Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
Hello from Melbourne on a grey foggy morning (though there is promise of better weather ahead). I regret that academic writing has to take precedence this week, so the news is here, as collected by Helen to whom my thanks, but no travelogue, and no editorial comments. Normal service may be restored next week, but more likely the week after next.
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. On with the news:
The Court of Appeal has begun hearing a Crown challenge, to the sentence handed down to one of Napier's broomstick offenders. Nineteen-year-old Andrew Castles is serving two- and-a half years in prison for sexual violation with a broom handle against a Taradale High School classmate. The Crown wants a longer term. Castles pleaded guilty in March and the sentencing judge told him the starting point for his offence was a five-year term, which was halved because of his early guilty plea and his age. However, the Crown has told today's appeal court hearing in Wellington that the starting point of eight years would have been fairer.
Intense lobbying by New Zealand and other countries is underway at the International Whaling Commission conference in Japan. Delegates will vote this week on whether a moratorium on commercial whaling should be overturned. Japan is pushing for a yes vote and believes it may have a home-team advantage. However New Zealand representative Jim McClay is confident there are enough countries opposed to commercial whaling to keep the ban in place. Mr McClay is also lobbying hard for support for a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary. However the idea needs 75 percent support from commission members, up from a two-thirds majority last time.
District Nurses from around the country are meeting in Rotorua this week for the tenth National District Nursing Conference. Spokeswoman from Lakeland Health Trish McHugh says more than 120 District Nurses have so far registered, but she expects that number to rise. There are close to 1,000 District Nurses around New Zealand, working in partnership with families and helping provide care for patients in their own home. One speaker, Tony Christiansen, who was left without legs after he was the victim of a horrific railway accident at the age of nine, will be the motivational speaker at the conference.
Supporters of a ban on battery farming claim consumers are prepared to pay more for eggs if it means an end to the practice. The RSPCA has released results of a survey conducted by polling firm Colmar Brunton. Seventy-nine percent say they would be prepared to pay up to an extra 20 cents an egg for free-range or barn eggs. Fifteen percent do not want to pay any more, while the rest are unsure. The results are similar when people are asked if battery hens are acceptable. Seventy-eight percent are opposed to the practice. The survey results have been released by the RSPCA which is currently lobbying for an end to battery cages.
Rural GPs have given the Government an ultimatum to provide more funding or face resignations from doctors. The Rural GP Network is calling on the Health Ministry to put more money into recruitment and resources to address severe pressures in country areas. Rural GP Network chairman Dr Tim Malloy says patients in rural areas often have only one doctor to choose from for treatment, who may be based some considerable distance away. He says doctors need provisions to hire help and funding for a recruitment drive. Doctors are giving the Government until July 1 to address their demands and say many rural doctors will walk away from their jobs if they are not satisfied. The July date coincides with a new primary healthcare strategy. Dr Malloy says some country doctors are also threatening to refuse emergency work. He says the issue has been going on for more than a decade and continues to worsen.
The days of dropping cash in the collection plate at church may be numbered. The success of Eftpos has prompted one Baptist church to cater for credit cards as well. Windsor Park church, on Auckland's North Shore, introduced Eftpos 18 months ago and believes it is one reason for a big increase in contributions. Senior pastor Brian Winslade says it is simply a matter of meeting people's needs. He has also had requests from people wanting to use credit cards for their regular giving to the church. Pastor Winslade says there will be an administration cost but he is happy to oblige.
The mayor of Christchurch is under fire for another public show of devotion to the prime minister. Days after apologising to Helen Clark for the fraud complaint laid against her by his brother-in-law, Garry Moore has appeared in a video singing the prime minister's praises. Some Christchurch city councillors are unhappy Mr Moore is showing such an obvious political preference. But acting Prime Minister Jim Anderton says Mr Moore has every right to express his political views. He does not believe Garry Moore has a conflict of interest by appearing in the video.
The Ministry of Health is talking with the mother of a mentally ill man about to be deported from Australia to New Zealand. Justin Morgan's mother is a New Zealander by birth and is desperate to keep her son in Australia because she fears for his safety without family support. The 29 year- old has not lived in New Zealand for 22 years. He committed four armed robberies several years ago. Last week he was told he would be deported and is now at a detention centre for asylum-seekers. The Health Ministry was informed last week and is having talks with his mother who is coming to New Zealand. Director of mental health Dr David Chaplow says the ministry is awaiting confirmation of her arrival and destination.
The acting prime minister is in campaign mode. Jim Anderton is warning of the dangers of one party getting too much control in parliamentHis comments come as the latest opinion polls give Labour fresh hope of governing in its own right after the next election. The latest One News- Colmar Brunton poll gives Labour 51 percent support. The Alliance gets just two percent, while the Progressive Coalition that he will join later this year has less than one percent. Labour also discussed the possibility of not needing a coalition partner at its annual congress in Wellington over the weekend. Mr Anderton says people should think about whether they want to give one party all the power in government. There is talk the Government could go to the polls as early as July.
National might not be the biggest concern for Labour heading into the election. It could be voter complacency. Party faithful have come away from their election year conference in Wellington with a strong message to work on getting the vote out. President Mike Williams says riding so high in the opinion polls can sometimes be a disadvantage. He says, in some safe electorates in Britain's last election, only 20 percent of voters bothered to turn out, because everyone was so confident Tony Blair was going to win. As to talk of an early election, Mike Williams says the party is ready whenever the prime minister is. But he says Helen Clark has not given him a date and he will not comment on speculation that the country could be going to the polls as early as July.
An appeal against the sentence handed down to convicted Napier sex offender Andrew Castles will be heard in the Court of Appeal today. The 18-year-old is serving a two- and-a-half year prison term for the sexual violation of a Taradale classmate with a broom handle. The sentence was reduced from five years, because Castles entered an early guilty plea. The Solicitor-General has lodged an application to have his sentence increased. Six other youths pleaded not guilty to the same charges. After a two- week trial in Gisborne, they were found guilty of sexual violation. The offences took place at a party in October.
Exporters and importers alike are wondering just how high the dollar will go. This morning the dollar is sitting at 46. 41 US cents. It is up more than ten percent since February. Business Correspondent Roger Kerr says some are forecasting the kiwi will end up at around the 50 US cent mark. He says, while that is bad news for exporters, it could be good news for people with mortgages, as it means interest rates will not have to go as high as they did in the 1990s. Mr Kerr says the higher dollar has also helped listed companies that do a lot of importing, such as Briscoes and the Warehouse.
Prime Minister Helen Clark says New Zealand will do what it can to see East Timor get off to a good start. Miss Clark is in East Timor to witness the United Nations hand control of territory over to the East Timorese people. A lavish fireworks display rounded the momentous day. Watched by a crowd of about 250,000, including representatives of more than 90 countries, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan handed over the reins of power to East Timor. He told the new government it must strive constantly to reduce poverty, disease and inequality. The UN flag was lowered for the last time and the East Timor flag raised. New president Xanana Gusmao was formally sworn in. Ms Clark says it is heartening to see the East Timorese realise their centuries-old dream of independence, with many lives lost along the way. She says East Timor's slow recovery from occupation and destruction is obvious. Ms Clark says much of New Zealand's four year aid commitment over will be used to educate the East Timorese. Meanwhile, East Timor's most vociferous kiwi advocate describes its new-found independence as a tremendous victory. Free East Timor movement spokeswoman Maire Leadbeater says it is an emotional moment and independence is something she and hundreds of campaigners have waited decades for. Ms Leadbeater says New Zealand has a duty to help East Timor, as one of the countries which turned a blind eye to its occupation. She is now focusing on other independence struggles, such as that going on in Indonesia's eastern- most province of Irian Jaya.
The French America's Cup syndicate rejects Greenpeace's claim the ramming of its yacht was an accident. Protesters in the French port of Lorient caused minor damage to the hull of le Defi Areva after hitting it with a dinghy. They were protesting against the French syndicate's sponsorship by a nuclear energy company. Syndicate spokesman Sebastian Deftremau alleges the Greenpeace protesters were waiting for an opportunity to ram the yacht, which was protected by a barrier of tenders. He says a gap opened in the barrier and a Greenpeace boat rushed in and crashed into the yacht.
A depositions hearing for the man accused of killing a Mozambican refugee begins in Christchurch today. Abraham Neho is accused of murdering Hussein Ndongo on January 26. Police claim Neho beat Mr Ndongo to death and then stole his watch from his body. Mr Ndongo had been in New Zealand since October of 1995. He entered the country by stowing away on a Turkish log carrier and was later granted refugee status. The hearing is expected to last a week.
Some good news for the Greens this morning. Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons has a big lead over her main rival in the Coromandel electorate. The seat could be vital for the party, if it does not reach the five percent threshold for list seats in this year's election. A New Zealand Herald- DigiPoll survey gives Ms Fitzsimons 37 percent of the electorate vote. National's Sandra Goudie has 22 percent, while Labour candidate Max Purnell is sitting on ten. Mr Purnell's poor showing follows comments by Helen Clark that she will not discourage Labour voters from supporting Ms Fitzsimons in Coromandel. Last night's One News-Colmar Brunton poll gives the Greens five percent support nationwide.
Patrons of Hastings Burger King restaurant are being advised to contact the District Health Board's public health unit. There are fears customers may have contracted hepatitis A after a Burger King staff member developed symptoms of the disease. The warning applies to diners and drive-through customers on May 6, 7 and 9. Acting Director General of Health Dr Gillian Durban says those customers will be offered an injection which could prevent the onset of hepatitis. She says there is also some risk for diners who visited the restaurant between April 23 and May 5.
Japan rates today's start to the International Whaling Commission conference on home soil as one of its best chances to overturn a moratorium on commercial whaling. The IWC is meeting in Japan this week to vote on whether commercial whaling should resume. But New Zealand delegate Jim McClay is confident that the 1986 moratorium will survive. Mr McClay says a minimum of 15 countries should oppose the resumption of commercial whaling and Japan needs 45 votes to lift the moratorium. He says the numbers simply are not there this year, but as Japan introduces new allies to the IWC it may get the numbers in the future. Mr McClay says the proposed South Pacific Whale Sanctuary requires a three-quarter majority, up from a two-thirds majority last time. Japan has continued whaling for "research" purposes despite signing up to the IWC moratorium in 1986 which abandoned commercial whaling. It now wants to expand its whaling programme to include species which it claims are plentiful.
Confidence is building within Labour that the party will be in a position to govern alone after the next election. The scenario has been talked up at the party's annual congress which wound up yesterday in Wellington. Hundreds of delegates attended the conference to mark the beginning of the party's election campaign. Prime Minister Helen Clark is confident that her party is doing so well that it could have no need for a coalition partner after the election. She says she is aiming for maximum support for Labour and says that a Labour majority is not an impossible outcome. The same sentiment is being echoed by Labour's deputy leader Michael Cullen who says Labour has laid the foundation for an outright victory. While warning delegates not to become complacent Dr Cullen launched a bitter attack on National, outlining the reasons why he claims the opposition has no chance of winning the election. He says National's leadership and front two benches are no comparison to Labour's.
Prime Minister Helen Clark has arrived in East Timor to attend the territory's independence ceremony, starting in a few hours. She was meet by East Timor's Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta. In bilateral talks, the allocation of New Zealand's 10 million dollar aid pledge was discussed. The money will be used for basic education, natural resource development, as well as border control and the training of police. New Zealand's independence gift to East Timor is a $200,000 education project in the district where our peacekeepers are based
Labour has fared strongly in the latest political opinion poll. It remains the most popular party, with support rising from 50 percent to 51 within the last month. The One News/Colmar Brunton poll shows National's popularity slides by two percent to 32. Helen Clark is still easily the preferred Prime Minister, with a one percent rise in support to 50 percent, despite the Paintergate controversy and the resulting police investigation. Second placed Bill English stays steady at 12 percent. Approval of the government's performance is up one percent to 62, and economic optimism rises by four percent to 55.
National is making big promises - including lower taxes and more funding for young people. Leader Bill English has outlined policy ideas in his address to the party's Northern Regional Conference today. He claims National can deliver lower taxes, and boost funding for students. And he says the calculations have all been done to show financially it is financially achievable. Mr English says National also wants to honour the justice referendum of the last election, by delivering life-for-life non-parole sentencing for murderers.
New Zealand's High Commissioner to Canberra, Simon Murdoch, will become the new secretary of Foreign Affairs. The official announcement's expected shortly. Mr Murdoch, who is in his early 50s, joined Foreign Affairs 30 years ago, but has spent much of his career on secondment in the Beehive. He was a member of Sir Robert Muldoon's think tank and became the head of the Prime Minister's department under Jim Bolger in 1991. He left that job in the year Helen Clark became Prime Minister to take up the Canberra post.
There is relief from Chris Sayer's family at his rescue. Mr Sayer's yacht lost its keel after colliding with an object west of Cape Reinga, while travelling from Sydney to Auckland. He took to a life raft and was found by an Air Force Orion during the night. He is now on board a Taiwanese fishing vessel. Rescue Coordination Centre controller Ray Parker says Mr Sayer kept the yacht upright for about 15 hours before it capsized. He says they do not know whether it has sunk or is still afloat. His stepmother Jane Sayer says Chris had only launched the boat earlier this year. Ms Sayer has not yet spoken with Chris, but is glad that he is safe.
The trials and tribulations of solo yachtsman Chris Sayer are not yet over. The sailor, who's training for a single- handed trans-Atlantic race, lost the keel of his boat west of Cape Reinga on the trip from Sydney to Auckland. He took to his life raft and an Air Force Orion found him during the night. It directed a Taiwanese fishing vessel to him and he was taken aboard about three this morning. But rescue controller Ray Parker says language difficulties are making it hard for the National Rescue Coordination Centre to help him further. He says they are not sure at this stage how he will transfer to a New Zealand-bound vessel. Meanwhile, there is relief from Chris Sayer's family at his rescue. His stepmother Jane Sayer says he had only launched the boat earlier this year. She says he was making his way back to New Zealand after taking part in a race from Sydney in which the vessel was dismasted. Ms Sayer says they have not yet spoken with Chris, but are glad that he's safe.
The secondary teachers' union is calling on teachers taking part in wildcat stoppages to end their industrial action. Teachers at Onslow College in Wellington and Havelock North High School are taking their own action in protest at the deal reached between their union and the Government. PPTA members at Orewa College, north of Auckland, walked off the job without warning last week. The union's President Jen McCutcheon admits the deal does not give them everything they wanted. But she says there is no magic wand to put the secondary sector's problems right. PPTA members will vote on the deal in about a month. They have already rejected an agreement that the PPTA reached with the Government.
New Zealand First MP Ron Mark has headed across the Tasman to observe the anti-street racing laws that are used in New South Wales. The New Zealand government is fast tracking similar legislation which will enable the police to impound and sell cars used by boy racers who are repeat offenders. Mr Mark sits on the Law and Order Select Committee which is looking at the proposed legislation and will be accompanied by two police officers on the two-day visit. He expects to get a first-hand look at how New South Wales police deal with the problem and how effective the laws are.
The union representing secondary teachers has called on members at two schools to call off wildcat strikes. Industrial action has struck Havelock North High School and Wellington's Onslow College. PPTA members are unhappy with the agreement their union has reached with the Government. Teachers are yet to ratify the deal, which provides for a 5. 5 percent pay rise and an allowance to introduce the new NCEA qualification. PPTA President Jen McCutcheon says the secondary sector has been neglected for ten years and she understand teachers' frustrations. But she says the offer on the table at the moment is a good start.
Serious Fraud Office boss David Bradshaw has been reappointed for a further five years. State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham says Mr Bradshaw has done an outstanding job during his first term. His reappointment comes a week after the SFO chief was criticised over his investigation into the use of National party funds. Mr Wintringham says he decided several weeks ago to recommend Mr Bradshaw's reappointment. He says the Government accepted that recommendation at the end of last month.
The Health Ministry says it is still waiting for confirmation of the arrival of a mentally-ill man being deported from Australia. Twenty-nine-year-old Justin Morgan will be accompanied by his mother, Veronica Kulakowsky, who says she is concerned for his welfare in an unfamiliar environment. It is 22 years since Morgan lived in this country. Kulakowski was released from a Sydney jail in December after serving five years for armed robbery. Last week he was placed in a detention centre pending deportation. The Health Ministry says it can offer help and advice and is waiting to hear when and where the pair are arriving. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Phil Goff says the government wants to close a loophole which allows New Zealanders convicted of serious crimes in Australia to roam free here. A spokesman for Mr Goff says the department wants such people monitored, although it does not intend to prevent offenders arriving or impose any new penalty on them.
The Maritime Safety Authority wants to visit yacht clubs to make sure they are making members aware of hazards in their area. The MSA has completed its investigation into last year's accident on Lake Karapiro, near Cambridge in the Waikato, where the mast of a yacht hit overhead power cables and left two teenagers with serious burns. The skipper of the yacht, Anthony Kay, was a member of his local trailer yacht club, but failed to understand signs warning of the overhead cables. MSA spokesman Tony Martin says, although Trustpower has been asked to clarify the wording on the sign, the skipper should have been more aware of the hazard. He says the MSA wants to visit yacht clubs, especially those near lakes and rivers, to make sure they are warning members of hazards.
Finance Minister Michael Cullen has dismissed claims of tax apartheid. The Act Party is objecting to a proposed law change which would drop the tax rate for Maori trusts and authorities down to 19. 5 percent. Leader Richard Prebble says hundreds of businesses stand to benefit unfairly. He says the Waitangi Fisheries Commission's subsidiary companies should not be allowed to pay less tax than other businesses. But Dr Cullen says dropping the withholding tax rate makes sense, as the majority of Maori trustees are on the 19. 5 percent income tax rate. He says the move is for administrative convenience and was recommended by the Inland RevenueDepartment. Dr Cullen says, if the trustees earn over and above the lower tax bracket, they will have to pay the difference.
Victims of abuse by Catholic priests are being urged to speak up. A Lower Hutt abuse counsellor has revealed he has been treating eight men who were abused by members of the Catholic clergy between 12 and 36 years ago. New Zealand's head of the Catholic church Cardinal Thomas Williams says he has no knowledge of the cases. He says the Church has formed a committee to look at abuse issues and anyone who has suffered abuse is able to contact them. He says anyone bringing a case to the committee is told of their rights, including their right to tell the authorities what they have suffered.
The prison service is rejecting officers' concerns about the status of inmates at Rimutaka Prison north of Wellington. The Corrections' Association says one officer has suffered damage to his sight, after being attacked by inmates in Unit Three. Association spokesman Brian Davies says some inmates in that unit should be housed elsewhere because they are dangerous. But he claims that is not happening because of a lack of maximum security beds and the cost of transferring prisoners. However Rimutaka site manager Doreen McKenzie does not believe there are problems with the status of inmates at the prison. She is satisfied that the inmates in Unit Three are classified appropriately, according to the risk they pose
Patients are sleeping in motels and police cells as a chronic psychiatric bed shortage in Auckland continues. The Public Service Association says 17 patients have spent the night in police cells since December. Around ten acute patients have also had to sleep in motel units, with a psychiatric nurse supervising. PSA Secretary Richard Wagstaff says people are being denied their right to appropriate care, which is putting patients and staff at risk. He says last weekend two nurses were assaulted while tending to a patient in a police cell. Mr Wagstaff wants an immediate increase in the number of short-term beds available in psychiatric facilities.
The Justice Minister wants to plug a legal gap that allows New Zealanders convicted of serious crimes in Australia to roam free here. It follows the likely deportation this week of mentally-ill Justin Morgan, after serving a five year jail sentence. Morgan was jailed for armed robbery but the Australian Appeal Court found he was mentally ill at the time. He was released from prison in December but was thrown into a detention centre last week pending deportation to New Zealand. A spokesman for Phil Goff says the government does not intend to block entry, or impose any new penalties on such offenders, but it does want them monitored. Where appropriate they will be offered support.
The home-team advantage has not helped Japan as it tries to have a ban on commercial whaling overturned. Members of the International Whaling Commission meeting in the Japanese city of Shimonoseki have rejected attempts to get Iceland reinstated as a voting member. New Zealand was among the countries opposed to the move. Iceland wanted an exemption from the ban on commercial whaling. Conservation Minister Sandra Lee says New Zealand's view is that it would be better that Iceland joins without a reservation on what is a critical and controversial issue. Restoring Iceland to full voting status would have shifted the balance of power in the commission back to pro-whaling nations like Japan and Norway. Greenpeace spokeswoman Sarah Duthie says the agenda has sparked fiery debate. She says there is a lot of tension between the pro-and-anti whaling sides. Meanwhile, New Zealand is being accused of trying to muscle smaller nations out of the debate. The Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda has launched a stinging attack on the anti-whaling countries. Daven Joseph says Caribbean nations are being charged exorbitant fees to participate in the IWC. He says they are having to pay the same amount as larger countries like France and Germany in order to get their voice heard. Mr Joseph says New Zealand is part of a propaganda campaign that wants them out.
New Zealand is continuing its tough stance against trouble- makers in East Timor following that country's independence. New Zealand's fifth battalion is about to hand over peacekeeping duties near the West Timor border to the sixth battalion. The move will complete New Zealand's service to the UN and troops will return home in November. They will be replaced by a Thai battalion which will remain until the UN withdraws. Lieutenant-Colonel Anthony Hayward says he has warned militia across the border that people are welcome back as long as they do not bring weapons. Lieutenant-Colonel Hayward says returning people must also want to fit back into a country that needs rebuilding. New Zealand's peacekeepers were praised when the Prime Minister visited them yesterday. Miss Clark says the Army has done a good job in East Timor. She says she received a lot of feedback that New Zealand's soldiers developed good relations with local communities, which helped them find out if there were any militia around.
The Air Force says an emergency locator beacon probably saved the life of a lone yachtsman in bad weather west of Cape Reinga early today. Chris Sayer was aboard a 6. 5 metre yacht, Up The Blue, which lost its keel while sailing from Sydney to Auckland. An Air Force Orion set out to look for it early last night. One of the crew, Flight Lieutenant Glenn Gowthorpe, says the yacht's locator beacon helped find the man who had taken to his life raft. He says the yachtie had good survival equipment including flares, a strobe light and a torch and he used them to direct the Orion to his position. Flight Lieutenant Gowthrope says the wind was up to 60 kilometres an hour and there was a three to four metre swell. The Orion directed a fishing vessel and cargo ship to the scene to pick up the sailor at 3am and Mr Sayer is currently on board the Taiwanese long- liner. While he says he is grateful for the rescue, he needs a lift back to New Zealand. The Taiwanese vessel is not making landfall again for another five months and its next stop is Taipei.
A Christchurch fish and chip shop has landed in hot water with the Commerce Commission. Huntsbury Seafoods had advertised it cooked its food in cholesterol-free oil however investigations revealed it was using edible beef tallow. The shop has admitted breaching the Fair Trading Act . Commission spokeswoman Deborah Battell says the advertising was misleading and unfair on customers and competing businesses as customers could be attracted because of the shop's non-cholesterol claim. As a part of its settlement with the Commission, Huntsbury Seafoods has removed its misleading sign.
An application by a Canterbury man accused of murder to have the charge thrown out has failed. Last week the High Court in Christchurch held a two-day hearing in closed session to determine whether the case against Kevin Harmer over the death of his wife should proceed. His first trial was abandoned earlier this year for undisclosed reasons. The High Court has denied Harmer's application but the reasons for the denial have been suppressed. With a new trial scheduled for July, the judge's decision cannot be made available for fear of prejudicing the trial.
The firm that recruited John Davy could face legal action from the Maori Television Service following a second report by Ernst and Young into the hiring of the Canadian for the chief executive's job. Davy will be sentenced later this month after pleading guilty to a fraud charge. The charge relates to the CV he submitted to Wellington recruiting firm Millennium People. Maori Television Service is now likely to call in lawyers. Chairman Derek Fox says the Ernst and Young report discusses options available to the board arising from its use of Millennium People. He says one of those options has already been put into action. Davy was sacked from MTS after it was found his credentials, which included an MBA and a job with the British Columbia Securities Commission, were fake. Mr Davy has been bankrupted twice in Canada.
The chance that secondary school teachers could reject the government's latest pay offer is increasing. The government is offering a 5. 5 percent pay rise over three years with a special allowance for helping to implement the National Certificate of Educational Achievement. That has been accepted by the PPTA executive but is expected to get a resounding "no" vote, when it comes up for ratification by teachers. Staff at Havelock North High School and Onslow College in Wellington have organised further strikes over the deal. Onslow College PPTA representative Frank Kane says the 5. 5 percent pay rise over the next three years is not good enough. He understands meetings are going on at other schools to decide whether to carry out more strikes. Mr Kane wants to dispel perceptions everyone is happy with the offer. Havelock North High School's union representative Ken Keys claims PPTA president Jen McCutcheon has made too many concessions to the government. He says she has been talking as though union members are happy with the offer when many are not.
Proposed tax changes for Maori are being labelled tax apartheid by the Act Party. The Government wants to lower the tax rate for Maori authorities and trusts from 33 to 19. 5 percent. Act Party leader Richard Prebble says hundreds of businesses stand to benefit unfairly. He asks why the Waitangi Fisheries Commission's subsidiary companies should pay less tax than others. Mr Prebble claims a normally publicity-hungry Government is trying to keep the proposed change quiet.
Two of the country's major telecommunications players are fighting again. TelstraClear is seeking a High Court injunction claiming Telecom is failing to activate links between the two networks. Telecom was ordered to supply extra links for 0800 traffic between the networks last August. TelstraClear spokesman Quentin Bright claims Telecom's failure to comply is anti-competitive behaviour. He says Telecom was asked to supply 62 extra links but has not made any move towards providing them.
ASB Bank branches will be shut this afternoon, in memory of slain employee John Vaughan. Mr Vaughan died after he was shot during a robbery of the ASB's Mangere Bridge branch last Wednesday. Three men have since been charged with the 44-year-old's murder. All branches nationwide will close from 1pm. ASB spokeswoman Barbara Chapman says staff can then attend Mr Vaughan's funeral, or memorial services. She says workers at the Mangere Bridge branch are still in a state of shock.
The family of slain bank teller John Vaughan says it wishes to thank the public for an 'overwhelming show of support' at his funeral todayThe 44-year-old father was gunned down last week during an armed robbery at the ASB Bank's Mangere Bridge branch. Around 1500 people paid their respects during an emotional celebration of Mr Vaughan's life. In a media release, the family says today's funeral has allowed them to take another step in their grieving of the tragic loss of their father, son and close friend. They say they are still totally devastated at their loss and need time to deal with the tragedy away from the public eye. The family understands that the death of John Vaughan has had a significant public impact in New Zealand, and therefore allowed a funeral service that was consistent with this. However, now the funeral is over the family say they would like to step away from the public eye so they can continue their grieving process privately. Meanwhile, there was an acknowledgement of anger among mourners at the service today. Celebrant Keith King told guests in this kind of situation, feelings of rage are natural. But he asked mourners not to dwell on those negative emotions. Keith King encouraged people to channel their anger creatively and usefully.
A Golden Bay yachtie has been rescued from atrocious seas in Tasman Bay this afternoon. The 47-year-old man called for help from his 22 foot keeler Lia May this morning, when he ran into difficulties about 50 kilometres out to sea from French Pass. A spotter plane located the keeler in seas up to three metres just before one o'clock. A mussel harvester and a fishing boat went to his aid. The yacht has been taken under tow to Okiwi Bay, in north-eastern Tasman Bay.
National is alleging the Prime Minister's office manufactured a perception that Crown Law had cleared her of art fraud. Police are currently following up a complaint against Helen Clark, concerning her signing of charity artworks that she didn't create. The Crown Law Office has not offered any legal opinion on the issue. But National Leader Bill English claims a spokesman from the Prime Minister's Office told the media it had cleared her. Mr English claims the Prime Minister allowed her office to create that impression and she did nothing to dispel it. Deputy Prime Minister, Jim Anderton, told Parliament on behalf of the Prime Minister that the spokesman only told media about a Crown Law report, because he had already seen it reported in the media.
The number of short term visitors to New Zealand is down six percent on the same month a year ago. Statistics New Zealand says 143,900 visitors came here in April. The organisation says part of the decrease was due to the Easter Holidays which fell in April last year but in March this year. Visitor arrivals in the year to April were up, however, by 5 percent. The number of permanent and long- term arrivals exceeded those leaving the country by 1700, compared to 700 going in the other direction a year ago. From the year to April there was a net inflow of 28,100 permanent and long term migrants - more than double the number of people who left the country in the previous year.
Norfolk Islanders are facing the prospect the person who committed the island's first murder in 150 years is one of their own. Twenty-nine-year-old Sydney woman Janelle Patton was found bashed and stabbed on Easter Sunday. Tom Lloyd, editor of The Norfolk Islander newspaper, says every local over the age of 10, along with 650 visitors, have now filled out a police questionnaire. He says the community of 1800 people is having to do some soul-searching as it becomes more likely a tourist is not responsible. He says many islanders want the whole community DNA-sampled to eliminate the innocent.
1500 Farewell Shooting Victim
Around 1500 people have packed Auckland's Lakeside Convention Centre, to pay their respects to John Vaughan. The 44-year-old ASB Bank employee was fatally shot last week during an armed robbery at the Mangere Bridge branch. Friends, family and colleagues have honoured Mr Vaughan, amid tears, flowers, poetry and the poignant sounds of the music of Cat StevensKeith King led the funeral, speaking of feelings of numbness, grief and powerless that have touched the nation. Colleagues recalled his reliability and commitment to his job at the ASB Bank. Mr Vaughan's son, nine-year-old Ben, said his father was a lovely and special person who loved 'Ironman' competitions - despite the sore knees it gave him. Ben will be the recipient of a new scholarship which is being set up by the ASB in his father's memory, to help the children of bank staff make the transition from youth to adulthood. Meanwhile, the Bank says it will not open the Mangere Bridge branch of the bank until is has been refurbished.
Around 40 people turned up to the Hamilton District Court today, to support a man accused of murdering a three-year- old in his care. The 39-year-old is also charged with assaulting the toddler, Tamati Pokaia, who died of internal injuries last month. The man wept in the dock, while around 40 friends and family in the public gallery called out words of support. Our reporter in court, Sarah North, says the accused has been remanded back into custody following today's appearance. But his lawyer has lodged an appeal seeking bail. It will be heard early next week.
Help is on its way for Auckland mental health providers grappling with a bed shortage. Acute patients are sleeping in police cells and motels, and others are being discharged prematurely, to make room for new patients. The Health Ministry's latest mental health progress report shows access to adequate services is improving. Deputy-Director General of Mental Health, Janice Wilson, says Auckland's problem has been recognised. She says extra funding will go into acute services in the region, next year. But the union representing mental health workers says more acute beds are needed, now.
The chairman of the Maori TV Service, Derek Fox, appears to be pushing on with his plans to form an alternative Maori political party. National alleges Mr Fox was only asked to head the board of the Maori TV Service, in return for not starting such a party. Labour currently holds all the Maori seats. National leader Bill English has questioned the Finance Minister in Parliament today, whether he is aware Mr Fox is planning to launch his party with a hui on Saturday. But Michael Cullen says it is not unexpected. He says Mr Fox made it clear when appointed that he might wish to continue his other political ambitions in life.
Millennium People, the Wellington based recruitment company at the centre of the Maori television scandal, looks likely to face legal proceedings. The company recommended the appointment of Canadian John Davy to head the channel after failing to adequately check his credentials. They turned out to be false. Maori television board chairman Derek Fox says the proceedings against Millennium People are at a preliminary stage. He says they relate to the terms of the recruitment company's contract, which guaranteed a satisfactory outcome to the job search. Lawyers acting for the television channel have written to Millennium People, pointing out their obligations under a contract they signed to find a boss for the Maori TV. The man at the centre of the row, John Davy, pleaded guilty to fraud and will be sentenced next week. He will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to fraud.
Thursday's budget will include $27 million of new money to be spent on the environment over the next four years. One of the key features is a $6 million initiative by the Green Party, to improve environmental education for teachers. It will focus on establishing new advisor positions at Colleges of Education which help teachers develop ecological thinking across curriculums. Other features include around $3 million to clean up contaminated sites and $700,000 to set up the New Zealand Waste Strategy. A $12 million joint initiative between the Greens and the Government to implement a National Energy Efficiency Strategy also has the go ahead.
Health Minister Annette King is to raise the issue of mental health patients being dumped on this country, with her Australian counterpart. The ministers are meeting this Friday. The issue has been highlighted by the imminent deportation to this country of mentally-ill New Zealander, Justin Morgan. He has served five years for robbery in a Sydney jail. He has not lived here for more than 20 years. His family says he has no-one here to help him. Health Minister Annette King says there are no guidelines dealing with this issue and she hopes to discuss it when she meets her counterpart later this week. Justice Minister Phil Goff is also looking at the issue.
More than 90 percent of young kiwis on working holidays in the United Kingdom plan to return home within five years. The figure comes out of a survey by 1st Contact, an advisory service for New Zealanders travelling to the UK. It says better career prospects and the lure of the British pound are not enough to draw young professionals away from the New Zealand lifestyle permanently. However, almost 80 percent say they would still have gone to the UK if the working holiday visa was only a year, instead of the current two. The British government is expected to indicate this month whether it plans to shorten the visa period.
Teachers are being warned to wait to read the fine print of the government's latest offer. The latest pay offer is a 5. 5 percent rise over three years, with a special allowance for helping to implement the National Certificate of Education Achievement. Manawatu's PPTA president, Robert Heath, says he understands the teachers' response, as an earlier offer of 3. 5 percent over two years was rejected. He says that was better than the most recent offer. He says it shows the government is still not serious about attracting teachers to secondary schools. Meanwhile the Education Minister is surprised and disappointed some teachers are taking wildcat strike action over the Government's latest pay offer. Teachers at Havelock North High School and Onslow College in Wellington are organising their own strikes, and staff at Orewa College north of Auckland walked out without warning last week. Education Minister Trevor Mallard says despite the action, his hopes of the deal being ratified by teachers have not been dashed. He says there are still a couple of weeks until ratification meetings and that will give people time to look at the offer in its entirety. But he warns teachers should make an informed decision before any knee-jerk reactions.
New Zealand's High Commissioner to Canberra, Simon Murdoch, is to become the new secretary of Foreign Affairs. The official announcement is expected shortly. Mr Murdoch, who is in his early 50s, joined Foreign Affairs 30 years ago, but has spent much of his career on secondment in the Beehive. He was a member of Sir Robert Muldoon's think tank and became the head of the Prime Minister's department under Jim Bolger in 1991. He left that job in the year Helen Clark became Prime Minister to take up the Canberra post.
Teachers at Auckland's Takapuna Grammar School may strike again. More than 60 members of the Post Primary Teachers Association walked off the job at noon today. They are protesting the Government's offer of a 5. 5 percent pay rise over the next three years. English teacher Mark Wilkins says his colleagues have taken action in support of other wildcat strikes around the country. He says classes will resume tomorrow, but admits there could be more strikes, including coordinated industrial action at North Shore schools. He says members of the Post Primary Teachers Association are disgusted with the Crown's offer, and anger over the deal is growing, as is support for the teachers. He says if the Government refuses to budge, industrial action will be ongoing.
The Maori polytechnic criticised for giving free cell phones to students has made minor changes to its policy. More than 15,000 students of Te Wananga o Aotearoa were issued the pre-pay phones on enrolment. The students were part of an employment skills correspondence course. Now they will need to state if they need a cell phone, and live within a coverage area, to get one. Te Wananga o Aotearoa Chief Executive, Rongo Wetere, maintains the phones are essential because many of the students are constantly moving. Mr Wetere says the course currently has a retention rate of close to 90 percent.
Documents presented to Parliament show the Maori TV Board was responsible for doing credit and security checks on sacked CEO, John Davy. The government maintains recruitment agency, Millennium People, is to blame for recommending Davy for the job. A State Services Commission report into the saga also claimed Millennium People's checks on the fraudster were inadequate. But an appointment letter from Millennium People to the Maori TV service board in March clearly shows Davy's employment was subject to the board itself doing checks on credit and security. Millennium People even offered advice on how the board could do the credit checks. The papers also show the salary package offered to John Davy was not $140,000, but $210,000.
Shell is dropping the price of both grades of its petrol by two cents a litre, effective immediately. This brings the price of 91 grade to around a dollar nine cents, and 96 to a dollar 14. Shell says the move is due to a stronger New Zealand dollar. The price of petrol has been on a roller coaster ride of late - Shell last dropped its prices by two cents on April 29th. Then, the company increased its prices- again by 2 cents - a week ago, citing the rising cost of crude oil. That rise followed a four cent rise by BP, who subsequently dropped their prices by two cents when none of the other oil companies followed suit.
A 22-month high for the kiwi dollar, which reached 47. 35 US cents earlier this afternoon before falling back to 47. 3. BNZ chief economist, Tony Alexander, says the rise can be put down to our attractive interest rates compared with the United States. He says that is encouraging plenty of overseas investment. Mr Alexander says our dollar is also shining in the wake of a faltering greenback. He says with the rate the dollar is rising at the moment, the 50 cent US mark could come sooner than expected. Employers & Manufacturers Association chief executive Alasdair Thompson says the news is less good for our exporters. He says the speed of the NZ dollar's rise bears no relationship to the economy's real performance and mid term outlook. Mr Thompson is forecasting that exporters will achieve substantially lower returns this year.
Hamilton police are yet to determine whether they have enough evidence to lay charges over drink spiking incidents in the city. There have been 22 drink spiking allegations since November last year, including eight cases of drug rape. Police have now set up an info line, 0800 GET HIM. Police were tipped off by information left on the phone line and searched a number of properties late last week. But Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Dunbier says it would be premature to say they have solved the case. Mr Dunbier says they have had more than 25 calls to the line. He says police are yet to establish whether they have got enough evidence to press charges and are still working through material found during the searches.
Alliance MP and Laila Harre loyalist Liz Gordon has decided to stand at the next election, despite expressing doubts about her future in Parliament earlier this month. Dr Gordon says she will stand for Christchurch Central. She says politics is tough and often nasty, generally thankless and sometimes downright evil. But Ms Gordon says it is the only course to influence a better future for New Zealanders. Liz Gordon says the Alliance will campaign on a number of issues including a fair tax system, free health care and education and more help for families. She says the Alliance will put itself up as the only choice on the left. Dr Gordon says it is far too early to throw the Alliance into the dustbins of history. She has pledged her utmost loyalty to Alliance leader Laila Harre, whom she describes as the secret weapon Jim Anderton kept largely in the closet.
The prison officers union has taken its complaint about an alleged assault on one of its workers at Rimutaka Prison to OSH. The union claims the officer was attacked by inmates at the prison last month - only to be put back in the same unit the next day, where they claim he was assaulted again. The officer has suffered damage to his eyesight. Brian Davis from the Corrections Association says they are taking the issue to OSH, so an independent body can investigate. The union claims the issue in relation to a clearly identified hazard, that the employer had failed to address. The maximum penalty the Corrections Department could face is a $100,000 fine.
ACT's leader, Richard Prebble, will be the party's king hitter on this year's election campaign trail. Mr Prebble will not be standing for a seat, but will instead campaign nationwide. He says ACT's campaign committee believes the party would be better served by him campaigning on the party's platform of zero tolerance to crime. Mr Prebble says either the zero tolerance campaign or the constituency had to go. He says a high profile candidate will stand in his old seat of Wellington Central, and all candidates will concentrate on shoring up the party's list vote. Mr Prebble has said on a number of occasions since losing his Wellington Central seat to Labour's Marian Hobbs that ACT is a list party.
The depositions hearing of the three teenage girls who are charged with the death of 60-year-old Waitara man Kenny Pigott is underway in the New Plymouth youth court. A large number of family members of the defendants gathered outside the court while family of Mr Pigott waited inside. Kenneth Gerald Pigott was found dead on the banks of the Waitara River on March 11. The three were accused of the murder after allegedly stealing Mr Pigott's four-wheel drive and dumping it 120 kilometres south of Waitara.
The Fire Service is concerned that alarms at Christchurch Polytechnic were not working properly during a fire yesterday. Around 50 firefighters fought the blaze in the basement of the institute's nursing block. Assistant Region Commander Mark Chubb says fire officers have been told that the alarms did not work. He says heat detectors alerted the Fire Service. But people inside the building were still evacuating when firefighters arrived. Mark Chubb believes many people decided to get out only after hearing stuttering fire alarm signals, and seeing smoke and fire engines outside. Meanwhile, what at first appeared to be a bit of a shocking experience for a student broadcaster at Christchurch Polytechnic has ended safely. A female student suffered what was believed to be an electric shock while in the Broadcasting School's radio booth when power went down during the fire. The head of the Broadcasting School, Paul Norris says the student was taken to hospital but returned later in the day and is safe and well.
The Qualifications Authority says ongoing industrial action by secondary teachers will not delay the Certificate of Educational Achievement. Teachers at some schools are staging wildcat strikes. They are unhappy with the pay deal struck by the Education Ministry and their union, the PPTA, which includes a 5. 5 percent pay rise over three years. Qualifications Authority spokesman Bill Lennox says about 90 percent of school entries have already been received for NCEA assessment. He says that has enabled the authority to prepare a reliable exam timetable for the end of the year and to plan the checking of school assessments throughout the year. Meanwhile, the wildcat strike action by secondary teachers over the pay deal is spreading. Teachers at Auckland's Takapuna Grammar School have walked off the job. They join Taita College, Onslow College and Naenae College in the Wellington region, Havelock North High School in Hawke's Bay, Orewa College, north of Auckland, and a number of others to consider or launch strike action over the proposed deal. Spokesman for Takapuna Grammar Mark Wilkins says members met this morning to discuss the deal and have decided it is inadequate. He says in real terms it is a pay cut, considering the rate of inflation. Mr Wilkins believes the deal will do nothing to improve the secondary staffing shortage. He says the teachers will meet again this afternoon to discuss further action. Schools in Wellington and Hawke's Bay are also taking industrial action over the proposed deal.
Police say an analysis of phonecalls to missing Napier drug dealer, Phil Cowan is helping them come closer to finding the person responsible for his disappearance. Mr Cowan's blood-stained car was found in Bulls last year, and he is believed to have been murdered. The case was featured on Monday night's "Unsolved" programme on TV1. Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Vaughan says as a result of the programme, the enquiry team have now investigated a large number of phonecalls and they have turned up some good information. He says he has no doubt the case will eventually be solved and the programme has been a great way of giving people a wider picture of Mr Cowan. Mr Vaughan says the programme's focus on Phil Cowan's family has served a good purpose in presenting him as more than just a cannabis dealer.
Environment Waikato scientists continue to find low levels of bacteria in the Waikato River at Cambridge. Earlier this month, Fonterra's NZMP Hautapu Dairy Factory was found to be polluting the river with bacteria through a wastewater pipe. The company immediately stopped using the pipe. Environment Waikato water scientist Bill Vant says samples taken from the river since the pipe was shut down have been pleasing, with bacteria levels have been consistently low. Meanwhile, Environment Waikato has not yet decided whether it will take legal action against Hautapu Dairy Factory. The regulatory committee will discuss the issue at a meeting in June.
A new weapon has been unveiled in the arsenal against the deadly varroa bee mite - a one-hour-long video. The video has been produced by two HortResearch scientists, Mark Goodwin and Michelle Taylor, and is called Control of Varroa: A video for New Zealand Beekeepers. The video follows on from a booklet for beekeepers and a series of workshops run by AgriQuality NZ. The video covers recognition of varroa and describes how this bee mite reproduces, invades and eventually kills hives. It provides detailed coverage of seven methods that beekeepers can use to sample hives for varroa, followed by in-depth demonstrations and discussion of both organic and inorganic ways to treat colonies for varroa. Controlling varroa means beekeepers will be faced with new costs that may put some out of business. However, HortResearch warns that, without bees to pollinate crops, the output of a huge percentage of New Zealand's primary sector is threatened and not just the $50 million beekeeping industry. The video is available to beekeepers at a cost of $10 a copy from MAF.
Act Party leader Richard Prebble will make an announcement today on whether he intends to stand as a candidate in Wellington Central this year. Mr Prebble lost the high profile seat to Labour MP Marian Hobbs at the last election. Act is understood to have been considering not standing any electorate candidates this year and instead concentrating on the party vote. Political analysts say if Mr Prebble does decide to stand again in Wellington Central it could ruffle a few feathers with potential coalition partner National. National is putting a huge effort into trying to win the seat with its candidate, Hekia Parata.
The Health Ministry says the meningococcal disease vaccine it is about to start clinical trials with is completely safe. Seventy-five selected Auckland adults will receive the first batch of the vaccine next week. Project director Dr Jane O'Hallahan says the vaccine has been developed from ones given widely in Norway and Cuba and was developed by an American multi-national company. She says, once the trials are completed and approval given, the vaccine will be put into general use. The ministry hopes to give it to high-risk groups towards the end of next year. It will be available to other patients in 2004. Meningitis is an infection in the fluid of the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. It is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection which can result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disability. Symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting.
The BNZ has become the first of the major lenders to increase its floating home mortgage rate following last week's hike by the Reserve Bank. The BNZ is rate is up a quarter of a percent to 7. 75 percent. The new rate is effective immediately for new customers and, from June 5, for existing borrowers. Reserve Bank Governor Rod Carr raised the official cash rate last week from 5. 25 to 5. 50 percent.
Rescued solo yachtsman Chris Sayer says he is fighting fit and looking forward to being aboard a New Zealand warship. The 30-year-old was rescued from his life raft in the Tasman Sea yesterday by a Taiwanese fishing vessel, after his yacht, Up the Blue, lost is keel. He was sailing from Sydney to Auckland, training for a single-handed trans- Atlantic race. However, the Taiwanese fishing boat is not due back in port for five months so the frigate Canterbury will pick Mr Sayer up. Navy spokeswoman Major Jules Lovelock says the vessels will meet up about 1. 30 this afternoon. Mr Sayer will have to board another small inflatable raft to get to the frigate. The Canterbury is due back at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland on Friday. The frigate has been on exercise in New Caledonia.
Teachers are being urged to wait until the ratification process is completed before launching strike action over their pay offer. Students at Onslow College and Taita College in the Wellington region will be sent home at midday. Teachers at Naenae College are refusing to teach year 10 students today. The action comes as secondary teachers protest over the pay deal reached by their union and the government. Other schools around the country are also considering taking wildcat action over the settlement, which includes a pay rise of 5. 5 percent over three years. Meetings are taking place at schools around the country to consider the issue. Wellington Regional PPTA chairman Trevor Hook says he appreciates the reason why teachers are unhappy with the offer, but believes they should not jump the gun until the ratification process is finished. He says teachers should only strike if the deal is rejected. Meanwhile, the head of the PPTA denies the settlement of the secondary teachers pay dispute was motivated by political considerations. Some teachers unhappy with the offer believe Jen McCutcheon is looking for a place on the Labour party list at some point. They are suspicious of her attendance at last weekend's Labour Party congress in Wellington. But Ms McCutcheon says there is nothing untoward in her actions. She says she also attended the Alliance party conference, adding that part of her job is to lobby political parties.
Areas where toxic waste have been dumped will feature on a new national register. The government has put around $3 million into the register which will inform the community about what is in its backyard. Greenpeace supports the initiative. Toxics campaigner Sue Connor says the chemical dioxin is prevalent in many communities and people have a right to know it is there. She says the register will help identify the areas so they can be prioritised for cleanup. She hopes it will make the dumpers of toxic waste more accountable and that companies that dump the waste are made to foot the cleanup bill. She says Greenpeace would also like to see companies being made to provide an inventory of the hazardous chemicals they use and release into the environment.
The Pharmacy Guild is welcoming a move to sell the morning- after pill over the counter at chemist shops. Pharmacists are now allowed to sell the pill, providing they give the customer a 10 minute consultation beforehand. Before being eligible to sell the drug they must attend a training course with the Family Planning Association. Pharmacy Guild president Gray Maingay says pharmacists have been lobbying for the change for a long time. He says women now have easy access to a much-needed product.
The head of the secondary teachers union denies her attendance at the Labour Party congress has anything to do with the pay deal with the Government. The PPTA finally reached agreement with the Government last week. That has raised eyebrows amongst some union members, who wonder if the settlement was reached to avoid embarrassing Labour during its annual conference. PPTA President Jen McCutcheon has rubbished that suggestion. She says she attends party conferences as part of her job to lobby on behalf of teachers. Teachers at several schools are taking wildcat industrial action and say they will be voting not to accept the offer, which includes a pay rise of 5. 5 percent over three years. Meanwhile, parents are growing increasingly concerned about the secondary teachers' pay deal. Chris France of the School Trustees Association says the feedback he is getting is that parents are becoming worried about the impact of the dispute on the academic year. Teachers have to ratify the deal before it becomes final. They have already rejected one agreement that the PPTA reached with the Government.
The International Whaling Commission has again rejected the idea of whale sanctuaries in the Southern Hemisphere. Twenty-four countries, including New Zealand, voted for the sanctuaries but failed to get the 75 percent majority needed for approval. New Zealand delegate Jim McLay says the outcome is better than last time, when only 20 countries voted for sanctuaries. He says it was disappointing that the Solomon Islands did not support other Pacific nations. He says the session ended on a jarring note after a resolution was passed giving directions to the scientific committee about the way in which it should review whale sanctuaries. Japan indicated its scientists may not take part. Meanwhile, Conservation Minister Sandra Lee says she gains comfort from non-IWC members in the South Pacific, who have declared whale sanctuaries in their various Exclusive Economic Zones. She says the nations have set aside a vast area of protection for whales, but there are still significant gaps. She says a more complete sanctuary is critical for the whales' survival. The IWC continues its meeting in Japan today with debate on aboriginal subsistence quotas, which are up for review.
Two of the country's top cops are taking up overseas postings, to help enhance New Zealand's counter- terrorism capabilities. The postings are part of a government package announced earlier in the year, to guard against the threat of terrorism. Detective Superintendent Bill Bishop is off to London, while Detective Superintendent Peter Marshall will be stationed in Washington DC. The officers' jobs will be at the heart of international intelligence flows relating to counter terrorism. Both officers have previously served at overseas posts. Their two-year term begins in late July.
New Zealanders are happier with their health services than people in four other English speaking countries. That is the finding of survey of more than 7,000 people in Australia, Canada, Britain, the US and New Zealand. Around 66 percent of New Zealanders rated the overall standard of healthcare they receive as excellent or very good. That compares to 53 percent in Britain. New Zealand doctors also rated significantly higher than elsewhere. The number of New Zealanders who want the health system completely rebuilt, has dropped from 32 to 20 percent since 1998. Low income Americans had the most difficulty accessing adequate healthcare.
Drivers chatting on cellphones or text messaging behind the wheel are the targets of a police crackdown. The campaign, called "Don't be a Domino" aims to reduce the number of nose-to-tail collisions on Auckland's motorways. The slogan will appear on billboards across the network. Police spokesman Peter Gill says text messagers often cause accidents when their full concentration is not on the road. He says cars painted up as dominos will roam the motorways as a reminder to drivers to watch following distances. Mufti police cars will also watch out for text messagers. It is not illegal to use a cellphone while driving.
One child has been critically injured, and another is in a serious condition, following a school bus crash in Dunedin this afternoon. The accident happened on the corner of Stuart Street and London Street. The bus was from Woodhall Children's Centre. The ages of the children on the bus range from five to nine years. The seven remaining children and one adult were taken to hospital with lacerations and other minor injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, a woman in her 60's, has also been taken to hospital. Police say the area, which is controlled by traffic lights, has been cordoned off. Roads around the crash scene will remain closed for some time yet.
The Chief Electoral Officer has cleared ACT MP Rodney Hide over allegations of voter bribery. Alliance MP Grant Gillon laid a complaint with the Electoral Office over a questionnaire Mr Hide sent out in the Epsom electorate asking whether he should stand for the seat. Mr Hide offered people a chance to go into a draw for 100 dollars worth of garden vouchers if they answered and returned the questionnaire. But Chief Electoral Officer David Henry says it did NOT breach the electoral act as Mr Gillon alleged. He says the garden voucher offered was not an incentive to induce people to vote, and was merely aimed at obtaining information.
Conservation Minister Sandra Lee says she is astounded by the latest development at the International Whaling Commission meeting, in Japan. The IWC has failed to renew the long-standing right of indigenous peoples in Russia and the US, to kill 61 whales for subsistence reasons. The vote fell short of the three-quarters majority necessary. Sandra Lee says it is a sad day in the IWC's 56 year history. She says it means very serious hardship for Arctic people, who depend on the meat as a source of protein. Some see the vote as retaliation for an earlier rejection of Japan's bid to take 50 Minke whales from its coastal waters.
A man being transported by police from Auckland to Christchurch has ended up in more hot water, after an alleged plane rage incident. During the flight, police say the man became abusive to passengers and crew . He was restrained by the plain clothes officer with him, with assistance from the flight crew as well as an off-duty police officer. The man was charged with assaulting police and resisting arrest, when he appeared in court in Christchurch this afternoon.
ACT has attacked today's budget for failing to deal with the issue of personal security. ACT leader Richard Prebble claims rising violent crime is the most pressing issue facing New Zealand. He says over the last 24 hours more than 100 New Zealanders have been the victims of violence yet nothing in this budget assists. Mr Prebble says the Government's stance over crime is arrogant. He says for them to stand up in Parliament and say crime is going down shows they are out of touch. The budget includes an extra $34 million for police next year and an additional $34. 5 million for each of the next two years. But Helen Clark's paid tribute to her finance minister for delivering a fiscally and socially responsible budget. There have been no major spending surprises this year, with most of the major initiatives already announced. Helen Clark says the announcements give momentum to the government's programme by investing further in tertiary education, skills training, research and business support programmes.
A police hunt is underway, following an armed raid on an Auckland real estate agency. The Panmure branch of Barfoot and Thompson was held up at a quarter to three, this afternoon. Police say a lone man armed with a shotgun, burst in demanding money. He then escaped in a waiting car, which had earlier been reported stolen. Police say no-one was hurt in the robbery.
The Association of University Staff hopes Budget 2002 signals a positive turn for tertiary education. The Government's promising a $400-million boost to tertiary education, including around 94-million for research and 214-million in student funding. That's a 4. 5 percent funding increase per student. AUS general secretary Rob Crozier says he is pleased the Government wants to reward quality research. He hopes the increase will strengthen the bargaining power of tertiary staff. Rob Crozier says there is never enough money for education. But he is optimistic things will only improve under the Government's funding strategy.
Rival gang members in Palmerston North have attacked each other with knives and baseball bats. A brawl erupted late this morning, between Black Power and Mongrel Mob members in Highbury. It is the same suburb where Black Power prospect Wallace Whatuira was killed in February. One gang member received minor injuries and an innocent bystander's car was damaged by a baseball bat. Police were told those involved were wearing gang regalia and masks. Senior Sergeant Nick Dobson says they were unable to locate any offenders. But he says a person describing himself as a Black Power leader told police the incident was in retaliation for other incidents over the past week.
A man has made a brief appearance in the Dunedin District Court, in relation to this morning's hostage drama in the lower South lsland. A woman was allegedly abducted from outside Riversdale near Gore early this morning. Armed police rescued her eight hours later, without any shots being fired. Paul Michael Marsh appeared in court this afternoon charged with unlawfully detaining the woman. Marsh is expected to face further charges. The 27-year-old has been remanded in custody, without plea, until he re- appears in court on the 30th of May.
United Future New Zealand is reminding Labour it could be a potential coalition partner after the election. It follows the Greens announcement that they will not go into any coalition with Labour, unless it guarantees to keep in place a moratorium on the commercial release of genetically modified material. United Future leader, Peter Dunne, says his party expects to have two or three MPs in the next Parliament. He says they are a centrist party that could work with both the main parties, and they would not spring any surprises like the Greens. Mr Dunne says they will work with parties on a constructive basis to get good policies for New Zealand families. New Zealand First is also urging the Government to talk to them about issues of supply and confidence.
Conservationists fear some native bird species could become extinct on the mainland, because the Government has not increased funding for pest control. But Forest and Bird is pleased the Budget includes a funding boost of $349 million to the Department of Conservation over ten years. That effectively doubles DOC's funding for the maintenance of huts, tracks and other facilities. Forest and Bird conservation manager, Eric Pyle says the decline in species such as kiwi and yellow head is worse than originally thought. He says if funding spent on predator control is not increased by at least $20 million a year, species could become extinct on the mainland in a few years.
Bail has been refused for the man accused of killing Lower Hutt woman, Kate Alkema. Nika Abraham has appeared in the Lower Hutt District Court. He's charged with the murder seven weeks ago, of 36-year-old Mrs Alkema. The bail application was heard in a closed court. However, some of Kate Alkema's family were allowed to remain in the court during the hearing. Abraham remained impassive while in court, with arms folded. The judge declined bail, and remanded Abraham in custody for a pre-depositions hearing on the 11th of July.
The head of the Life Sciences Network claims fundamentalism is driving the Greens' anti-GE stance. The Green Party's seven MPs walked out of Parliament yesterday, in protest over a proposed two-year moratorium on the commercial release of genetically modified organisms. The Greens want the moratorium to be permanent. Life Sciences Network chairman, William Rolleston, says our GE stance is crucial to our strategic positioning. He says scientific research shows genetic experimentation can be hugely beneficial. He says the Greens' arguments against genetic engineering are dishonest. Dr Rolleston says even if the ban is lifted, all GM tests will be tightly controlled under the environmental Risk Management Authority.
At least ten people have been taken to Dunedin Hospital, following a serious road accident. Police have closed all roads around the scene of the accident on Stuart Street. It is not known at this stage how many vehicles were involved. The area is surrounded by the city's secondary schools. Traffic is reported to be building up as schools finish for the day.
Prime Minister Helen Clark is hailing this year's budget as one which will appeal to all New Zealanders. Most of the big ticket items have already been announced, with health and education the winners. The budget is tailored around economic transformation and innovation, with tens of millions of dollars being spent on research and science. Helen Clark says the message from today's budget is that this is a smart, active government which is getting on with the business of rebuilding New Zealand. She says Budget 2002 is a tribute to the government's responsible approach to financial management. But National leader Bill English says today's budget lacks ambition for New Zealand and is a wasted opportunity. He says the Government's inherited some of the best economic conditions in years, but has presented NO vision for the future. Mr English says the budget will also mean cuts in health and education. He says this budget is just a repackaging of commitments already made, and does nothing to lift our sustainable growth rates. Mr English says the budget also has nothing in it for small business and doesn't even mention the word family.
The Government's kept the lid on spending with its Budget delivered today. Political editor Barry Soper says that has caused some consternation, particularly among Maori MPs and from National which says it has ignored social spending. As expected National's Bill English launched a stinging attack on the Budget saying the Government has talked about the Knowledge Wave but hasn't delivered so much as a ripple of new ideas. Mr English wanted to know what social policy researcher and champion of the poor Charles Waldegrave had to say about a Budget that kept benefit levels where National left them. Mr Waldegrave was in the public gallery and was happy with the Budget saying it laid solid foundations that the country could afford and would see a much more equitable society. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says this year's budget was about earning re- election, not buying it. There are no tax cuts and no unexpected spending announcements. Most of the spending initiatives were announced before today. They include extra money for health, housing, education and the police. Dr Cullen's also unveiled a healthier than expected surplus for the current financial year. It's expected to be 2. 3 billion dollars, against a forecast last December of 1. 8 billion. Dr Cullen says there should be solid economic growth for the next few years of around three percent annually.
There will be no doubt winter's here, after today's icy blast hits the country. The MetService has issued a severe weather warning - including snow, heavy rain and cold southerlies for much of the South Island. That's expected to move up to the North later tonight, giving the first dusting of snow to the northern ranges. MetService forecaster Bob Lake says all of a sudden, weather patterns have changed dramatically. He says that's bringing low pressure from Antarctica. Mr Lake says the most noticeable change will be the drastic drop in temperature for most of the country.
The depositions hearing into the murder of a Waitara truck driver is in its second day at the New Plymouth Youth Court. Three girls, all aged 14, are charged with the murder of Kenneth Pigott, on Taranaki Anniversary Day, March 11th. An eye-witness to the alleged attack - who is a brother of one of the accused - has been giving evidence. He said the three accused had discussed stealing Mr Pigott's four wheel drive vehicle, and driving it to Urenui, north of Waitara. The witness said one of the accused hit Mr Pigott three times to the back of his head, and began to drag him across the road. He said all the accused then dumped Mr Pigott and the murder weapon over the bank into the Waitara river.
The North Island wildcat teachers' strikes are about to go nationwide. North Island secondary school teachers are walking off the job to protest the Government's offer of a 5. 5 percent pay rise. The Post Primary Teachers' Association executive has accepted the offer, which must be ratified by members in order to take effect. Queen Charlotte College Principal Colin Readman says all twenty teachers at the Picton school will strike tomorrow morning. He says they want to support their North Island colleagues. He says teachers will strike until lunchtime, with afternoon classes resuming as normal. Meanwhile the Council of Trade Unions wants teachers to have faith in their union leaders. President Ross Wilson says the democratic process is crucial to unions. He says he understands teachers' frustration. But he says now, more than ever, the decisions of the PPTA executive should be respected.
Michael Cullen's 2002 budget has finally seen the light of day - and as expected, there has been little to surprise Beehive-watchers, and, as promised, no sign of an election year spend-up. Economic innovation is very much at the heart of this year's budget. Much of the government's spending priorities over the next four years have already been released, with health, education and economic transformation the big winners. Spending is within the Government's $6. 125 billion self imposed cap which has now been lifted. Highlights of this year's budget include $35 million worth of spending on industry and regional development initiatives, and $400 million for tertiary education. Research and science gets $33. 5 million. Police have received a $34 million top-up this year, with another $34 million in each of the next two years. The government's spending $61 million on early childhood education. The budget also makes a contribution of $1. 2 billion into the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Today's budget rules out tax incentives to encourage people to save for their retirement. The finance minister is considering changes to the taxation of employer superannuation contributions. But Dr Cullen says nothing will be in place before April 2004. And he says upfront tax breaks for superannuation aren't possible, as they would cost the Government hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Dr Cullen says the abolition of tax incentives in the mid-1980s was sensible. Our political staff say the Budget is dry and conservative and has certainly failed to excite the public, few of whom have turned up at Parliament to hear it being read. It does though clearly define the differences between Labour and National, particularly in taxation where there's no relief even for the industries it says it wants to encourage like film-making and yachting. The main points of the Budget:- $35 million on industry and regional development initiatives- $400 million over four years on tertiary education, skills training, including $214 million for a new tertiary education funding system- $61 million for early childhood education- $34 million for police this year; $34. 5 million in each of the next two years (with $2. 5 million specifically for Auckland)- $200 million over five years for the meningoccal vaccine strategy- $15 million to subsidise sewage schemes for small communities- $33. 5 million to the Marsden Fund and the New Economy Research Fund- $349 million over 10 years for Department of Conservation huts, tracks, other outdoor facilities- $146 million for IRD
Education, technology and conservation will all benefit from spending in this year's budget. Michael Cullen has told Parliament the operating surplus for the current financial year is expected to come in at around 2. 3 billion dollars. Treasury forecasts issued in December were projecting a figure of 1. 8 billion. Dr Cullen says there's more than enough to cover the 600 million dollar payment this year into the Government's Superannuation Fund. The next financial year will see a super payment of 1. 2 billion dollars. The Government's stuck to its promise to keep net new spending during the parliamentary term to just over 6. 1 billion dollars. Dr Cullen says that rules out any election year spend-up. Details of much of the spending items in today's Budget have already been released. They include 349 million dollars extra for the Department of Conservation over the next decade. That money will go on huts, tracks and other outdoor facilities. Another 187 million dollars over four years will go on building state houses, and other community housing programmes. Money has also been set aside for gearing the country up for broadband access to the internet. The money will initially be spent on schools, and then bringing rural areas up to the levels already enjoyed by urban areas. Dr Cullen says this initiative emphasises the link between education and the new technology. The government will establish a Tertiary Education Commission to oversee learning in the adult sector.
Farmers are being encouraged to vote in favour of Dairy Insight and the Industry Good levy by the Sharemilkers Council and Dairy Farmers of New Zealand. Dairy InSight has been established to fund activities that are beneficial to all farmers within the dairy industry as a whole. Currently these activities are funded in the main by the New Zealand Dairy Board but with the formation of the Fonterra Cooperative, a new mechanism to fund those activities was needed, which was independent of whichever dairy company they supply. The money would come from the Industry Good levy. DFNZ chairman Charlie Pedersen says industry good research was previous funded by farmers though the Dairy Board, so there's no real change to the arrangements. However, he says under the new scheme, farmers will have a better input into what future activities will be funded. He says industry good activities such as research, education, promotion and disease eradication are essential to maintain this country's competitiveness in the world market. The deadline for farmers to vote is May 31st. They can do so online at the Dairy Insight website.
Napier police are appealing for witnesses to last night's fatal stabbing the city. A 28-year-old woman died after being attacked in her Milton Road home last night. Police are yet to contact next of kin but have revealed she is the mother of three young children. A 33-year-old unemployed man has been charged with her murder. It is believed he was formerly in a relationship with the victim. Detective Senior Sergeant Bill Gregory says there were two incidents on Milton Road last night, one at eight o'clock and another at 9. 30. He wants to hear from anyone who witnessed the incidents.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal to increase the sentence handed down to one of Napier's broomstick offenders. Nineteen-year-old Andrew Castles is serving two- and-half years for the sexual violation of a classmate with a broom handle. The Solicitor-General lodged an application with the Court of Appeal to have his sentence increased. The court heard the appeal earlier this week and released its decision today.
A woman held hostage by an armed man for almost eight hours has now been freed. The incident began around 1. 30 this morning just outside Riversdale near Gore. The armed man abducted the woman and then fled the area. An Armed Offenders' Squad call-out followed in the search for the blue Honda Civic. Just after 9am the car was stopped north of Balclutha near the turn-off to Dunedin airport. A man is now in police custody. No shots were fired, but the woman is being treated by Dunedin ambulance staff.
Police believe they may have found the car at the centre of a hostage drama in Southland. The Armed Offenders' Squad has been hunting for the vehicle after the incident began outside Riversdale around 1. 30am. It is believed the driver of the car is holding a woman hostage and is armed. Few details are available, but police confirm an operation is now underway after a possible sighting. Police are treating the incident as an abduction and understand the man and woman are known to each other. The car is described as a 1983 blue four-door Honda Civic, registration LB-4880. Police warn the public not to approach the car and to report any sightings immediately.
A Napier woman has been stabbed to death in what appears to be a domestic incident. Emergency services were called to a Milton Road address around 9. 30 last night after reports the woman had been attacked. Efforts to save her life were unsuccessful. The 28-year-old was the mother of three young children. A 33-year-old unemployed Napier man has been arrested and charged with murder. He is believed to have formerly been in a relationship with the victim. The man will appear in court today. Police have found a knife at the scene and will continue forensic examinations throughout the day.
Alliance deputy leader Willie Jackson has launched a fierce attack on the Government over its failure to address Treaty issues in the budget. He has told Parliament that, despite the Government's books showing a $2. 3 billion surplus, there is no more money going to the Waitangi Tribunal or the treaty settlement process. Mr Jackson says the Government's attitude is appalling. He says he is sick and tired of Maori issues and Maori policy being put on the back-burner by the Government. Willie Jackson says Labour's Treaty policy seems to be one of avoidance rather than resolution.
The Government has backed down on its policy to deregulate pharmacies. The Health Minister announced earlier this year, that the Government intended to open up pharmacy ownership to anyone. But Annette King's decided not to do that now. National's health spokesman Roger Sowry says it was a very silly idea, and he's pleased she has shown some common sense. He says deregulation would have jeopardised the safety and effectiveness of pharmacy services. Meanwhile, Health Minister Annette King has said from Australia that there's been constructive dialogue with the Pharmacy Guild and Pharmaceutical Society.
The Hastings Burger King fast food restaurant, closed last weekend following a hepatitis scare, has reopened. The restaurant shut its doors last Sunday, after one of its staff members showed symptoms of the Hepatitis A virus. Burger King spokesman, Glenn Corbett, says the store was only allowed to reopen after being cleansed from top to bottom. He says no stone has been left unturned in sanitising the restaurant, to ensure there is no possible hepatitis contamination remaining. Mr Corbett says the restaurant's staff has been cleared to work, by the Hawke's Bay Public Health Unit. Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus. It is spread by close personal contact with someone who has the infection, or by eating food prepared by someone with the virus. The symptoms include feeling tired, sick and feverish, with stomach pains and diarrhoea. Most people who have hepatitis A get well on their own after a few weeks.
The sentencing of the kidnapper of baby Kahu Durie is seen as sending a strong message to "would be" kidnappers. Forty-four year old Terrance Ward Traynor has been jailed for eleven years by the Wellington District Court. Criminal Bar Association President, Jeff Wells, says the sentence is appropriate considering the seriousness of the crime. He says the kidnapping has been traumatic for baby Kahu and her parents. But he's satisfied the sentence will deter other copy cat offenders. Meanwhile details have emerged in court of the care which Terence Traynor took of baby Kahu Durie after kidnapping her. His lawyer said Traynor had planted a garden of spinach and carrots at his house in Taumarunui, so the little girl would have fresh food to eat. Judge Craig Thompson said in a similar previous case 12 years' jail had been the sentence. But given mitigating factors, including Traynor's care of Kahu, he sentenced him to a total of 11 years in prison.
An anti-drink-drive operation begins in Christchurch tonight, ahead of the Super 12 final this weekend. Police say the two-day operation is designed to stop fans from drinking and driving. Similar operations over the past two Saturday night have detected only a few drunk drivers among thousands of vehicles stopped at checkpoints. Police are also warning that fans entering the grounds will be searched and any alcohol found will be confiscated.
Solo yachtie Chris Sayer is overwhelmed by the efforts of those who rescued him. Mr Sayer was sailing from Sydney to Auckland when his yacht flipped over. He was located by an Air Force Orion before being picked up by a Taiwanese trawler. He then transferred to the frigate Canterbury to return to Auckland, where he arrived at 10 o'clock this morning. Mr Sayer says it was an incredible relief to get on board the naval vessel, where he was looked after for several days before today's homecoming. He has not been put off by the experience and says he will now resume fundraising work to plan his next ocean adventure.
Six teenagers convicted of sexually violating a Napier classmate with a broom handle are all beginning prison terms today. A marathon sentencing hearing has been held at the High Court in Napier. A jury found the former Taradale High School students guilty of sexual violation in Gisborne last month after a two week trial. Three of the accused - 17-year-olds Mark Hagen and Rewi Gemmell, and 18-year-old Anthony Lloyd - have been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment on a charge of sexual violation, and 18 months on an additional charge of attempting to sexually violate. Those sentences are to be run concurrently. Eighteen-year- old Gabriel Williams has been sentenced to two years and three months for his involvement in the sexual violation, which includes six months for an indecent assault charge. Seventeen-year-old Kent Burns and 18-year-old Daniel Cutbill have both been sentenced to two years' imprisonment. Justice Gendall has ruled out home detention for any of the six offenders.
A Pacifica Shipping vessel has made it safely to port in Wellington after losing power for a few minutes in Cook Strait overnight. The Spirit of Competition was pounded by the southerly gale, causing some cargo damage. Pacifica Shipping says no-one was injured, but the violent rolling motion damaged several freight trailers and cars onboard. The ship lost power in high seas and storm force winds as it was approaching Wellington Harbour. The company and clients are now assessing the cargo to find out the full extent of the damage.
The Post Primary Teachers' Association says widespread wildcat action won't stop upcoming ratification meetings. Secondary teachers around the country are walking off the job in protest at the Government's offer of a 5. 5 percent pay rise. The PPTA executive has accepted the offer, but many teachers say it is inadequate. PPTA President Jen McCutcheon says the executive doesn't feel pressured to call off the ratification meetings. She says the silent majority of teachers deserve the right to express themselves by secret ballot. Meanwhile a group of Hamilton principals will pledge their support for secondary school teachers in a newspaper advertisement. Six of the city's principals have met to discuss the settlement offered to teachers and wildcat strikes. Fraser High Principal Martin Elliot, who called the meeting, says the principals voted unanimously to show their support as the leaders of secondary schools. Mr Elliot says he's concerned about how the PPTA handled negotiations.
A Waikato business has gone from small beginnings, to jetting off on business trips around the world in just two years. The Xcluder Pest Proof Fencing Company was started by accident in 2000, when a group of former farmers were trying to figure out how to make a Karapiro property resistant to all pests. Managing Director Roger MacGibbon says they have now developed a 100 percent pest proof fence. He says he's astounded at the response they have had from overseas. The Xcluder Pest Proof Fencing Company will feature at June's Fieldays expo at Mystery Creek, Hamilton.
Date: 23 May 2002 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
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