Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
For most of the last two weeks, Mary and I enjoyed a wonderful holiday in Victoria, staying with Catherine, our elder daughter. Catherine has an apartment in a high rise block on Melbourne's Southbank precinct, very near to the Crown Casino. But let's start at the beginning. The 6am flight to Melbourne has the most unholy check-in time of 4am, so we were up at three and ready for the shuttle bus. Winds up to 136 km/h and a temperature of about 11 degrees were forecast for that day, so were a little apprehensive. In the event, though the plane went up like an express lift, the flight was smooth and on time, and we touched down in bright calm sunny Melbourne bang on time at 8:10. Catherine met us at the airport and dropped our bags at her apartment before taking us down to one of the trendy eateries in Port Melbourne. Despite having eaten an airline breakfast three hours earlier, the change in time zones seemed sufficient excuse for a second, and altogether more satisfactory breakfast in the open air under a warm and benevolent sky. Young people wearing less than ten percent of the clothing necessary in Wellington that same day were pulling up in their expensive cars and it was all a little unreal. After a very leisurely breakfast, we went on round to the South Melbourne Market. Now it should be acknowledged that the population of Melbourne is more or less the equal of entire population of New Zealand, so some comparisons are quite unfair. Furthermore, Melbourne has a very different, and altogether more Mediterranean heritage than ours, but oh how I envied the magnificent array of delicatessens and fishmongers and butcheries and fruiterers in that magnificent chaos. Cheeses, poultry, olives, prawns that seemed big enough to take your arm off, mangoes, hams, sausages, pasta, nuts, rabbits, coffee, and the breads, oh the breads! Truth to tell, most of the individual items with the exception of Moreton Bay Bugs can be readily had in Wellington if you know where to look, though the prawns will be much smaller, and probably quite a bit older. Here in South Melbourne, however, the whole wonderful noisy delicious cornucopia, the seemingly infinite variety of foods and fabrics created an overwhelming impression of sufficiency, bordering on excess. Later in the day, we needed to visit a supermarket, so we crossed the brown waters of the Yarra via the outhbank's quirky pedestrian bridge, wandered through the underpass of wonderful Flinders St Station and took a tram out to Richmond. Supermarkets created a less positive impression ... more unfamiliar food, but considerably fewer varieties. Some foods were decidedly expensive, and the day any New Zealand supermarket requires me to pay a dollar to use their wretched trolleys I will shop elsewhere. And the trolleys were indeed wretched, since some misguided clot has chosen a design with all four wheels castoring, instead of the normal front two. As a consequence, it's like steering on ice. The trolley goes where it likes and only brute force keeps it in your vicinity. Other shops offered some definite bargains, however, and some new walking shoes were acquired at a very reasonable price. The next day, Mary and I were still biologically in New Zealand so we went for an early morning walk to locate the hotel at which Mary was to attend her conference later in the week. Soon after sunrise, we found ourselves in the wilds of Albert Park golf course, staring in amazement as golfers purchased and consumed hamburgers and beers by way of breakfast, from a vendor operating a barbecue halfway around the course. I like the odd beer myself, but for breakfast? While golfing? We returned by way of the elegant tree-lined St Kilda Rd, noting the number of new buildings going up, and the number of offices for lease. By the time we got back, Catherine was ready to take us to the more touristy and more eclectic Queen Victoria Markets. These markets mingle with my memory of old time markets in London, with raucous barrow boys hawking their dubious wares. The mixture of people was infinitely more fascinating than the vast array of cheap goods on sale. Every race on earth must have been represented, and it was all very interesting to be part of. By far the most exotic and interesting of all the people I encountered though, were some true suburban Aussies. The word I heard applied to these people, was "feral", and it seemed to fit. They embodied every cartoon stereotype of the Australians short of the hats with corks, and they seemed most excited by all the most garish and trashy products on display, and were loud and profane, and quite unconscious of the attention they were drawing to themselves. Though I wouldn't normally tell them so, the vast majority of Australians I have met are well educated and very likeable people, even if they do have some odd vowel sounds <grin>. That evening we visited the magnificent Rialto Tower. It is a massive high-rise building, just a few meters short Auckland's Sky Tower, though inhabited all the way up. Almost at the top, the entire 55th floor is devoted to a panoramic viewing platform from which most of Melbourne's vast sprawl can be seen. We arrived in the late afternoon, by which time a heat haze or distant bush fires had foreshortened the view, but even so, the experience was unforgettable. We paused to enjoy a refreshing drink and take in the sheer grandeur of the view. More Australian adventures next week.
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 Mike in NJ. Thanks Mike.
On with the news:
(Note: Helen faithfully recorded the news during my
absence, but I figure that three weeks' news in one hit is
overkill. If anyone wants the missing two weeks news, send
me an e-mail and I will forward the text. - BH)
Manawatu police have executed search warrants at properties in Levin and Foxton, following this morning's drive-by shooting. What is believed to be a shot gun was fired at least twice into a Levin house just before dawn. There were five people in the house at the time, three of them children. No-one was hurt. As a result of the search warrants, two Levin men have been arrested on unrelated drugs and fraud charges. Police are not ruling out the possibility that the attack was gang-related, and they are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The enormity of the attempted cyanide gas attack on the London Underground is being overlooked, says a New Zealand analyst. Three North African men are due to appear in a British court, charged with possession of articles for the preparation, instigation and commission of terrorism acts. The men are alleged to be members of a group linked to al Qaeda. Dr Paul Buchanan, an international relations expert at the University of Auckland, believes the potential Tube attack is actually a far bigger news story than is being acknowledged, and British authorities thwarted a catastrophic event on the scale of September 11. He says the accused men had been under surveillance for some time, and MI5 may have chosen to move when it did because an attack was imminent. Paul Buchanan says we may eventually find out that a tremendous loss of life was averted, and the British government is successfully playing down the significance of the attempted attack. Dr Buchanan also believes Canada may have cause for concern, following the latest tape purportedly released by Osama bin Laden. He says the publication of a bin Laden audio tape is often followed by an attack. Recent examples include the Bali bombing and the assault against the French oil tanker in Yemen, and Dr Buchanan says the latest tape should specifically warn the countries that bin Laden mentioned. Canada may find itself very vulnerable, as it was mentioned on the tape. But Dr Buchanan says Osama bin Laden's vanity and desire to communicate with his followers may ultimately be his undoing. He says the US will attempt to immediately trace any communication from bin Laden to its source.
The Stock Exchange says it has received a wide range of comments and suggestions from market participants in relation to proposals to revamp the current index system. The chief proposed change is that the NZSE50 will replace the NZSE40 as the headline Index. The NZSE50 will consist of the Top 50 companies listed on the NZSE by free float adjusted market capitalisation. The NZSE says this broader index will employ best practices by weighting companies on a free float basis, maximising investability and minimising transaction costs. The Top 10 will be by weighted by free float adjusted market capitalisation. Constituents will be determined by the NZSE50 criteria. The NZSE will look to introduce additional indices over time which will focus on specific areas of the market and New Zealand economy. The NZSE's latest proposal incorporates the submissions of market participants with the NZSE's proposed direction for the indices. It admits no index will fully satisfy all interest groups, but says it has tried to respect and incorporate international best practice principles, while making sure the NZSE's particular mandate of growing and improving the integrity of New Zealand's capital markets is respected. The NZSE has now embarked on a final period of consultation where market participants can comment on the updated proposal. The final submission period is from November 18 to November 29.
Teachers and fellow pupils from a school attended by a slain Masterton girl have given evidence at her step- father's trial. Bruce Howse is before the High Court in Wellington, charged with murdering Saliel Aplin and Olympia Jetson. A teacher's aide has told the court that she talked to Olympia about alleged sexual abuse committed by Howse, and the girl said she did not feel safe at home. She said Olympia was crying and sobbing so much that at times she was unable to speak, and seemed genuinely upset about what had happened. A school friend of Olympia's testified that Olympia told her Howse had beaten her with a broom stick, but she was not allowed to tell or she would get another hiding. Another child, a former neighbour of Howse, says on one occasion during a game of Monopoly, Howse told Olympia and Saliel off for making too much noise. She says he took them to another room where she saw him hit them in the stomach with closed fists. Another child told the court Olympia said her father raped her, touched her and gave her hidings. She says Olympia kept her diary at school so her father would not be able to find it. She also told the court that Olympia did not want her to tell anyone about the abuse.
A huge fire is raging at Old Tamaki Girls College in the suburb Auckland of Glen Innes. A fire official says at least a dozen fire appliances are either at the scene or on their way to the fire, which broke out just before 4pm. She says a two-storey classroom block is "well-involved" in the fire. The spokeswoman says so far, no injuries have been reported. She says it is not known yet if the fire is considered suspicious. Police say sightseers are causing rush hour traffic jams in the area around the fire
After thee years of cutbacks, the Government has decided to spend some money on the air force. The five Hercules aircraft are being upgraded and the two aging, unreliable Boeing 727s are being replaced by two 757s. The upgrades will add 15 years to the lives of the Hercules. Defence Minister Mark Burton says the boost to the transport fleet will ensure New Zealand once again has a well-equipped Defence Force. He says it is clear we need a strong fleet to perform a wide variety of tasks. Mr Burton says the upgrades and replacement are unlikely to be completed until 2008 at the latest. Almost $700 million is being set aside, with each upgrade costing up to $160 million dollars and the Boeing 757s costing around $200 million each. The spending comes on top of a communications and equipment upgrade of the Hercules and the Orion aircraft at a cost of up to $320 million. Mark Burton says the spending will greatly benefit agencies and officials who regularly use the air force to transport passengers and cargo. He says the two 727s will be kept in service until the second-hand 757s are acquired.
Troubled Tranz Rail says 2003 is on track to be a better year financially than 2002. Tranz Rail Managing Director Michael Beard told the rail operator's Annual Meeting in Auckland that the Company was tracking well in the second quarter on its way to meeting its 2003 operating profitability targets. The company lost $123 million dollars last year. Mr Beard told shareholders that after having met the first quarter targets for the current year, the second quarter was also progressing well. He says quarters two and three are traditionally Tranz Rail's strongest because of the export and retail cycles and also the peak holiday traffic on the ferries. Mr Beard says restructuring has placed Tranz Rail on a good footing for long-term, sustainable earnings. Recently appointed Tranz Rail Chairman Wayne Walden says much of the recent uncertainty surrounding the company has now gone. .
The State Services Commissioner has released his terms of reference for the Fisheries Inquiry. The inquiry will address allegations made regarding the management of fisheries, particularly in relation to the scampi fishery. Michael Wintringham says his inquiry has the goal of sustaining public confidence in fisheries management. For that reason, he says it will focus closely on the performance of the former Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the current Ministry of Fisheries, in relation to the scampi fishery. He says it will not be dealing with the appropriateness of fisheries legislation or Government fisheries policy. Ms Helen Cull, QC, and a State Services Deputy Commissioner, David Smyth, will conduct the inquiry. Mr Wintringham says he has asked that the inquiry process get under way as soon as possible and he expects it to be completed early next year.
Prosecution lawyers claim there was no justification for Constable Keith Abbott to shoot Steven Wallace. The police officer is accused of the murder or manslaughter of the Waitara 23-year-old in April 2000. In the High Court at Wellington Abbott has pleaded not guilty to both charges. The prosecution, conducted by John Rowan QC, has been brought by Mr Wallace's family. In his opening address he said the defence accepted Mr Wallace was shot by Abbott. He described Mr Wallace's window-smashing before the arrival of armed police officers. He said the young man should not have been shot but if there was any justification, then Senior Constable Abbott went too far. He said the first two of four shots that hit Mr Wallace disabled him. John Rowan QC told the jury Constable Abbott had no plan, no direction, no teamwork and no control when he shot Wallace. He said there was no justification for the third shot which was the fatal one, or the fourth shot that entered his back. The High Court then heard that after Steven Wallace was shot, police officers started marking the position Constable Keith Abbott fired from and Mr Rowan referred to the time the injured man lay unattended after being shot. He said Mr Wallace received no first aid for about 17 minutes until the arrival of Sergeant Prestidge.
Hamilton police have finally identified a man who was struck by a car at the weekend. The man was hit as he crossed Ulster Street in the central city just before three o'clock yesterday morning. He is in Auckland Hospital with serious head injuries. Senior Sergeant Steve Hayman says police have today identified the man and are now trying to contact his family. Two people in the car that hit him turned themselves in around an hour and a half after the accident.
The central North Island's Huka Lodge has been named the best hotel in the Pacific Rim by major American travel magazine, Conde Nast Traveler. The luxury lodge beat six Australian properties to the title. It was also rated eighth best hotel in the world. In October the United Kingdom version of the magazine voted Huka Lodge Australasia's top leisure hotel, and fourth best leisure hotel in the world.
Young people planning their OEs to Britain get a helping hand this week. The British High Commission has organised two events, in Auckland and Wellington, to help adventurous kiwis make the most of their trip to the northern hemisphere. Eight thousand New Zealanders make the trip to the UK every year. Organiser Stephanie Wessell says the High Commission is constantly getting calls and e-mails from people wanting to know when the next events are. The free exhibition will include representatives of British tourist boards, job recruitment agencies, accommodation providers and the all-important visa authorities. Ms Wessell says it should make life easier for would-be travellers as it gives a human face to what could otherwise be a daunting set of procedures. She says travellers will also get a better idea of what else there is to do in Britain other than stay in London, and where the best places are to be based if you intend travelling across to Europe. The Auckland event is on Wednesday and the Wellington one on Thursday.
Greenpeace is lobbying Auckland International Airport shareholders at the company's annual general meeting today. The environmental group is using what it calls "shareholder activism" to push for an end to the airport's incineration programme. Greenpeace claims the incinerator produces dangerously high levels of dioxins and it became an airport shareholder earlier this month to push the company into adopting a more environmentally-friendly method of disposing of waste. It claims the incinerator has been breaching its dioxin standard for more than two years and says the Auckland Regional Council has now issued an abatement notice requiring the incinerator to comply with the law. Greenpeace says the Airport's plans to upgrade the quarantine waste incinerator by installing a heat exchanger is an inadequate response to the problem. Spokeswoman Sue Connor says the move is like putting a band aid over a gunshot wound. The organisation wants Auckland Airport to treat its quarantine waste using a cleaner technology, such as steam sterilisation.
A claim our nuclear-free legislation could be changed to make way for a free trade deal with the United States is not finding favour with one expert. Finance Minister Michael Cullen has already revealed our no-nukes policy is a stumbling block to any such agreement. A senior lecturer in political science at Canterbury University thinks it would make little difference if the law is amended. John Henderson says security issues are not relevant in this case. He says the US position on free trade deals, mostly reflects domestic politics in the States. Dr Henderson says it is the US Congress, and especially the farm lobby with congress members from farming states, which will determine how the United States develops its trade policy. He says the only way New Zealand will be included is on the coat- tails of Australia, because the two economies are already intertwined. Dr Henderson says if Australia does manage to strike a deal with the United States, he hopes New Zealand will be taken in with them.
National leader Bill English has warned business leaders not to lecture his party for its lack of principles when some in the business sector roll over for the government. In a hard-hitting attack, Mr English says far too many businesses have failed to speak out against government policy, fearing they will fall out of favour with senior ministers. He says they are clearly under the government's thumb. Mr English says business should take the lead of volunteer groups who recently pressured the government to back down over Draconian OSH legislation. He says that is better than doing deals with the government.
(Hmmm ... the OSH backdown must have happened while I was away. Well done to the people who pointed out its stupidity! - BH)
Auckland's heart and lung technologists are walking off the job for four hours this afternoon. The APEX union members are embroiled in a bitter pay dispute with the Auckland District Health Board. The technologists will strike this evening, Thursday morning and Friday morning. APEX claims the DHB promised to table a new offer two weeks ago and still has not delivered. The DHB says the strike will not be too disruptive but six procedures will be cancelled during the industrial action. The DHB is also in the middle with a dispute with its radiographers, who are striking for a third time next week.
Two power companies have applied to the Commerce Commission to buy Stratford Power with or without its Taranaki Combined Cycle Thermal Generation plant. The Commission says it has received applications from both Contact Energy and Genesis Power. Stratford Power is a 100% owned subsidiary of the Natural Gas Corporation. Contact's application also seeks clearance to acquire all the shares in another NGC subsidiary, Cobb Power Limited, which owns the Cobb hydroelectric power station, also in Taranaki. The Commerce Commission has to decide whether the merger has the effect of substantially lessening competition in any market.
Despite all the hype about a buoyant housing market, it seems the real action was much earlier in the year. Figures from the Real Estate Institute show that in March, 9,742 houses sold around the country. April and May also recorded high sales levels. REINZ vice national president, Howard Morley, says that with a milder winter this year and reasonably strong current levels of business confidence, sales started to pick up again in August, a month or so earlier than usual. The number of houses sold in October, however, was not a record, with 9,448 homes sold for a national median price of $188,000 and a total value of $2. 227 billion. Total sales numbers are up almost a third again from October last year, when 6,666 sold for a median of $179,000. Across the country, the number of houses sold increased in all but one district, Northland, during October. Auckland recorded the largest rise at 3,392, showing an increase of 593 over September sales levels. The national median price for all dwellings sold also improved, reaching $188,000, back to the level recorded in May. Mr Morley says that overall, the median price has been relatively steady since February this year. Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson/Marlborough, Canterbury/Westland and Otago recorded increased median prices for the month. An increased demand for housing from migrants and expatriates returning home caused a shortage of listings in most areas. Mr Morley says attractive mortgage rates have also helped homeowners. Total sales for sections also continued to be strong during October, with a total of 867 selling at a steady median price of $87,000.
The Auckland radiographers' union believes moves to attract Australian workers may be illegal. The radiographers are striking for a third time on November 27th and 28th. The Auckland District Health Board is advertising in Australia for radiographers to cover the two days and is offering to pay airfares and accommodation. APEX spokeswoman Deborah Powell says it is probably a breach of the Employment Relations Act as the employment of strike breakers is prohibited.
The High Court in Wellington has been told a police officer confronted by a man with a softball bat five metres away has just one second to react. Constable Keith Abbott is accused of the murder or manslaughter of Steven Wallace in Waitara April 2000. During cross-examination of Detective Keith Borrell, defence counsel Susan Hughes said an offender could cover the five metre distance in half-a- second. She said it would take a further half-second to pull the trigger. Detective Borrell agreed, saying it would take just a few seconds more to fire all 17 rounds in a police Glock pistol.
(I wonder why those simple facts are so hard to grasp for some? - BH)
A UNICEF report into the well-being of New Zealand children and young people is being seen as a signal to Government. The report says New Zealand children have suffered as a result of years of market-driven reforms. The study analyses the impact of sweeping economic and social policy changes in the eighties and nineties. It finds the reforms caused income disparities, and contributed to falling standards in health and education. The Public Health Association says the Government must commit to ending child poverty and improving child health. PHA director Gay Keating says it is vitally important to check out the likely impact of policy changes on people's health. She says that is never more apparent than in housing, where prices have risen dramatically, but the quality of housing has dropped.
Talks are continuing to try to avert a strike by Air New Zealand cabin crew. The airline's long haul attendants are due to stop work for 14 hours, starting a week from tomorrow. Mediation talks began yesterday between the national carrier and FARSA, the union which represents flight attendants. Air New Zealand says the discussions finished late last night, and are continuing through today.
(In the four hours from Wellington to Melbourne, I saw the cabin crew do the safety demo, and serve the meals and drinks, but I reckon they were entirely invisible for about two hours of the trip. Their inactive time must be even longer on the long hauls. - BH)
Australian radiographers are being offered a two-day working holiday in Auckland. The Auckland District Health Board has placed advertisements in Australia's major newspapers offering to pay accommodation and airfares. The board's Chief Operating Officer, Marek Stepniak, says the move is part of the board's contingency plan for next week's two-day radiographers' strike on November 27 and 28. He says there have already been a number of inquiries from Australia. Mr Stepniak says the cost of flying staff to New Zealand is comparable to using South Island based radiographers.
The Thames-Coromandel District Council is being taken to court for labelling dozens of properties unstable. Seventy- one properties in Kuaotunu, north of Whitianga, have been deemed at risk of catastrophic failure. But residents' spokeswoman Yvonne Harris says that 1998 decision was wrong and based on an incorrect report. She says the 'unstable' label has caused property values to fall an average of 30 percent and residents' stress levels have soared. Yvonne Harris says that in addition the council has imposed a surcharge on the properties to investigate land stability and rates have risen $1800 in two years. But she claims specialised testing has never taken place. Ms Harris says the residents want the label lifted from their property files and compensation for the trouble caused.
The Greens are seeking cross-party support for a motion which will make MPs promise to behave better in the Debating Chamber. The move follows a recent visit to Parliament by a group of Wellington High School students who were clearly unimpressed by the way MPs carry on in the House. The students say the Chamber reminded them of a primary school playground. They were also critical of MPs' aggressive behaviour and disrespect for one another. Green MP Sue Kedgley has written to the leaders of all parties seeking their support for a notice of motion which will call for a cross-party working party to examine ways of improving the culture of Parliament. Included in the motion is a pledge for all MPs to take peer mediation training and a course on effective problem solving.
A glider-pilot appears to have escaped serious injury after his craft crashed in North Otago. Police say the glider crashed into the side of a hill near Omarama at around four o'clock this afternoon. An emergency helicopter has been called out to attend, but the pilot was able to walk away from the wreckage. There was no one else in the glider.
A New Plymouth police officer says he put his hand on Steven Wallace and told him it was 'all right' as the 23- year-old lay dying. Constable Keith Abbott is accused of the murder or manslaughter of Mr Wallace. Constable Jason Dombroski said when they confronted Mr Wallace, Abbott fired a warning shot in the air and then three shots as Mr Wallace advanced on him. He said Steven Wallace stood still, went onto his knees and then onto the ground. He said he approached Mr Wallace, put his hand on his back or chest and told him an ambulance was on its way. Constable Dombroski says he did not consider using pepper spray against Steven Wallace because it does not work against goal-driven offenders. When asked by the defence what Steven Wallace's goal was, he replied, to kill Constable Abbott.
A truck crash near Blenheim's causing delays for road and rail traffic. The accident, just north of Seddon, happened at around three o'clock this afternoon. It has left a truck and trailer unit lying on its side across State Highway One and the main trunk line. Fire officers have cut the injured driver from the cab, and a crane is on its way to remove the truck. In the meantime, State Highway One is closed between Dashwood and Riverlands. A diversion is in place, but it is only open to cars.
Most of the population of Sanson has been moved to the Manawatu township's school after a man found a suspicious device at his back door this afternoon. Traffic on State Highway One was being diverted around the Dundas Road property. Senior Sergeant Greg Hudson says the bomb disposal unit from Wellington has been called in. He says the device is definitely suspicious and looks like an incendiary device. Senior Sergeant Hudson says police are taking the matter seriously and keeping the area cordoned off.
Belgian royals are coming to New Zealand. Crown Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde arrive in Auckland on Saturday for a four-day visit. A 40-member business group will accompany the royal couple. In Auckland, their programme will include a Maori welcome and a welcome by the Belgian community, a business luncheon and visits to the America's Cup village. The couple will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial and attend an official dinner at Government House when they are in Wellington.
Parliament has finally begun debating legislation which aims to rid the building industry of corruption. The Construction Contracts Bill aims to clamp down on so-called 'cowboy' operators who are being blamed for the leaky homes crisis. National leader Bill English has attacked the government for its handling of the issue. He has also called for the head of the Building Industry Authority, following the release of minutes of a secret meeting of the BIA. Mr English says the minutes are despicable and show an organisation which knew homes were rotting, but made a decision to cover it up. He has also taken the opportunity to slam the government's failure to address the problem earlier. He says National has led the way, offering a number of solutions of which the government is
Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff says New Zealand remains committed to playing its full part in the war on terror. Phil Goff says there is no suggestion that New Zealand is implicated as a possible target of a terrorism threat against Australia. He says the material received by Australia was credible information concerning a possible attack against Australia over the next few months. He supports the Australian authorities' decision to publicise the threat, even though it is generalised. He says the Australian Government is right to take people into their confidence, so that they can be alert without allowing the threat to disrupt their lives. Mr Goff says it is right to take the threat of terrorism seriously, and though there is nothing specific about a likely attack in New Zealand, he believes it is absolutely right to maintain the country's defences. Speaking on Newstalk ZB's Larry Williams programme, he said New Zealand has never been mentioned as a target by Osama bin Laden, even though NZ troops were active in East Timor, which was given as a reason for al Qaeda's targeting of Australia. Phil Goff says people should remember that some western countries - such as the United Kingdom - have been terrorist targets for decades, and people get used to being alert for possible terrorist activity while maintaining their normal routines.
The government wants more New Zealand babies to be breastfed. Statistics show around two-thirds of babies are fully breastfeeding at six weeks old, but by three months, that number drops to half. The drop-off rate is particularly high for Maori and Pacific Island babies. Health Minister Annette King's launched an initiative called 'Breastfeeding: A Guide to Action' which she hopes will encourage more mothers to breastfeed and for longer. By 2010, it is hoped 90 percent of babies will be breastfeeding at six weeks old.
A section of State Highway One in the Manawatu has reopened following a bomb scare. The road was closed between Bulls and Sanson this afternoon following the discovery of a suspicious package. The package was found at the back door of a property in Dundas Road, and as a precaution, locals were evacuated and residents relocated at the town's Community Hall. Police say it was a plastic bottle filled with clear liquid with batteries, wires and a switch attached, describing it as an incendiary device which had failed to ignite. Traffic on State Highway One had to be diverted while the bomb disposal unit from Wellington was called in. The device was deactivated at about 5 o'clock.
Another airline has fallen foul of the Commerce Commission in the space of two weeks. Polynesian Airlines has been fined $7,500 plus costs in the Auckland District Court today for misleading advertising. Less than two weeks ago, Freedom Air was fined $10,000 including costs in the Auckland District Court, having pleaded guilty to eight breaches of the Fair Trading Act in advertising the cost of airfares. In this latest case, the charges were brought against Polynesian following newspaper and television advertising last year of an $889 flight and accommodation package to Samoa. Despite the nationwide coverage of the advertising, the offer was only available out of Auckland, which was not stated. The Commerce Commission initiated its investigation after a member of the public from Christchurch claimed he had been quoted an additional $400 for a local connection to the Auckland flight. Director of Fair Trading Deborah Battell says that the advertising was clearly misleading given that the price was only available for a passenger travelling from Auckland. Judge Deobhakta indicated that the advertisements were "clearly misleading as to their price". In fining the company, Judge Deobhakta acknowledged that the advertising only ran for a day before the company amended it of its own volition.
Today is Beaujolais Day - the third Thursday in November - with wine connoisseurs clamouring for a taste of the young French wine. The 2002 harvest is being welcomed with a special party at Parliament tonight. But Nicola Belsham from Bond Wines and Spirits, has tasted the newest French import already. She says it is really fresh, with strawberry and young fruit flavours. Beaujolais grapes are all picked by hand, using an army of 40,000 grape pickers, as the region does not allow the use of harvesting machines. A number of winemakers say this year's Beaujolais will be a good wine to lay down, although they say that will not be confirmed for a while.
A motorbike rider who fell off his bike and was run over by another rider during a race at Auckland's Patiki Road Speedway on Sunday has died. He was 39-year-old Colin Tantau of West Auckland, more commonly known as Ultee Tantau. Police are investigating the crash and want to hear from witnesses and anyone who may have filmed or photographed the crash.
Three Northland men charged with stealing a local farmer's quad bike have been further remanded until December 18. Samuel Hati, Raymond Brown and Ned Brown appeared today in the Kaikohe District Court. Hati is also charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm. Farmer Paul McIntyre is also facing charges for shooting at the three men last month. The incident sparked outrage among farmers who say Mr McIntyre was only trying to protect himself and his property.
South Auckland radiographers have settled their pay dispute with the Counties Manukau District Health Board. The x-ray technicians, who are represented by the Nurses Organisation, have voted to accept a six percent pay rise over 30 months. They had planned a series of rolling strikes. Organiser Chan Dixon says the negotiations have been long and difficult, and the mood among radiographers is one of resignation. However, Ms Dixon says the deal is in line with comparable settlements elsewhere. Radiographers in other areas of Auckland are still taking industrial action in support of their pay claim.
A police sergeant says even with the benefit of hindsight, she would not change any of her decisions made on the night Steven Wallace was shot. Constable Keith Abbott is on trial in the High Court in Wellington accused of the murder or manslaughter of Mr Wallace at Waitara in April 2000. Sergeant Fiona Prestidge told the jury she was in charge at the New Plymouth police station on the night of the shooting. She directed Constable Jason Dombroski to Waitara and the calling-out of Constable Abbott. She knew they were drawing weapons at the Waitara police station and saw no reason to intervene, trusting their judgement. Sergeant Prestidge said when she arrived at the scene, she questioned Constable Dombroski on what had happened. She said Constable Abbott was still standing in the street waiting for his position to be marked. She said he heard what Constable Dombroski told her, and acknowledged he had shot the man. Sergeant Prestidge also told the High Court of the first aid she gave to Steven Wallace at the scene. She said when she first saw Steven Wallace he was lying on his back on the road and she saw a wound on his shoulder. She said it was bloodied, and did not appear to need a compression bandage but she did it anyway.
National says it has evidence the head of the Building Industry Authority has been trying to bury the leaky homes crisis for some time. Leader Bill English has tabled documents in Parliament which show BIA head Bill Porteous knew about the problem in June last year. He says the papers show BIA officials voiced grave concerns over the crisis in August last year and that they pleaded with Mr Porteous in August to seek a ministerial inquiry into the situation. Bill English says that fell on deaf ears. He says it is implausible that Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins did not know about the problem as he went to another BIA meeting a month later, where the issue must have been discussed. He has produced the minutes of that meeting which show that Mr Hawkins attended.
Helen Clark has been at Auckland Zoo to launch the next step in efforts to save the kiwi. The Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust follows on from 11 years of conservation work. The Prime Minister told a gathering at the Zoo that so far a kiwi population survey has been carried out, along with a study of the bird's genetic diversity and work to reduce predator threat to them. Miss Clark says the biggest success story so far has been a sanctuary on the Coromandel Peninsula where 60 percent of kiwi chicks survive to a size where they can defend themselves against stoats. She says the next step in the programme, the Kiwi Recovery Trust, will concentrate on providing ways for communities to protect and enhance kiwi populations. To achieve those goals, the new trust will invest in research and management, predator control, population growth through management tools such as Operation Nest Egg, surveys and monitoring carried out by the Department of Conservation and other groups. The trust will also be responsible for education, the website www.kiwirecovery.org.nz and co-ordinating fundraising and sponsorship.
Indonesian police believe the Bali bombers have been paid a reward, based on the number of people they killed. The blast in the popular tourist resort on October 12 left at least 180 dead. Three New Zealanders died in the explosions. Indonesian police have told Australia's News Ltd that the mastermind of the attack, Imam Samudra, gave his men $2,000 for the attack. The Melbourne Herald-Sun and Sydney's Daily Telegraph reports police spokesman Edward Aritonang as saying that they were given the money to say thank you following the success of the bombings. Police say the bombers received around $10 for each person they killed. The reward is understood to have been dished out at a post-bombing briefing in Jakarta not long after the attack.
An analyst believes the events leading to the suspension of Tranz Rail shares has surprised the market and the company. The New Zealand Stock Exchange has halted trading of Tranz Rail shares. Tranz Rail made the request to the Exchange after it failed to reach agreement with Citibank, one of four members of its banking syndicate, on new arrangements for its banking facilities and lease of the Aratere interisland ferry. The company says the three other members of the banking syndicate and the Aratere lenders, have approved the new arrangements, but it alleges Citibank is refusing to budge unless Tranz Rail breaks its US$88 million hedge in respect of its Aratere obligations. Tranz Rail says the hedge contract is an important part of its foreign exchange risk management policy and breaking the contract could have material effects on the Tranz Rail's risk position and costs. At issue is Tranz Rail's $176 million hedge on the ferry deal. Steven Wright from ASB Securities says Tranz Rail will have been caught by surprise by the Citibank move and now face a couple of possible options. Either the three other banking syndicates seal the deal without Citibank, or Tranz Rail could find another bank. Tranz Rail shares last traded at $1. 28.
Police say the body found on Ocean Beach in the Wairarapa yesterday is that of a missing Blenheim man. Michael Arthur Smith fell off a boat off the coast of Cape Campbell near Blenheim a fortnight ago.
There was an Australasian flavour to a New York concert held to benefit the Bali bombing victims. New Zealand-born actor Russell Crowe was among those who turned up in the crowd. Australian band INXS and former disco star Gloria Gaynor entertained some 1500 guests at a grand ballroom near Madison Square Garden. New York correspondent Steve Merczynski says Crowe didn't speak to anyone but had previously said he wanted to attend because of the strong Australasian links to the bombing. Crowe has been trying to keep a low profile in the past week since his altercation with New Zealand businessman Eric Watson in a swank London restaurant. Crowe is reported to be planning a break back in Australia shortly. He claims he is stressed out.
Air New Zealand flight attendants are to go on strike. The airline says mediation with the cabin crew union FARSA has failed, and long-haul attendants will strike on two separate days next week. Air New Zealand says services to Australia, the Pacific Islands and Asia will be affected. The airline says it is likely some flights will be cancelled and others may be delayed. The airline says the situation is extremely disappointing, given the effort it says it has made to try to address FARSA's concerns over long-haul rostering.
The Government has reaffirmed its decision not to support a war on Iraq that does not have backing of the United Nations. Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff has met with the American Charge d'Affairs in Wellington to confirm that New Zealand is unlikely to send combatant forces to Iraq. Instead, if the United Nations mandates action against Iraq, our Government will consider humanitarian, medical and logistic support. Phil Goff says US-led military action, without UN support, would damage the united front against terrorists seen after September 11. He says New Zealand is still hopeful that Iraqi disarmament can be achieved peacefully.
Dairy giant Fonterra has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer to run the NZ Milk Products unit. Last month it was announced that NZMP would change from a stand-alone unit to become the heart of Fonterra's operations. NZMP's operations include milk collection from 13,000 suppliers, the manufacture and packaging of more than 1,000 product specifications and the operation of a global supply chain linking production plants in New Zealand and offshore to customers in more than 100 countries. It is the world's largest dairy ingredients business. NZMP's original Managing Director, Chris Moller, was offered the new role heading the unit but decided to move on. He will be replaced by Jay Waldvogel, who was previously Director Global Network of NZMP, responsible for the company's global sales and marketing infrastructure. He originally joined the company in 2000 as Global Marketing Director. Fonterra's Chief Executive Craig Norgate says that Mr Waldvogel's international experience and knowledge of the global dairy industry makes him a world-class candidate for the position. Born and educated in the United States, Mr Waldvogel has held a number of senior positions in finance, operations, marketing and general management in the dairy industry in the United States and Europe.
The Police Commissioner has gone cap in hand looking for more funding to improve police services in New Zealand's biggest city. A report into Auckland policing issues highlights a need to improve emergency response capabilities and to target the methamphetamine trade. Commissioner Rob Robinson says both areas need government investment to hire more investigators. He says the level of investigation capability would benefit from new money. Police Minister George Hawkins is promising to address that in the next budget round. Mr Hawkins says they are well on the way to resolving the staffing crisis after committing to train more recruits and to hire imports from the United Kingdom.
Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins is under renewed attack from the National Party over his handling of the leaky homes crisis. Leader Bill English has released another swag of documents which show Mr Hawkins was engaged in correspondence about the problem, back in September last year. One of the documents is a letter from Mr Hawkins to an Auckland plastering firm, advising that a Weathertightness Buildings Steering Committee had been set up to look at the weathertightness of buildings. Mr English says in addition to that, there have been at least 150 newspaper stories dating back to last May on the problem. He says the problem has been out in the public for almost a year-and-a-half and that it is ridiculous to believe George Hawkins knew nothing of it until April this year.
An overhaul is planned for the system by which elderly patients are asset tested to determine how much assistance they get from the state if they are in long term care. Associate Minister of Social Services Ruth Dyson says steps are being taken to phase out asset testing of patients in rest homes and hospitals. She says it will be removed in stages. But she does not expect the legislation will be in place before December. She hopes the final Cabinet decisions will be made by Christmas. Ruth Dyson says it would be too costly for the Government to remove asset- testing in one move.
There have been assurances that Miss New Zealand will be safe in Nigeria. At least two people have been killed in rioting in the northern city of Kaduna. Muslim youths are protesting against the country's decision to stage the Miss World pageant. Miss New Zealand Rachel Hujlich is already in the African nation for the preliminary rounds of the event. Miss World New Zealand co-director Ros Taylor says security around the girls is tight. She says the organisers use the army, police and their own security officers. Ms Taylor says the contestants are currently in southern areas of Nigeria on photo shoots.
I wonder how Ms Taylor feels about her assurances in the light of subsequent events. If they were so safe in Nigeria, why are they all suddenly in London? - BH)
The Government is welcoming Telecom's decision to back down on its controversial charging plans for rural phone users. Some people in outlying areas were to be charged up to $4,000 to have a new line connected. But Telecom says the top standard fee will now be $500. Communications Minister Paul Swain says the Government expressed its concerns to the company about the pricing plan. He says he is pleased Telecom took note of widespread concerns, and that the matter did not have to go through the courts. Telecom says the decision to backtrack on recent price hikes is not connected to its Kiwi Share obligations. The Corporation's General Manager of Marketing, Kevin Kenrick, says the about-turn is the result of talks with unhappy customers. Meanwhile there has been a positive reaction in the south of the country, with Southland Mayor Frana Cardno delighted with the news. She says a lot of hard work has been put in by central and local government and business interests to achieve this result. Mrs Cardno is pleased Telecom has also included a clause that will allow people on low incomes to pay a lower fee of $95, instead of $500. Federated Farmers has labelled the changes as "largely window dressing". President Tom Lambie admits the new pricing structure will benefit some rural people. "However, those in isolated areas and/or where significant capital upgrades are required will still be required to pay around one third of the total cost of obtaining a connection. "Mr Lambie says that while this largely formalises what is already taking place in many rural areas, there is still no guarantee that people will be bale to receive a phone connection.
Date: 7 November 20020 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
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The currency codes given below conform to ISO 4217, which
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