inquiry attended, as a very sad day. He says it underlined the need to catch the killer. Mr Rutherford asks anyone with any information to phone the enquiry hotline on 0800 57 37 83.
The Greens are voicing doubts over proposed legislation on illegal street racing. All parties have voted to debate changes to current legislation which will enable police to impound cars and slap boy-racers with hefty fines. The Greens say they are are happy to debate the bill at its first stage, but will not support it beyond that. MP Nandor Tanczos says Clayton Cosgrove's bill gives police unnecessary and dangerous new powers. He says any move to increase police search and seizure powers is bad. The proposed legislation will now be considered by a select committee.
The AIDS Foundation has told MPs that the HIV epidemic will worsen before it gets better. At a special briefing at Parliament, Foundation executive director Kevin Hague says even though New Zealand has a better record in HIV management than other countries, politicians should not be complacent. He says the Government should continue taking bold steps such as supporting the needle exchange programme. He believes the programme has virtually eliminated the epidemic spreading amongst injecting drug users. Mr Hague says steps such as making condoms available to prison inmates and passing the Prostitution Reform Bill will also help control the virus. Around 800 New Zealanders have HIV, which can lead to AIDS.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers visit the Beehive today to convince MPs they have a real illness. CFS leaves sufferers in a profound state of tiredness and can be totally debilitating if not diagnosed and treated early. There are more than 10,000 sufferers in New Zealand. The illness is often regarded as a mental affliction and many doctors do not recognise its symptoms. Wellington sufferer James Eaton says often people are fobbed off or passed from doctor to doctor and have trouble finding a GP who can give the correct diagnosis and treatment. At Parliament today, sufferers will ask MPs to take on board the findings of a British report into the problem. They want the report to be used to set clinical guidelines in New Zealand, as it suggests ways to better meet the needs of sufferers. Alliance MP Phillida Bunkle says New Zealand has previously been off the pace in treating and recognising the illness.
There appears to be huge support in Parliament for moves to crack down on illegal street racing. The Government has introduced a bill drafted by Waimakariri MP Clayton Cosgrove following a shooting at a boy racers gathering in Manukau last weekend. The legislation will give police the power to impound the vehicles of illegal street racers and impose heavy fines. The bill is being sent to a select committee where the public can make submissions. New Zealand First MP Peter Brown says the new laws cannot not come quickly enough. He says boy racers are a menace and should be dealt with appropriately. Mr Brown says they are hoons and goons and should be kept off the roads. Meanwhile, Manukau's mayor is delighted Parliament has given the bill priority. Sir Barry Curtis, who met members of an illegal street racing group at the Meremere Raceway yesterday, says if adopted it will bring peace to the streets.
Auckland police have arrested a man following an investigation into what they term a fraud complaint. The 51-year-old, who lives in the Auckland suburb of Kohimarama, will appear in the Auckland District Court later today to face one count of using a document with intent to defraud. The man's identity cannot yet be revealed.
Jim Anderton is under further fire from National this morning over his links with the new Progressive Coalition Party. The Deputy Prime Minister is expected to lead the party into the next election. But he cannot be formally associated with it as he is still considered the Parliamentary leader of the Alliance. However National has produced a Progressive Coalition donation letter which includes a return envelope addressed to Jim Anderton MP. National MP Gerry Brownlee says the envelope proves Mr Anderton should stand down from Government. He says the Deputy Prime Minister is now in the position of campaigning for a party that is against Government polices. A spokesman for Mr Anderton says no taxpayer money was used to produce the letter.
The new head of the Army is confident he will not have to face a repeat of the disharmony that has plagued the service in recent years. A report into allegations the Army lobbied to gain money and assets at the expense of the Air Force and Navy has been completed. The document, by Colin Curruthers QC, found no evidence that a letter by Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Gordon proposing heavy lobbying for funding for the Army was acted upon. But the report found the Army's attitude was unsatisfactory. Colonel Ian Gordon has since been censured, while other officers are likely to be spoken to. Army boss Major General Jerry Mateparae who took over the role from Major General Maurice Dodson, says the actions of a small number of officers compromised confidence in staff and moves are being made to rectify the situation. He says he will not allow lobbying by his officers get out of control in future. Major General Mateparae says while he will continue to push the cause of the Army, it will not be at the expense of the other forces. He says when advocacy turns to parochialism the Army is on shaky ground.
New Zealand First MP Ron Mark is considering his legal options following an apology from the Chief of the Defence Force. An inquiry has found there was no reason for the former head of the army to have accessed Mr Mark's military file. The file outlined Mr Mark's conviction for underage sex dating back 30 years, when he was a teenager. General Maurice Dodson, who has now retired, looked at the file several times after being criticised by Mr Mark in Parliament. Ron Mark has welcomed the apology from Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson and says he will discuss what to do next with his family. He is planning to go through the report into the incident with his lawyer. The Defence Force says it will do what it can to assist Mr Mark if he decides to take the matter further. The report into the accessing of Mr Mark's file is separate from another report released yesterday into allegations the Army conspired to gain the major slice of funding and assets at the expense of the Navy and Air Force.
A new study has revealed that seat belts save more lives in car crashes than air bags. The research, published in the British Medical Journal, shows that air bags reduce the risk of a driver being killed by about 8%. It showed that the risk reduction was about the same, whether or not the driver was wearing a seat belt. An airbag reduced the chance of a man dying less than it did for a woman. Seatbelts also reduced the risk of death, but by a far greater amount, around 65%. If a driver was wearing a seatbelt AND had an airbag, the risk of death was only reduced by an extra 3%. The Seattle-based researchers reached their conclusions having studied more than 50,000 crashes in the United States between 1990 and 2000.
Police have confirmed an incident in Otara in south Auckland tonight is connected with the hunt for the serial killer-robber in South Auckland. A woman is reported to have been bundled into an ambulance in Otara. Police have set up a road block in the area and are searching for the gunman. Spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty says police are following strong leads. Meanwhile several hundred people have gathered outside the Mangere Bridge branch of the ASB Bank in South Auckland. They have turned up for a silent vigil, in memory of slain bank employee, John Vaughan, who was shot yesterday. Our reporter at the scene says a number of lamps are throwing an eerie light over the scene, outside the bank. He says people are standing around quietly, with the roadway cordoned off. The police are also in attendance. He says there is very little conversation among the crowd - possibly because people are still stunned by yesterday's events. The crowd was continuing to build shortly before the vigil was due to begin at seven o'clock, and the pathway was blocked beyond the area outside the bank
The Opposition says demands by secondary school teachers, for an allowance to help with implementing the new NCEA qualifications system, would be met by a National Government. Teachers want around $1,000 each a year over the next three years, to help with setting up the National Certificate of Educational Achievement. NCEA is replacing 5th and 6th form certificate qualifications. National leader Bill English says the system can work if modified and properly resourced. The allowances would be likely to cost around $75 million. Secondary school teachers are currently considering a new pay package from the Government
A Bay of Plenty commercial fisherman has been convicted of the sale of illegal snapper. Thirty-eight-year-old John Charles Wairoa of Te Kaha has been fined $4,500 in the Opotiki District Court. He has also had his fishing vessel, truck and refrigerator trailer confiscated.
Bidders vying for a major shareholding in Otago Power have been issued an interim restraining order by the Takeovers Panel. It prevents them from using their shares they have just acquired. Dunedin Electricity and Power Net have both offered to buy Otago Power shares, with PowerNet gaining the required 20 per cent. Chairman, Duncan Garvan, says the Board of Otago Power will not sign the share transfers yet. He says a meeting of shareholders will be called on June the 6th, so shareholders can consider resolutions, to allow the registration of shares and to protect the sales process.
The New Zealand agencies involved in bringing a major Hollywood movie here, say the film will provide our industry with a major boost in investment and new skills. It's been confirmed "The Last Samurai" will begin filming in New Zealand later this year. Its star, Tom Cruise will spend a considerable period of time here. Investment New Zealand spokesman Paul Voigt has been working with the film company Warner Brothers in Los Angeles since the middle of last year, offering it advice and highlighting our talent. New Plymouth mayor Peter Tennant says besides the attractive scenery, the passion of the people of the region have made it possible. He says some locals thought outside the square, and motivated the film makers to come to New Zealand.
Scientists from France and America have developed a new technique which could be used in the fight against cancer. The researchers have managed to wipe out cancer cells by freezing them until they are fatally weakened, and then exterminating them with powerful drugs. Their report has been published in the British Journal of Cancer. The cells are frozen using ice-cold probes made of metal, which weakens the cell walls allowing anti-cancer drugs to breach the cell's defences. The technique is useful because it would enable doctors to precisely target a tumour while leaving other, healthy cells untouched. Trials are due to start shortly but it will be some time before the technique is tried out on patients.
Education Minister Trevor Mallard's describing the secondary teachers' contract settlement as a significant milestone. The teachers' union, the PPTA, and the Government have finally reached agreement, although it's still subject to ratification by teachers. It will be taken to teachers for ratification as soon as possible. The deal gives teachers a 5.5 percent pay rise over three years, as well as a special allowance for implementing the new Certificate of Achievement. As with the offer before Christmas last year, teachers have won guaranteed non- contact time. And the Government's guaranteed an extra 18 hundred and 50 teachers by 2006. Trevor Mallard says the agreement will allow teachers and the Government to focus more clearly on a positive future for teaching and learning. Meanwhile the Post Primary Teachers Association is delighted a task force is to look into the whole issue of secondary teachers remuneration. The task force is part of today's settlement and PPTA president Jen McCutcheon says it will have a close look at recruitment and retention issues in the secondary sector.
Hawke's Bay police are intensifying their search in the Ruahine Ranges, for a group of students overdue from an outdoor exercise. The four Colenso High School Year 12s were due to return to the Triplex Sunrise Huts, west of Ongaonga, yesterday afternoon. An aerial and ground search today has failed to find any sign of the students. Napier Senior Sergeant Mike Wright says more search and rescue staff are being sent into the area. He says teams of extra people are being organised to help in the search tomorrow, and they are hoping to have at least three teams scouring the area. An Air Force Iroquois helicopter will also be searching. Senior Sergeant Mike Wright says the search will continue until early this evening, before resuming at first light tomorrow.
South Auckland police are astounded by the public response to their appeal for help with their investigation into two fatal shootings. John Vaughan was shot yesterday at the ASB Bank Mangere Bridge branch, and Marcus Doig was killed at a Pakuranga pizza shop eight days ago. The police believe the same offender shot both men, after demanding money from them. Counties-Manukau Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford says they have been inundated with calls to an 0800 number. He says there has so much information coming through from the public, there may be a delay in officers responding to messages being left. But he says the police are putting everything they have got into the hunt for a serial killer and have been promised all the resources they need. The Police Commissioner has been briefed on the investigation and has now arrived in Auckland from Wellington to be part of the inquiry team. Counties Manukau District Commander Ted Cox says the photo of the offender taken from security camera footage in the Mangere Bridge ASB has helped. He is appealing to the public to keep the information coming in. He says someone out there will know who the offender is. He says it is a concern to police that the offender apparently believes there are easy pickings to be had from crimes like this, and he needs to be brought in quickly. Meanwhile, businesses are taking precautions to protect their staff from further attacks. The TAB has security guards at all of its South Auckland branches. The gunman who killed John Vaughan and Marcus Doig is believed to also have been responsible for a holdup at the East Tamaki TAB earlier in the year. TAB spokesman Joe Locke says staff throughout the region are concerned. He says managers are contacting them to make sure they are okay and up to date with the situation. Pizza Haven says its staff are not worried about their safety, but national operations manager, Colin Mellar, says management and franchise-holders are watching the situation. But he says staff are not expressing concerns for their safety to him. He says his company has strict security procedures, and they are under review following the shootings. He says all stores have been visited to make sure security measures are in place. Anyone with information should ring the Operation Reeves hotline on 0800 573383
A man charged with the murder of a three-year-old Huntly toddler, was supported by family members at the Hamilton District Court today. Tamati Etu Mathew Patrick Pokaia, originally from Ngaruawahia, died of internal injuries last month. Today, police charged his 39- year-old foster father a Huntly invalid beneficiary - with murder. The man, who has name suppression, was denied bail at an appearance at the Hamilton District Court. He has been remanded in custody to re-appear in court on Tuesday.
A young man has reportedly been taken into custody in South Auckland, as police swarm over the area. The person seized is said by some media to have been taken away in a police car, following an Armed Offenders Squad callout. However, a police spokeswoman would not confirm that there has been any arrest. She says all she can do is confirm that there has been a significant development in the inquiry. Police have set up a road block in the area, and the ambulance service says nobody has been hurt. Earlier, police confirmed that the incident in Otara was connected with the hunt for the serial killer, who is responsible for two deaths within a week. The killer is believed to have struck first at the East Tamaki TAB last month, although no-one was hurt in that incident. His first victim was Marcus Doig, a pizzeria worker in Pakuranga, who was shot dead last week. Yesterday, the killer struck again at the Mangere Bridge branch of the ASB, where he shot bank worker John Vaughan while he was complying with the robber's demands. Meanwhile, a silent vigil is taking place for Mr Vaughan. Reporter Chris Bullen says the footpath outside the bank was completely covered with wreaths. He says there were around 500 people standing quietly outside the bank. The police inquiry has been boosted by extra personnel from other regions, and the Police Commissioner Rob Robinson has also flown up from Wellington to be part of the investigation.
All speculation has been cast aside - Hollywood flick, The Last Samurai, will be filmed in Taranaki. Associate Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard says the film gives a great opportunity to show off the region's scenery. Head of Venture Taranaki, Stuart Trundle, says the confirmation ends a long period of media speculation. He says it will bring good money into the region. A variety of high-up executives from the movie's makers, Warner Brothers, have made several trips to check the area out. Investment New Zealand helped bring the project about by offering Warner its facilitation skills and advice. Investment manager for film Paul Voigt says Warner was very aware of New Line Cinema's experience here in making "The Lord of the Rings". The movie, set in the 19th century, depicts the epic destruction of Japan's warrior caste, the Samurai. Heading the cast will be Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise, who features as a a colonial who travels to Japan to help train the Japanese emperor's army in new methods of fighting. It will be directed by Edward Zwick, who previously was responsible for hit films such as "Legends of the Fall" and "Glory", and based on a script by the man who also wrote Russell Crowe's epic "Gladiator", John Logan.
The PPTA and the government have reached agreement on a package to settle the secondary teachers collective agreement. It is still subject to ratification by the teachers. The PPTA says the settlement gives teachers a 5.5 percent pay rise, along with a special allowance for teachers implementing the new Certificate of Achievement. The parties have also agreed to set up an independently- chaired task force to look at the whole question of teachers' salaries. PPTA President Jen McCutcheon hopes this time the parties have arrived at a settlement members will accept. She says it contains more of the things they needed.
37 Arrested In Undercover Operation
Gisborne police have arrested 37 people, and seized sizeable quantities of Class A, B and C drugs in the second phase of a major undercover operation. Police expect to make half a dozen more arrests as part of Operation Venom, which is targeting the district's drug trade. Twenty-two people were arrested in the first phase of the operation earlier this year. In all, some 200 charges have been laid. Police believe the drugs arrests will have a significant effect on crime generally, because of the strong links to other offending such as theft, burglary, home invasions and aggravated robbery.
Interest in the Sensible Sentencing Trust is starting to pick up in the south of the country, according to its national spokesman. Garth McVicar says this is in light of recent violent incidents in the North Island. He claims the 92 percent of people who voted for tougher sentencing at the last election have been ignored. Mr McVicar says it has to start with repeat offenders. He says police and prison management all know who they are, but that the justice system is just recycling them. Garth McVicar's planning a south island tour of speaking engagements.
Police are investigating a violent attack in Palmerston North, when a 51-year-old woman was dragged into bushes by a man and raped. The attack happened beside the Ongley Park car park in Park Road, between 5 and 6. 30 this morning. The man's described as dark-skinned, 175 cm in height, of medium build with black curly hair. He was wearing a jacket and a hooded sweatshirt, dark trousers and boots. Police say the woman became aware of the offender, as she walked past a skate park in Cook Street. They want to hear from anyone who may have seen either the man or woman around the time of the attack. The woman was wearing a purple windbreaker and black lycra shorts.
National is pledging to significantly boost bursary payments to seventh formers. Currently, those students who pass A and B bursary get 200 and 100 dollars respectively. But National leader Bill English says that is a joke. He says if his party wins the election, they will increase the payments to two thousand and one thousand dollars. Bill English says students these days have no incentive to do well in bursary. He says they pay 185 dollars to sit the exam but get very little if they pass. The announcement is part of National's School Qualifications policy.
Hawke's Bay police have launched a search in the Ruahine Ranges after a group of students failed to return from an outdoor exercise. The four Colenso High School Year 12s were one of three groups taking part in the outdoor education programme. The boys were due to return to the Triplex Sunrise Huts, west of Ongaonga, at three o'clock yesterday afternoon. Napier Senior Sergeant Mike Wright says the other two groups completed the exercise and the alarm was raised shortly after. He says the group's instructors made an immediate search of the area but came up empty-handed. 16 police and civilian searchers went into the ranges this morning. Senior Sergeant Wright says the students are well equipped and have been taught how to deal with situations like this.
The parents of murdered pizza parlour worker Marcus Doig say they are disgusted at the killing of a bank worker, by the same man who killed their son. Police from across the Auckland and Waikato regions continue to hunt for the man who shot Mr Doig last week and Mangere Bridge ASB worker John Vaughan yesterday. Mr Vaughan, a father of one, died in hospital last night. Marcus Doig's parents have told a media conference that they plan to contact the family of Mr Vaughan to personally express their support. Peter Doig says the only way to keep the community safe is to instill discipline at a young age. He says police need to be given more power to deal with offenders, and that it is up to the public to show the Government how important it is to keep young people on the right track. Meanwhile Mangere Bridge locals will hold a vigil for John Vaughan tonight. Organiser Reverend Les Dixon says the gathering will take place near the scene of the shooting at seven o'clock. He says the intention is to give people a chance to gather and reflect on what has taken place. He says everyone is welcome to attend tonight's vigil, which he says will not be 'churchy'. The Bankers Association is remaining tight- lipped about security at banks following yesterday's shooting. Spokesman Errol Lizamor, says banks will not comment on their security arrangements. But he says members of his organisation always have security as their top priority. Mr Lizamor says the dead man's associates will almost certainly have counselling to help with the aftermath of the shooting. Meanwhile Auckland police are describing the man who shot Mr Vaughan and Marcus Doig as a serial killer. He is also believed to have been responsible for a hold up at the East Tamaki TAB. Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford says it is highly likely the offender will strike again. He's recommending retailers step up their security. Security consultant Steve Davis says people should always cooperate with an offender and make no sudden movements. He admits there are no guarantees if the robber is out to kill. Steve Davis says some organisations have revolving doors that are monitored by security. But, he says it is an expensive exercise for the average pizza parlour or dairy. New Zealand First is calling on the Government to fund a special police dragnet to catch the killer. List MP Ron Mark says the police need an immediate appropriation of funds from the Government's contingency fund. He says the case requires the full mobilisation of not only Auckland's, but the whole nation's police resources. Mr Mark says the person is a very dangerous killer who clearly feels no remorse.
Political opponents are calling for the Electoral Commission to investigate whether the National Party broke the law by failing to declare the controversial Fay Richwhite donation. The donation is understood to be around $250,000 and was made some time in 1996. However, it appears the Electoral Commission does not have any record of it. Commission CEO Paul Harris says since April 1996, all political parties have been required to declare donations of more than $10,000. He says he is now trying try to establish the facts. Dr Harris is considering asking National to provide him with further information about the donation, but says that is only one option available to him. Any suspected offences have to be reported within six months of taking place. However, Greens' co-leader Rod Donald says that is irrelevant. He says the commission should investigate immediately. Mr Donald believes the integrity of the whole electoral system is at stake.
Hawke's Bay police have launched a search in the Ruahine Ranges after a group of students failed to return from an outdoor exercise. The four Colenso High School Year 12s were one of three groups taking part in the outdoor education programme. The boys were due to return to the Triplex Sunrise Huts, west of Ongaonga, at 3pm yesterday. Napier Senior Sergeant Mike Wright says two other groups completed the exercise and the alarm was raised shortly after. He says the group's instructors made an immediate search of the area but came up empty-handed. Sixteen police and civilian searchers went into the ranges this morning. Senior Sergeant Wright says the students are well equipped and have been taught how to deal with such situations.
The Force is with us! New Zealand fans have given the thumbs up to the latest Star Wars film. We became the first country to see Episode Two: Attack of the Clones on general release, when it hit the screens at midnight. That is fitting, given the large number of Kiwi actors in the production, much of which was shot across the Tasman. One of the hundreds of people who stayed up to see the movie is Star Wars fan Erin. He says it was far, far better than the Phantom Menace.
Protecting his colleagues may have cost John Vaughan his life. The ASB worker died last night in Auckland's Middlemore Hospital, several hours after being shot in the head during a holdup at the Mangere Bridge branch where he worked. Bank spokeswoman Barbara Chapman says the gunman came into the bank in an agitated state and began yelling and abusing a staff member at the information counter at the front of the bank. Mr Vaughan intervened and told him that the woman did not have any money, but he did. He diverted the the robber away from the information counter and took him over to a caged area where only a teller can gain access. Ms Chapman says Mr Vaughan gave the gunman the money and was backing away with his hands held in the air in the surrender position when he was shot in the head. She says as the robbery was going on, staff were pushing their security buttons to alert the police and ambulance, which arrived in minutes. Ambulance staff talked the bankers through how they should care for Mr Vaughan's injury before medics arrived. Ms Chapman says she knows of nothing that Mr Vaughan could have done to annoy the robber and says he followed procedures to the letter. She says the bank has state-of-the-art security, which is being beefed up today with security guards being posted at all ASB banks in the Auckland region. Ms Chapman says police summed up the gunman by saying he is a madman. Meanwhile, Mangere Bridge businesses will discuss security in the suburb's shopping area following the shooting. Pania Uerata from the Bridge Cafe says people are getting together to talk about stepping up security. She hopes they will think about installing security cameras in the village. Ms Uerata says everyone is stunned that the fatal shooting has happened so close to home.
The School Trustees' Association plans to sort out the debate on whether schools are forced to rely too heavily on fees to pay the bills. A Massey University student's masters study claims the underfunding of education is being masked by parent top-ups through school donations. It claims only 29 percent of schools surveyed tell parents the donations are just that, donations rather than compulsory fees. School Trustees' Association president Chris France says his organisation will carry out research on whether the Government is providing enough school funding. He says there is anecdotal evidence that schools rely too much on fees
Attorney-General Margaret Wilson has complete confidence in the head of the Serious Fraud Office, as National objects to the way SFO boss David Bradshaw has handled the investigation into a large donation. The Opposition is angry that Mr Bradshaw talked to the head of the Prime Minister's department about a donation National received in the 1990s from merchant banker Fay Richwhite. He says National Party president Michelle Boag still has not been informed about who laid the complaint. National's deputy leader Roger Sowry wants to know why the Prime Minister's office should be interested in the matter. He claims Mr Bradshaw is no longer politically impartial and should stand down. But Margaret Wilson is happy with the way Mr Bradshaw is doing his job and says she has complete confidence in him. She says the law states that Mr Bradshaw can consult with anyone he deems will regard the matter of special interest.
The head of the ASB Bank says teller John Vaughan followed all the correct security procedures when he was shot in the head during a robbery at the Mangere Bridge branch in Auckland. The 44-year-old died in Middlemore Hospital last night. He had his hands above his head in the "surrender" position at the time he was shot. ASB Bank Managing Director Hugh Burrett says all his staff know what to do when they are the target of a robbery. He says Mr Vaughan did everything that was asked of him by the gunman. Security guards are being placed at all ASB Bank branches in Auckland this morning and counselling is being offered to staff and Mr Vaughan's family. Police are sure the ASB robber is the same man who shot dead 23-year-old Marcus Doig at a pizza parlour in Pakuranga last week. They are urging businesses that deal with cash to take extra security precautions and to cooperate if they are confronted by the gunman. Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford says the offender is a slim Maori or Pacific Islander, who is about 1. 85 metres tall and very is very aggressive. Extra police from Auckland City and Hamilton are being brought in to help track down the robber. John Vaughan is survived by his nine-year-old son.
The issue of whether Canterbury man Kevin Harmer will face another trial will be decided by the end of the week. Harmer stood trial earlier this year, accused of murder following the death of his wife in a vehicle fire in 1999. The trial was abandoned three quarters of the way through. Specific reasons were not given by the judge, although he indicated it was not the fault of the jury or the defence. The hearing which begins this morning will deal with an application made by Harmer's lawyer to have the trial thrown out. The hearing continues tomorrow and will be heard in closed court, preventing the publishing of details.
The Greens are calling on the public to have its say over a new application for AgResearch to put human genes into cows. The Environmental Risk Management Authority is considering an application by AgResearch to breed GE cows that will produce transgenic milk containing human proteins. It follows an earlier application withdrawn last month. Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says using cows as pharmaceutical factories is repugnant. She says there is no guarantee drinking milk from those cows will be safe or that it will not contain other substances as a result of genetic engineering. People have until the end of June to make submissions to ERMA over the issue.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will decide within a month whether to take legal action against a Canterbury pet food company linked to the deaths of big cats at Wellington Zoo. Dogs Delight has had its licence revoked after an inquiry into the death of a rare Sumatran tiger. A lion also died. MAF has ruled that poisoned meat supplied by the company was responsible. MAF spokesman Tony Zohrab says legal action is possible under the Agricultural Veterinary Medicines Act, and the Animal Products Act. As well as a pet food operation, Dogs Delight also disposes of dead stock, including animals which have been put down. The tiger had eaten meat contaminated with a chemical often used to put animals to sleep.
ASB Bank is tightening security across its Auckland branches following the fatal shooting of an employee during a robbery at its Mangere Bridge branch. Forty-four-year-old John Vaughan died in Middlemore Hospital last night after being shot in the head while handing over money. Police believe the same offender fatally shot 23-year-old pizza parlour worker Marcus Doig in Pakuranga a week ago when he was handing over money. Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford is appealing to people to cooperate if they encounter the gunman. He says they should do what the robber says and do not do anything to upset him. ASB Managing Director Hugh Burrett says the bank has been almost fanatical about security and uses the most up-to- date techniques and systems. He says guards will be on duty from opening time today at all branches in the Auckland region. He says the staff at Mangere Bridge followed security procedures perfectly during the fatal robbery and are being offered counselling today. Mr Burrett says counsellors, along with victim support, are also helping Mr Vaughan's family. Mr Vaughan was divorced and is survived by his nine-year-old son.
Police in Palmerston North are yet to identify the person killed in a house fire early this morning. The house in the suburb of Awapuni was well ablaze, when emergency services arrived around 5. 30am. The dead person was the sole occupant of the house. The body will be removed from the house and taken for examination to try to identify the person. The cause of the fire is also being investigated.
Wellington's special effects movie team at the Weta Workshop has won the city's top business award. The organisation was presented with the Creative Gold Award, and went on to take the Region Gold Award at last night's presentation. Weta Workshop spokesman, Andrew Smith, says they were hopeful they would win their category. But he says it was a surprise to win the overall award. He says it is a tribute to the hard work they did on the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. He is hoping it will bring them greater opportunities locally
A break-down in communication for two of the country's communications networks. TelstraClear has been negotiating with Telecom for interconnection between the two carriers. But the talks have fallen apart without price being fixed. Telecom has now taken the case to the Telecommunications Commissioner asking for price determination. Telecom chief, Simon Moutter, says progress has been made on wholesale prices. But he says they have been unable to come to an agreement with TelstraClear in the interconnection debate. Mr Moutter hopes the Commissioner will be able to help the industry settle on fair pricing.
Proceedings are resuming shortly after two this afternoon in the Manukau District Court, where three men are due to face murder charges over the Manukau City shootings. The three are charged with the murder of ASB Bank worker John Vaughan at the Mangere Bridge branch on Wednesday. Two of them are also charged with the murder of pizza parlour worker Marcus Doig in Pakuranga a week earlier. The case has been disrupted today by the intense media interest. The judge has agreed in principle to broadcast media coverage in the court room. It is the first time that news media have been allowed extended coverage, including TV filming, at a first appearance of accused. The court was delayed while counsel and the prosecutor discussed media coverage with the presiding judge, who asked all media to explain how they intend covering the proceedings. Meanwhile the ASB Bank says it is relieved charges have been laid over the shootings. ASB has congratulated the police on their swift action, and is thanking them for the support they have given to ASB staff and Mr Vaughan's family.
National has been cleared of breaching the Electoral Act, over its donations from merchant bankers Fay Richwhite. The donations were being investigated by the Electoral Commission ,after it was revealed National failed to declare them to the Commission back in 1996. Political parties have been required to disclose all donations over $10,000 dollars since April 1996. Commission CEO, Paul Harris, says information provided by National's Director- General shows the donations from Fay Richwhite did not need to be included in National's return of donations for that year.
The lawyer for sacked Maori TV boss, John Davy, says his client is full of remorse. Davy has pleaded guilty to fraud in the Auckland District Court this morning. The charge related to the CV the Canadian submitted to the recruiting agency hired by the Maori Television Service. He was fired from his position as CEO of Maori TV, because he had lied about his qualifications and experience. Davy's lawyer, Kahu Barron-Afeaki ,says his client feels bad about what he has done. Davy will be sentenced on May 29. He faces up to seven years in jail.
A Christchurch doctor is in the frontline of the worldwide battle against influenza being run by the World Health Organisation. Virologist Dr Lance Jennings is just back from a WHO conference in Geneva which has set a global agenda on influenza control. Dr Jennings says a global approach will allow the WHO to show leadership in monitoring and control of influenza as well as provide assistance for governments to make it a priority issue. He says the new approach makes influenza control more of a priority than in the past and this is especially important given the new strains that are emerging. The WHO says the influenza virus is a complex, constantly changing organism, which enables it to evade the host's immune system making it possible for someone who has already been infected with influenza to become re-infected in subsequent years. There have been 31 documented influenza pandemics, since the first well-described pandemic of 1580, including three pandemics during the twentieth century (1918, 1957 and 1969). The pandemic of 1918-1919 called the 'Spanish flu' was particularly virulent, and killed an estimated 40 million people worldwide.
The Returned Services Association says the death of the last known ANZAC Gallipoli veteran marks the end of an era. Alec Campbell died in a Hobart nursing home overnight. He was 103. New Zealand RSA chief executive Pat Herbert says Mr Campbell's death symbolizes a time that New Zealand and Australia regard as the founding of both nations. He's offering his sympathy to the family of Alec Campbell and the Australian people. He says the last New Zealand veteran of the Gallipoli campaign died just a few years ago. Pat Herbert says there is one World War I veteran from New Zealand still alive.
The 14-year-old Auckland boy who has become a star in the 'Star Wars' universe says he is very excited about the fact that he was chosen for the movie. Daniel Logan, who plays Boba Fett in "Attack of the Clones," was in Dunedin yesterday to greet Star Wars fans at the opening of the latest film in the series. He plays the son of another famous New Zealand actor, Temuera Morrison, who features as Django Fett in the movie. He says he still calls Morrison "Dad", and that the "Once Were Warriors" star calls him "son". However, he is keeping quiet about his chances of featuring in the next, and final film in the franchise. In the meantime, Daniel says he realises it is a great honour to be chosen ahead of more than 3,000 other hopefuls worldwide. He says his real life parents and siblings aren't treating him any differently since his success.
Three men are yet to appear in the Manukau District Court in relation to two killings in South Auckland within a week. The trio, aged 18, 24 and 26 have been charged with murder and aggravated robbery following the death of a banker and a pizza shop worker. All three are accused of murdering ASB employee John Vaughan on Wednesday during an aggravated robbery at the bank's Mangere Bridge branch. Two of the men are also accused of murdering 23-year-old Marcus Doig, who was gunned down at a pizza parlour in Pakuranga a week earlier. Those two are also charged with attempted murder in relation to the pizza parlour holdup. In both cases the victims were gunned down after complying with the robber's demands. There is a strong media contingent at the Manukau courthouse for today's appearances, which is responsible for the current delay. The judge has adjourned proceedings for the moment and the court has been cleared as an application is made to the presiding judge to allow TV cameras to film proceedings. Cases in the District Court have not been filmed before, although it is increasingly common for High Court trials to be filmed. The Crown Prosecutor Simon Moore is in court for the hearing. Our reporter at the court says there is a certain amount of tension in the atmosphere and the public gallery is full. Meanwhile a spokesman for the Vaughan family says they have welcomed news of the arrests in the case.
The sacked Maori TV boss has pleaded guilty to fraud. John Davy was fired for providing false qualifications to get the job as chief executive. He also claimed to have no criminal history but has admitted to a 1995 conviction for fraud in Canada. Davy appeared in the Auckland District Court this morning on a charge of a using a document with intent to defraud. The charge relates to the CV he submitted to the recruiting agency, Millennium People, hired by the Maori Television Service. He has pleaded guilty and as a result his working permit has been revoked. Davy's been remanded until May 29th for sentencing. The charge carries a maximum seven years' imprisonment.
The Education Ministry's decision to use full page newspaper ads in the secondary teachers pay dispute is being defended by the Government. The 14-month pay dispute appears to be over after PPTA bosses agreed to a $155 million deal giving teachers a 5. 5 percent pay rise over three years. The adverts, outlining the ministry's position, upset many teachers. But Education Minister Trevor Mallard says it was a worthwhile move as it created some energy and refocused the discussions. Mr Mallard says his absence overseas in the last two weeks allowed some fresh voices into the negotiations and that may have also helped. Teachers still need to ratify the deal.
The Government has reversed plans to shut down some of the country's smaller courts. Courts Minister Matt Robson has decided against a departmental proposal to re-configure existing court services in 13 small communities. Those towns include Dargaville, Te Kuiti and Rangiora. However, Matt Robson says the courts at Ranfurly and Lumsden, which have not sat for a number of years, will close. The minister says the idea raised concerns that the government is withdrawing from local communities. He says the decision not to close some of the courts was made because public confidence in the justice system is too fundamental an issue.
Wellington's Ohariu-Belmont electorate has been revealed as having the highest median income of any New Zealand electorate. This comes in figures released by Statistics New Zealand. Victoria University political scientist, Nigel Roberts, says, generally under MMP, the type of people in an electorate does not have as much influence on the final outcome as does the party vote. However he says people with higher median incomes generally have a higher standard of education and take more time to look at issues and that could account for Peter Dunne's success in Ohariu-Belmont.
A south Taranaki iwi is a step closer to settling a $31 million Treaty of Waitangi claim. Nga Rauru has signed an agreement in principle with the Crown at Kaipo Marae, near Wanganui. The deal includes the transfer of five sites of significance to Nga Rauru and a combination of cash and Crown- owned land up to the value of $31 million. Both parties aim to sign off a draft Deed of Settlement by August.
Three men have been charged with murder following the police inquiry into two fatal armed robberies in Auckland. An 18-year-old Otara man and a 26-year-old Mangere man have been jointly charged with the murders of bank teller John Vaughan and pizza shop worker Marcus Doig. A 24-year-old Otara man has also been charged with murder following the slaying of Mr Vaughan at the ASB Bank in Mangere Bridge. The two men charged with the Doig killing have also been charged with attempted murder. All three men also face aggravated robbery charges. They are due to appear in the Manukau District Court shortly. Meanwhile a witness to the police raid at an Otara house by officers investigating the armed robberies says at first he thought it was a gang fight. Neighbour Sunday Nomotu says a lot of cars swarmed around the Flat Bush Road house last night and police chased a man into the garage. At first he was going to call the police but then he realised the Armed Offenders Squad was involved.
Two men have been charged with the murders of ASB bank teller John Vaughan and pizza worker Marcus Doig. The arrests were made early this morning. A third person has also been charged with murdering John Vaughan. The three will appear in the Manukau District Court later this morning.
There are already signs of the spin-off benefits from The Lord of the Rings, as another Hollywood production heads our way. Segments from the film, The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise, will be shot in the shadow of Mt Taranaki, because of to the mountain's strong resemblance to Mt Fuji in Japan. Stuart Trundle of Venture Taranaki says the project follows on from the success of The Lord of the Rings. He says New Zealanders should now be looking to the future of filmmaking in this country. Mr Trundle says the community should not be considering this as a one-off deal, but should be aiming to build a whole new film industry for future generations. He says a lot of hard work negotiating with Warner Brothers over the film has paid off.
Police remain tightlipped this morning about the latest developments in their inquiry into two fatal armed robberies in Auckland. Armed police raided a house in Flat Bush Road in Otara last night. They took away a young man and two other people who witnesses say were his parents. It is believed police also recovered a firearm. But police are yet to confirm they have someone in custody. Inquiry head Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford says, as of last night, there has been no arrest. But he says a number of people are helping with inquiries. Police are still appealing for information from the public. Meanwhile 500 people turned out last night to a candlelight vigil in memory of the two people killed in the separate holdups. The ceremony took place outside the Mangere Bridge branch of the ASB Bank, scene of the fatal shooting of bank employee John Vaughan. People also remembered Marcus Doig, who was killed during the robbery of a Pakuranga pizza parlour last week.
The National Party president Michelle Boag is threatening a party purge if any member is found to be involved in the complaint to the Serious Fraud Office about a donation to the party. The SFO investigation is looking into a donation of around $250,000 made to the party by merchant banker Fay Richwhite in 1996. There are allegations the party may have breached electoral rules by not declaring the donation. The issue may come to a head at this weekend's regional conference in Auckland, as Ms Boag's patience appears to be running out. Ms Boag has reportedly already made it clear to former president John Slater that, if he is involved, she will move to have him expelled. She now says that threat will apply to anyone in her party who might be deliberately planting stories about the issue.
Australia is offering to hold a state funeral for the last- known veteran of the Gallipoli campaign. Alec Campbell died at a Hobart nursing home overnight. He was 103. The Australian government says Mr Campbell's death severs an important historical link. He lied about about his age so that he could enlist at the age of 16. He landed at Gallipoli in November 1915. The soldier spent six weeks braving heavy fire to carry ammunition and water from the boats to the front line, before becoming ill and being evacuated to Egypt. Mr Campbell was last seen in public three weeks ago when he led an ANZAC Day parade. His second wife, Kathleen, was by his side when he died. His death leaves only 16 known Australian World War One veterans
Parliament's Law and Order Select Committee is calling for submissions on the bill cracking down on boy racers. The Government is looking to fast track legislation on the issue in the wake of a shooting in south Auckland linked to illegal street racing last weekend. The bill will allow police to impound and sell cars taken off boy-racers who are repeat offenders. The legislation has come in the form of an amendment tacked on to existing transport legislation.
The house at the centre of last night's raid is under police guard. Police investigating the murders of pizza shop worker 23-year-old Marcus Doig and 44-year-old ASB bank teller John Vaughan swooped on a house in Flatbush Road, Otara at about 7pm last night. Detectives are refusing to give details, but took a young man away from the house and two older people who witnesses described as his parents. They also recovered a firearm and say they are talking to several people. There is no word of any arrests. A teenage neighbour says he was in Flat Bush Road when armed police cleared the area. He says they went onto a property, brought a man outside, told him to surrender a shotgun and then put him in a police car. The witness says he didn't hear any shots. The ambulance service says nobody was hurt in the Armed Offenders Squad operation. Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford cites operational reasons for declining to confirm police have someone in custody. But he says people should no longer have concerns for their safety. He says more than 300 calls have been received on the 0800 number and he would still like more information on 0800 57 33 83. The family of slain bank worker John Vaughan has been inundated with letters of sympathy from all over the country. A vigil was held near the bank he worked at at Mangere Bridge last night. Spokesman for the Vaughan family, Strahan Wallis says police told the family last night they had someone in relation to the attacks. He says the family wants to thank the public for the overwhelming support from friends and complete strangers.
Secondary teacher morale is expected to improve once they accept the collective agreement negotiated by their union and the Government. The long-running pay dispute appears to be over. The union representing around 14,000 teachers, the Post Primary Teachers' Association, has accepted a 5. 5 percent pay rise over three years, an allowance for implementing the Certificate of Achievement, and guaranteed non-contact time. A task force will look into long-term remuneration. The deal is backdated to last July, but is still to be ratified by teachers. However, some teachers believe the deal is insufficient. Rangitoto College Principal Allan Peachey says key issues like recruitment and retention still have to be dealt with. He says the drawn-out dispute has been tough on teachers. Mr Peachey claims teachers have been professional during their strike action.
Date: 16 May 2002 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
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