From news at wysiwygnews.com Sun Jul 3 21:23:19 2005 From: news at wysiwygnews.com (news@wysiwygnews.com) Date: Sun Jul 3 21:23:29 2005 Subject: WYSIWYG NEWS - 3 July, 2005 Message-ID: subject: July 3, 2005 ----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ Copyright, Brian Harmer Oriental Parade has iconic value for Wellingtonians. Just as Aucklanders away from home in winter might dream fondly of Mission Bay, Christchurch people of Sumner, and Dunedin dwellers or St Kilda or St Clair, so we denizens of the Harbour Capital picture the tiny crescent around which so many of our summer memories seem to revolve. In other parts of the world this might be called the corniche, or the perhaps the esplanade. Most expatriates will have memories of the old Victorian villas which formed the backdrop to the beach. Fewer and fewer of them remain as they yield to the pitiless march of development. Big orange demolition machines reduce the grand old houses to matchwood, and after a time of chaos and inconvenience, tower cranes and concrete pumps, yet another bland monument to affluence emerges from behind the plastic safety barriers. This lament is not to say that Oriental Bay does not present a handsome frontage. It does, and as I have often said in the past, the view across the harbour from there is one of my favourites in all the world. There are still many fine old houses, some in better repair than others, scattered in all their pastel painted finery on the narrow streets that climb up and around the steep North face of Mt Victoria. The fine brick building that used to be a Cistercian monastery, St Gerard's, still watches over its Western end. At the Eastern end, the apartment block on Point Jerningham, notwithstanding the blue paint job, still looks to me like a barracks block. Just below Carlton Gore Rd, the building that was until recently the Hotel Raffaele is undergoing a significant makeover to some purpose I have yet to discover. If you have been away from Wellington for a very long time, this is on the site of the old hostel that I think was run by the then P&T for its unmarried employees. The fountain that has been the centrepiece of the bay for years continues to make a spectacular display. You know it's a really calm day if any of the water falls back to the fountain's base. More usually, the tumbling spray arrives back in the harbour from whence it came, some tens of metres from the base. When the wind is in the north, there is an automatic cut-off to ensure that more salt water than necessary is not sprayed on the houses and shops in the suburb. Several small and fashionable restaurants do a steady trade, especially with the "brunch" crowd during the weekend. My position remains unchanged. Brunch is a fine concept as long as I have first had a good breakfast! -- A whole week later, and the above didn't get sent, consequent to some technical issues with Helen's gathering of the news. In the meantime, New Zealand life has been dominated by sport. In Australia, our Netball team, the Silver Ferns, comprehensively confirmed their world champion ranking by beating the Australians. They achieved this in part by finally learning to play our Trans-Tasman rivals at their own fairly physical version of the game. For years in this non-contact sport, we have watched our players suddenly pop out of the court, victim of sometimes quite unsubtle hip charges. Now both teams do it in equal measure, which is a pity, but it makes the squeals of outrage from the Australian coach and their media quite comical. And then there was the rugby. Last week's game was played in Jade Stadium (formerly Lancaster Park) in driving rain and sleet. The touring British and Irish Lions Team got comprehensively beaten on the day (21 - 3), and despite the media spin from the red camp, it was not as a result of Tana Umaga attacking O'Driscoll. After the bleak and miserable weather in Christchurch, Wellington turned its most benign face to the visiting hordes. Four to five days of clear sharp golden weather presented the city to good advantage. And indeed Wellington was suddenly flooded with tourists wearing Lions jerseys. In the Westpac Stadium (only foreigners, idiots and Aucklanders refer to the cake tin), where the spectators commonly wear the colours of their team, red outnumbered black! Isn't that amazing, half way around the world? No hotel rooms could be had, pubs were overflowing, streets were closed off for extra hospitality tents. It was a carnival. The Lions had improved dramatically in the week that passed, perhaps as a consequence of replacing 11 of the fifteen players, and were at least twice as good as before. It was a fantastic game. The All Blacks won by a stunning 48 - 18. In fairness, the ABs were a cohesive national team in the full flight of the local football season. The Lions are an amalgam of players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales put together for the tour, playing a winter game in their summer. Individually they are great athletes. Collectively it is a bit unfair to expect them to perform at the level of a standing national team. They have one more chance to salvage pride next week at Eden Park in Auckland. Of course the All Blacks don't plan to give them an easy ride. They need the preparation for the real foe, the wily Oz who squeaked through against France in Brisbane yesterday :-). In case anyone thinks that I've gone over to the dark side, this afternoon (Sunday), Mary and I went into the city, among the wreckage of last nights many parties, to see the NZ Opera performance of Don Giovanni. It was magnificently performed and sung, though the staging was a little Spartan for my taste. From there we went out to the airport to pick up a friend who is staying with us for a week. Apart from those fog cancellations, I have never seen the place busier. Strangely, almost everyone wearing red looked very glum indeed. Happy 4th of July to my many American friends. ---- 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. All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, Newstalk ZB News. All copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of The Radio Network Limited. Formatting this week is sponsored by Barbara Johnston in Scotland. Barbara made the time to drop her support in personally, so a Special warm thank you to you. ---- On with the news: Monday, 20 June ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SEARCH FOR MISSING WOMAN CONTINUES ---------------------------------- Police investigating the disappearance of 62-year-old Kaye Stewart in the Rimutaka Forest Park will return to Wainuiomata today. Mrs Stewart has been missing for a week. Detective Senior Sergeant Soni Malaulau says an investigation base is being set up in a caravan at Coast Road. Posters are also going up in Wainuiomata and other areas close to where Mrs Stewart went missing, showing the clothing she may have been wearing and the vehicle she was driving. Mr Malaulau says it is hoped memories will be jogged to yield fresh information. (Two weeks on, there has still been no sign of her, despite many hours of painstaking searching by police and army personnel - BH) CARTER WANTS PROCESS FOR JAPAN'S WHALE KILL ------------------------------------------- New Zealand is proposing a disputes settlement process be established to enable the International Whaling Commission to deal with Japan's whaling policy. Conservation Minister Chris Carter is in Korea for the IWC's annual meeting. He says Japan's proposal to double its so-called scientific slaughter is the focus of the conference, but he will be putting forward a request to establish a formal process so IWC nations can finally deal with the Japan dispute. Mr Carter says all modern international organisations have an effective disputes resolution process including penalties for nations that do not comply. Japan wants to take the number of whales it hunts to around 900. SECRECY SURROUNDS RAPE CASE --------------------------- Name suppression for four men accused of pack rape is likely to continue for the duration of their two-week trial, which begins in Wellington today. The men are charged over an incident that is alleged to have happened in Mt Maunganui 16 years ago. They are facing rape, sexual violation and abduction charges relating to events at a location near Tay Street in January 1989. The trial has been moved from Rotorua to Wellington and strict suppression orders are in place surrounding the men's identity, their past and previous occupations, and details of the alleged offences. Some of the testimony of witnesses in the case has also been suppressed. NORM DANCES TO SUCCESS ---------------------- A former All Black hooker has become a dancing sensation. Norm Hewitt stole the show in the final of Dancing with the Stars last night with his pasa doble with a difference. The judges awarded him and dancing partner Carol-Anne Hickmore just one point more than the other finalists, Shane Cortese and Nerida Lister, but public opinion ensured the gold was theirs. Ms Hickmore admitted that when the partners were first announced, she would have preferred Daniel Carter, but she now says she could not have asked for a better partner. (It's not often you see a ballroom dancer with a cauliflower ear. Norm has been in way to many rugby mauls to have escaped undamaged. - BH) TEEN FIGHTS FOR LIFE AFTER BRAWL -------------------------------- A 17-year-old is fighting for his life after a massive brawl in Auckland at the weekend. The teenager is in a critical condition in Auckland City Hospital after the incident in Grey Lynn in the early hours of yesterday morning. Up to 50 youths were involved in the fight in Surrey Crescent at around 3.30am. Detective Inspector Bernie Hollewand says a number of witnesses are being spoken to before police make any further comment. GREENS ATTACK NZ FIRST ---------------------- The Green Party has announced its human rights and launched a broadside against the policies of New Zealand First. Spokesman Keith Locke says Winston Peters sees New Zealand as consisting of two varieties of people, European and Maori and regards newcomers as a threat. He claims there is an undercurrent of discrimination in New Zealand which is being fostered by the New Zealand First leader. Mr Locke says migrants are a great asset and should be welcomed. (How many combinations are possible of one party attacking another if there are 'x' parties. Some vague mathematical stirring says n!/(n-2)! And that's if each attacks the other once only. We have months of this rubbish to come :-( - BH) POLICE TIGHT-LIPPED ABOUT BODIES -------------------------------- Police are yet to release the names of two women, whose bodies were found in the sea off Lyall Bay on Wellington's south coast yesterday morning. One of the women is believed to be in her 50s and the other in her 70s. The Dominion Post reports the women faced murder charges in relation to the death of a 77-year-old Levin man in February. Police are appealing for anyone who was around the coastline over the weekend to contact them. Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Cotter says people often park at the bays and they want to hear from anyone who was there in the 24 hours before 11 o'clock yesterday morning. He says a car found nearby has been seized, but a burnt out vehicle on the beach is not related to the enquiry. DEAD WOMEN FACED MURDER CHARGES -------------------------------- Police have confirmed the two women whose bodies were found in Wellington's Princess Bay yesterday were facing murder charges over a death of a man in Levin in February. They were a mother and daughter aged 75 and 51. Police have not yet said how they died, though there were reports of shots from locals. Post mortem examinations are continuing, which could take a couple of days. Their identities are yet to be revealed as their next of kin have not been confirmed. Police have also not revealed whether the deaths are to be treated as a homicide. Tuesday, 21 June ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHARGES LIKELY AFTER SEALS SHOT -------------------------------- The police and the Department of Conservation will lay charges this week against those believed to be responsible for shooting at seals in Otago. A tourist filmed men shooting at seals from a boat and contacted police. Two protected fur seals died from shotgun wounds. Seven Otago men have been spoken to, including former All Black Andrew Hore. Three shotguns have been confiscated. Robin Thomas from the Department of Conservation says a solicitor is reviewing the evidence and it is likely three of the men will face charges under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. He is not ruling out the possibility that more people will be charged. COULD DAIRY KILLER STRIKE AGAIN? -------------------------------- Police are concerned the man who gunned-down a shop worker in central Auckland could strike again. Bhagubhai Vaghela died behind the counter the Uptown Mini-Mart in Eden Terrace on Sunday night. The 58-year-old was shot once. Police believe the attack happened at about 8pm on Sunday, but due to a malfunction in the security system there is not any video footage and no one seems to have seen or heard anything. Detective Inspector Bernie Hollewand says a mobile office has been set up outside the dairy to make the inquiry team more accessible to the locals. He says he is also liaising with the other Auckland police districts in a bid to catch the killer. AUTOPSY COMPLETE ON WOMEN'S BODIES ----------------------------------- Post mortem examinations have been completed on the bodies of two women found off Wellington's south coast on Sunday morning. Police have confirmed that the mother and daughter were facing murder charges over the death of a man in Levin. Their names remain suppressed, pending a further court hearing next month. Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Cotter says the case will now be referred to the Coroner for him to determine the cause of death. He says neither woman had suffered gunshot wounds and they are no longer looking for a gunman believed to have been hunting near Princess Bay on Saturday night. PETERS AIMS TO REMOVE "BENIGN APARTHEID" --------------------------------------- In a radical speech unveiling New Zealand First's Treaty of Waitangi Policy, Winston Peters has promised to remove what he says if the benign apartheid infesting New Zealand. Mr Peters says it is foolish to assert that ethnicity if a sound basis on which to develop Government policy and service delivery. He is promising to eradicate the evil of segregation and special treatment. Treaty related courses in the public service will be wiped, there will be no more politically correct jobs and race will not be the key to any Government service. Race based departments like Te Puni Kokiri will be reviewed. Mr Peters says the use of the powhiri at everything from the opening of a new public building to welcoming new staff is costly tokenism and unnecessary. The Maori Affairs Minister says it is no surprise the New Zealand First leader will call for the removal of all race-based positions in the public service. Parekura Horomia says it is 'more of the same' from Winston Peters, whom he says simply does not understand there must be targeted policies for Maori. He says a lot of effort went into the New Zealand Maori team's win, Michael Campbell's historic victory and Norm Hewitt's success on the dance floor, and he claims that is all down to targeting. COURT HEARS ATTACK CLAIMS ------------------------- A woman has told the High Court it is "absolute rubbish" that she agreed to have sex with five men she accuses of raping her in 1989. Four men on trial for the alleged attack claim the sex was consensual. The woman has told the court she was lured to a lonely beach hut, where five men raped her one by one. She says when she saw five men present she thought, "I'm a goner". The court heard one of the men also repeatedly sexually assaulted her with a foreign object, to the point where her pelvis ached and she had trouble walking. She says the men were standing around her grinning, "like a pack of dogs looking at raw meat". She says she made a conscious decision to comply, because the men were an unknown quantity, and she did not know whether she would be bashed or worse. The 37-year-old says the same accused made intimidating visits to her several times after the alleged offences. She says the clear implication was she should not make a complaint, because it would not be worth her while. The woman did not complain to police until last year. COLLEGE DISCUSSES BRAWL WITH POLICE ----------------------------------- De La Salle College officials have met with police to discuss a brawl which landed one of its students in hospital. The 17- year-old youth has been in a critical but stable condition in Auckland Hospital since Saturday night. It is understood he was involved in a fight outside a Grey Lynn warehouse, where an after-ball party was taking place. De La Salle Principal Brother Steve Hogan says the incident does not appear to be school-based or directed at the college. He says their prayers are going out to the young lad and his family. Brother Hogan says the college does not condone violence or sanction any after-ball functions. POPULAR HUT BURNED DOWN ----------------------- It appears as if a popular trampers' hut in the Arthur's Pass National Park has been destroyed. The Department of Conservation has been told by a tramper that the Hawdon Hut has been razed by fire. DOC area manager Bryan Jensen says staff are flying into the site today to confirm the report and check on the damage. He advises those intending to go into the area not to rely on the hut, but to take a tent and be self- sufficient. REVIEW RECOMMENDED ON POLITICAL ADVERTISING ------------------------------------------- An Auditor-General's report on the use of taxpayer money for political advertising raises concerns about the weakness of guidelines. The inquiry points out the process was last reviewed in 1989 and says since then, advertising has evolved and MMP has changed the system. It says it is now increasingly difficult for advertising of Government departments to be kept free of political parties, bringing with it, more potential for Ministers and parties to benefit. It also raised concerns about a lack of transparency and accountability. The report recommends a full review be launched after the election. Wednesday, 22 June ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IDIOT CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY TO MOTORIST --------------------------------------- A man in his 60s has been seriously injured and has lost an eye, after his vehicle was hit head-on by a car travelling the wrong way down one of Auckland's major motorways. Police say the offending vehicle was being driven west in the eastbound lanes of the North-Western motorway. It was in the centre of the three available lanes with its lights off. Two motorway units had been dispatched shortly after 11pm, when the collision occurred. The driver of the offending vehicle is reported to be unhurt. He is described as being in his 30s, and at last report was being processed for drink driving. Motorway staff at the scene say they are particularly upset about the circumstances surrounding the incident. VACCINES IN DOUBT AFTER FRIDGE MALFUNCTION ------------------------------------------ Parents whose children were in Hutt Hospital's special care baby unit recently are being notified that booster shots may be needed after a problem with their six-week vaccine. A vaccine storage fridge in the unit was running too cold and may have caused some of the vaccines to lose their effectiveness. Paediatrics chief, Philip Leadbitter says letters have been sent to the parents of children who were in the unit recently explaining the situation. He says the hospital wants to reassure parents that the likelihood their children are not fully immunised is small, but they are advised to get a booster shot just to be sure. COW KILLED ON HIGHWAY --------------------- An unusual warning for a road in the lower North Island. Police are urging caution after a car hit and killed a cow on State Highway 1, about seven kilometres north of Hunterville. The animal's high fat content has made the road quite slippery. Highway contractors have been called in to clean up the mess. CHANGES WANTED TO ADULTS ONLY TV TIME ------------------------------------- A group wanting to improve the quality of television believes it has some support from politicians. Viewers for Television Excellence, (VoTE), wants the adults only timeslot on TV pushed back from 8.30pm to 9.30pm to protect children from inappropriate programming. Secretary Glenyss Barker says when VoTE launched its AO campaign at the Avalon studios in Lower Hutt recently, members also put a case to politicians. She says Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey told them he was sympathetic to the idea of changing the adults only time. TAUPO TREE-KILLER STRIKES AGAIN ------------------------------- Tauranga's tree killer may have struck again overnight. There has been a fresh attack - the second in a week - on trees along the Takitimu Expressway, a main artery that provides a city bypass to the harbour bridge. On Monday night, someone was seen with a knapsack spray unit poisoning freshly -planted pohutakawas. Council Arborist Shane Moohan says overnight someone snapped or pushed over a further 18 trees. He says it is a kind of eco-terrorism. The council has posted a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the conviction of the offender or offenders. BIBLE CLUB MAY SEE LEGAL ACTION ------------------------------- Supporters of a Wellington school's volunteer Bible group have not ruled out taking legal action over classes being axed. Kids' Club has been banned by the Seatoun School board, which claims it is inappropriate in a secular state school. Parents backing the Bible studies programme have engaged constitutional lawyer Sir Geoffrey Palmer, who wrote a legal opinion on the matter. Previous board member and Kids' Club organiser, Mike McKee, says discussions are continuing on the matter and it is hoped common sense will prevail. Mike McKee says holding the classes outside of school hours or during weekends would not work. POLICE SEEK TWO MEN OVER DAIRY SHOOTING --------------------------------------- Police have released the name of one of two men they are seeking in relation to the fatal shooting of an Auckland shopworker. Officers from the three police districts that cover the region are now working on the murder of Bhagubhai Vaghela. The 58-year-old was shot dead behind the counter of the Uptown Mini-Mart in Eden Terrace. There are concerns a drug-crazed offender is targeting dairies and minimarts on Sunday nights. Police say the public needs to be extremely aware of 33-year-old Christopher Robert Smith. He is thought to be using the drug P, and is also wanted in connection with the robbery of a Buckland's Beach superette. Police also are also worried about an unidentified man involved in the holdup of staff at a store in Pukekohe. Thursday, 23 June ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEEN MUM SENTENCE FOR NEGLECTING BABY ------------------------------------- An 18-year-old woman has been sentenced to community work for leaving her baby locked in a car on a 30 degree Gisborne day. Shiloe Thompson-Hatley was sentenced to 150 hours community work on charges of failing to provide the necessaries of life and assaulting an ambulance officer who was helping her infant. Ms Thompson-Hatley's child has been returned to her, following a family group conference and extensive counselling and parenting training. The sentencing judge says it was a case of 'pure ignorance', and while it is easy to be outraged, sending the young woman to prison serves no purpose. THREE CHARGED OVER SEAL SHOOTING -------------------------------- Three Otago men have been charged in relation to the shooting of a New Zealand fur seal earlier this month. The incident took place near Taiaroa Head nearly two weeks ago. Department of Conservation's charged the men under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The police are prosecuting under the Arms Act, and it is not yet clear how many charges are involved. The three men will face court after they receive summonses this week. PUBLIC OPINION SOUGHT ON DRINKING AGE ------------------------------------- The public is being asked to put forward opinions on the proposed reversal of the legal drinking age. The bill to put the legal limit back up to 20 years was sent to the Law and Order Select Committee for consideration. It also proposes strengthening laws around the sale of liquor to minors and imposing a 10pm restriction on broadcast advertising of alcohol. The committee requires 20 copies of every submission being made by members of the public. The deadline is August 12. NORM DANCES TO STARDOM ---------------------- Norm Hewitt says he has been blown away by the public's response to his win on the TV show "Dancing With The Stars". The ex-All Black arrived in Queenstown today in his capacity as a youth worker and motivational speaker. Hewitt says an average of 970,000 people watched the show, with viewer numbers peaking at 1.2 million. He says he never got as much attention when he was an All Black, and ended up doing 114 interviews on Monday alone. Queenstowners have been quick to congratulate the rugby hard man turned ballroom champion, with endless handshakes and car horn toots. CARPARK BUILDING SPRINGS A LEAK ------------------------------- Auckland City Council is going into crisis mode as it debates repairing the cracked and leaky Civic Carpark. The level of damage to the structure beneath Aotea Square has exceeded predictions, with the upgrade and repair bill now estimated to be $73 million. The carpark roof's waterproofing is deteriorating, causing cracks, rust and dampness. Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard is labelling it a crisis and is now going over contingency options with the council. Repairs will cause massive disruption as the carpark will be closed for 14 months and events at Aotea Square, the Town Hall and the Sky City Metro cinema complex will be restricted. However, if the council does nothing, Aotea Square could be shut down for good, within a year. Friday, 24 June ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HORSE TRAINER'S PENALTY REDUCED ------------------------------- A Christchurch horse trainer found guilty of administering a banned substance has had his penalty reduced by the Judicial Control Authority. Nigel McGrath was banned last September from working in the harness racing industry for three years for administering the performance-enhancing substance propantheline bromide to his horses. In an appeal hearing yesterday the penalty was reduced to 18-months. McGrath says accusations that he deliberately used the substance to increase his horse's performance are untrue but he accepts he breached the rules. He claims the decision helps to clear him of deliberate wrong doing. FORMER COP WHO THREATENED PM SENTENCED -------------------------------------- The former police officer found guilty of threatening to kill the prime minister has escaped a jail sentence. Frank Miessen was given a 12-month suspended sentence, during an appearance this morning in the Christchurch District Court. The 47-year- old was also discharged without conviction on two drugs charges. Meissen was charged after threatening to strangle Prime Minister Helen Clark and break her neck. His comments were made in the presence of the Christchurch police Armed Offenders Squad who were at his Banks Peninsula farm in July last year. Police were seizing firearms from the property. MAJOR REPAIRS NEEDED AT SWIMMING POOL ------------------------------------- Petone's swimming pool needs an urgent facelift. The McKenzie Outdoor Pool is 73 years old and suffers from major structural damage. It is still in operation, but engineers estimate it could cost up to $1 million to fix. Hutt City Council leisure active manager Marcus Sherwood says closing it down is one option that needs consideration. He says the pool has been altered a number of times and a big earthquake could see it collapse. Marcus Sherwood says a feasibility study needs to be carried out over the next two years. The council is currently seeking feedback on its draft strategy, which includes six swimming pools. Submissions close July 20. MOBILE YOUNG PEOPLE DO NOT VOTE ------------------------------- The mobility of New Zealand's young people is being blamed for the low level of electoral enrolments. Latest statistics from the Electoral Enrolment Centre show eligible voters under the age of 25 make up more than 40 percent of those not enrolled to vote. National Manager Murray Wicks says youth lifestyle is the likely reason behind the high numbers. He says young people are often moving flats and electoral enrolments are not at the top of their minds. ISRAELI APOLOGY COULD BE CLOSE ------------------------------ An apology from Israel over the passport affair could be close. Diplomatic relations remain strained after the conviction of two suspected Israeli agents for fraudulently trying to obtain a New Zealand passport. The Government wants Israel to say sorry. Prime Minister Helen Clark says a resolution is close, but she will not be drawn on a specific timeframe. She says it could be days, or it could be weeks. Helen Clark says as well as the apology, New Zealand wants an assurance that steps will be taken to ensure that there will not be a repeat of the issue. HUBBARD DENIES DEPUTY HAS TAKEN OVER ------------------------------------ Dick Hubbard has categorically defended his role as leader of the Auckland City Council. He says reports that Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker has wrested control of the council are totally unfounded. He says he gave a commitment to Auckland that he would provide clear and decisive leadership. He says he is delivering that. Mayor Hubbard says there is always political jockeying at council and grumbling that he's always voting with the left-leaning parties is sour grapes. Monday, 27 June ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERBALL WINNERS STILL IN SHOCK -------------------------------- It was a double shock for a Hawke's Bay family when they realised they had won Lotto on Saturday night. A Napier family has claimed their $12 million jackpot after winning their share of first division and Powerball. Lotteries Commission Spokesperson Helen Morgan-Banda says when watching the draw, the family could not believe they had won first division of around half a million dollars. She says it was not until they logged onto the lotto website to confirm their numbers an hour later, they realised they had the Powerball number as well. She says they told her they checked the ticket about a hundred times. Helen Morgan-Banda says they are still in shock. TOO MANY CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY ----------------------------------- Sobering statistics are behind a plea for the public to help fight child poverty. The Auckland City Mission has launched its annual winter appeal with the message that one in three Auckland children are living without the basics. City Missioner Diane Robertson says New Zealand's level of child poverty ranks fourth worst in the developed world. She says the public does not realise there is a population of people who are falling further and further behind. Ms Robertson says already this winter the mission knows of parents unable to take their children to the doctor, and families sleeping on damp garage floors. She says we forget to focus on the fact that poverty is affecting children, who have not chosen to be in the situation. She says the problem has long-term consequences for the whole of society. Ms Robertson says the Government needs to focus on change and stop using the issue as a political football. RAPE ACCUSED DESCRIBES ENCOUNTER -------------------------------- One of four men accused of pack-raping a woman in Mount Maunganui in 1989 has recalled in a statement that the complainant seemed to enjoy their sexual encounter. A policeman has read the statement to a High Court jury this morning. Detective Sergeant Maxwell Taylor told the court the accused said in a statement prior to his arrest in July last year that he was told to meet at an empty building at a certain time on a sunny day in January 1989. He saw the other three accused men outside and then went in by himself. The accused saw the woman sitting on the floor and thought she seemed fine and not stressed. The pair talked for a while then had sex, which he thought she enjoyed. The accused said he left the building together with the woman. SERIOUS YOUTH OFFENDERS FOCUS OF CONFERENCE ------------------------------------------- A conference in Wellington today is focussing on curing serious youth offenders. Agencies are meeting to discuss how to cope with youths who misbehave. Clinical Director Justine Harris from the organisation Youth Horizons, which supports at-risk families and youngsters, says young people must be targeted as soon as possible. She says it is also necessary to ensure government funding is spent in the right areas. SINGLE-SEX SCHOOL RESEARCH QUESTIONED ------------------------------------- National is being told to check its research after announcing its education policy. Education spokesman Bill English told the party's annual conference in Wellington yesterday that research proves boys and girls do better in single-sex schools. He told delegates National will build more boys' or girls' schools where there is demand. Mr English also said that National will push for a return to bulk-funding and re- vamp the NCEA. PPTA president Debbie Te Whaiti says research into the success of single-sex schools is pretty tenuous. She says success cannot be put down solely to gender as there are socio-economic factors at play too. Ms Te Whaiti adds that many of the existing single-sex schools are moving to amalgamate, which indicates there is not a great demand for them. (There are certain fields of research in which it seems protagonists can find research to support any of the available positions. Interestingly, an Australian researcher Prof Peter Cuttance is reported as saying "Most educational research is irrelevant, has no impact on schools and is ignored by policy makers". Of course this should include his own research, since it is on education. - BH) COMPLAINANT WAS FLIRTATIOUS SAYS RAPE-ACCUSED --------------------------------------------- One of the four men accused of a pack rape 16 years ago at Mount Maunganui told the police his accuser was flirtatious. A police officer has been reading the man's statement, made before his arrest last year, to the High Court. Detective Constable Brian Cameron asked the man how he would describe the woman's personality. The man replied that she was outgoing and flirtatious when she had had a few drinks. He was referring to her behaviour at a bar the night before the alleged incident, when she asked him to organise a meeting with one of the other accused and indicated she wanted to have sex with him. The man disagreed when the detective told him the complainant's workmate did not think she was acting up that night. He also denied group sex had happened the next day. MANHUNT LAUNCHED AFTER ATTACK ----------------------------- A manhunt has been launched following an attack on a woman in Plimmerton. Wellington Police say the incident occurred around 2pm today. The offender left the scene, but has since been seen in various locations around Mana and Plimmerton. Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam says since then they believe the man has stolen clothing from another house in order to disguise himself. He says the man is dangerous and should not be approached and he is urging those returning home to that area not to enter their homes alone. Tuesday, 28 June ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FIRE AT CAR DEALERS ------------------- A car dealer's business is on fire in central Wellington. Fire Service spokesman David Meikle says 10 appliances are battling the blaze in Belfast St in Newtown. The fire is on the upper storeys of the building. It is not clear if any vehicles have been damaged. Firefighters are working to ensure the blaze does not spread to nearby buildings. NATIONAL'S TAX CUT PROMISE PAYS OFF IN POLLS -------------------------------------------- National is riding high in the latest New Zealand Herald- DigiPoll with its promise of tax cuts. Today's poll has National up four points to 40.1 percent support, while Labour has slumped seven points to 36.2 percent. It appears the Government's failure to announce any significant tax cuts in the Budget has triggered the slide, with 61 percent of those polled saying they do not believe Michael Cullen cannot lower taxes. National leader Don Brash says details of his party's tax cut announcement depend on when Prime Minister Helen Clark announces the election date. New Zealand First is the only other party to top five percent in the poll, up three points to almost 11.8 percent support. The Greens are on four percent, the Maori Party 3.1 percent, ACT 1.9 and United Future 1.3 percent. FRESH SEARCH FOR MISSING WELLINGTON WOMAN ------------------------------------------ A fresh search will be mounted today for signs of missing Wellington woman, Kaye Stewart. It is now more than a fortnight since the 62-year-old disappeared in the Catchpool area of the Rimutaka Forest Park. Detective Senior Sergeant Soni Malaulau says the park will be closed to the public for at least two days to allow for a detailed search. Teams will be looking for Mrs Stewart's personal items such as her glasses and jewellery but he concedes that she is probably dead. Mr Malaulau says police have received a lot of information from the public. CAPILL PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD SEX CHARGES ----------------------------------------- Graham Capill, the former leader of the Christian Heritage Party, pleaded guilty to child sex charges against children as young as five when he appeared in the Christchurch District Court this morning. Capill had admitted five charges including one of rape, one of unlawful sexual connection and three of indecent assault, following complaints from two women who said the offences took place in the 1990s. Earlier this year Capill pleaded guilty to an indecent assault charge involving an eight-year-old-girl. NO TAKERS FOR LUXURY SUITE SO FAR -------------------------------- What may be Wellington's most expensive hotel room has no takers so far, despite the thousands of rugby supporters filtering into the Capital for this weekend's test between the Lions and All Blacks. Guests who book the upmarket suite at the Bolton Hotel must stay at least three nights at a cost of $7,000. Hotel manager Kathy Tipler says that is actually very good value considering what is on offer. As well as two bedrooms, and two bathrooms decorated by an interior designer, the person booking the room receives complimentary beer and bubbly, bathrobes and high-class toiletries. POLICE UNAWARE OF P USE BY DRIVERS ---------------------------------- Wellington Police say they are unaware of a P problem amongst taxi drivers in the Capital. The comment follows a claim from a taxi operator that his complaints about drivers' drug habits have not been-investigated by the taxi regulator, Land Transport New Zealand. Senior Sergeant Sean Hansen says they have not received any complaints about taxi drivers using P. However he says the drug's ill effects, including increasing paranoia and affecting judgment, could cause any taxi driver using it to put themselves and passengers at risk. Sean Hansen is urging anyone with information about P use in the community to call the police. LITTLE SYMPATHY FOR CAPILL -------------------------- The confessions of Graham Capill have led to a major re- branding of the political party he once headed. The 46-year- old former leader of the Christian Heritage party is in jail awaiting sentencing on multiple child sex charges. The party says it would be naive to think Capill's actions have not tarnished its reputation. Leader Ewen McQueen says despite that, the party is committed to the upcoming election, and new branding. He says it will be promoting families and Christian values, but presenting them in a much more positive way than Capill ever did. Mr McQueen says he was shocked when Capill confessed to earlier charges two months ago, but that was nothing compared with today's guilty pleas of sexual violation, indecent assault and rape. He says although Capill has not been involved with the party for two years, it is inevitable his association with it will stick. Capill has found little sympathy in political circles following his guilty pleas Transsexual Labour MP Georgina Beyer remembers the time Capill questioned her right to exist at all. She says his fall from grace highlights his hypocrisy on moral issues. Criminologist Greg Newbold says Capill faces a double- barrelled risk while he is in jail; not only is he a sex offender, generally despised by other inmates, but until earlier this year he had been a police prosecutor and before that a dispatcher in the police Southern Communications centre. He says prison authorities will have to keep Capill separate from other offenders and predicts he will be moved to a Harmony Unit outside of the general prison population. Associate Professor Greg Newbold believes it is one of the most bizarre cases he has ever seen. He says it is hypocrisy of the highest order in an outrageous case. Wednesday, 29 June ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FUGITIVE SURRENDERS TO POLICE ----------------------------- Fugitive John Douglas Willis will appear in court today after giving himself up to police. Willis was being sought after an alleged attack on a woman in Plimmerton, north of Wellington. Police were seeking him in connection with a number of offences, including the theft of a $200,000 launch. He was located in Plimmerton last night, after he had phoned police saying he was ready to surrender. Willis appears in the Porirua District Court charged with assault with intent to rape, indecent assault, kidnapping with intent to have sexual intercourse, the theft of a boat, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and possession of an offensive weapon. EDUCATION KEY TO PREVENTING SEXUAL ABUSE ---------------------------------------- Rape Crisis professionals believe education is the key to preventing repeats of the sort of crimes carried out by Graham Capill. The former Christian Heritage leader is in jail awaiting sentencing after admitting raping and sexually assaulting girls as young as five. The National Rape Crisis Collective says the case reiterates all children need to be taught they have the right to say no to inappropriate behaviour. Spokeswoman Andrea Black says fears that parents are going to harm their child by teaching them what is sexual, are a myth. She says if they learn someone cannot touch them in certain places they are more likely to disclose early on when sexual abuse is happening. PARENTS WANT GOOD TEACHERS REWARDED ------------------------------------ The majority of parents want high performing teachers to be paid more than their counterparts according to a survey by the think tank the Maxim Institute. A thousand parents have been polled as part of a campaign for performance-based pay in teaching. Seventy-two percent of parents say teachers who work the hardest and produce the best results should be paid more than other teachers. Seventy percent believe that if teachers were paid according to their performance, standards would rise. Maxim Institute says overseas evidence shows what parents want is sensible and workable. It claims the current centrally-controlled and collectively bargained pay structure leaves great teachers unrewarded and bad teachers with no incentive to improve. KFC PRISON FEAST CONDEMNED -------------------------- Officials have been quick to condemn actions by staff at Hawke's Bay Prison after prisoners were rewarded with takeaways for behaving while their cells were searched. Inmates at Hawke's Bay Prison's low to medium security unit were given KFC after a search two weeks ago which uncovered drugs, smoking devices and cell phones. Public Prison Service general manager Phil McCarthy says the unit manager went too far and acted inappropriately. He says the manager has been spoken to and has given assurances it will not happen again. The issue has been brought to the attention of site managers nationwide. Mr McCarthy says the unit had previously been doing some very good work in relation to contraband. (If I were served KFC, I would regard it as cruel and unusual punishment ... BH) OLDER WORKERS BEING LEFT OUT ---------------------------- Employers are being urged to make better use of older workers if they want reliable staff who will stay in the job. A new survey commissioned by recruitment companies Select Australasia and Clayton Ford shows New Zealand employers are still not doing enough to attract and retain staff. The Employment Trends Survey shows despite 93 percent of respondents claiming they know why their staff are leaving, turnover remains high. Chief Executive Debbie Loveridge says New Zealand employers are not actively engaging older people into new roles and continue to have hang ups about them being over-experienced. She says this results in many older workers spending a long time between jobs. GOVERNMENT TAKES CONTROL OF ISLAMIC SCHOOL ------------------------------------------ The Government has taken direct control of New Zealand's only co-educational Islamic school, the Al-Madinah School in Mangere in South Auckland. It follows concerns about a clash between religious and educational obligations, highlighted in Education Review Office reports. The Ministry of Education has appointed Dennis Finn as commissioner. He took over troubled Cambridge High School last year. Mr Finn says he cannot comment on his role yet because he needs time to analyse what is happening at the school and formulate his approach. LIONS FANS' INVASION OF CAPITAL ------------------------------- The invasion of Wellington by Lions' fans has begun. A cruise ship carrying 1,300 people arrived in the harbour yesterday. There is also a noticeable increase in the number of campervans around the Capital. One Brit who was at the harbour for the cruise ship's arrival says they have had a great welcome. John Goodyear says their time in Christchurch was incredible and he is looking forward to partying in Wellington. He does not know if Wellingtonians are aware of just what is in store, but he is predicting that by tonight the city will be a sea of red. (It sure was, and the number of parking spaces filled with wandering camper vans was astounding. Camper vans are the cow pats on the road of life! - BH) KING KONG TRAILER UNVEILED -------------------------- Fans of movie director Peter Jackson have been given their first peek at his latest masterpiece. The King Kong hype has begun with the movie trailer, coordinated by Universal Pictures, hitting screens last night. Doug Whitcombe from Reading Cinemas says it has been a long time coming and is set to ignite a flurry of Internet chat. He believes the movie will be hard to top when it is released in December. The $200 million film stars Adrien Brody, Jack Black and Naomi Watts. SECOND RAPE-ACCUSED TAKES STAND ------------------------------- Another of the accused men has taken the stand in the High Court trial of four men who allegedly pack-raped a woman in Mt Maunganui in 1989. The 47-year-old also denies abducting and raping the woman. In opening his client's case, lawyer Bill Nabney told the jury the accused is in the dock as an innocent person. Mr Nabney says all the sexual activity was consensual, and after the event the complainant invited his client back to a motel where they had sex again. On the stand, the 47-year- old described the chemistry between himself and the woman, and how they were both attracted to each other. He talked about a meeting at a bar the night before, and was flattered when one of the co-accused told him she had "the hots" for him. POLICE TARGET NITROUS OXIDE RETAILERS ------------------------------------- Christchurch police have a plan to stop retailers selling nitrous oxide or NOS. A review in April resulted in it being made illegal for retailers to sell the gas for non- medicinal purposes. However police are only now starting to enforce the legislation, and have written to retailers to let them know. Inspector Peter Cooper says some Christchurch retailers have taken the drug off their shelves but there are some who are reluctant to do so. He says the ideal solution would be to get them to do it voluntarily, but retailers who continue to breach the law will be prosecuted. Nitrous oxide, also known as 'laughing gas', is used as a mild sedative and analgesic, and is less toxic than other alternative chemicals. However, prolonged or long-term use of it has been linked to brain damage, damage to bone marrow and interference with the nervous system. Even short term use can cause nausea and disorientation. The gas is commonly also used as a propellant for foodstuff dispensers such as whipped cream aerosols. Thursday, 30 June ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ANOTHER BABY INFECTED AT HOSPITAL --------------------------------- Poor hygiene could have contributed to another baby developing an infection while in Wellington Hospital's neonatal unit. A baby was moved from the green to red zone last week. Tests have confirmed the infant has contracted Staphylococcus aureus, the bug which has already killed three infants. Hospital microbiologist Mark Jones does not know how the baby caught the bug after being in the area reserved for healthy babies, but he believes it could have been transmitted indirectly by staff. Dr Jones says it is the first case to escape protection protocols and staff are being reminded about the importance of hand washing. STILL NO SIGN OF MISSING WOMAN ------------------------------ Detectives investigating the disappearance of Kaye Stewart in the Rimutaka Forest Park have issued another plea for help. More than 80 people have spent the past two days searching for personal items belonging to the 62-year-old, but have found nothing of significance. Detective Senior Sergeant Soni Malaulau says they want to speak to trampers and anyone else who may have seen Mrs Stewart on June 13. He says the case is still being treated as a missing person's inquiry but admits it is odd that nothing has been found. POSSIBLE SEXUAL ASSAULT IN FAST FOOD RESTAURANT ----------------------------------------------- Auckland police are investigating the robbery and possible sexual assault of a young girl in the toilets of a fast food restaurant. The nine-year-old girl was robbed of her pink handbag in a Wendy's restaurant in Queen Street at about seven o'clock last night. The man who carried out the attack was last seen running up Queen Street holding the bag. The girl has undergone a medical examination. (They got this guy - BH) PRINCE WILLIAM TOUCHES DOWN IN NZ ---------------------------------- A royal touchdown at Wellington Airport this morning. Prince William is in New Zealand for his first official visit, which will focus around the Lions' final test matches. Dressed in a dark suit, the 23-year-old strolled confidently through the terminal, smiling briefly at the cameras before being whisked away by security officers. Andrew Manning from Christchurch's St Andrew's College was among a crowd of around 200 people who turned out to catch a glimpse of the royal. He says his heart jumped when he saw William come around the corner and seeing him in real life was a privilege. Prince William's 11-day stay is packed with official engagements, including a meeting with Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward this afternoon. DOOR-TO-DOOR RETAILERS SOLD FAKES --------------------------------- Home Shop has been fined $12,000 for selling fake brand named clothing. The counterfeits include Nike, Diesel and Adidas including an All Black t-shirt with the words "Official Licensed Product" on the collar. The court was told the items were low quality fakes. Commerce Commission Fair Trading Director Deborah Battell says Home Shop was ripping off customers as the goods were no cheaper than the real thing. Home Shop sells goods door-to-door, often on a credit basis with customers signing up to regular automatic payments to repay the amount of the purchase. Ms Battell is urging people to shop around and compare prices and quality before buying. TEENS CHARGED OVER ASSAULT -------------------------- Three teenagers have been charged with assault as police continue investigating the bashing of a 17-year-old schoolboy who remains in a critical condition in Auckland hospital. The teens, aged 15,17 and 19, are appearing in the Auckland Youth Court. The 17-year-old victim was attacked in Grey Lynn eleven days ago. Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley has visited the victim's school, De La Salle College, to inform the students and teachers of this morning's arrests. He is hopeful that any tensions between De La Salle College and any other school have been alleviated. SEVENTEEN ARRESTED IN DRUGS SWOOPS ---------------------------------- Seventeen people have been arrested in drug swoops as part of "Operation Crunchie". Police have executed 50 search warrants at addresses from Whangarei to the Far North. They say they have found two clandestine methamphetamine labs in Kerikeri and in Kaikohe and have recovered a large amount of stolen property. The stolen goods from just one address filled a high sided trailer and three police cars. Ten of the 17 people arrested face serious charges relating to drug dealing. Police say more arrests are likely. Friday, 01 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CAR COULD BE KEY IN MURDER CASE ------------------------------- A distinctive looking car may hold the key to finding a third man wanted in connection with the murder of Auckland dairy worker Bhagubhai Vaghela. Two men have already been arrested and are facing charges, police are now searching for Vietnamese man, Minh Hong Nguyen. His BMW was allegedly used by one of the accused to drive to and from the shooting. He is also wanted for breach of bail for drug related charges. Police believe Nguyen was in Hamilton on the night of Mr Vaghela's murder and was driving a Subaru Impreza four door saloon with a large red rose and stem painted on each side of the car. He was thought to be accompanied by an Asian woman and it is understood they intended to drive to Rotorua on Monday. Police are asking anyone with information to call 09 302 6548. "FAKE" POLICE TARGET MOTELS --------------------------- A number of people in Gisborne are posing as police officers and demanding what they claim to be 'rent' from local moteliers whom they say are using Maori land. The legitimate Gisborne police say the imposters are calling themselves the 'Aotearoa Maori Police', and are wearing black uniforms with the word 'police' on them. Senior Sergeant Maui Aben says they have received several complaints from motels. He says police would like to hear from anyone else who has come across the fakes, who are described as local Maori activists. Senior sergeant Aben says they face charges of impersonating police officers. IT WILL BE ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT --------------------------------- Some historic New Zealand buildings have been wrapped in white as part of a massive international campaign spearheaded by some of the world's biggest names. The Make Poverty History campaign launched its first White Band day by decking out landmarks like Auckland's War Memorial Museum and the Christchurch Cathedral. They are in company with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and London's St Paul's Cathedral. U2 front man and activist Bono reiterates the campaign is not seeking peoples' money. He says it is about the public getting active and informed about the difference increased Governmental aid can make in impoverished nations. Make Poverty History New Zealand chairman Barry Coates says they are trying to change people's belief that they are powerless. The campaign to pressure the G8 leaders to alleviate poverty gets its biggest publicity boost over the weekend with Bob Geldof's Live 8 concerts. TWO MORE ARRESTS IN BURGER KING CASE ------------------------------------ Two further arrests have been made following the death of a South Auckland stabbing victim. Thirty-two-year-old Rodney Tenamu died in Middlemore Hospital last night. He was stabbed during an altercation outside the Papatoetoe branch of Burger King on Tuesday night. A 21-year-old man appeared in court this morning, charged with murder. Police have now arrested two 19-year-olds from South Auckland; one has been charged with murder and the other assault. They will both appear in Manukau District Court tomorrow morning. RACIAL ATTACKS WORRY NELSON POLICE ---------------------------------- Police in Nelson are becoming increasingly concerned about a spate of race-related attacks and abuse cases. Area Commander inspector Brian McGurk says there have been several recent assaults and incidents where the victims have an obvious non- European appearance. He says in most cases offenders are teenagers who have links with older people who are openly hostile to people from non-European backgrounds. Mr McGurk fears an underlying white supremacist organisation could be gaining a foothold in Nelson which police and the community will not tolerate. ARRESTS MADE IN AFTER-BALL BASHING ---------------------------------- The family of a 17-year-old who was badly bashed on his way to an after-ball party in central Auckland is pleased police have made arrests. Three teenagers, aged 15, 17 and 19 have been jointly charged with assault. They appeared in the Youth Court yesterday and the hearing will resume today. Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley says police have put a lot of hard work into the investigation and it was satisfying to be able to tell the victim's parents about the developments. However, the couple's son is still in a critical condition in hospital and Mr Whitley says the family is hoping he will come out of his coma soon. ARREST IN WENDY'S ATTACK ------------------------ Police have made an arrest in their hunt for a man who attacked a young girl at a central Auckland fast food restaurant. The nine-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and robbed in the toilets of Wendy's in Queen Street on Wednesday night. A 37-year-old man will appear in the Auckland District Court today, charged with robbery and sexual violation. CHEAPER DOCTOR VISITS FOR 18-24-YEAR-OLDS ------------------------------------------ Younger New Zealanders can expect to have their doctors' bills slashed by up to half with the roll out of higher subsidies. >From today, 250,000 18 to 24 year olds enrolled in Primary Health Organisations will have the cost of a doctor's visit reduced by up to $26. Prescriptions will be slashed from $15 to $3. Health Minister Annette King says the cost of healthcare is a major problem for the younger age groups during periods of study and lower incomes. She hopes that reducing the price will promote more frequent visits increasing early detection of serious illness. THE FINANCIAL PAGE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date: 1 July 2005 Brian Dooley Wellington New Zealand CURRENCIES ~~~~~~~~~~ The currency codes given below conform to ISO 4217, which can be found at http://www.xe.net/currency/iso_4217.htm. The rates given are for telegraphic transfer. To Buy NZD 1.00 USD 0.7066 AUD 0.9208 GBP 0.3929 JPY 78.22 CAD 0.8623 EUR 0.5827 HKD 5.4820 SGD 1.1899 ZAR 4.7010 CHF 0.9046 INTEREST RATES (%) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Call : 6.75 90 Day: 7.04 SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian Harmer does NOT administer the mailing list. Please do not send subscription related messages to him. Instead, visit the website listed below, where you can make changes as required. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://wysiwygnews.com/archives/news/attachments/20050703/75184258/attachment.htm From news at wysiwygnews.com Mon Jul 18 22:08:30 2005 From: news at wysiwygnews.com (news@wysiwygnews.com) Date: Mon Jul 18 22:08:32 2005 Subject: WYSIWYG NEWS - 18 July, 2005 Message-ID: subject: July 18, 2005 ----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ Copyright, Brian Harmer You may or may not have noticed, but the distribution and archiving of WYSIWYG News is handled at no cost to us, by a fine NZ company called OneSquared. During the week, I had the pleasure of a visit from Simon and Sam, two of the senior figures from that excellent company (see http://onesquared.net). We chatted about life and the universe, and then moved on. They were adamant that they did not seek any additional exposure, but I can't help urging readers to visit their site and see whether they offer services you could use. Fear not, this is not the beginning of a new era of commercialism, but I am a firm believer in the idea that one good turn deserves another. Thanks guys! Meanwhile, Wellington continues to enjoy a mix of weather, mostly of the cool damp variety, though with little rain to speak of, and just the lightest of frosts so far. The harbour continues to present an ever changing face, though it has been mostly benign in recent weeks. I enjoy the harbour as the sun rises, though I must necessarily keep my eyes on the road as I drive to work. Even so, it is often possible to identify the distinctive outlines of the various regular maritime visitors to the port. The two ferries, Aratere and Arahura have unmistakeable profiles. The dark blue of the Santa Regina operated by Seabridge has a different profile again, while the various cross-strait freight ferries each have their own way of sitting on the water. The small ships, Purbeck, Kent and Spirit of Competition have quite different characters, stumpy, asymmetric, dominated by their loading ramps. The cement carriers, Westport and Milburn Carrier plod their appointed rounds on a regular schedule, as do the coastal tankers. It's a habit with me to identify each ship (or aircraft for that matter) by its outline and the way it sits, and so I needn't take my eyes off the car ahead for more than the blink of an eye. Did you know that the Airbus A320 has longer legs and sits with its nose higher in the air on approach than the B737? But I digress. Time has passed and yet another disturbance in the force (a new laptop) means that we missed a week, for which I apologise. Two weeks of news follow. ---- 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. All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, Newstalk ZB News. All copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of The Radio Network Limited. Formatting this week is sponsored by James Lawry, formerly of soc.culture.new-zealand. Thanks James. ---- On with the news: Monday, 4 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ JURY EXPECTED TO RETIRE TODAY IN PACK RAPE CASE ----------------------------------------------- The jury will retire today in the High Court trial of four men accused of pack rape. The men, whose names and occupations are suppressed, deny raping and abducting a woman at Mt Maunganui in 1989. In closing their cases last week, the Crown and the defence asked the jury to consider the credibility of the complainant. The Crown said she was consistent and balanced while the defence has argued too much of her evidence did not stack up. The last of the four defence lawyers will sum up this morning. FIRST CASE UNDER SMOKEFREE ACT ------------------------------ A former South Island publican becomes the first person to face prosecution under the Smokefree Environments Amendment Act today. John Van Buren who ran the Wheatsheaf Tavern on Banks Peninsula will appear in the Christchurch District Court on charges of failing to take practical steps to stop patrons from smoking. He liquidated his company last week in the belief that the Ministry of Health would withdraw the charges if the company no longer existed. However, the ministry says the case will be heard as scheduled today. MOTELS THREATENED BY SOVEREIGNTY GROUP -------------------------------------- National claims police are not doing enough to stop a self- styled group terrorising Gisborne. There have been complaints about the Maori sovereignty group which is demanding money from local motel owners. They wear black uniforms with the word "police" emblazoned on them. The business owners say the group is demanding rent and are threatening to evict them if it is not paid. Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon claims all the police have done is write to the group telling them they will be arrested if they do not stop wearing the uniform. National's law and order spokesman Tony Ryall says police should be calling an urgent meeting with the group and laying down the law. He says this is the sort of behaviour that started the mafia in New York. (Oh dear, that's twice in two issues that I have agreed with Mr Ryall. This is a worrying trend. - BH) NZ$ CONTINUES SLIDE ------------------- The New Zealand dollar is finally turning. The kiwi has slid below 69 US cents, to 68.50 after trading at US 71c at the start of last week. Analysts say the decline has been triggered by worse than expected current account data and GDP growth. Foreign investors are pulling out of New Zealand, and the country's interest rate differential to the rest of the world is likely to close up in the future, from the current four percent to about two percent. DHBS PUTTING PLUNKET AT DISADVANTAGE ------------------------------------ Plunket is struggling to recruit new staff because of pay inequities with other nurses. A registered nurse on the top salary scale with a district health board earns at least 20 percent more than a qualified Plunket nurse. Plunket's general manager Colleen Fakalogotoa says the widening difference is causing recruitment problems and staff are left working hard to cater for the demands on their services. Provisional figures released by the organisation show that for the year ended June 30, Plunket made more than 500,000 contacts with families. HIKOI MEETING POLICE ABOUT BRIDGE WALK -------------------------------------- Police on Auckland's North Shore will meet with a group of protestors this morning after their hikoi caused huge traffic delays. Twenty-five adults and children on a hikoi from Northland to Stewart Island were stopped from crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge yesterday afternoon. The incident created major congestion for southbound traffic for more than an hour, when one lane was blocked from Onewa Road to the bridge. North Shore Area Commander Mike Hill says the group finally allowed police to drive them across. Police will continue talks with the group today to ensure their trip south is safe. ACTIVATOR WHEEL OFFERS PUSH PLAY TIPS ------------------------------------- The latest phase of the Push Play campaign has been released by Sport and Recreation New Zealand. The activator wheel contains many helpful tips for exercising outside or indoors while in front of the telly. SPARC spokeswoman Deb Hurdle says research into the Push Play campaign has found that some people simply are not motivated by the need to exercise to stay healthy. However, she says they may instead be motivated by something such as the need to be a good role model for their kids. Activator wheels can be obtained by calling 0800 ACTIVE or through SPARC's website. MORE ON APPLE DISPUTE SOON -------------------------- There could be some word soon on the dispute with Australia over apples. Foreign Minister Phil Goff discussed the issue with his Australian counterpart during the weekend. He says the Australians have indicated an import risk analysis by their biosecurity officials will be released within weeks. New Zealand took Australia to the World Trade Organisation last week, protesting the 84 year ban on imports of New Zealand apples. Canberra says there is a risk of fireblight disease if New Zealand apples were imported, but the New Zealand government argues the risk is negligible. ANOTHER SPATE OF CAR BREAK-INS ------------------------------ Napier police are warning motorists not to leave anything valuable in their cars, after another spate of thefts on Saturday morning. Senior Sergeant Nigel Hurley says it is likely the same offender is responsible for the break-ins which happened in the central city area through to Taradale. He says staff spent hours on Saturday morning working through the complaints. Mr Hurley says while it is difficult to stop a determined car thief, the risk can be minimised by taking valuable objects out of vehicles. TEST CONFIRMS CAPITAL AS "PARTY CENTRAL" ---------------------------------------- Tourism authorities are praising Wellington's efforts to ensure the success of the Saturday's test match between the All Blacks and the Lions. Tens of thousands of rugby fans partied hard on Saturday night and kept Wellington humming until early the early hours of Sunday morning. Positively Wellington tourism chief, Tim Cossar says the city council and others worked hard to cement Wellington's reputation as party central. He says the entertainment was great and the economic benefits will be huge. FERAL GOATS TARGETED -------------------- Environment Canterbury is taking a broader approach to controlling pest plants and animals. The Regional Council has reviewed its pest management strategy and has decided to target more species than in the past. Predator programmes, designed to protect native species, are in place to control ferrets, stoats, weasels, and feral cats. Wilding pines will be removed from main river systems, wild thyme is earmarked for complete eradication, and efforts will be made to stop the spread of oxygen weed and Egeria in waterways. Feral goats will be eradicated from Banks Peninsula. BABY CARE UNIT FOR WEST AUCK ---------------------------- West Auckland's long-awaited special care baby unit opens today. A new 10-bed paediatric short stay ward and an eight cot SCBU has been established at Waitakere Hospital. There will also be a paediatric short stay and outpatient service for children aged up to 14 with medical problems such as asthma, croup and gastroenteritis who may be able to return home within 24 hours. TWO WALK AWAY FROM CRASH ------------------------ Two men have walked away with minor injuries from a light plane crash near Auckland. The Cessna aircraft, from the Ardmore Flying School, crashed into the Wairoa River at Clevedon. It is believed to have been carrying an experienced instructor who was training a colleague. Police Inspector Gavin MacDonald says emergency services rushed to the scene, where the plane was found to be submerged. One of the two men on board has a suspected broken collarbone. Inspector McDonald says inquiries will continue into what caused the accident. Tuesday, 05 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DAIRY OWNERS ARMING THEMSELVES ------------------------------ Police are concerned about the actions of some dairy owners, who are arming themselves to ward off intruders. There are reports of dairy owners in the Western Bay of Plenty arming themselves with crowbars, softball bats and machetes in an attempt to scare off criminals. The recent murder of Auckland dairy owner Bhagubai Vaghela appears to have sparked their security fears. Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner says this is the worst thing shop workers could do as it would merely aggravate the situation. He says when approached by an intruder, people should comply with every instruction. WORKERS SHOCKED BY COLLEAGUE'S DEATH ------------------------------------ Staff at the Glenbrook Steel Mill southwest of Auckland are still in shock following the death of a colleague. A 40-year- old man was killed at New Zealand Steel's plant when he was crushed between two rollers yesterday. Occupational Safety and Health is investigating. Site union convener Peter Elsley says people want answers. He says the man's brother and father also worked at the mill so the whole workplace is shaken. Andrew Little, from the Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union, says the company has been working hard for years to have a good health and safety record and has achieved that. RURAL BIGGIES WANT TO MERGE --------------------------- A big shake up is on the cards for rural New Zealand. Wrightson and Pyne Gould Guinness have unveiled plans for a merger, to form the country's biggest rural services company. The deal has the backing of the major shareholders in both companies, but is subject to regulatory and other approvals. Wrightson and Pyne Gould Guinness compete in most provincial cities and towns across New Zealand. There is no word yet on redundancies. The combined company would employ more than 2,500 people. (This is apparently proceeding and the new entity will be known as PGG-Wrightson - BH) VERDICTS IN PACK RAPE TRIAL --------------------------- The jury has delivered its verdicts at the pack rape trial in Wellington. Guilty verdicts have been handed down on five of the six counts The verdicts were greeted by sobs from the families of the accused in court. Sentencing is on August 5. (This case caught many by surprise. As one commentator pointed out, historic rape charges are hard to bring, hard to prove, hard to defend. The outcome also seems to have surprised the media - BH) DOZENS OF TRUANTS CAUGHT ------------------------ Eighty truants have been caught in Lower Hutt in a police operation lasting just a few hours. The operation targeted areas such as gaming arcades, where young people skipping school congregate. Inspector Bruce Dunstan says Lower Hutt has a high rate of youth crime and often young truants are involved. He says those caught in the crackdown had a variety of excuses for not being at school, and the officers were surprised about how many truants there were. Mr Dunstan says they could easily have apprehended another 200 if they had had the resources to do so. DIVE SQUAD SEARCHING BAY FOR BODY --------------------------------- The identity of a woman whose body was seen floating in the Manukau Harbour is still not known. A police dive squad is searching Waikowhai Bay for any trace of the woman, who was spotted two days ago by two fishermen. They lifted the woman out of the water and discovered she was bound up in a fishing or cargo net. Police say the pair were so shocked by what they saw, that instead of putting her into their boat, they dropped the body back into the water. A police enquiry team is on standby to investigate the suspicious nature of the death. (So far, despite extensive searching, the body has not been found again. Nor has it been linked to any particular missing person - BH) ANTI-NUCLEAR LAWS STAY --------------------- The Government has no plans to amend anti-nuclear legislation any time soon, according to Prime Minister Helen Clark. Departing US ambassador Charles Swindells has lamented the fact that New Zealand and America continue to drift apart over the policy. Miss Clark says in fact New Zealand's relationship with the US has come a tremendously long way. She says there is no reason this country cannot have a relationship with the US similar to the ones enjoyed with other nuclear powers, including Britain and France. Miss Clark believes it is time the US started judging New Zealand on its efforts against terrorism, not just its anti-nuclear policy. She says New Zealand has bent over backwards to be a very good friend, including making one of the highest per capita contributions to the US-lead campaign against terrorism. (There are those who sneer at what they see as the backwardness of this legislation. I see no sign of any softening of the public mood on this, and I suspect the law is here to stay - BH) SECOND ARREST IN "MAORI POLICE" SCAM ------------------------------------ Gisborne police have arrested a second person as they crack down on a group police say are demanding "rent money" from moteliers, supposedly using Maori land. A 32-year-old man was arrested today shortly after leaving the home of the woman who was arrested and bailed yesterday. He has been charged with impersonating police and with demanding money with menace. Police are still seeking two other men, after several moteliers were presented with invoices for rent ranging from $200-600. POLICE INVESTIGATE CINEMA DEATH ------------------------------- Police are investigating the death of a man at a movie theatre today. The body of a man thought to be in his twenties was found by cleaners in a theatre at Auckland's Sky City Metro complex. It was discovered just after 2pm. Police believe the man had been in the theatre since 12.30pm for a screening of the film 'A lot like love'. STONING STATEMENT ROW RUMBLES ON -------------------------------- Labour's Muslim MP has released a statement condemning stoning after a controversial refusal to go against the Koran during an interview. Ashraf Choudhary was asked on the TV current affairs show 60 Minutes about the practice of stoning homosexuals and adulterous women. He refused to disagree with the Koran's recommendations, saying it was appropriate in "those societies", not in New Zealand. Dr Choudhary's statement says he is a devout Muslim and stands by the teachings of the Koran but, as a matter of personal belief, he abhors stoning and is strongly opposed to violence. The Prime Minister has weighed into the argument, saying she wants to make it clear her party is inherently opposed to capital punishment. Helen Clark says Mr Choudhary's comments on the show certainly do not fit with Labour values or her own. She says she does not care if it is in any religious tract, it is not something that is acceptable. Miss Clark says she understands Dr Choudhary is a devout Muslim but she will discuss the matter with him. RAPISTS WAIT TO HEAR FATE ------------------------- The four rapists convicted at the High Court in Wellington today will have to wait another month to find out their fate. Peter McNamara, Warren Hales and two other men whose names are still suppressed were found guilty on 11 of the 13 charges they faced, in connection with the rape and abduction of a woman in Mount Maunganui 16 years ago. None of the men's defence counsel indicated following the convictions today whether their clients will appeal. However, it should not be ruled out given that the men professed their innocence throughout the two-and-a-half week trial. Before the woman foreman announced the verdict this lunchtime, Justice Ron Young asked members of the public gallery to show no reaction. However as soon as she read "guilty" for the first time, some family members of those convicted began to sob uncontrollably. The convicted men in the dock managed to hold their composure, although the 47-year-old was seen shaking his head. The woman complainant, who now lives in Australia, is understood to have been present for the verdicts, but left quickly, flanked by her support people. The men will be back in court on Friday, August 5 for sentencing. They will be sentenced according to the laws in 1989 when the rape happened. FARMERS WORRIED ABOUT MERGER ---------------------------- The squeeze could go on some smaller companies if two of New Zealand's biggest rural service companies are given the go- ahead to merge. Together Wrightson and Pyne Gould Guiness would have more clout than any other. The merger has the backing of major shareholders, but has to be approved by the Commerce Commission. Federated Farmers spokesman Don Nicolson says the new company will be a dominant player, particularly in the South Island. He says that does raise issues about the competitive viability of smaller companies. He says farmers need to know they are getting the best value out of rural service companies, and says it is valid to have some concerns over the possibility of diminished competition. Wednesday, 06 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WOMAN'S COURAGE PRAISED AFTER GUILTY VERDICTS --------------------------------------------- Rape Crisis is praising the courage of the woman who came forward after 16 years to tell of being pack raped. A High Court jury in Wellington has delivered guilty verdicts against Peter McNamara, Warren Hales and two other men whose names remain suppressed. The woman said she was lured to a beach hut in Mt Maunganui in 1989 believing she would be having lunch with one of the men but was raped. Auckland director of Rape Crisis, Kim McGregor, says only one percent of rape complaints result in a conviction, so it shows how difficult it is to even bring such a matter to court. She says it is hard for survivors of sexual abuse to speak to anyone about their experiences, let alone the police. The men will be sentenced on August 5. HUNT FOR BODY CONTINUES ---------------------- Police are embarking on their third day of searching as the hunt continues for a body discovered in the Manukau Harbour. Two men fished up the corpse at Waikowhai Bay last Sunday. The body, believed to be a woman's, was bound up in a net and weighted down with rocks. The men were so shocked about their gruesome discovery, that they dropped the body back into the water. Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Gutry says searchers hope to bring in sonar equipment today. He says the investigation is a real puzzle. FOUR CHILDREN INJURED IN BUS CRASH ---------------------------------- Four children have been injured in a collision between a school bus and a truck, near Taupo. There were 35 children on the bus at the time. The truck driver was knocked unconscious in the accident and four children were taken to Taupo hospital with minor injuries. The children on the bus are from a mixture of schools around Taupo, including Kinloch Primary and they are being offered counselling. Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen says most of the children are in good spirits but they are being offered help through victim support if they decide they need it later. BOOKSTORE OWNER'S VISA CANCELLED -------------------------------- Immigration is in the process of cancelling the business visa of the Auckland bookstore owner accused by Winston Peters of being a paedophile. Jim Peron has gone to Germany to organise a conference, and immigration officials have told him he will not be allowed back. Immigration spokeswoman Mary Anne Thompson says it follows an investigation based on character requirements. She says Mr Peron is subject to an advanced passenger processing alert that will prevent him boarding flights to New Zealand, and he has until July 18 to make submissions before the visa is cancelled permanently. Thursday, 7 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HELP NEEDED IN HUTT ASSAULT CASE -------------------------------- A plea for help from the public to find a man wanted in connection with an alleged assault in Lower Hutt. Forty-one- year-old David Paul Edwards failed to appear in the Lower Hutt District Court on June 15 over a serious assault charge and other matters, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Edwards is described as a male Caucasian, 174 cm tall and of medium build, and is believed to be in the Petone area. Detective Sergeant Mike Sears says Edwards is regarded as dangerous and should not be approached. CHCH TEEN MISSING 3 WEEKS ------------------------- Fears are now being held for the safety of a Christchurch teenager missing for three weeks. Fifteen-year-old Jessica Elliott left her home on June 16 and her parents have not seen or heard from her since. Police say she was last spotted in Christchurch on June 26 and believe she may have travelled to Invercargill. They say they are now concerned about her wellbeing, and want anyone with information about Jessica's whereabouts to contact them. SHOOTING VICTIM IDENTIFIED -------------------------- Police have identified the man who was gunned down outside a central Auckland karaoke bar this morning. Thirty-eight-old- year-old Tam Yam Ah died after being shot once in the chest. He was part owner and manager of the Top Karaoke Bar where he was killed, and lived in a set of flats in Symonds Street overlooking the murder scene. Detective Sergeant Mark Benefield says at this stage robbery does not appear to be the motive behind the shooting. A woman was in the car with Mr Tam when he was gunned down. Mr Tam had been to pick the woman up and was returning to the bar. Detective Sergeant Benefield says the woman had been working all night and police have only a preliminary idea of what she saw. But he says basically the pair were confronted by a male and a gunshot was fired. Mark Benefield says the woman is being helped by victim support and at this stage police are not concerned for her safety. But he says progress in the inquiry is slow, particularly as English is the second language of most of the people they are dealing with. The Asian Crime Unit and other police staff from the greater Auckland region are helping with the inquiry. (Mr Tam is being described in some media as a Triad enforcer. That's a totally new concept for New Zealand. - BH) BIG CLAN LAB BUSTED IN NORTHLAND -------------------------------- Northland police have busted what they say is the largest clandestine laboratory they have come across in their region. They have seized what they say is a significant amount of chemicals and by-products used to make methamphetamine, or P, at an address in Paparoa, between Wellsford and Dargaville. Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Pannett says it was obviously a large scale drug manufacturing operation. He says the chemicals and waste products posed a potential risk to locals and surrounding rivers and streams. LIVING ALONE PAYMENT EXTENDED ----------------------------- All superannuitants living alone will soon be paid the single, living alone rate of New Zealand super. The Prime Minister has told a meeting of Grey Power members in Nelson that married superannuitants with a partner in long-term residential care have not been able to be paid the single living alone rate if their partner was in unsubsidised care. She says the Government has accepted a select committee recommendation that the law be amended, so those people can receive the higher Living Alone Payment. Helen Clark says from July next year, around 2,000 superannuitants with partners in care will be better off. KKK TAGGED ON POLICE CARS ------------------------- Authorities say "white supremacy" is the theme of late-night vandalism on a Central Otago police station and police cars. Cromwell Sergeant Steve Ereckson says two vehicles were tagged some time on Tuesday night - one's a marked police car and the other is plain. The word pigs, the letters KKK and the swastika symbol have been drawn on the cars. A rhyme has also been written on the back door of the police station. Mr Ereckson says it is threatening, and police are not willing to disclose its contents yet. Another Cromwell property was vandalised in a similar fashion last night. PETERS CALLS FOR ELECTION DATE ------------------------------ Winston Peters is trying to pressure the Prime Minister into setting the election date. The New Zealand First leader says the smoke and mirrors game over the date has already cost Labour in the polls. He says it is further evidence of a Government that has made an endless array of blunders, and its childish agenda has failed. Mr Peters says holding the country to ransom in this way is cheap politics. However Winston Peters' gripe will have no impact on Helen Clark's decision making, with the release of the date still likely to be several weeks away. HEARING SET IN SUTHERLAND CASE ------------------------------ A depositions hearing has been set down for the man accused of the murder of Christchurch prostitute Susan Sutherland. Thirty-year-old Jule Patrick Burns is accused of killing the 36-year-old in mid-April. He appeared in court this morning, where his lawyer Brian Davis advised the judge he has yet to receive witness statements from the prosecution. The judge remanded Burns in custody and set down the depositions hearing for two weeks in September. Burns's lawyer says an application for bail may be made in due course. LARGE POLICE TEAM INVESTIGATES FATAL SHOOTING --------------------------------------------- A post-mortem examination is being carried out on the body of an Asian man who was shot in central Auckland this morning. Police are talking to about 10 people who witnessed the shooting outside the Top Karaoke Bar on Symonds Street at around 5am. A murder weapon has not been located yet, although some property has been found in a side street opposite the premises. Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Benefield says there is a large team of staff from throughout the Auckland region working on the case. Mr Benefield says members of the victim's family are still being contacted. BOARD RELENTS ON BIBLE CLUB ---------------------------- The board of Seatoun School in Wellington has relented over a Bible-based lunchtime club. The board pulled the pin on the Kids Klub earlier this year, saying a religious activity had no place in a secular school but has now agreed to allow the group to resume its weekly meetings next term. Kids Klub spokesman Mike McKee says the issue has been divisive and they now want to work on rebuilding the school's sense of community. He says children with whom he has spoken, are very pleased the club has been reinstated. DRINKING AGE DEBATE CONTINUES ----------------------------- The issue of raising the drinking age will be raised again in Hawke's Bay. Progressive Party Deputy Leader Matt Robson will talk about his private member's bill in Hastings tonight. The bill proposes to return the drinking age to 20 to tackle youth alcohol abuse. The bill has been a hot topic in Hawke's Bay, with Napier MP Russell Fairbrother abstaining from voting, then holding a public meeting on the issue. Friday, 08 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FREE CALLS - BUT NOT MOBILES ---------------------------- Telecom says phone calls made to the UK to check on family and friends following yesterday's bomb blasts in London will not attract a charge. But the offer from the telecommunications giant does not extend to calls made to mobiles in the UK - often the only type of phone people have while away from home. Telecom says the credit will only apply to direct dial calls made from Telecom residential lines to land lines in the UK. It will be made retrospectively for all calls made from 7.30pm Thursday until 11am Saturday NZ time. REFUGEE REPRESENTS NEW ZEALAND ----------------------------- A young Tampa refugee is about to represent this country in soccer. Mokhtar Mohammadi was one of the young Afghani people rescued from the MV Tampa in 2002 and allowed in to New Zealand. He is currently living in Northcote. He almost missed out on playing for the Junior All Whites because he was not eligible for a New Zealand passport. With the help of some MPs, Mr Mohammadi discovered that under the Immigration Act he was entitled to a passport because he had been selected for a national team. Northcote MP Ann Hartley will hold a citizenship ceremony for the Birkenhead College student today. Mokhtar Mohammadi leaves for Hong Kong on 16 July. NZ OFFICIALS VISIT LONDON HOSPITALS ----------------------------------- New Zealand's Foreign Affairs' officials in London have visited the three hospitals dealing with most of the casualties from this morning's bomb blasts. They say there is still no indication any New Zealanders are among the 700 injured, but point out the process of checking patient lists and nationalities is still very much in the initial stages, and warns that gathering the information will take some time. It is believed the official death toll, which is currently 37, could rise to 50. New Zealand's High Commission in London will continue to man its call centre throughout the New Zealand day, but New Zealanders are still being urged to make Wellington Foreign Affairs their first call on 0800 432 111. NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY SAYS BRASH ---------------------------------- National leader Don Brash says the horror in London proves no country can be complacent about the risk of terrorist attacks. He is joined the wave of international condemnation over the strikes, describing them as totally despicable. Dr Brash was having dinner with prominent British Conservative MP Kenneth Clarke when the news came through. He says the table was plunged into shock. Dr Brash says it is a sobering reminder that New Zealand should not believe it is immune to such attacks. He says we must be totally vigilant and mindful that it is an event which could happen anywhere. He says it is a sad day not only for London, but for people and nations around the world committed to freedom and justice. WAIROA - GREAT HOTELS BUT NOTHING TO DO --------------------------------------- Wairoa is lacking in vital services to cope with its 65,000 annual visitors. Wairoa District Council CEO, Peter Freeman, says the township needs to improve its infrastructure, including creating attractions, if it wants to become a tourism hot-spot. The council's annual report states tourism is a developing industry but is slowed by poor infrastructure. Mr Freeman says the problem lies in its services - the town offers accommodation but no attractions. He says there are no guided tours, no tourism packages and no way to enjoy the place. Peter Freeman says this needs to change, and the first thing to be improved must be the roading. MURDER ACCUSED RELEASED ON BAIL ------------------------------- The man accused of murdering a woman in McLaren Falls Park near Tauranga, has been released on bail under strict conditions. Michael Curran, who is pleading not guilty, was committed for trial last month. He is charged with the murder of 24-year-old Natasha Hayden in the popular park in the lower Kaimais in January. The release has been granted in the Rotorua High Court, in spite of the Crown prosecutor's opposition. Curran is permitted to stay at his wife's Tauranga home under a 24-hour curfew. The 25-year-old accused has been in custody since his first appearance in court in late January. ANGRY APPLE GROWERS CONFRONTING PM ---------------------------------- The Prime Minister will be greeted by hundreds of angry apple growers in Hastings today. Helen Clark is addressing a Grey Power meeting this afternoon. However, local orchardist John Bostock says Grey Power has agreed to let grower representatives attend the meeting. Growers claim the government is not taking a strong enough stand on apple access to Australia. MEETING OVER KILLING OF BHAGUBHAI VAGHELA ----------------------------------------- Auckland's Indian community, concerned about the murder of Auckland shop attendant Bhagubhai Vaghela, is holding a public meeting. Spokesman Hemant Parikh says the cold blooded killing of has sent shock waves throughout New Zealand. Mr Vaghela, was fatally shot last month while working at the Uptown Mini- mart in central Auckland. Mr Parikh says Indians own and operate a large number of dairies, mini-marts and service stations, and the tragedy inflicted on the Vaghela family has raised a lot of concern within the community. Police Minister George Hawkins and other MPs have been invited to Sunday's meeting at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland. Twenty-five- year-old James Junior Lawrie has been charged with Mr Vaghela's murder and the aggravated robbery of five Auckland businesses. Monday, 11 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THREE KILLED IN TAUPO SMASH --------------------------- Three people have been killed and six more are injured in a road smash involving a car and a bus on State Highway One north of Taupo. Taupo police Sergeant Tony Jeurissen says the people killed were in the car. He says the bus was carrying 43 teenagers on their way to Waiouru for an army camp and six of them received minor injuries. Sergeant Jeurissen says the driving conditions were miserable, with low cloud, mist and persistent rain. He says the Hyundai car was overtaking other vehicles when it collided with the bus coming in the other direction. It lodged underneath the bus. Traffic is backed up although one lane of State Highway One is open. Police say it is not possible to put other detours in place on this particular section of State Highway One. QUEEN ASKED TO APPROVE MEDALS ----------------------------- The Queen will be asked to approve medals for New Zealand soldiers who served in Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore in the 50s and 60s. More than 12,000 service personnel will be eligible for medals. Those who served in a non operational role will also be eligible. CHOUDHARY CONDEMNS MOSQUE ATTACKS --------------------------------- Labour's Muslim MP is the latest to condemn the weekend's attacks on mosques in Auckland. Ashraf Choudhary says many members of the Muslim community are shaken by the events and are staying at home in a bid to keep a low profile. He is urging the community to remain calm and not fight back. He says the attacks are the doings of demented people who must be brought to justice. Meanwhile the Mayor of Waitakere believes the weekend attacks on mosques in Auckland have tarnished New Zealand's good record for tolerance. Bob Harvey says the incidents are a blip on an otherwise clean record. He says fellow New Zealanders should not be punished for the random violence of a few evil individuals half a world away. TWO ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH VANDALISM ------------------------------------------ Two young men have been arrested for a crime spree targeting four churches in Taupo. The 18-year-olds are accused of using letterboxes, bricks and concrete slabs to smash windows earlier this month. The churches were from a range of denominations. A third man is also facing intentional damage charges but police have yet to catch up with him. VICTIM OF FREAK ACCIDENT WAS FROM CLYDE --------------------------------------- A five-year-old New Zealand boy killed in a freak accident in Bali has been identified as Jack Hogg from Clyde. The Clyde Primary School pupil was holidaying with his parents Don and Karen Hogg when a stone statue fell on him in the hotel gardens. It is understood Jack had just begun to climb the statue - which was about the same size as him - when it toppled. He died immediately from head injuries. His body is being flown back to New Zealand on Wednesday. It is understood there will not be an investigation into his death. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Emma Riley says the Australian Consul General acted on the ministry's behalf to help the family bring back the boy's body. PETERS DENIES BLAME IN MOSQUE ATTACKS ------------------------------------- Winston Peters is dismissing claims by Jim Anderton that he is partly to blame for a series of attacks on mosques in Auckland. Muslim places of worship in Ponsonby, Blockhouse Bay, Mount Roskill, Ranui and two in Otahuhu were vandalised. The mosques had windows smashed and 'R-I-P London' scrawled in spray paint across the front. Mr Anderton says people like the New Zealand First leader can be blamed for fostering a negative attitude towards other cultures. But Mr Peters says that is a low blow. He says Jim Anderton is obviously suffocating from a lack of attention and is trying to build up his profile. He says the allegations are baseless and unsubstantiated and that he has never unfairly targeted immigrant communities. Meanwhile the mayor of Waitakere is appealing for tolerance towards the Muslim community in the wake of last weekend's attacks. Bob Harvey is urging people not to target anyone out of hate or spite. Mr Harvey says the Muslims in Waitakere clearly have no connection to the London bombs. Police are yet to come up with any leads following the attacks. Detective Inspector Stu Allsopp-Smith says at this stage there are no suspects and police are not going to speculate whether there was one or more people involved. He says they are collating information from all the attacks. LIONS LEAVE TILLS BULGING ------------------------- Lions fans returning their campervans and heading for the airport have left tills bulging in Auckland. Before the tour NZRU estimated it would generate around $250 million for the economy. An official profit figure is months away, but Auckland retailers say they have had a massive boost over the past four weeks. Business group Heart of the City is likening the sales margins to Christmas Eve. CEO Alex Swney says it shows just how important major events are for Auckland. He says the returns are tenfold, for both the economy and the spirit and soul of the city. Tuesday, 12 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FORMER MAYOR HAILED A VISIONARY ------------------------------- A former Lower Hutt mayor is being hailed as a visionary who left his mark on the city. Sir John Kennedy-Good died in Auckland yesterday aged 89. He served as a Lower Hutt City councillor for 24 years and mayor for 16 years, from 1970 till 1986. Former mayor John Terris served with and him and says he was instrumental in developing the Queensgate shopping centre, which was very controversial at the time. He says Sir John had a great way of working and led a very harmonious council. (I had the pleasure of Sir John's acquaintance. He was a formidable figure, even in retirement, but will be remembered for the good deal of work he did for our city. - BH) WALKING BUS COULD SAVE LIVES ---------------------------- The Dunedin City Council is encouraging alternative transport measures to get children to school, in the hope that it will prevent a child being seriously hurt. It is cracking down on illegal parking, high speeds and dangerous driving outside primary school gates, to ensure child safety. Traffic engineer, Ron Minema, says motorists need to be aware that small children are unpredictable, but he says parents also have a role. He believes that walking children under the age of 10 to school, rather than driving them, helps to teach them how to cross roads safely and be traffic smart. It is hoped initiatives like the walking school bus and plans to establish cycle lanes, will reduce traffic flow and lower the chances of accidents. MEETING HOUSE LOCATION STAYS ---------------------------- The location of a planned $7.7 million meeting house on Wellington's waterfront is unlikely to be changed, despite concern from rowing enthusiasts over boat access. Submissions on the Taranaki Street Wharf developments, including the establishment of the wharenui and wharewaka have closed. The Wellington Rowing Club and Star Boating Club fear the position and size of the wharenui might restrict trailer access for launching boats. Waterfront Wellington CEO Ian Pike says it takes the concerns of club presidents seriously but it is not practical to change the building footprint. He says discussions over access will continue and he expects to deal with the clubs' objection at a hearing scheduled to take place late next month. FIRST OF NEW LOOK 747S UNVEILED ------------------------------- Air New Zealand has unveiled the first of its upgraded Boeing 747s at Auckland International Airport. Twenty million dollars has been spent adding new entertainment gear to the plane, and improving facilities for business travellers. It has taken more than 60,000 hours of work to revamp the airline's first new look 747-400 aircraft. Upgrading the whole fleet of eight 747s will cost $160 million. But Air New Zealand CEO Ralph Norris says it sets the platform for the company to grow its long-haul business. The Business Premier class has the longest bed available in the skies. In Pacific Premium Economy class, the seats cost about 25 percent more but are more roomy and there is on screen digital entertainment. There is also a more basic Pacific Economy class. The newly fitted out 747 will operate across the Tasman and to Los Angeles from August 7. GOVT COUGHS UP COSTS OF STEWART ISLAND PARK ------------------------------------------- Stewart Islanders are getting the money promised to them to help cope with the infrastructure costs of Rakiura National Park. In 2002, former Conservation Minister Sandra Lee assured the island's population the Government would assist with costs created by visitors to the park when it was established. Conservation Minister Chris Carter says $5.6 million will now be made available. $2.5 million of it will go on tourism related infrastructure projects, with the remainder being spent on Stewart Island's sewerage system. CLARK SWOOPS ON ELDERLY VOTERS ------------------------------ There is no question the Prime Minister is electioneering on her visit to the Wairarapa today, although she continues to keep the date of polling day a secret. Helen Clark has addressed around 200 mainly elderly people in Masterton, telling them that people are preoccupied with things other than the election. She thinks the country has more rugby fever than election fever at the present time, and says there is every reason for that - considering the success of the Lions tour. Miss Clark says somewhere before the end of September there will be an election, and the public has some big choices ahead. Our political editor says the decent lunchtime turnout and strong media contingent are signs the election campaign has begun. Barry Soper says most of the crowd were elderly - a key target group this election with more than 600,000 voters over the age of 65. He says the Government may deny the campaign-proper has begun, but it clearly has today. BRASH DEMANDS ELECTION DATE -------------------------- Don Brash is demanding the Prime Minister hurry up and give an election date, claiming the public is sick and tired of the games. The National leader says Helen Clark has had people believing it will be held in late September, but now she appears to be fuelling talk of an August weekend. He says when it does come time to go to the polls, voters should reciprocate the lack of respect that is being shown to them. But Dr Brash does not believe he is playing the same games he accuses Miss Clark of, by not releasing his party's tax policies. He guarantees people will have enough time to digest the policy before the election. Dr Brash argues he can only respond to the Prime Minister, who is dictating the game. She is today spelling out the issues she believes will determine the election outcome. Helen Clark has told a Masterton campaign meeting it will all come down to whom voters believe they can trust. She believes people want straight talking from the politicians, and says long hard experience has shown Labour it needs to say what it is going to do, and stick to it. Helen Clark says if you can do even more than you promise, that is a great thing. POLICE LIFT WOMAN'S BODY FROM BUSH ---------------------------------- Police are attempting to remove the body of a woman from bush in an Auckland suburb. A homicide investigation has been launched in Hillsborough, after the woman's remains were found 200 metres off Waikowhai Road this morning. Police say they have no idea who the woman is, and cannot yet identify her age or race, or say whether she was fully clothed. Our reporter at the scene says police will use a cherry picker to extract the body. She says they are being very careful not to interfere with any evidence that may be in the immediate vicinity of the body. Police are mystified by the discovery, made just after 8am by passers-by walking a dog. The death is being treated as suspicious because of the position of the body. In the meantime an appeal is being made to anyone with a friend or relative who is missing to call police. SCIENTIST DEFENDS TIMBER SPRAY TREATMENT ---------------------------------------- Scientists who tested the timber surface spray which has revived leaky building fears say it works, when it is used properly. The Government has ordered a review into the T 1.2, over concerns that it does not prevent rot. Scientist Mick Hedley tested the product and says it works fine. He says the problem is there are conditions attached to its use, which are not getting through to builders. Mick Hedley says the bottom line is timber framing should not get wet in buildings. He says all these types of treatments are just a last line of defence. MAN REMANDED OVER STABBING INCIDENT ----------------------------------- A 31-year-old Gisborne man has been remanded in custody over an alleged stabbing incident on Sunday. He is facing wounding with intent to cause grievous harm charges. The 31-year-old victim is in a stable condition recovering from numerous stab wounds. Police say the two knew each other. The case will come before the Gisborne District Court again on Monday. TEEN HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO DO ------------------------------ A Lower Hutt boy missing since yesterday morning has been found safe and well. Police were concerned for his safety, when the 14-year-old walked off without his medication. Detective Sergeant Carolyn Crawford says the boy, identified only as Dylan, was located a short time ago at a friends house in Wellington and he is fine. She says the boy disappeared after a minor disagreement with his family. TERROR JITTERS IN CAPITAL ------------------------- Terrorism jitters are rife in Wellington. The Police Specialist Search Group has been called out three times today to investigate three packages left unaccompanied in the central city. Each incident ended with the item being declared harmless. Sergeant Dave Rose says these incidents provide a timely reminder following the London bombings that people should not leave things like bags or boxes unattended in public. WOMAN ARRESTED OVER "BABY MOSES" DEATH -------------------------------------- A woman has been arrested over the death of a baby, whose body was found in Hastings early this year. A newborn baby - given the name 'Moses' by police - was found dumped behind the Christian Community Church in Heretaunga Street on the 4th of January. DNA samples were taken from a number of woman who were spoken to during the initial police investigation. Police say it is thanks to those DNA tests that the parents of the baby have now been identified. A 24-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with concealing the dead body of a child.\ She has been bailed, to appear in the Hastings District Court on Thursday. Police say the woman was living near the church grounds at the time the baby's body was found. Wednesday, 13 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FRAUDSTERS GIVE QUEENSTOWN BAD NAME ----------------------------------- Police are concerned that some tourists are giving Queenstown a bad name. Constable Sean Drader says police arrest up to two visitors a week, on charges of lodging false theft complaints for insurance purposes. He says the growing problem is bumping up the resort's crime statistics, making it look like a bad place to have a holiday. BOMBING CONDOLENCES FLOW IN --------------------------- A book of condolences at the British High Commission in Wellington for the victims of the London bomb attacks has attracted more than 150 messages of support. Spokesman Brian Nicholson says most mission ambassadors visited the commission soon after the tragedy. The book will remain open until Friday and Mr Nicholson says Wellingtonians are welcome to visit the Commission at 44 Hill Street. CLANDESTINE DRUGS LAB BUSTED ----------------------------- Police have busted a clandestine drugs laboratory in central Nelson. The operating laboratory was found when police raided a Totara Street house shortly before eight o'clock last night. Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Wood says the most worrying aspect of the find was its closeness to Victory School, and it is fortunate it is the school holidays. Two men, aged 29 and 39, face charges relating to possession of Class A controlled drugs and chemicals. A 38-year-old woman is charged with allowing premises to be used for drug related offences. EMAIL SENDER IDENTIFIED ----------------------- A parliamentary worker has been identified as sending inappropriate e-mails to police addresses. The General Manager of the Parliamentary Service Joel George says five inappropriate e-mails were sent from Parliament. The parliamentary e-mailer was identified in a police audit. Mr George says while the contents of the e-mails were not objectionable, they were inappropriate and the parliamentary worker has been spoken to. He says because it is a matter for investigation and possible disciplinary action, he will not be making any further comment. COUNCIL BUYING LAND ON WAIHEKE ISLAND ------------------------------------- The Auckland City Council is spending more than $12 million dollars for land on Waiheke Island. Mayor Dick Hubbard says the land at Matiatia, the main arrival and departure point for the ferries, is a strategic purchase to be funded by short term borrowing and possibly some input from rates. The land was earmarked by Waitemata Infrastructure Ltd for high rise development, but Mr Hubbard says that will now not go ahead. He says the council will develop and operate a car park and lease out land for business development. WOMAN'S BODY UNDERGOING POST MORTEM EXAM ---------------------------------------- The body of a woman found in the Waikowhai Reserve in Auckland yesterday is currently undergoing a post mortem examination. She is thought to be Caucasian, aged in her early to mid 20s. Police are still unsure of her identity and are asking anyone with information to come forward. WOULD BE ROBBER REMANDED IN CUSTODY ----------------------------------- A man accused of holding up staff at a Wellington bank has been remanded in custody. Jason White has appeared in the Wellington District Court this morning on one charge of aggravated robbery. The 38-year-old is accused of entering the Westpac Bank in Karori yesterday afternoon armed with a spear gun and taking more than $3,000. White entered no plea to the charge and will reappear in court in two weeks' time. Police say the bank staff were traumatised by the ordeal and are receiving counselling. HELEN CLARK MAY HAVE TO TESTIFY -------------------------------- The Prime Minister may yet have to testify in the so-called motorcade trial. A hearing will be held in Christchurch next week to decide if Helen Clark and Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton will be called as witnesses. Three police officers, a civilian driver, a police bodyguard and a diplomatic protection squad member face trial on driving charges in the Timaru District Court next month. The trial relates to the high speeds reached by the Prime Minister's motorcade as it raced from Waimate to Christchurch in July last year. BRASS BAND COMES THIRD ---------------------- New Zealand has come third at the inaugural World Brass Band Championship in the Netherlands. Music director David Gallaher is delighted with the achievement. He says the band gave a stunning world class performance and received standing ovations. The championship was won by Switzerland and second place went to Belgium. The Golden Bay Bag Ladies are on an anti-plastics push. On Monday the group will distribute 1700 cloth shopping bags throughout the area to encourage people to stop using plastic shopping bags. Spokeswoman Nicola Basham says the Plastic Bag-Free initiative is designed to reduce waste and pollution. She says New Zealanders are among the world's biggest wasters, using more than three million plastic shopping bags every day, but locals can now can put the cloth bag in their handbag or car so they have it on hand when they do their shopping. Ms Basham hopes eventually the initiative can be taken nationwide. She says the group has approached the Government about the scheme, but has to prove it can work locally before taking it throughout New Zealand. NATS WANT TO RETURN TO 90S HOUSING POLICY ---------------------------------------- Labour claims National wants to return to the housing policy of the 1990s. National wants to resurrect its 'home buy' scheme, which gives low income families a $15,000 suspensory loan to purchase a state house. The loan is written off if the family stays in the house for seven years Minister of Housing Steve Maharey says it just shows the National Party has not learned from its mistakes. He says Labour already has the Mortgage Insurance and Kiwi Saver Schemes and they will soon be making more announcements to encourage home ownership. Steve Maharey says the Labour government is still trying to dig its way out of the hole National put it in the last time around. He says National did not modernise housing and sold thousands of state houses. Thursday, 14 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BODY DISCOVERY TURNS TO HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION ---------------------------------------------- Auckland police have no suspects yet but are treating the discovery of a woman's body as a homicide investigation. Katrina Jefferies' body was found in bush near Waikowhai Road in Hillsborough on Monday. Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley says the forensic team will be out again this morning combing the area where the 22-year-old was found. He says although the exact cause of death is not known, Ms Jefferies suffered injuries to her upper body. Further tests were being carried out overnight. It is believed Ms Jefferies had been dead for no longer than 48 hours when she was found. Mr Whitley says police are getting plenty of information from the family and people that knew Katrina. Waikowhai Road will reopen sometime today. AMNESTY CALLS REJECTED ----------------------- The Labour Department is rejecting a call by vineyard contractors to grant amnesty to illegal workers pruning vines in Marlborough. Marlborough Winegrowers' spokesman Stuart Smith says vineyards do not want to employ anyone illegally in New Zealand, but are short of 1,000 workers to complete pruning before spring and the clock is ticking. He says the department estimates there are more than 20,000 people working illegally and if they were all rounded up and sent home tomorrow the hospitality and horticultural industries would suffer greatly. Mr Smith says contractors are calling for an amnesty to get overstayers working productively in vineyards rather than hiding in other parts of the country. The Department of Labour says it will continue to remove illegal people. GOVT TRANSFERS KAWERAU GEOTHERMAL ASSETS ---------------------------------------- The Government has made a multi-million dollar deal to transfer its Kawerau geothermal assets to Mighty River Power. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says the state-owned enterprise will pay $14 million to the Crown, representing the commercial value of the Kawerau fields. He says Mighty River Power will then on-sell the majority of the assets to Ngati Tuwharetoa Geothermal Assets Limited. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says if Mighty River Power goes ahead with its proposal to build a power station at Kawerau, the geothermal activity could generate 80 megawatts of new energy every year. ERECTION OF LABOUR BILLBOARDS PLAYED DOWN ----------------------------------------- The Prime Minister is playing down the fact that Labour volunteers are being mobilised to begin erecting election billboards on July 24. Helen Clark says there is quite a simple explanation and it does not have anything to do with the yet-to-be-announced election date. She says the date is significant because it's two months out from the latest date that she could hold the election. Winston Peters is the latest political leader pressuring Helen Clark to reveal when the country will go to the polls. DOCTOR WHO TOUCHING DOWN ------------------------ Memories of the world's longest running science fiction show are flooding back for one of the stars as the Tardis gets set visit to New Zealand. Two former incarnations of Doctor Who travel to Auckland next month to give fans an insight into the BBC show. Among them will be the seventh Doctor played by actor Sylvester McCoy from 1987 to 1996. Mr McCoy says New Zealanders can expect a very happy human being to step off the plane because he has always wanted to see the country. He says New Zealanders are in for a real show in August with opportunities to ask questions of the actors and share secrets about the programme's production. CAPILL SENTENCED TODAY ---------------------- The fate of disgraced former Christian Heritage Party leader Graham Capill will be settled today. The 46-year-old will be sentenced in the Christchurch District Court this morning on a series of historical sexual abuses he committed against three young girls between 1990 and 2002. Capill has been in custody since late last month after he entered guilty pleas to the latest raft of charges including indecent assault, sexual violation and rape. Sentencing begins at 10am. MINISTER'S MESSAGE TO FISHERS ----------------------------- The Fisheries Minister says the industry has to take some responsibility for dealing with climate change which has already had such a huge impact on New Zealand waters. It follows a promise by National Party leader Don Brash to save the fishing industry $20 million a year by sparing it from the carbon tax. Minister David Benson-Pope says climate change has created major concerns about the sustainability of some stock, especially deep sea species facing rising temperatures. He says the decline in hoki numbers has already been linked to warming seas. Mr Benson-Pope says fishing companies can access the same grant schemes as other businesses to help offset the costs of the carbon tax. LITTLE KNOWN STIMULANT'S IMPACT ------------------------------- An expert in party pills says BZP is uncommon as a performance enhancer in sport. An unidentified New Zealand athlete has tested positive for the party drug, which contains a banned stimulant. Forensic scientist Kevin Bedford says there is little published information on how BZP could be used in the sporting context. However he says it might help the user in the same way as an amphetamine, to push the limits of endurance. ZIMBABWE PROTEST STILL SCHEDULED -------------------------------- A planned rally to protest over the atrocities in Zimbabwe will go ahead this Saturday despite suggestions of a peace offering. The International Cricket Council has indicated it could waive penalties against New Zealand Cricket if the August tour is cancelled because of a government directive. But spokesman for Global Peace and Justice, John Minto says that does not stop the fact human rights abuses continue in Zimbabwe. He wants the boycott taken up internationally, not just with New Zealand Cricket. The protest in Queen Street, Auckland, will be led by former Zimbabwe cricketer Henry Olonga. SEAWEED ALERT ------------- Aucklanders are being asked watch out for a foreign seaweed threatening coastal waters. Auckland Regional Council says the Asian plant Undaria poses a significant danger to the aquaculture in Waitemata Harbour. The seaweed was first discovered in Auckland last year and the ARC fears it could harm the region's parks. It wants Aucklanders to help them identify how far the plant has spread. The ARC says anyone who sees a golden brown and frilly seaweed should phone 366 2000, as the coastline is the jewel in the crown of Auckland's environment. CAPILL JAILED FOR NINE YEARS ---------------------------- The fate of disgraced former Christian Heritage Party leader Graham Capill has been sealed. In the Christchurch District Court this morning the 46-year-old paedophile was sentenced to nine years in jail. He was sentenced to seven years for rape, three years for sexual violation, to be served concurrently, and two years on the indecent assault charges. The charges relate to offences against three girls between 1990 and 2000. It was revealed Capill himself suffered sexual abuse as a 19- year-old, but his lawyer Jonathan Eaton told the court that was not an excuse for his offending. (Mr Capill apparently sent an email to his supporters arguing that his acts were less severe because they were consensual. With an eight year old? I don't think so. The fact that he can still justify this behaviour to himself indicates a need for a deterrent sentence - BH) GIRL'S GRANDFATHER SPEAKS OUT ----------------------------- The grandfather of one of the three teenage girls killed in Hamilton's Cobham Bridge crash has spoken out about the driver's sentence. Whiti Hepi has been sentenced to seven-and- a-half years in jail, after pleading guilty to three counts of manslaughter. The 21-year-old was at the wheel of the car which plunged into the Waikato river back in February. Hayley Forbes' grandfather Mana says the families of the girls do not think it is fair the burden should rest solely on the shoulders of Hepi. He says they want to see a second man who was involved in the crash, punished. Fifteen-year-old Hayley escaped the vehicle with a badly broken leg, but drowned as Hepi and his male companion ignored her cries for help. CAR SLAMS INTO POLICE VEHICLE ----------------------------- A police car has been involved in a crash near Alexandra. Senior Sergeant Mike Cook says the vehicle was turning right off Earnscleugh Road, when a car smashed into the driver's side. Both drivers suffered minor injuries. The senior constable involved in the crash is based in Alexandra, but is a member of the national Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit. The driver of the other car is a 17-year-old local man. Mr Cook says early investigations indicate the constable is not at fault. AIR NZ CANCELS 16 FLIGHTS ------------------------- Air New Zealand has cancelled at least 16 trans-Tasman flights next week due to a planned strike by cabin crews. The cancellations are part of the airline's contingency plans which will also stop dozens of flights between New Zealand and Asia-Pacific destinations from next Monday. The cancellations affect about 14,000 customers. On average, about 15-20 international flights will be cancelled each day. After two days of mediation ended without agreement, the 1,000-member Flight Attendants and Related Services Association opted to strike. Friday, 15 July ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CAPILL LEFT PAIN AND STRUGGLE FOR VICTIMS ----------------------------------------- A sex abuse counsellor says Graham Capill has left a legacy of pain and struggle behind for his victims. The former Christian Heritage Party leader and police prosecutor has been sentenced to nine years jail for a series of historical sexual abuses committed against three young girls between 1990 and 2002. Counsellor Jude Hill says Capill's sentencing is