OneSquared's Presentation of Brian Harmer's WYSIWYG New Zealand News: 14 September, 2002

Willows lining the banks of the Hutt River between Naenae and Silverstream present a mass of the most delicate green spring growth. Can this seemingly endless wet winter be coming to an end? Are those Kowhai blossoms in glorious yellow profusion? Apple, peach and plum trees everywhere add their exotic shades to the palette. Around the country, lambs are already frolicking, and daffodils have passed their peak. It really must be spring! Of course, nature cares not for our categorizations, and spring or not, has dumped some of last season's weather on us. On Wednesday this week, the inhabitants of the Southern suburbs woke to a white world. Snow! Well ... not quite ... they had a seriously heavy hailstorm such that the streets were literally inches deep. I winced at TV pictures of kids hurling "snowballs" compressed from a couple of handfuls of ice. Ouch! The airport was closed for several hours as the runways were hosed off by the airport fire tenders. Commuter chaos. Nature's infinite capacity to surprise us adds to the joy of living in a landscape such as this. The day cleared to a magnificent blue sky and no wind, though it never quite warmed up.

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 my good friends George and Pat.

This issue is respectfully dedicated to the memory of all who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and to those who grieve for them. On with the news:

IMAGES MAY STRESS CHILDREN

A child psychiatrist says the barrage of September 11th images on TV may lead to post traumatic stress disorder in children. The Royal College of Australian and New Zealand Psychiatrists wants commemorations of the US terrorist attacks to be shown during adult viewing times. Dr Louise Newman says the events of that day should be considered adult themes that may disturb viewers who are young and vulnerable. She says many children can not distinguish between past and present, and they may think the attacks are happening now.

HOLD ON PAPERWORK CALLED FOR

Intermediate schools are calling on the Education Ministry to put a hold on paperwork. The New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle School Principals passed the resolution at its annual conference last week. Spokesman Bill Noble says in the interests of pulling failing schools into line, the Ministry has introduced a new layer of reporting back to Wellington. But Mr Noble says the assessment has been imposed across the board, and teachers are struggling to keep up with it. He says it is like bringing out a new car without tools to fix it if it breaks down. Bill Noble says all the paperwork's stressing teachers out.

ACTION NOT FOREGONE CONCLUSION

Military action against Iraq is not a foregone conclusion in the view of the Prime Minister. US President George W Bush is trying to rally international support to back an attack on Iraq and will present his case to the UN this week. Helen Clark says New Zealand does not favour an attack and any action would require a UN mandate. She does not think war is inevitable and says there is a great deal of international scepticism about the case which the US is about to put to the UN. Miss Clark says if there was a UN- mandated action taken against Iraq, New Zealand would offer some military support.

BIG MONEY TO BEAT MOTH

The government is spending $90 million on an expanded spraying programme to help get rid of the painted apple moth. But even then, the success of the programme can only be 80 percent guaranteed. Biosecurity Minister Jim Sutton has confirmed that Cabinet has approved the significantly wider programme in a bid to fully eradicate the pest. He says the first spray will be at the beginning of next month. Mr Sutton says the spray zone will be between eight and 12 thousand hectares, and 37,500 properties will be affected. He says those houses are in Waitakere, Massey West, some Auckland city suburbs including lower Point Chevalier, the Henderson Valley, New Lynn and Mt Albert. Jim Sutton says the sprays will be at three-week intervals and MAF officials will be working to help minimise spray drift and any potential negative effects. He admits the programme is not guaranteed to work 100 percent, but it is the best option the government has.

FISHING VESSEL FINED

A warning has gone out to owners of foreign fishing vessels who want to breach our 40- kilometre exclusion zone. The master of Japanese boat Tomi Maru 86 has been fined $13,000 in the Christchurch District Court after being found in a Hoki fishing ground off the West Coast. The boat was chartered by a South Island company but was stung because it was longer than 46 metres. Ministry of Fisheries Serious Offences Unit manager Mike Green says the sting brings to an end a year- long operation in which two vessels were caught. He says he hopes it sends out the message to other fishers they will be severely hit in the pocket if they flout this rule.

DANGEROUS PRISONER RELEASED

Police are warning a prisoner who was mistakenly let out of the Whangarei District Court cells is dangerous. Luke Raymond Edmonds was released at three o'clock this afternoon. The 23-year-old had appeared in court on arson, burglary, car conversion and aggravated wounding charges. Whangarei police are warning the public not to approach him. He is described as Maori, 181 centimetres tall, of medium build, with collar- length black hair and clean shaven. He was wearing a red hooded sweat shirt.

DRUG DEBTS BIG FACTOR

The prosecution in the Michael Coffin murder trial claims drug debts played a large part in the Auckland chef's death. Twenty-four year-old Christopher Gregory Thomas is standing trial for the murder in August last year and has denied the charge. The crown alleges Thomas shot Mr Coffin in the back of the head because the accused wanted to steal up to up $16,000 dollars worth of Mr Coffin's cocaine. It is claimed Thomas was under pressure from a drug dealer to return cocaine he himself had earlier been supplied with. Thomas has been accused of burying Mr Coffin's body beneath a North Shore house where the accused's ex-partner and children lived. More than 65 witnesses will be called in the two-week trial.

BIG VIEWING FIGURES FOR TALL BLACKS

More than three quarters of a million New Zealanders tuned in to watch the Tall Blacks' semi-final match against Yugoslavia yesterday morning. Television New Zealand says ratings peaked just before 10:30 when 793,000 viewers were watching the live coverage from the World Championships in Indianapolis. TVNZ says the figures are up there with the viewership of such events as the Bledisloe Cup and the Olympics opening ceremony.

INVESTORS NEEDED FOR AIDS DRUG

A new drug could offer a chance for New Zealanders to help in the fight against AIDS. Biotech company Virionyx has developed a drug that could offer a breakthrough in treating the virus that causes AIDS. The drug has passed the first of three testing phases at Harvard Medical School in the US. Virionyx Chief Financial Officer Paul Young says the company needs nearly $9 million in capital to implement phase two of the trials. He says it is a one-time offer for New Zealand investors. He says investment incentives are both medical and humanitarian.

WIND WARNING ISSUED IN SOUTH

A strong wind warning has been issued for Canterbury, Otago and Southland. MetService says norwesterlies may reach 70 kilometres an hour at times in exposed places overnight, with gusts of up to 120. It says the gales have the potential to blow down trees. Drivers of large trucks and cars towing caravans have been warned to take extra care. Heavy rain is also expected in Fiordland and the ranges of Westland, with between 150 millimetres and 180 millimetres forecast.

PLAN TO CUT SMOKER NUMBERS BY 5%

The Government wants to reduce the number of smokers. Currently around 25 percent of the population light up and the Government wants to cut that to around 20 percent. Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor has announced the plan at a Smokefree meeting in Wellington. Mr O'Connor says the number of smokers has decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years, with a more measured decrease over the last five years. He says proposed amendments to the current Smokefree Environments Act will help change attitudes to smoking so it becomes sad rather than chic.

SAFETY CONCERNS KNOWN

The government is promising that no expense will be spared to ensure public safety during the painted apple moth aerial spray campaign. More than 37-thousand west Auckland properties are in the target zone and there is concern the spray could prove hazardous for some members of the public. Biosecurity Minister Jim Sutton says the government's acutely aware of the concerns. He says the government will commit sufficient resources to address them. Mr Sutton says there is a comprehensive range of support and expert advice. Meanwhile, Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey wants the government to provide compensation, like health costs. The spray programme starts next month.

GUILTY VERDICT IN PIGOTT MURDER CASE

A 15-year-old girl has been found guilty of murdering Waitara man Kenneth Pigott. A New Plymouth jury took just under three hours to find Rene Cara O'Brien guilty of bashing the 60-year-old over the head with a hammer eight times and dumped his body in the local river. Two 14-year- old girls have pleaded guilty to his manslaughter and are awaiting sentence. The judge says the case is a sad reflection of bad parenting, and the parents involved should take a long, hard look at themselves. Rene O'Brien sobbed and covered her face throughout today's proceedings. She has been remanded in custody till October the 7th.

THREE HUNTED AFTER ROBBERY

Taranaki and Wanganui police are this afternoon looking for three men who robbed a tourist park and tearooms, beating up the proprietor. The female proprietor of the Ashley Park Tourist Park and Tearooms at Waitotara was punched and locked in a toilet while the offenders made their escape. Police are looking for a white Toyota which was seen taking off from the scene at high speed.

CLARK CONCERNED ABOUT PEACE PROCESS

Prime Minister Helen Clark's concerned a unilateral military strike on Iraq could jeopardise the Middle East peace process. Miss Clark's again told Parliament that New Zealand will not support any action which was not mandated by the UN. She is listed a range of reasons why. Helen Clark says unilateral action could cause further instability in the Middle East and make it harder to get an Israeli-Palestinian settlement. She says in addition, an attack could damage the international coalition against terrorism, and would be likely to have an adverse effect on the international economy.

TERRORISM OFFICES OPENED

New Zealand has opened police terrorism liaison offices in Washington DC and London. The offices were opened by Police Commissioner Rob Robinson and are attached to the New Zealand Embassies in both cities. The offices will be attended by New Zealand detectives, who will serve two year stints. Police Minister George Hawkins says the offices represent the government's commitment to working with international anti-terrorism agencies to boost New Zealand's security. He says while there is no current evidence this country is being targeted, the situation is constantly monitored.

MURDER VICTIMS SON UNHAPPY WITH SYSTEM

The son of a murder victim has expressed dissatisfaction with the justice system. A 15-year-old girl has today been convicted of the murder of 60-year-old Waitara man Kenneth Pigott by hitting him with a hammer, and then dumping him in the local river. Two other 14-year-olds have pleaded guilty to his manslaughter. Mr Pigott's son Dean praises the police, but is not so happy with the courts. He has expressed disappointment at the way the court system has worked and claims there has been discrimination against the victims.

JUDGE CRITICISES BAD PARENTING

The issue of bad parenting came to the fore today, as a 15- year-old girl was found guilty of murdering a Waitara man. Kenneth Pigott's body was found in a river, with severe wounds to his head. Two 14-year-old girls had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and today 15-year-old Rene O'Brien was found guilty of bashing Mr Pigott over the head with a hammer, and dumping his body in a river. In the crown's closing statement to the jury, prosecutors said on the night of the killing, the girls had been drinking Bourbon which had been supplied by adults and loved ones. Justice John Priestley said today that this case shows the results of bad parenting, and what happens when adults fail to assume a role of responsibility. The judge said there were adults in this court case, especially the parents, who need to take a long, hard look at themselves. Our reporter in court, Bryan Vickery says some of the girl's relatives in court were upset, and others seemed bemused and offended by the judge's comments. The 15-year-old is yet to be sentenced.

NZERS REMEMBER SEPT 11

St Luke's Presbyterian Church in the Auckland suburb of Remuera was packed today for the start of a world-wide commemoration of the September 11 attacks on the United States. At 8. 46am, the exact moment the first hijacked jet struck the World Trade Centre, a choir began singing Mozart's Requiem Mass. Throughout the day choirs in more than 40 countries will repeat it. The Reverend David Clark says the church and the Orlando Singers planned the event late last year to give people an opportunity to remember and reflect on the meaning of life. Candles were lit by the congregation after the service. Another memorial service was held at the Christchurch Cathedral this morning. Anglican Bishop David Coles told the congregation that today felt a bit like an ANZAC dawn parade. He said today was a day of prayer and peace, a day to work for peace for all, and a day to reaffirm that peace is a costly business. About 150 people attended the service, including representatives from the Government, the Fire Service and the Army.

TRUANCY FIGURES "APPALLING"

The National Party believes truancy is out of control. The Party has revealed figures it has obtained in response to written Parliamentary questions. Education spokesman Nick Smith says the figures show that already this year more than 4,000 children have been referred to Non-Enrolment Truancy Services. He says at the same time last year just under 2,000 children had been referred. Dr Smith says the figures are appalling. He says the link between truancy and youth crime is clear and if we keep failing our young people in this way there will be more incidents like the Kenneth Pigott murder case. Yesterday, a 15-year-old girl was found guilty of murdering the Waitara truck driver. Earlier, two 14-year-old girls pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the same case. The court was told that the children had not been attending school regularly. At the conclusion of the trial the judge commented that the case showed what happens when adults fail to assume a role of responsibility. Nick Smith says the Government needs to look at encouraging and supporting alternative education providers.

GM WILL BE DRIVER OF INNOVATION - MAF

Government briefing documents say New Zealand is likely to benefit substantially from GM technology but only if it is supported by the public. The MAF papers say New Zealand is a biologically-based economy and leading edge biotechnology is vital to our economic prospects. They say many of our competitors are actively applying such biotechnology, including GM, and that the "genie is out of the bottle". The papers say GM is likely to be a key driver of innovation and change in future years. However, they add that it is important the environmental and health risks of GM are fully discussed and understood by all of society, not just the scientific community. The papers concede there is also some public distrust of the objectivity of scientists and business advocates involved with GM issues.

NZ BUSINESSES PAY FOR SEPT 11

New Zealand businesses are feeling the effect of September 11 - through their pockets. The insurance industry says any bravado about being willing to insure anything has gone forever post-September 11. Insurance Council chief executive Chris Ryan says the events of that day were the most defining moment in the industry for several decades. He says the accumulated losses have forced premiums for New Zealand businesses up 40 percent and caused a dramatic change in thinking. Mr Ryan says the new rules are, unless you can clearly ascertain the risk, don not insure it. Chris Ryan says the first casualty of that was terrorism cover, which no longer exists. He says insurance companies are now also more disciplined and very specific about individual policies. Meanwhile, the Terrorism Suppression Bill could become law before the current Parliamentary session ends. Foreign Minister Phil Goff says the bill is before Parliament now. In the meantime regulations are in force to carry out the intent of the UN resolution on terrorism. He says New Zealand and all other countries must stop financial and other forms of support for terrorists.

SOFTWARE PUNT DOES NOT PAY OFF

The Commerce Commission is cracking down on some types of horse betting software. Along with its Australian counterpart, the Commission has secured a conviction against a former New Zealander, Robert Price in Brisbane, of misleading consumers in selling the computer programme. The Offtrack software was being sold both here and across the Tasman. The Commission's Fair Trading director Deborah Battell says it falsely claimed to be able to predict place-getters with high accuracy and promised to net the consumer huge profits. She says the consumer was led to believe you could make up to $8,000 a month by using the system and, not surprisingly, it was rarely the case. She says some punters have even quit their jobs out of faith in such schemes, only to end up out of pocket. Deborah Battell says there are likely to be similar schemes duping punters still in the market and the Commission would like to hear from anyone who may have any relevant information.

NATIONAL WANTS CHAT ROOM CRACKDOWN

National is calling for new laws to crack down on paedophiles who go into Internet chat rooms to build sinister relationships with children. The party's justice spokesman Simon Power says overseas and local experience shows that chat room contact can escalate to personal contact. He says it is known that a person can enter a chat room pretending to be a teenager, win a young person's trust then arrange a meeting. Mr Power says in Britain at least a dozen children have been sexually assaulted by people they have met through the Internet. He says, where an adult is using modern technologies to meet with a minor, then a presumption should exist in law that such meetings are not for a lawful purpose. He says Britain is considering such laws and New Zealand should too.

LEARN ALL ABOUT GOVERNMENTS

Victoria University has joined top Australian universities and the New Zealand and Australian Governments to form the Australia and New Zealand School of Government. The school has been opened by the Prime Minister Helen Clark and will provide masterate-level studies for top public servants. Professor Matthew Palmer says the input of the Australian institutions and the two Governments means there will be a lot of experience students can draw on. He says they will also have the chance to travel across the Tasman as part of their studies to look at how government departments function in Australia.

NEW ZEALAND REMEMBERS SEPT 11

The Foreign Minister says the great success of the year since the September the 11 terror attacks in America has been preventing a repeat. It is a year today since al Qaeda terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Centre in New York, one into a Pennsylvania field and another into the Pentagon, killing more than 3,000 people. Phil Goff says without military intervention in Afghanistan and combined international efforts to suppress terrorism, another attack could have happened. But he says there is no room for complacency and believes it will take more than military force to defeat terrorism. Mr Goff says the focus must be on dealing with its causes. Meanwhile, a day of official commemorations gets underway in Wellington this morning, with a flag raising ceremony at the US Embassy. American Ambassador Butch Swindells will then host a commemoration ceremony attended by Helen Clark. Both the Prime Minister and Ambassador Swindells are expected to speak and will plant two trees as a symbolic gesture. Later in the day, both will attend a public memorial service at Wellington Cathedral and a Wairarapa Youth Festival Commemoration in Masterton.

STATS TESTAMENT TO ECONOMY STRENGTH

A rise in volumes of both exports and imports bodes well for the economy. That is ANZ chief economist David Drage's assessment of the June quarter overseas trade data. While export prices have dropped almost six percent, and import prices are down 1. 4 percent, David Drage says this is being offset by big rises in volumes. Mr Drage says the amount being imported is up 3. 5 percent for the quarter, a testament to how strong the local economy is at the moment.

NORTH SHORE BOY DIES

A critically-injured young boy has lost his fight for life, after he and his mother were attacked in their home on Auckland's North Shore a week ago. Ten-year-old Weng De Dai also known as Wender Zen - suffered serious head injuries and died this afternoon in Starship Hospital. His mother, Hua Dai who is 36, remains in a critical condition also with head injuries. Police spokeswoman, Rebekah Holt, says a 40-year-old man, already charged with assault, will be back in court next Thursday. She says more charges will be laid before that appearance. A post mortem examination of the child will be made tomorrow.

SOCIAL WORK NO 9-5 JOB

Social workers in South Auckland are being told to remember their hours do not necessarily go from nine to five. Clevedon MP Judith Collins is making the call after receiving reports from local police of social workers refusing to make night calls to attend to youth offenders in police custody. She says this is not helping the relationship between social workers and police which needs to be a vital one to identify potential future criminals. Ms Collins says police are being forced to take the role of baby-sitters while they wait for the social worker to arrive the next morning. She says the reality is children are more likely to get into trouble with the law outside office hours. Ms Collins says staffing levels need to be set with this in mind.

LONDON SEES WALKER'S COLLECTION

Karen Walker is unveiling her latest collection at London Fashion Week today. The Auckland-based designer is showing her wares to European buyers at the invitation-only event for the third time. She says it is important for her to be in London for the event as sales there have been steadily rising. The Walker collection has already attracted media attention this week, with features appearing in Elle and Vogue magazines as well as in the The Observer Sunday newspaper. But while the fashion experts in Europe are eagerly awaiting to see what is store on the cat walk, the discerning New Zealand fashion bodies have already seen it. An event to launch the spring/summer range was shown last night at an event in Auckland.

ACC PROPOSES 22% INCREASE FOR MOTORISTS

The cost of registering a vehicle or the cost of petrol could be about to rise once more as ACC prepares a proposal to increase levies by 22 percent. ACC has produced a range of options for fund the scheme for the 2003-04 year. The Corporation says the new and ongoing costs of serious injuries continue to have a major impact on the ACC scheme. It says, at present, there are eight claimants in the Motor Vehicle account portfolio whose estimated life cost is more than $10 million for each claim. Over the course of one year, more than 90,000 motorists' levies need to be collected to fund the lifetime costs of five seriously injured children. It says the increase in levies has been caused primarily by an increase in and improved estimation of long-term rehabilitation costs of those seriously injured in vehicle accidents. The Corporation says, rather than increasing the motor vehicle re-licensing fee for petrol powered vehicles, another funding option is to raise tax on petrol. But the proposal is being criticised by the Automobile Association. AA spokesman, George Fairbairn, says the proposal to raise levies comes on the back of a 13 percent increase on last year's levy and a rise the previous year. The AA is inviting motorists to let them know whether they would prefer the option of a rise in petrol tax or re-registration costs and will pass on the suggestions in a submission to ACC. The AA believes absorbing a petrol price rise would be more equitable as those out on the road the most should contribute the most. The Corporation is proposing to reduce the average 2003-04 ACC levies for employers by seven percent from an average composite levy of $1.20 to $1.12 per $100 (excluding GST). It is also considering reducing levies for the self- employed by three percent from an average $3.17 to $3.09.

YOUNGEST KILLER SENTENCED TODAY

The country's youngest convicted killer will learn his fate today. Thirteen-year-old Bailey Junior Kurariki is one of five young people to be sentenced in the High Court in Auckland for the killing of pizza delivery man Michael Choy. Sixteen-year-old Alexander Peihopa and 17-year-old Whatarangi Rawiri, were found guilty of murder, and four others including Bailey Junior Kurariki, were convicted of manslaughter. Kurariki was just 12 when Mr Choy was fatally bashed and robbed. The two found guilty of murder are the first young murderers to be dealt with under the new Sentencing Act, which gives the sentencing judge other options to life imprisonment.

TRANZ RAIL EXPECTS CREDIT RATING DOWNGRADE

Tranz Rail says it will negotiate a fair price for the Wellington passenger rail system, Tranz Metro. At the company's annual results announcement yesterday, managing director Michael Beard accused local politicians of wanting to appease rate payers by minimising the purchase price. But Mr Beard says the rail operator's responsibility is to its shareholders. He says the company is in the early stage of talks with the Wellington Regional Council and its partner, and high level price negotiations will begin shortly. Mr Beard hopes the parties will move fairly quickly on the sale. He says the sale also requires the Government to pass legislation enabling regional councils to be rail operators. Tranz Rail has announced a net loss of $122 million for the year to June, compared with a $5. 6 million profit the previous year. It is expecting international credit rating agency Standard & Poor's to downgrade its corporate debt rating today. Chief financial officer Wayne Collins says the company has been on negative credit outlook for three years, and in light of its debt and last year's operating results, it is expecting to be downgraded. Tranz Rail actually made an operating profit of $24 million, but that was before write-downs and accounting changes worth $143 million.

POLICE SMELL ECSTASY RAT

Police suspect there are cases of rat poison being sold as ecstasy in New Zealand. Canberra police have seized capsules this week which were initially believed to be the party drug, ecstasy, but later found to be rat poison. Auckland Drug Squad Head, Detective Senior Sergeant Colin McMurtrie says the same trick is highly likely to be employed in this country. He says police have had information in the past of laced ecstasy and speed being sold in New Zealand. Mr McMurtrie says it is possible the bad ecstasy made in Canberra could have crossed the Tasman.

NEW CHAIRMAN WALKS AWAY FROM TROUBLED TRUST

The new chairman of Northland's troubled Maori health provider is walking away from the job, just seven days after he was elected. Taiira Awarau was appointed after a meeting between iwi and the board voted the trust's chairwoman Luana Murray out of the job. He says he left because staff at Te Hauora o Te Tai Tokerau (THOTT) had made managerial decisions without informing him. He says they held a snap meeting yesterday afternoon and elected a management team to oversee a report he was writing. Mr Awarau says he was first told of the development was through the trust's lawyer, Wayne Peters. He says he has put his own money into the organisation over the past week and is disappointed by the treatment he has received. He accuses Thott of being dysfunctional. Child, Youth and Family has frozen the assets of the Northland health provider to prevent them from being sold after it was reported five vehicles had been sent to an auctioneer. The trust has also lost contracts with the Ministry of Health and CYF after not meeting service standards.

POLICE DOG AND HANDLER BASHED

A police dog handler and his dog have been bashed while investigating a burglary in Christchurch today. The dog handler disturbed two young men in a house in the suburb of Richmond after police were called by members of the public reporting people acting suspiciously in the area. Police say the pair were attacked by someone wielding a wooden bat. The injured officer has been admitted to hospital with facial injuries. The dog has been treated by a vet. A 17 and 19-year-old have been charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated wounding and injuring a police dog. They will appear in court tomorrow.

RETIREMENT AGE UNDER MICROSCOPE

Act Party leader Richard Prebble believes the retirement age will have been pushed out to 68 by the time he retires. It follows comments from the Retirement Commissioner that New Zealand's aging population means there will come a day when the age limit needs to be reviewed. Apart from Act most of the political parties favour keeping the retirement age at 65. However, Richard Prebble says that is because they are petrified about upsetting people over the issue. He says they are trying to tell the public what they think it wants to here, rather than telling them the truth.

MORE MURDER-CHARGED TEENAGERS

Three teenagers have been charged with murder following the death of a Northland man. Richard Harcombe died on Tuesday, three days after he was robbed and beaten in a Whangarei park. The 18-year-old suffered serious head injuries in the attack and was subsequently hospitalised in Auckland. Soon after, police arrested three 16-year-olds and charged them with aggravated robbery. A homicide investigation was launched when Mr Harcombe's life support was switched off. Meanwhile, the six young people who killed Auckland pizza delivery man Michael Choy will have to wait until Monday to discover their fate. The sentencing, which began this morning, has become a protracted affair. A defence lawyer for Alexander Peihopa, one of two teens found guilty of murder, asked whether sentencing would be completed this afternoon. But Justice Robert Fisher said the time needed for submissions from seven lawyers means the sentences will not be passed today. The court will resume again at nine o'clock on Monday morning after the weekend break.

HEALTH FOOD SHOPS DISPUTE DOCTORS' CLAIMS

A chain of health food shops is disputing allegations by the Medical Association that it is handing out irresponsible advice. The row follows an undercover study by Wellington School of Medicine staff posing as asthma sufferers, seeking help at pharmacies and health food shops. Eighty-seven percent of the pharmacies visited, referred the staff member to a doctor. Only 58 percent of the health food shops did the same. Medical Association chairman John Adams says it is disturbing to see what he calls unsafe advice being handed out, and that people in the alternative medicine business should be held more accountable. But Managing Director of the Healthy Living Group, Murray Hardy, questions the findings. He says a lot of their customers are disillusioned with medical practitioners. Mr Hardy claims the study has a number of flaws in it. He has labelled it as just another attempt to undermine the global growth in demand for natural health products.

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