Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
Regardless of the weather, it was a great week with the unexpected arrival of my elder daughter Catherine for some rest and recreation. Since I had occasion to travel to Wanganui during the week of her stay, Catherine, Helen and Anthony all accompanied me to visit their grandparents in Wanganui and Waverley. Originally, it was to be just Anthony and I, with a trailer, to bring back the lovely Myford ML7 lathe which my father left me in his will. I wish he had managed to leave me half his skill with tools. The trip certainly takes on a different dimension with a car full of young people, and it was more unusual still with the great yellow slab of the rented trailer obscuring the rear-view mirror. The day was fine, though cold, and we set off soon after seven, covering the old familiar road in a much slower time than usual. To avoid being predictable in the eyes of my kids, I stopped for morning coffee in Sanson. I am convinced that some people, perhaps including me, are not well suited to an occupation involving retail interactions with the general public. I shall not stop there again. We left the trailer with my mother in Wanganui, and drove on to Waverley. Spring growth is everywhere in this intensively farmed landscape, and it was a joy to see Windermere's vast acres of strawberries just out of Wanganui. The distant skies were too overcast to afford a sight of either Ruapehu or Taranaki, but the rolling landscape is so pleasing in its multiple textures that I was not too distressed by the lack of a few mountains. Having enjoyed the hospitality in both locations we loaded the trailer with the lathe and associated tools, and noted with some dismay the effect on the suspension of the trailer. Sure enough, the inertia of the load and the probable poor balance in the trailer made the trip home less than pleasant. We had to stop quite suddenly for an off-duty policeman who strolled into busy traffic at a pedestrian crossing in Plimmerton. We were well past the diamond warning sign, and had to stand on the anchors to avoid hitting him. The trailer of course had no anchors and wanted to keep going, so we actually came to a halt on the crossing, without hitting the person. He puffed his chest up and flashed his ID at us and wanted to know why we had failed to stop. This ignored the fact that we had in fact stopped, (otherwise how else was he talking to us?), and his own folly in breaching Section 54 of the transport regulations ("No pedestrian shall suddenly enter a pedestrian crossing when an approaching motor vehicle is so close to the pedestrian crossing that the driver of the vehicle is unable to give way to the pedestrian"). The discussion was inconclusive and we each went on our way convinced that the other was in the wrong. We arrived home without further incident, and even managed to unload the trailer without sustaining any permanent injury. It was a pleasure to travel with 60% of my kids. Next week and the week after, I will be in Melbourne, so for the longest period in quite a while, there will be no issue of WYSIWYG. Normal service should resume on or about the 24th of November. To my American readers and friends, I hope you have a great and safe thanksgiving. See you in a while.
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, IRN Ltd. Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, or occasionally "HH" will indicate an opinion from Helen. In all cases they are honest expressions of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact. This week's formatting is sponsored by Jan B. Many thanks Jan. On with the news:
Traffic in the upper north island has built steadily as the Labour Weekend holiday wraps up. Police say State Highways One and Two north into Auckland are heavy. Traffic approaching the city from the south has been heavy, and is moving at about 70 or 80 kilometres an hour. South Island police advise that traffic flow is steady, and wet weather has impeded drivers in Wellington's Ngauranga Gorge.
Two soldiers have sustained serious injuries in a vehicle accident at Waiouru. An Army spokeswoman says an Armoured Personnel Carrier rolled about 10 kilometres north of the Waiouru Military Camp this afternoon. Two of the 12 soldiers aboard were assessed as having serious injuries, and were evacuated by helicopter to Palmerston North Hospital. The remaining 10 soldiers received minor injuries, and were treated at a field hospital and the Waiouru Military Hospital. The accident occurred during routing military training as part of Exercise Silver Fern, which is the largest exercise the Army has conducted since 1998. About 1,200 Army and Air Force personnel are involved.
(Poor old M113 ... I wonder how many of the new LAV IIIs will be rolled on the various goat tracks around Waiouru? - BH)
One of the New Zealand SAS soldiers injured in Afghanistan has now arrived in Germany. The man lost a foot, after being caught up in a landmine explosion. He is due to receive further medical treatment in Europe before returning home. Defence Spokesman John Seward would not confirm when that was likely to be. Another two soldiers were injured by shrapnel when their vehicle ran over the landmine last Tuesday. They have now returned to service. All three will be able to claim compensation for their injuries, under the War Pensions Act.
Three men are being held in Wellington after a weekend car- breaking spree. Vehicles in the central city and eastern and southern suburbs have been attacked. Cash, steering wheels, electronics and mag wheels were taken. Detective Sergeant Brett Greer of Wellington CIB says quite a lot of property has been recovered, and people should check their cars. He says any missing items should be reported, no matter how little they are worth.
The trial of a man accused of the rape of a New Zealand woman more than 20 years ago, is due to start in the United States. Willie Oliver was arrested in August last year, after DNA evidence allegedly linked him to the crime. The 53-year-old is accused of raping the hitch-hiking woman, hitting her with a concrete slab and leaving her for dead, after picking her up near the Florida state capital, Tallahassee, in 1981. Oliver has multiple convictions for violent crimes. He has recently changed his defence lawyer, and the prosecution attorney says that could lead to the trial being delayed.
Auckland Hospital is discharging seriously ill patients early because of the radiographers strike. Close to 100 radiographers employed by the Auckland District Health Board strike for four days from tomorrow over a lack of progress in pay talks. Efforts to avert the strike have failed and the board regards emergency cover as inadequate. A third critical patient is being flown out today, after two were sent to hospitals in Hamilton and Christchurch yesterday. Clinical director Dr Colin McArthur says neurosurgical patients are being returned to their base hospitals sooner than the board would like. He says other patients that would normally come to Auckland have been diverted to Wellington's neurosurgical centre.
Greens believe the government is chasing fools' gold in Latin America. The party says Labour has announced its interest in a free trade deal with Chile because it can not get one with the US. Trade spokesman Rod Donald says the government does not want a strategic foothold in South America. He says it has always seen a deal with Chile and Singapore as part of a P-five agreement, including the States. He says it has never seen Chile as a stepping stone to other South American countries. Greens' co-leader Rod Donald says any deal with the US would never produce the returns New Zealand expects anyway.
The Foreign Affairs Minister says the international community needs to work together to force North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme. New Zealand's given $4. 5 million dollars to the communist state since 1995. The money was in return for Pyongyang giving up its quest for a nuclear bomb. It has now been revealed that North Korea has reneged on the deal. There have been calls for international sanctions against the regime. Phil Goff says he discussed the issue with his APEC counterparts last week. He says the unanimous view is that we should work first to exert diplomatic pressure, and consider other options if that fails. Mr Goff says New Zealand is not about to pay further money if it does not honour its commitments.
With less than a day to go, the holiday road toll is well below last year. Four people have died on the roads this Labour weekend, compared with eight for the holiday period in 2001. A motorcyclist died when he lost control on State Highway at Mangatawhiri south of Auckland. And one person died when a car ran off the road at Gore in the lower South Island. Police have meanwhile released the names of two men who died in a head-on crash at Ohinewai north of Huntly on Saturday. They were 66-year-old Gary Kennington of Howick in Auckland, and 58-year-old Damien Tuwhakaraina of Matamata.
More seriously ill patients are being moved out of Auckland Hospital today as the radiographers' strike looms. About 100 radiographers employed by the Auckland District Health Board stop work tomorrow for four days. Efforts to avert the strike have failed. Two patients from Auckland Hospital's critical care unit were flown to Christchurch and Waikato yesterday. Clinical director Dr Colin McArthur says because there is inadequate emergency cover they will not be the last. He says plans are being made to move more patients, including one to be flown to Hawke's Bay.
Tickets are now on sale for the new-look Lotto as gambling authorities try to halt a slump in revenue. The Lotteries Commission says the new game will make someone a millionaire every week. The revamp comes as the cash the Commission passes on for use by community groups has fallen by almost $20 million in the last three years. Acting chief executive of the Lotteries Commission, Warren Salisbury, says the game is still played the same way.
The manager of Meremere's Champion Dragway says discussions were held with Transit New Zealand, the police and local council on yesterday's Rotary National drag meeting. More than 20,000 people turned up, causing major traffic congestion on State Highway One. It took police hours to unravel the jam as departing spectators merged with holiday traffic. Manager Ray Peterson says the event grows in popularity and changes were made to avoid past problems. He does not want to see it banned during a holiday weekend and says talks will be held on what else can be done to reduce congestion. Ray Peterson says drag racing promoters and supporters are treated as second class citizens. He says the sport can not be blamed for inadequate roads and most sporting groups would be pleased with a crowd of 20,000. He says councils with rugby stadiums would ensure adequate roads and amenities.
A hint Air New Zealand's days as a member of the Star Alliance network may be numbered. Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines are both members of the grouping which gives access to routes they could not otherwise cover. Singapore Airlines chief executive Cheong Choong Kong says if Qantas buys into Air New Zealand the New Zealand carrier will most likely have to exit the Star Alliance. That would leave it without a local operator in either country and could push Singapore Airlines closer to entering the Australian domestic market. Singapore Airlines posted a 474 percent profit increase, to about 800 million dollars, for the six months to September. Intense negotiations continue between Air New Zealand and Qantas over a possible buy-in. An update is expected at Air New Zealand's annual general meeting in Auckland tomorrow. However aviation analysts are downplaying talk of an official announcement at that AGM.
There is more good news for Labour this morning. It has recorded a four point rise in support in the latest One News/Colmar Brunton poll. The senior coalition partner has gone from 47 to 51 percent in the last month. National is down one to 25, New Zealand First also falling one to seven. Also losing a point are the Greens, down to five percent. That is the same level of support for Labour's other ally, United Future, which is up one point in this survey, and ACT, which is unchanged. The Progressive Coalition, Christian Heritage and the Alliance are all steady on one percent.
The Ministry of Fisheries claims the Serious Fraud Office has cleared it of any corruption. Allegations of secret payouts and favouritism between the Ministry and the fishing industry have been made in today's edition of the New Zealand Herald. The newspaper claims a former Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture employee was paid $1 million to drop an investigation into in-house corruption. The Ministry says it has been cleared by the SFO and a Solicitor-General appointed barrister. Chief Executive Warwick Tuck says he would be surprised if there was any truth in the $1 million dollar payout.
The Takeovers Commission says a bid by the investment company The Lowe Corporation for Southland's Blue Sky Meats may not comply with the Takeovers Code. Last month Graeme Lowe's Lowe Corporation announced its intention to make a full offer under the Takeovers Code for Blue Sky Meats. at $4. 50 per share. It later sent the offer document to shareholders in BSM. The offer is understood to be at the top end of the range judged by an independent valuer. Blue Sky's chairman, Barry Thomas, says the company would be better off staying under local control. However, one of BSM's shareholders, Horizon Meats New Zealand Limited, holds 37% of BSM's shares and also has a marketing contract with BSM. Under the terms of the takeover, Horizon is to be paid $2. 7 million for terminating the marketing contract and the transfer of trademarks. Horizon would also receive the same consideration per share that is to be paid to other shareholders. The Takeovers Panel says it considers that Lowe's offer for BSM may not comply with rule 20 of the Takeovers Code because Horizon may receive more consideration for each of its shares than other shareholders. The Panel has issued an order restraining Lowe from proceeding with its offer, and will meet in Wellington on Monday 4 November 2002 to consider the matter.
Air New Zealand shareholders have been told talks with Qantas include exit provisions for either partner. The airline's board has come in for close questioning over the possibility of Qantas taking a stake in New Zealand's national carrier at its annual meeting in Auckland. Of about 500 people present only a a small number - around 50 indicated opposition but some want Air New Zealand to make sure Qantas does not get the upper hand. Air New Zealand has promised to keep shareholders kept fully informed on any plans to offer Qantas a 25 percent stake. Deputy chairman Roger France told them talks cover one or the other partner later pulling out of any deal. He said the arrangement is part of the negotiations but would not elaborate, other than to say the talks are progressing satisfactorily but the issues are complex and difficult. Mr France told those present the question of a Qantas stake is the major strategic issue on Air New Zealand's agenda. Meanwhile, the airline is full of praise for the Crown. Roger France said a governance review was carried out following restructuring and the Crown becoming the significant majority shareholder. He said processes are in place to ensure there is no conflict of interest and to keep information the Crown receives as a shareholder separate from that it gets through regulatory roles. He says the Crown has been exemplary in its dealings with the company. Shareholders were also promised that the airline's directors are not writing themselves big meal tickets. Mr France says the airline has been advised that appropriate fees would be double what directors are currently getting. However he said the board decided in view of a wage moratorium applying to staff, not to adjust directors' fees before June next year when that freeze ends. He says at that time fees will be reset to a level commensurate with the directors' task.
A child has been taken to hospital in Christchurch this afternoon after being hit by a train. The accident happened at the Gasson Street crossing around four o'clock this afternoon at a railway crossing on a busy inner city road. An ambulance service spokesperson says the child has suffered leg and arm injuries.
A possible link between convicted murderer Jules Mikus and the Kirsty Bentley case has been ruled out by Canterbury police. The possibility was raised earlier this month when it was revealed Mikus owned a Commer van similar to that sought in connection with the Ashburton teenager's killing. Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Williams says they have identified the van in question and it was not in Mikus' possession when Kirsty disappeared. Mikus was convicted of murdering Teresa Cormack earlier this month.
Both National and Act are vigorously promoting the theory that Michael Cullen's office leaked the document which saw Ross Armstrong lose his Government posts. The letter, promising private firms preferential treatment for government infrastructure contracts, enraged the Finance Minister as well as Prime Minister Helen Clark. Bill English and Richard Prebble believe Michael Cullen was not so much angry that the government's integrity had been questioned, but that he had not been consulted over an important economic issue.
National's leader Bill English has released a letter written by an Auckland intensive care specialist saying lives will be put at risk because of the radiographers strike. Les Galler says the Auckland District Health Board hospitals are unable to function as acute care areas in any proper sense. Mr English says that is a disgrace and says the Minister Annette King has a duty to step in. He says she was happy enough to stop the filming of a birth for a porn movie which he calls a relatively trivial issue by comparison. Meanwhile St John ambulance is copping the added pressure because of the Auckland radiographers' strike. Eighty-seven x-ray and scanning technicians walked off the job this morning for four days. They want a 10- percent pay rise. The action means emergency patients cannot be taken to the Auckland District Health Board's four hospitals. St John medical advisor Tony Smith says extra staff and vehicles have been brought in to cope with the demand. He says the ambulances are having to travel further afield to a hospital which slows their turnaround time.
United Future is strongly opposing a Qantas buy-in to Air New Zealand. The Australian carrier is tipped to announce its plan to take a 25 percent shareholding in Air New Zealand before the end of the year. United Future Finance spokesman Gordon Copeland says the collusion of the two airlines would be to the long term detriment of New Zealand. He says it would be a crazy move to hand such a large stake to an Australian-based competitor before exploring other options. Mr Copeland says Air New Zealand should first look to the debt and equity markets for new funding. Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of chairman John Palmer, deputy chairman Roger France has told Air New Zealand's annual general meeting in Auckland that discussions with Qantas are incomplete. He says further disclosures can not be made at this stage.
Ten New Zealand police officers are going to the Solomon Islands to help restore law and order. Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff says restoration of law and order is the first priority for the Solomons and a pre-requisite for economic recovery. He says the officers will provide mentoring and on-the-job training to Royal Solomon Islands Police officers who are working in frontline policing and criminal investigations. Mr Goff says their role is an advisory one. The officers' duties complement a three-year programme in which Australia and the United Kingdom are already participating.
The three men accused of plotting to kidnap a high-profile Wellington businessman will face trial after accepting they have a case to answer. John Burrett, Simon Philpott and Mathew Payne are in the Wellington District Court today for the taking of depositions on a variety of charges including conspiracy to kidnap. They have been remanded in custody for a trial date to be set. If found guilty, the three men could face up to seven years in jail. The Crown alleges the British trio planned to kidnap a prominent Wellington businessman and keep him hostage in a specially designed bunker in the Rimutaka Forest Park. The bunker was found in early July by members of the public, sparking a police covert surveillance operation. One of the men, John Burrett, is a high profile lawyer, originally from the UK, involved in property development in Wellington. He has been representing himself in the proceedings. He has accused Wellington police of holding his wife against her will. During today's hearing, Burrett asked Detective Len Barnett what authority he had to force Mrs Burrett to leave the family home for three days. The detective told him he believes that action was covered in the search warrant. Burrett says his wife was taken to a police station against her will, claiming it was 'effectively a kidnapping'. The detective said the Burrett home was a crime scene, but Mr Burrett said no murder or other crimes had been committed there.
West Auckland Police say they are now very concerned for an elderly Russian man, missing since Saturday. Seventy-two- year-old Anatoli Chidlovski has not been seen since setting off to walk around Henderson Creek. He is 1. 87 metres tall, bald with white hair at the sides and suffers from memory loss. About 50 police and search and rescue personnel are looking for him. . Police are urging anyone who may have seen him to contact them immediately.
The Ministry of Fisheries is beefing up security for its frontline officers as violent assaults against them are becoming more regular. Ministry spokesman Dave Wood says in some cases, officers are having their heads held under water, being head-butted off boats and stabbed. He says as a result the Ministry will no longer send honorary fishing officers out on jobs alone. Mr Wood says unfortunately this is a sign of an increasingly violent society. He says the old days of people accepting that they have been caught doing something illegal are gone. Dave Wood says the police Armed Offenders Squad is now often called out to jobs with fisheries officers.
Two soldiers injured during an exercise at Waiouru have been released from hospital. The driver and an infantryman and were airlifted to Palmerston North hospital with suspected spinal injuries when their armoured personnel carrier rolled over during routine military training. X- rays have found no serious problems. Exercise commander Colonel Mark Wheeler says he is working out how the vehicle rolled. He says a technical investigation shows the crash was not due to a technical problem. Colonel Wheeler says another 10 soldiers received minor injuries which were treated at a nearby field hospital.
National says it is alarmed at the secrecy surrounding credit card usage among Government departments. It sent questions to 26 ministers over their departments' credit card spending but only four replied. Among those to provide figures are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which has 331 credit cards, while Ministry of Fisheries staff have 245 cards to use. National's Simon Power says 22 ministers replied saying it was impractical to give a break down of credit card use. He says taxpayers should be able to know where their money is going.
(I am always fascinated at the curious belief that people who work for the government should somehow be more frugal, indeed more miserly than those employed elsewhere. Regardless of who the employer is, the person should be working for a fair salary, and in reasonable conditions. If the use of credit cards can be appropriately managed, the mere fact of their use should not be cause for "shock horror" articles like this - BH)
Hospitals hit by the radiographers' strike in Auckland are coping with the disruptions so far, but say it is still far from business as usual. Eighty-seven radiographers have walked off the job for four days, as pay talks reach a stalemate. Serious cases are being transferred to Middlemore, and non-critical patients have been told to stay out of emergency departments. St John's spokesman Glenn Rose says potential delays should not put people off from calling for medical help. Half a day into the strike, and the affected hospitals in the region say they are managing, but the strike is still a major headache. The two sides are unable to agree on the level of disruption caused by the protest. The union claims the hospital is adequately covered by the 13 remaining radiographers. But Auckland DHB spokeswoman Brenda Saunders maintains they've been left well short of the skill base they need to treat all patients. She says thousands of outpatient and non-urgent appointments have been cancelled. And Auckland Hospital is continuing to move critically-ill patients to other hospitals as it tries to cope with the strike. Three patients from intensive care were flown out of the region before the strike began, and there are plans to move another seriously ill patient to Waikato Hospital later today.
Mattress manufacturing company Sleepyhead, expects its newly refurbished factory in Christchurch to be reaching full capacity in the next few weeks. The 6,000 square metre facility in Hornby has been completely gutted and a modern production line has been installed in the $2. 5 million, eight-month renovation project. The plant has created six new jobs within the factory's 50-strong workforce. Product delivery times are expected to be slashed from up to eight weeks to a matter of five or six days. Sleepyhead director Graeme Turner says the new machinery at the Christchurch plant is state of the art and has been imported from Spain, Germany, Italy and the United States. He says, with two modern plants in New Zealand, the company is better protected in the event of an unplanned shutdown. Sleepyhead also has a plant in Otahuhu, Auckland, and Mr Turner believes that may also have to be upgraded soon. The company opened a factory in Brisbane in 2001. Mr Turner says one reason behind the need to refurbish its factories is that there has been an increase in demand for mattresses due to New Zealand's population growing and people becoming more conscious of the need to change their mattresses every 10 years
Police say the Labour weekend road toll stands at three, after a fourth death was put down to illness. Three people died in road crashes over the holiday period, the best figure for 25 years. National Road Safety Manager Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald says the bad weather throughout the country slowed down traffic, but in addition, there was less traffic than usual on the roads. Mr Fitzgerald says this year compares favourably with last Labour Weekend when six people were killed.
A Northland farmer, who allegedly shot one of three men on his property, will face charges under the Crimes Act and the Firearms Act. The farmer called police 10 nights ago, claiming intruders were loading a 20 thousand dollar quad farm bike onto a trailer. The farmer claimed he fired at the tyres of the men's vehicle when they ignored demands to stop. The man who was shot and his two alleged associates have also been charged. Northland MP John Carter is backing the farmer, saying the alleged incident would not have happened if the three men had not gone onto the farm with criminal intent.
All Black legend Colin Meads has proved to be the unexpected hit in an auction of celebrity kisses. Forty celebrities donated lipstick kisses to be auctioned as part of last week's New Zealand Fashion Week. Model Nicky Watson got the top bid of $550, more than twice that of second- placed Charlotte Dawson. Colin Meads' kiss went for $100, much more than anyone was prepared to part with for Kate Hawkesby, Petra Bagust or Mandy Smith.
TV3 has secured the free-to-air rights to screen rugby for the next three years. In a battle with TVNZ, TV3 has won an extension of its contract with pay TV network Sky TV. The agreement gives TV3 the Super 12, Tri-Nations, international tests, NPC and Maori rugby. CanWest CEO Brent Impey says there will be the usual one-and-a-half hour delay between the live broadcast and free-to-air transmission. He says it's a huge coup for the company after it continued to match the bids for the contract put forward by TVNZ.
An inquiry has been approved into possible corruption at the former Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, following allegations of favouritism between the Ministry and the industry. The claims centre around the $100 million scampi quota and an alleged secret payout to stop an investigation into a favoured company. They stem from the early 90s when National was in power. Primary Production select committee chairman David Carter says members have okayed an investigation into the claims. He says they were shocked at the extent of the allegations. Mr Carter says a structure for the inquiry will be approved after the proposal is presented to each caucus. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the committee should investigate the fishing industry and also the four fisheries ministers who were in power at the time of the alleged corruption. Mr Peters was one of the first people to make allegations of corruption within the ministry, under Parliamentary Privilege earlier this year. He failed to release further details despite promising to do so. Meanwhile National leader Bill English says his party is opposed to corruption regardless of who was the Government at the time. Mr English says the best thing that can happen is an open inquiry to get some fresh air through the Fisheries Ministry to remove the taint of corruption. Former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer - who was deputy prime minister when the quota system was introduced - says he cannot remember a situation where a ministry has been severely criticised and where no action has been takenThe allegations have already been looked into in the past by both the Serious Fraud Office and Crown Law.
Auckland's striking radiographers have given notice of a further industrial action. They are currently in the midst of a four day stopwork affecting the Auckland District Health Board. The new strike will run for 48 hours from the 14th of November. Meanwhile Health Minister Annette King is defending her decision not to force arbitration on Auckland District Health boards over the radiographers' strike. Mrs King says it is technically possible for the government to direct DHBs to seek arbitration in any industrial dispute. However, she says it would also be possible for such a direction to be challenged on the basis that it cuts across a DHB's statutory decision-making ability under the Employment Relations Act. Mrs King says the ERA clearly states that all agreements must be voluntary and ratified by the parties to the agreement.
Police have laid charges over the death of an eight week old Feilding baby. Brodie Gordon was taken to Palmerston North Hospital on September 13th with respiratory problems and a head injury. The next day he was flown to Auckland hospital, but he died of head injuries in Auckland's Starship Hospital on September 15th. Police have now charged a Feilding woman with manslaughter. She will appear in the Palmerston North District Court tomorrow morning.
A Rimutaka escaped prisoner has been recaptured. Wilton Briggs ran away from a working party at Rimutaka Prison last week. He was found at Dinsdale near Hamilton earlier this afternoon and has been taken into police custody. Briggs now faces charges of escaping custody. He will appear in the Hamilton District Court tomorrow morning.
Three climbers caught up in an avalanche on Mount Aspiring near Wanaka, have been rescued by helicopter. One of them, a 29-year-old man, was knocked unconscious and suffered head injuries when the incident happened during a planned climb of the Pope's Nose peak on Mount Aspiring. The injured man has been flown to Dunstan Hospital at Clyde, in Central Otago, but it is not thought his injuries are serious. Two of the climbers were able to dig themselves and their injured friend out of the avalanche. Police say climbers and trampers should check on the latest snow conditions before going on alpine trips.
Police are concerned for the safety of a West Auckland man who has been missing for more than a month. Thirty-three- year-old Christopher Tipene lives with his partner Terry Wilson and their four children in the suburb of Glen Eden. She has made an emotional appeal for help this afternoon. Mr Tipene left his car at home and has not withdrawn any money from his bank account. Detective Sergeant Stan Brown says Ms Wilson went out with the children in the morning, and when she returned he had disappeared. Police say his disappearance is very unusual as he always calls his four children, if he is ever away. Detective Sergeant Brown says Ms Wilson is extremely upset. He says she is having trouble holding herself together and trying to shield things from the children.
(He has still not been heard from at the end of the week - BH)
A warning to farmers to expect reduced returns this year. The latest Ministry of Agriculture forecast says unseasonably cool, dry weather, the strengthening kiwi dollar and falling international prices will take their toll on farm incomes. It says farmers should plan to spend less on capital items such as tractors. The warning also goes for orchardists. MAF says grape, stone fruit and apple crops have been hit hard by frosts, especially in Hawke's Bay, while in Canterbury fruit was damaged by hail over the weekend.
The Government is spending close to $17 million to update the police fleet of vehicles. The cash injection will see the number of police vehicles on the road with odometers of more than 100,000 kilometres fall from around 55 to 37 percent. Police Minister George Hawkins says the replacement programme will also see the average police vehicle travel 78,000 kilometres - down from the current figure of 109,000. He says the purchase of 484 new vehicles will not affect on the size of the fleet.
A proposal by National to hold a Parliamentary inquiry into alleged corruption at the Ministry of Fisheries has won support. National's David Carter sought backing from the Primary Production Committee, following fresh allegations of secret payouts and favouritism to companies for the lucrative scampi quota. It is alleged that a fisheries investigator was paid $1 million nine years ago, to end an in-house corruption investigation. Mr Carter says MPs on the committee have unanimously agreed to take the terms of reference for the inquiry, to their respective caucuses with a view to finalising the select committee inquiry at next week's meeting. The allegations stem from the early 90s when National was in power but its leader Bill English welcomes the probe. Mr English says some of the allegations are serious and deserve to be heard. He says fishing companies that believe they have been disadvantaged have a right to have a say as do the public servants who have been implicated.
Figures out today show we pounded the plastic over Labour Weekend. Kiwis spent close to $200 million by electronic payment over the long weekend - up $15 million on last year. Credit card spending accounted for almost a third of the total of $197 million. Saturday was the biggest day, with transactions worth $85 million dollars being put through the Paymark electronics payments system. Paymark reports it processed its three billionth transaction on Labour Day.
National is accusing the Health Minister of ignoring her own law changes by failing to intervene in the Auckland radiographers strike. The industrial action by 87 radiographers is in its second day. Health Minister Annette King has refused to get involved in the row which has caused massive disruption. National Health spokeswoman Lynda Scott says the minister last year changed section 32 of the Health and Disability Act giving her wide ranging powers to direct health boards. She says Annette King has the power to stop the strike but is hiding behind industrial relations legislation. Meanwhile Auckland's hospitals seem to be coping well, despite extra pressure caused by the radiographers' strike. One hundred and 90 emergency patients have passed through Middlemore hospital in the last 24 hours. Middlemore spokesman David Galler says there is no question their workload has gone up. He says the theatres are getting very busy, with 10 being used at the moment. Seven of those are doing emergency acute work and the other three are dedicated to Auckland Hospital. However, it is unclear what will happen when Auckland's radiographers' strike ends this week. An APEX union spokesman says they hope to hold more talks with the Auckland District Health Board, but none are scheduled. He says they will reassess their position on Saturday.
The Health Minister says those behind the Mark Burton tragedy could lose their jobs. Annette King's comments follow a damning report on the early release of paranoid schizophrenic Mark Burton, last March. Within a day Burton had killed his mother. A report by the Health and Disability Commissioner singles out the actions of seven individuals working at Southland Hospital's Mental Health Unit. Annette King says they will face disciplinary action. She says that could mean dismissal or suspension. However, she denies the Mark Burton affair is indicative of a mental health service in disarray. Annette King says the type of service the hospital provided is unacceptable, but that our mental health services are not in the mess some experts have said it is. Mrs King says since the mid-nineties spending has increased from around $400 to 750 million per year. Meanwhile public attitudes towards mental illness are being blamed for mental health services becoming run down. Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists President Wayne Miles believes an incident such as the Burton one could happen again. He blames the under- resourcing of mental health, but says it is too easy to point the finger at the Government. He says there is a hundred-year legacy of why the area of mental health is ignored, and the Government can not be blamed for what has become a standard reaction by the public over many years. Dr Miles says only public pressure will see more resources put into mental health care.
A Feilding woman charged with the manslaughter of an eight week-old child has been granted bail. Judge Les Atkins has spent several hours considering the application for bail in the Palmerston North District Court today. The 27 year-old was also granted interim name suppression although that will be reviewed next Tuesday. The name of the child was suppressed as well. Bail is subject to several conditions. These include that there will be no contact with the key witness, and that the accused must report to the police twice a week.
Another district health board in Auckland has received strike notice from its radiographers. The Nurses Organisation has given notice to the Counties Manukau District Health Board of a 24 hour strike on the November 18 by 48 members. They work at Middlemore Hospital and the Manukau Super Clinic. The industrial action follows a strike by 87 radiographers employed by the Auckland District Health Board which ends on Saturday morning. Counties Manukau DHB chief operating officer Brian Rousseau says the latest strike is timed to cause the least inconvenience. He says the board sees it as a call for help from the union to get serious and reach an agreement
Australian crop figures have reinforced Federated Farmers' predictions for higher grain prices in New Zealand in autumn 2003Grains Council Chairman Hugh Ritchie says the latest crop report published by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics predicts that the harvest of Australia's four major winter crops will now be about 42% of last year's. He says as a result, New Zealand spot market grain prices will reflect those poor Australian yields. Australian grain producers' problems are mainly due to a lack of rainfall in the major grain growing regions between April and October, at between 40 and 60 percent of average. Mr Ritchie says that with Australia's supply shortfall, and much of New Zealand's crop already contracted, spot prices can be expected to rise rapidly in autumn. New Zealand end users experienced similar large increases in grain prices in winter 2001 due to the previous autumn drought in New Zealand.
The Greens are questioning why an Asian group accused of being behind the Bali bombings has been labelled a terrorist group in New Zealand. Under the recently-passed Terrorism Suppression Bill, the Prime Minister has today listed Jemaah Islamiah as a terrorist group. It follows a similar move made by Australia as well as the United Nations, the EU and the United States. But Greens' Foreign Affairs spokesman Keith Locke says Miss Clark needs to provide the information on which she based her decision. He says the Greens want to ensure the designation was not based on overseas media reports. Meanwhile the government says it is taking seriously a warning of terrorist attacks in East Timor. A leaked Portuguese Army intelligence report claims attacks are being planned on places frequented by foreigners in Dili. Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff says although the report is unconfirmed the Government has updated its travel warning in line with the Australians. Mr Goff says the majority of New Zealand military personnel in East Timor are based in Suai.
TVNZ's failure to secure free-to-air rugby rights is being seen as a blow to the state broadcaster. TV3 won the rights for the next three years in a partnership with SKY despite a concerted effort by TVNZ. The agreement gives TV3 the Super 12, Tri-Nations, international tests, NPC and Maori rugby with the usual one-and-a-half hour delay between the live broadcast and free-to-air transmission. New Zealand Broadcasting School Head and former TVNZ Head of News Paul Norris says the deal is a significant set-back for TVNZ. He believes TVNZ took the view that as the national broadcaster it should be screening our national game. Mr Norris says the chances of TV3 being sold seem to be receding as it becomes more profitable. CanWest CEO Brent Impey says the agreement is a huge coup for the company after it continued to match the bids for the contract put forward by TVNZ.
Sanford's fish processing facility in Nelson is going to close at the end of November. Staff have been notified of the closure today. The company announced plans to offer its Nelson plant for sale as a going concern but without quota or vessels earlier this month. The closure affects around 90 people. Sanford Managing Director Eric Barratt says the company has been trying to find other uses or a buyer for the facility as a going concern but has not been able to confirm a deal. He says there has been some interest in the plant but no serious offers. Mr Barratt says the company's focus is now on its employees and helping them through a very difficult time. He says a comprehensive job search programme launched at the beginning of the month had identified more than 100 jobs within the Sanford Group or among Nelson employers. The decision to close is mainly due to an excess of processing capacity, which has reduced the Nelson plant's normal 13-week season processing fresh hoki to less than nine weeks.
New Zealand has updated its travel advisory to East Timor following fresh threats of terrorist attacks on Westerners. The updated warning follows a leaked Portuguese Army intelligence report which suggests attacks on the US and Australian embassies and popular bars in the capital Dili. Foreign Minister Phil Goff says the Government is taking the warning seriously, although it has been unable to verify the report. He says our travel advisory to East Timor is based on the Australian advisory which has also been updated. Mr Goff says it would be wise for people going to areas known to be frequented by foreigners, to exercise particular caution. He says most of the New Zealand military contingent in Timor is based in Suai, although 25 personnel and a group of aid workers are in Dili.
The Government has recorded an increased annual surplus in its current account. Statistics New Zealand says the surplus for the year ended June 2002 is $2,662 million, $881 million higher than the result for the June 2001 year. The result is lower than the peak of $4,178 million recorded in 1996. Total current income for the June 2002 year was $40,189 million, an increase of $2,188 million or 5. 8 percent on the previous year. Taxation revenue made the most significant contribution to this increase, up $1,618 million. The increases in taxation revenue reflected the growth in the economy over the year, with Gross Domestic Product growing 3. 5 percent in the year to June 2002, along with increased employment and wage growth. Total current outlays rose by 3. 6 percent to $37,528 million, mainly due to increases in Crown spending on health and education.
Bali bomb victim Mark Parker is being farewelled in Timaru this afternoon. Our reporter at the funeral says there was a very sombre mood at the Community Trust Sports Centre, where Mark Parker's mother Verna usually works as a sports administrator. Today, the auditorium, which seats 1200 people, was almost full to capacity with mourners paying tribute to Mr Parker, whose body was returned home from Bali only two days ago. His coffin was carried into the auditorium by friends and family. Among the tributes was one from All Black Anton Oliver. Meanwhile, an official remembrance service for the victims of the Bali bombings will be held in Wellington next week. Three New Zealanders have been confirmed dead in the blasts outside a Kuta Beach nightclub earlier this month. Prime Minister Helen Clark says the bombing shocked New Zealand and the world. Politicians, the Governor General and officials from the Australian, British and Indonesian embassies are expected to attend Wednesday's service at Wellington's Cathedral of St Paul.
The latest healthy economic outlook by the business community has been welcomed by Finance Minister Michael Cullen. The National Bank survey shows businesses are much more confident than a month ago when 21 percent expected a deterioration in conditions. Now just 12 percent are pessimistic. Dr Cullen says the survey augers well for economic growth and says New Zealand is now doing as well as any economy in the world. However, he says he is keeping an eye on the American economy where consumer confidence has fallen this week to its lowest point in nine years.
Fifteen people have been taken to hospital following a chemical spill in South Auckland. Around 10 litres of a potent cocktail of chromic and phosphoric acid spilled from a drum at a Manurewa factory this morning. Most of the people taken to hospital had minor breathing problems but four of them were slightly more serious. Manukau's Deputy Chief Fire Officer Andy Clarkson says it appears an outside contaminant made it into the drum causing a chemical reaction. He says the pressurised drum then tipped over.
A new study shows emotional tension in the home can harm children in the same way as domestic violence. Victoria University postgraduate students Andi Crawford and Rosina Pattison surveyed 140 first-year psychology students under the age of 20, on the subject of conflict between parents. Ms Crawford says they found that one parent giving the other the "silent treatment" and other emotional conflict can be as damaging to their children as physical and verbal abuse. She says emotional conflict between parents often acts as the link between episodes of physical or verbal abuse between parents. She says some of the anti-social behaviour linked with adolescents appears to be a way of coping with the emotional conflict between parents. The survey found that the more frequent such conflict was in the lives of adolescent children, the more common it was that they suffered from depression, anxiety, stress and lowered self-esteem. The researchers recommend that one of the parents needs to sit down with their teenagers to explain why there is tension at home. They believe teens need to know that conflict does happen and can be resolved. Andi Crawford says the emotional harm done to children by parents' behaviour can linger even after they have left home.
The Commerce Commission has released its preliminary decision on new rules for the New Zealand Electricity Market. The administrator of the NZEM had applied for authorisation of an arrangement that would require, after a delay of 14 days, the disclosure of bids to buy and sell electricity through the market. Bids and offers are currently disclosed after a delay of four weeks. The application came about following the post 2001 Winter Ministerial Review into the operation of the wholesale electricity market. The Government had amended its policy to require disclosure of bids and offers after 14 days, but participants in NZEM were concerned that such disclosure may be anti-competitive. The Commission says it has reached the preliminary view that the disclosure of bids and offers in NZEM after a delay of 14 days will not lessen competition in the wholesale electricity market. As a result, the Commission considers the proposed arrangement does not require authorisation under the Commerce Act and therefore does not have jurisdiction to authorise it.
Electricity company Vector says its offer of Capital Bonds has closed, with the issue oversubscribed. Shares worth $300 million were underwritten by ABN AMRO Rothschild, which were fully taken up by institutions and retail brokers on behalf of their clients. Customers of Vector were offered the opportunity to subscribe for $5,000 in capital bonds on a priority basis. Applications under this priority pool amounted to approximately $7. 2 million, to bring the total to $307. 2 million. The money was raised to partly finance the company's takeover offer for UnitedNetworks Limited. The issue was for $300 million, with an allowance for over-subscriptions of $50 million, including the priority pool. But on October 17, Vector reported that it would not accept any oversubscriptions from the general public, as the dedicated $300 million, plus oversubscriptions resulting from the customer priority pool, would provide sufficient funding. Vector chief executive Patrick Strange says this offer was the first opportunity the New Zealand public has had to invest with Vector. He says the company is very pleased that a significant number of both Vector customers and members of the wider investment community have chosen to invest. Trading of the capital bonds on the New Zealand Stock Exchange is expected to commence on 5 November.
It might be the first day of November, but the weather has apparently failed to realise that. A cold southerly snap is expected to sweep over the whole country, bringing with it a dusting of snow to the mountains. MetService forecaster Bob McDavitt says the cold change will be a fleeting thing. He says the dominant pattern on the weather map for the next few weeks is strong westerly winds. Bob McDavitt says Canterbury can expect snow down to 600 metres.
A monumental blunder in Bill English's office has left National's leader with egg on his face. Political editor Barry Soper says Mr English put out a statement earlier this afternoon urging the Government to withdraw New Zealand's SAS troops from Afghanistan. Mr English based his demand on what he says is proof that terrorism has come down under, following fresh threats of terrorist attacks on westerners in East Timor. He wanted the SAS back here to beef up domestic security. Defence Minister Mark Burton says he is appalled by Mr English's scare tactics. He says he is also intrigued by Mr English's position. Mr Burton says he would be very surprised if this represents National party policy and if any of Bill English's colleagues have been consulted. Sure enough, within a few hours Mr English was retracting the statement. Some of his colleagues were furious about it, which saw Mr English putting out another statement saying this country must continue to give support to our closest allies in the war against terrorism.
There have been emotional scenes outside the High Court in Wellington as the man convicted of murdering Napier six year old Teresa Cormack was sentenced. Jules Mikus faces the rest of his life in prison after being handed life in prison for the 1987 murder, and preventive detention for rape. He was also sentenced to 14 years each for abduction and sexual violation. Justice Gendall had to sentence Mikus under the Sentencing Act used when the crime occurred, meaning he applied a seven year non-parole term in prison. However Justice Gendall told the court that Mikus may never be released. Outside the court, Catherine Alkema, the niece of Lower Hutt woman Kate Alkema who was killed earlier this year, was outraged at the sentence handed down to Mikus. She says seven years non-parole is not enough to account for the loss of a daughter. The Sensible Sentencing Trust is also outraged. Spokesman Garth McVicar says it is an outrage Justice Gendall was unable to enforce a tougher sentence.
Emergency staff at Auckland Hospital are hoping for a quiet Friday night, as the radiographers' strike nears its end. Eighty seven radiographers have been on strike since Tuesday. The strike ends tomorrow morning at seven, but for emergency wards tonight is usually the busiest time of the week. Auckland District Health Board says to date they have coped well, redirecting patients to Middlemore Hospital. But Chief Medical Officer Dr David Sage says they often get more than 10 trauma patients coming in within an hour. He says if that happens they will need to call on striking radiographers for emergency cover.
The Securities Commission has banned advertisements for a forestry investment scheme being illegally offered by NZ Forestry Investments Limited. The Commission says the ads do not comply with the law. The Mount Maunganui company has been selling shares in a company operating a forestry scheme in the Wanganui region. The Securities Commission says the company must have a registered prospectus and an investment statement to be legally sold, neither of which are available. The shares are in a company which has not been registered with the Companies Office. The scheme has been promoted in the last two months, particularly in the Bay of Plenty. Investors have been invited to purchase shares at a cost of $5,200 each. Anyone who has already applied for shares in the scheme is legally entitled to a return of their subscription, and subscribers should contact the company for the return of their money.
The New Zealand Stock Exchange has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hong Kong Exchange. The move comes following discussions at the World Association of Stock Exchanges Annual General Meeting held recently in Amsterdam. It is the first agreement of its kind for the NZSE. The agreement will allow the NZSE to share information and knowledge with the Hong Kong Exchange regarding market information and data that will help in maintaining the integrity of each market. Five years ago the clear expectation was that there would be a diminished number of stock exchanges globally, with alliances and mergers expected to reduce the number of national stock exchanges. At this year's AGM of the World Federation of Exchanges, there was a clear recognition that this is no longer the case. NZSE CEO Mark Weldon says it is an important and appropriate move because it formally establishes a strong relationship with one of the fastest growing exchanges in the world, and because it reflects the future of inter-exchange relationships.
An Australian has taken out the most sought-after title amongst firefighters around the world. Scott Gamble has won gold in the gruelling ''toughest firefighter alive'' competition at the World Firefighter Games in Christchurch. He says a bit of on-the-job training with his mates back at the Perth firehouse helped get him in shape. In second place was New Zealander Shaun Crowley. The Thorndon firefighter puts his silver medal performance down to eating cream and jam on his scones. The toughest female firefighter alive is Patricia Hadfield from the United Kingdom.
An about-face today from National leader Bill English who is calling on the Government to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. Mr English says it is now clearer than ever that terrorism has come down under and the SAS troops would be better off in this country. He says the Bali bombing and this week's alert on East Timor are proof that we can no longer be complacent about domestic security. However, the government's describing as "bizarre", National's call to bring our SAS troops back from Afghanistan. Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff says Mr English's claims are desperate and alarmist. He says the most effective way to provide national security is to work with the international force in Afghanistan, to stamp out terror close to its source.
Police say a smouldering cigarette probably caused the South Auckland fire that killed a two-year-old boy, and left two others critically injured. Fifteen people who had gathered for a family wedding were sleeping in the Wiri home when it went up in flames on Wednesday morning. The file has now been referred to the Coroner. Police say the tragedy has been a difficult case for police and fire- fighters involved in the investigation.
It could be months before it is known if staff at Southland Hospital are disciplined over the Mark Burton affair. Burton killed his mother a day after his discharge from Southland Hospital. The Health and Disability Commissioner has singled out eight staff members for poor work performance. Director of Proceedings Morag McDowell will now decide whether they face disciplinary action. She says she must ascertain what the complainant wants, interview the staff, and consider the public interest.
Date: 31 October 2002 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
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