WYSIWYG NEWS - 12 July, 2008
news at wysiwygnews.com
news at wysiwygnews.com
Sat Jul 12 12:06:30 NZST 2008
Subject: 12 July, 2008
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------
Copyright, Brian Harmer.
What weather we've been having. The media trots out the
clichéd phrase "weather bomb". Here in Wellington the Weekend
before last, that amounted to a trough passing through,
generating high Southerly winds (150 km/h on Mt Kaukau), hail
and rain, and waves crashing against the Western sea wall
beside the harbour. Motorists going into the city surely
needed a full windscreen washer tank, because one definition
of misery is attempting to drive on a motorway with your
windscreen smeared with salt water. Even worse as the light
fails, and the lights reflecting off the wet road surface
conspire to hide the lane markings. This persisted for much of
the weekend. We were expecting Helen to visit with her
husband, Vasely, and they duly arrived dashing in from the
rain with Tofu, their 8 week old Pug puppy. It was a good
weekend, yet the weather continued to the extent that the
Police issued a warning to avoid the motorway section of SH1
between Johnsonville and Porirua due to the danger of vehicles
being overturned in the extreme gusts expected. I watched in
some trepidation as Vasely's friends decided despite my advice
to take SH2 and go over the Haywards Hill, disappeared up the
Ngauranga Gorge towing a trailer. Happily no disaster befell
them, and they got safely back to Gisborne. Last weekend we
got another dose of truly bleak weather, and the visiting
South African rugby team must have wondered what hit them
(apart from a much better team that is). Spectators in the
Westpac Stadium were wrapped in plastic sheeting and still
managed to look cheerful. For my part, I value my comfort too
much to go out on such a night. I heard a customer in my
optician's today saying that the vast open walkway between the
railway station and the stadium may have a misery factor
surpassed only by the Russian steppes.
I am now on research and study leave, so with some infrequent
exceptions for trans-Tasman travel, I can work from home until
next year and need rarely to go into the city. With petrol at
$2.189/litre, that has to be a good thing! With broadband
access, a good printer, and a VPN connection I have all the
resources I need for writing. I need leave home only for data
collection interviews.
I must apologise for my erratic deliveries in recent times.
The causes for that should be behind me now.
----
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 "GS" will indicate an opinion from our
editorial assistant. 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.
Sponsorship this week is courtesy of Chris Beck in the USA.
Thanks Chris, your help is much appreciated.
----
On with the News.
Monday, 23 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SMACKING PETITION AGAIN HANDED TO PARLIAMENT
--------------------------------------------
They have fallen short once before, but now supporters of a
petition calling for the anti-smacking law to be overturned
are back to try again. Larry Baldock of the Kiwi Party has
today handed to Parliament 390,000 signatures. The petition
fell 18,000 votes short of the 280,00 required earlier this
year, when a number of the signatures were found to be
duplicates or invalid. Mr Baldock says he is confident they
have it right this time, as one in every four of the votes
would now have to be found invalid if they are to fail. He
says they have received 60,000 extra signatures since the
petition was rejected in April. Mr Baldock says the 390,000
signatures represent the largest ever petition for a citizens-
initiated referendum.
NATIONAL TO OPPOSE BIOFUEL LEGISLATION
--------------------------------------
National will oppose the Government's biofuel legislation,
which it claims will drive up fuel prices. Parliament's Local
Government and Environment Select Committee has today reported
back on the legislation. Environment spokesman Nick Smith
claims every additional cent on a litre of fuel costs New
Zealanders $60 million. He says the 2.5 percent biofuels
requirement is estimated to increase fuel prices by 4c a
litre. Dr Smith says it will compound family budget woes and
inflationary pressures, for no environmental gain.
(I suspect that most land capable of growing biofuel crops is
also capable of growing food, and the world needs more of the
latter. There seems to be a groundswell of opinion that the
biofuel industry is a significant factor in the rising costs
of food. Not being an economist, I wouldn't know but it seems
plausible to me. - BH)
CYF URGES COMMUNITIES TO SPEAK UP
---------------------------------
Child Youth and Family is urging anyone who suspects children
are being neglected in their neighbourhood to speak up.
Central regional director Lynda Angus says while reporting of
neglect has improved in general, sadly there are still cases
like one in Porirua where three children were regularly seen
by neighbours scavenging for food, but no one alerted
authorities. The children's mother has been sentenced to eight
months home detention after pleading guilty to three charges
of cruelty to a child. Their stepfather is already in jail
serving five and a half years for ill-treating them. Ms Angus
says neighbours sometimes say they did not know who to tell,
but that is no excuse. She says there are many professionals
in the community who have made a commitment to pass on any
such concerns to the right authorities, including GPs, nurses,
teachers and police.
NO SIMPLE METHOD TO OFFSET STOCK EMISSIONS
------------------------------------------
The Government's proposed emissions trading scheme will impose
significant costs on agriculture according to the latest
National Bank Rural Report but establishing forests to offset
farm carbon emissions is not straightforward. The report finds
that sheep, beef and deer industries will be the hardest hit
by the scheme. Kevin Wilson, the bank's rural economist, says
there are no definitive answers about the economics of
establishing a new forest to offset annual farm emissions and
sell carbon credits. The report says carbon is a commodity
with markets still developing, and the price can be very
volatile. There is also a significant ongoing policy risk,
both national and international. The report concludes that any
decisions to change land use for carbon farming needs careful
analysis to understand the very long term implications for the
farm business.
COUNCIL DEFENDS GANG INITIATIVE
-------------------------------
Porirua's deputy mayor is standing by a council decision to
spend up to $100,000 to help gang members back into work. The
City Services Committee has voted to support the WINZ
sponsored scheme which initially involves employing five
Mongrel Mob members to clear scrub. Deputy mayor Litea Ah Hoi
says while the initial workers do have gang affiliations, the
scheme aims to help anyone into work who has been unemployed
long term. She believes it is a positive way to engage with
gang members. She says gang members are part of the community
and the council's role is to look after the social wellbeing
of the community.
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AVERAGE RENT PRICE DROPS TO $295
--------------------------------
The national median rent level has dipped by $5 a week, to
$295. The figure comes in the latest quarterly report on the
residential rental market by Massey University's Real Estate
Analysis Unit. Spokesman Bob Hargreaves says the drop is
unexpected, given rents had been rising steadily last year and
at the beginning of this year. He says the drop-off in the
volume of house sales of around 50 percent compared to last
year appears to reinforce renting as the better option.
RUSH ON TREATY SETTLEMENTS
--------------------------
National is casting a sceptical eye over a rush of Waitangi
Treaty settlements being reached by the Government. A half
billion dollar forestry settlement for North Island iwi is due
to be signed tomorrow. National Leader John Key says it is
happening now because Labour has had such a woeful record on
treaty settlements over the past eight years under past Treaty
Negotiation Ministers Margaret Wilson and Pete Hodgson. He
says the current Minister, Michael Cullen, has been brought in
to resolve issues and counter the growing popularity of the
Maori Party.
(So, the implication of the record being "woeful" is that
insufficient were settled. Can the government be
simultaneously at fault for doing too many and too few? - BH)
ALUMINIUM UP, AND GOING HIGHER
------------------------------
The price of Aluminium rose to its highest level in more than
three-months today. Expectations are for further gains as the
market prices in rising energy costs. The price touched
$US3,169 a tonne, a gain of about 25 percent since the
beginning of this year. Prices are only about $US150 from the
record high seen in May 2006.
WINE HARVEST A BUMPER YEAR
--------------------------
The dry weather has created a bumper year for the wine sector.
Delegats Group has lifted its profit forecast by two million,
to $18.5 million. That is due to a 45 per cent increase in
this year's harvest. Business correspondent Roger Kerr says
the yield was 20 percent more than expected. He says storage
facilities were badly stretched over April and May, with
poorer quality grapes having to be dumped to make room.
Nationally the grape harvest was up 39 percent on the previous
year.
ARC STRIKES RATES AT 4.95 PER CENT
----------------------------------
The Auckland Regional Council will spend more on public
transport and take up a new role in regional tourism
development, but it comes at a cost. The ARC's latest Annual
Plan has been adopted. It results in an average 4.95 per cent
rates increase. Chairman Michael Lee says the rates increase
is similar to the past three years and reflects the annual
increase signalled in the council's ten-year plan.
MYTH SURROUNDS FLU VACCINE
--------------------------
Health officials are wanting to debunk the popular myth you
can catch the flu from the vaccine designed to guard against
it. About 22 people die from influenza in New Zealand each
year. Group Director Nicky Turner says people need to take the
disease seriously, and make sure they have all the right
information about being protected. She says one of the key
myths is people believing they have caught the flu from the
vaccine. Dr Turner says the vaccine is made up of protein, and
has no live strains of the disease. The influenza vaccine is
free for people over 65, and anyone with a long-term health
condition. The National Influenza Strategy Group vaccination
campaign ends on Monday.
(I got mine without ill-effect, but I have colleagues who
swear they experienced flu-like symptoms within days of having
the shot. - BH)
NEW INDEX QUANTIFIES COST OF ILLICIT DRUGS
------------------------------------------
A research company has come up with an index that quantifies
the social cost of illicit drugs in New Zealand. Police asked
Business and Economic Research Limited to develop the index,
which has taken about six months. It calculates the total harm
of illicit drug consumption for the 2005/06 year, and also
calculates the harm or cost per kilogram for each type of
drug. BERL economist Ganesh Nana says it allows police to
measure the harm they have avoided each time they make a
seizure of an illicit drug. He says it is not just the harm
caused by the drug user themselves, but also caused by people
associated with them, along with costs like medical treatment,
road accidents and extra policing. The data shows the total
harm of illicit drug consumption for the 2005/06 year was $1.3
billion.
(Such quantifications usually seem to contain so many
assumptions that they are not useful to the understanding of
the ordinary person - BH)
ANTI-SMACKING LEGISLATION WORKING
---------------------------------
The country's largest children's community organisation says
new police data on the anti-smacking legislation should
silence the critics. The review of the amendment to the Crimes
Act, covered a six month period to April this year. In that
time no one had been prosecuted for smacking, although three
people had been prosecuted for "child assault." Barnardos
chief executive Murray Edridge says the review clearly shows
police are not picking on good parents. He says police and
courts are exercising sensible judgement, and using their
discretion under the law change.
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BIOFUELS "NOT SOLVING CLIMATE OR FUEL CRISIS"
---------------------------------------------
Aid agency Oxfam has released an international report slamming
biofuels, which it says are not solving the climate or fuel
crisis. The "Another Inconvenient Truth" report says biofuels
are adding to food shortages and inflation, hitting the
poorest people hardest. Oxfam calculates rich country biofuel
policies have dragged more than 30 million people into poverty
and contributed up to 30 percent to the rise in global food
prices. It says motorists using biofuels in New Zealand will
see a sign at service stations saying it has been sourced from
Indonesia, but that sign will not tell them that indigenous
people have lost their home to a palm oil plantation.
DISTASTE AT LAB TESTS PROPOSAL
------------------------------
A proposal to force Auckland patients to pay for their own lab
tests if they are referred from a private specialist is being
met with distaste. The suggestion is part of a consultation
exercise the region's three district health boards are
considering. Southern Cross Healthcare Group chief executive
Ian McPherson says it is an outrageous shift of costs from the
public system to private patients. He says it would mean
people who take out health insurance or pay for their own
elective surgery and would be penalised. Mr McPherson says if
the proposal goes ahead, insurance premiums will increase.
(This is already in force at Wellington and Lower Hutt, and is
proposed for Otago. - BH)
CONTACT WITHDRAWS PROJECT HAYES APPEAL
--------------------------------------
Contact Energy has withdrawn its Environment Court appeal
against Meridian Energy's Project Hayes windfarm in Otago. It
was concerned transmission constraints in the lower South
Island would restrict the amount of energy the two companies
could send north. That could result in it spilling valuable
water from its Clutha hydro stations. Meridian is welcoming
the move. The two companies have agreed to join forced to push
for the need for an upgraded transmission system with the
Electricity Commission and Transpower.
TEARS FLOW AS HISTORIC TREATY DEAL SIGNED
-----------------------------------------
Maori wiped tears from their eyes at Parliament today as
around half a billion dollars worth of forestry and assets was
handed over to seven central North Island iwi. Treaty
Negotiations Minister Michael Cullen told a packed Beehive
Banquet Hall that it is a tragedy of the nation's history that
the Crown failed to uphold its part of the bargain, since the
Treaty of Waitangi was signed 160 years ago. He says it failed
to deliver on its obligations of partnership and respect and
failed to deliver equality and protect the rights of Maori.
Prime Minister Helen Clark is commending the efforts made by
those in reaching the agreement, saying she and her colleagues
came into politics to address injustice and effect
reconciliation. She is thanking Maori for walking the path
with them to reach today's historic settlement.
NATS MAKE SUPER PLEDGE TO ELDERLY
---------------------------------
National is making a commitment to the retired that
superannuation will keep up with the cost of living. Leader
John Key made the pledge in a speech to Grey Power members in
Upper Hutt today. He says National is absolutely committed to
maintaining national superannuation payments at a minimum of
66 percent of the average wage. Mr Key says he puts his name
behind the assurance, promising his party is looking to
improve the financial situation of elderly New Zealanders.
(Short of some unexpected scandal, I would be astonished if
this is not the next PM. This should not be read as an
endorsement. Rather, it is a statement of my belief that
Labour have irretrievably lost a huge amount of public support
- BH)
BUSINESSES EXPECT TOUGHER TIMES
-------------------------------
The majority of Auckland companies believe their business
situation will deteriorate further. The latest Auckland
Chamber of Commerce survey shows 70 percent of them expect
costs to continue to rise and only 34 percent believe they
will be able to increase prices. Almost half of them expect
profits to decline. Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett
says firms are pinning improved fortunes on an early interest
rate drop, something that is obviously out of their control.
SUPPRESSION ORDERS STIFLE CRITICAL REPORT
-----------------------------------------
The Government wants to release a report into the death of a
20-year-old woman who was killed in a car crash by a man on
parole. The report is expected to criticise police,
corrections and probation staff for enabling the man to be on
the loose at the time of the crash. Suppression orders prevent
any names being made public. A spokeswoman for State Services
Minister David Parker says the minister received the report in
December last year. She says he wants to release the report in
the fullest form possible, but the suppression orders mean he
cannot. The spokeswoman says Crown Law is seeking a High Court
hearing date to have the suppression orders reviewed.
(It all came tumbling out the following week - BH)
ANOTHER FUEL TAX FOR AUCKLAND
-----------------------------
The Auckland Regional Council is hopeful it can introduce a
regional fuel tax by July next year. Chairman Mike Lee says
public submissions on the proposal closed in May and more than
two-thirds support a tax, if it goes towards the
electrification of Auckland's rail network. He says the
council has to wait for Parliament to pass enabling
legislation, which is before the House. Mr Lee says ARC has
fulfilled its part of the agreement, because it has asked
Auckland if it wants the tax and Auckland has said yes.
NESTLE SELLS TO FONTERRA
------------------------
Nestle has sold its yoghurt and dairy dessert business to
Fonterra. The agreement becomes effective on September the
1st. Under the agreement, Fonterra will also acquire the long-
term rights to manufacture, market and sell Nestle yoghurt and
dairy dessert brands in Australia alongside its existing
brands, creating a new competitive presence.
PETROL TAX FOR TRANSMISSION GULLY
---------------------------------
A further petrol tax or road toll is being touted as the best
way to make up the funding shortfall for Transmission Gully.
Transport Minister Annette King has announced planning for the
controversial road, which is expected to cost just over a
billion dollars, can now move to the next stage. The
government has already committed 405 million dollars to the
project, which will re-route parts of State Highway 1 inland,
but the onus is now on the region's authorities to pick up the
shortfall. Lower Hutt mayor David Ogden says at a time of
increasing fuel prices, another petrol tax may not be popular
with the public, but five cents is a drop in the bucket.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IMMIGRATION SERVICE FEELING THE STRAIN
--------------------------------------
The Immigration Service admits it is feeling the strain. Along
with the Department of Labour, it is currently subject to four
separate official enquiries relating to the Mary-Anne Thompson
affair. Department of Labour chief executive Christopher Blake
says the inquiries are having an impact on operations. He says
the reviews are unsettling for staff, as the overwhelming
majority do an excellent job. Mr Blake says none of the
department's managers are happy about the lapses that have
occurred.
ACC TO INCREASE VEHICLE LEVY
----------------------------
Petrol prices could again be on the rise, but this time the
cause is a little closer to home. The Accident Compensation
Corporation is expecting the average cost of treating a person
injured in a car crash to increase by almost $10,000 this
year. So it is increasing its levy across all vehicles from
Tuesday next week. Fuel companies say they will have to pass
on the increase, which is just over 2c a litre, plus GST.
SIX MONTHS VISA-FREE IN UK TO REMAIN
------------------------------------
New Zealanders will continue to have six months of visa-free
access to the UK. The British Home Office announced the move
overnight. Prime Minister Helen Clark says it follows
extensive consultation, after Britain announced a review of
its immigration policy which could have seen New Zealand's
visa free period cut to three months. She raised the issue
personally with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and there
has been intense lobbying to the Home Office by our High
Commission in London.
(Apparently there is a special provision for academics. While
I think this is a good thing, I am intrigued that it exists -
BH)
NEW RULES FOR SECURITY INDUSTRY
-------------------------------
New laws are being drafted for the security industry.
Associate Justice Minister Clayton Cosgrove says there are
several main areas of reform planned. They include extending
licensing requirements to cover bouncers, bodyguards, and
private security staff. The legislation will also require
private security staff to undertake training if they are
involved in guarding property or persons, or keeping order. Mr
Cosgrove says a dedicated enforcement body would also be
established to ensure the sector complies with the new
regulations.
NELSON GETS HUGE RATES INCREASE
-------------------------------
One of the country's single largest rates increases has
formally been cemented in this morning. The Nelson City
Council has adopted its annual plan for the coming financial
year, along with an 11.95 percent rates hike. The rates rise
is an average of around $200 a year, or a little over $4 a
week. A group of about 30 Grey Power and Nelson Residents
Association members, some carrying protest placards, sat
silently in the public gallery of the council chamber as the
increase was confirmed by councillors - 11 votes to one.
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE TAKES NOSE-DIVE
-----------------------------------
It may not come as much of a surprise that consumer confidence
has taken a nose-dive to a 17 year low. The Westpac-McDermott
Miller consumer confidence index fell 15 points in the June
quarter to 81 percent. That is its lowest level since the 1991
recession. Westpac senior economist Donna Purdue says the high
cost of living is playing a key role, but she says it is not
all bad news, with Fonterra announcing a much better than
expected dairy payout for the 2007/8 season.
(There is a certain degree of self-fulfilment in this
prophecy. Every time they tell us that we are more
pessimistic, we tend to believe them. Guess what happens next
time they ask us! - BH)
NO KIWISAVER TO MORTGAGE DIVERSION JUST YET
-------------------------------------------
Banks will not take applications from people wanting to divert
part of their Kiwisaver contribution to their mortgage, for at
least another month. As of July 1st, those who have been in
Kiwisaver for 12 months can apply to have part of their
contribution diverted to a conventional loan to help reduce
their debt. But the legislation excludes all loans with a
revolving credit facility, where consumers can add to and take
away from the debt at their leisure, which some people have
attached to their mortgages. Bank Association spokesman Alan
Yates says banks are holding off while Inland Revenue revises
the wording of the legislation.
BONUS FOR UNION WORKERS ONLY
----------------------------
National claims Ministry of Social Development workers who are
not with a union are missing out on bonuses those affiliated
with a union are getting. MP Judith Collins says she has been
told by a staff member that union members are receiving a 750
dollar bonus this year and other workers are receiving
nothing. Mrs Collins says most people would expect bonuses to
be paid to an employee for performance, not for joining a
union. Judith Collins says the bonus to union members also
appears to coincide with election year, as similar bonuses
have been paid out in 2002 and 2005. Social Development
Minister Ruth Dyson says the matter is up to the Ministry's
chief executive.
(The other point of view - not necessarily mine - is that the
non-union members should not expect benefits negotiated by the
unions on behalf of their dues paying members - BH)
NO STATE HOUSING FOR GANGS
--------------------------
New Zealand First wants gang members living in state houses to
be booted out, and those on waiting lists to be struck off.
Housing New Zealand is investigating complaints from some
tenants that gang members are living in state houses and
causing trouble for their neighbours. MP Pita Paraone says it
is just not on. He says gang members are the type of people
who should not be encouraged to occupy state assets.
JOHN KEY'S COMMENTS INSULTING TO MAORI
--------------------------------------
Comments by John Key which appear to ignore the Maori land
wars of the 19th century are infuriating Maori. Just hours
after the signing of the country's largest ever treaty
settlement, the National leader said that New Zealand's a
country that has come together peacefully. Maori Affairs
Minister Parekura Horomia says the comments are beyond naive,
given the events of the 19th century with land wars,
confiscation and deaths. He finds them unbelievable. Parekura
Horomia says it is insulting for the comments to be made on
such a significant day for Maori.
(To be honest, I think other politicians are gleefully leaping
on a cynical media beat-up. I am not part of Mr Key's natural
support base, but anyone who can read for more than three
consecutive sentences understood that Mr Key was saying that
the treaty came about without war or conquest. The fact that
warfare erupted afterwards is undeniable, but that is not what
he was talking about. - BH)
Friday, 27 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMMISSIONER COULD OVERSEE MARITIME ZONE
----------------------------------------
The Government says proposals aimed at regulating activities
in the maritime exclusive economic zone are a positive move.
Legislation is being drafted that will set up a consents
regime to manage activities such as seabed mining, marine
farming, power generation, and carbon capture and storage.
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard says creating a
commissioner to manage the regime is also proposed. He says it
might well slow down some organisations who are relying on
doing damage to New Zealand's ecosytem, as well as charging
them for a consent process.
WAREHOUSE DOWNGRADES EARNINGS FORECAST
--------------------------------------
The Warehouse Group has downgraded its expected after-tax
earnings by approximately 10 percent. It is now predicting
between $84 million and $88 million for the year ending July,
including reversal of warranty provisions of $7.2 million. The
previous range was $94 million to $98 million. The Warehouse
Group says the key contributing factor to the revision has
been a marked downturn in consumer spending since the latter
part of May. It says it has significantly reduced the
company's sales and margin expectations for the remainder of
this financial year.
ENGLISH UNSURPRISED AT DROP IN ECONOMIC GROWTH
----------------------------------------------
National is not surprised at latest figures showing negative
economic growth. Data released today shows GDP fell 0.3
percent in the March quarter National's finance spokesman Bill
English says the numbers were expected as households have been
hurting and businesses struggling. He says most people know
the economy is at a standstill and is probably going
backwards. Mr English believes the economy is pretty resilient
but says the task is now to do the things needed to get the
nation through the downturn and back on a growth path.
GDP FIGURES SHOW SHRINKING ECONOMY
----------------------------------
Confirmation the economy has shrunk and household spending is
down. Statistics New Zealand has released GDP figures for the
March quarter showing economic activity fell 0.3 percent. It
follows a rise of just 0.8 percent in the December quarter.
Spending by New Zealand households was down 0.4 percent.
Drought in many parts of the country is being blamed for a 5.6
percent drop in agricultural activity. This latest result
means the economy grew three percent in the year ending March.
PROPOSED TERTIARY FEE LEVEL CAP 2.6 PERCENT IN 2009
---------------------------------------------------
The Government has proposed tertiary fee cap levels for 2009.
The fee maxima rates set a maximum level at which
universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary education
providers are able to raise student fees. Tertiary Education
Minister Pete Hodgson says next year's fee maxima is set to be
2.6 percent. The figure will be finalised after sector
consultation concludes next month.
(The squeeze on university budgets is astonishing. Extra money
has to come from somewhere if we are to simply stand still. -
BH)
CONTACT CONFIDENT ABOUT WIND FARM
---------------------------------
Contact Energy is confident it will get the green light to
build a massive wind farm. The listed company has applied to
Environment Waikato to build a $2 billion wind farm on 17,000
hectares of isolated farmland south of Port Waikato. The 218
turbines will stand 150m high. Jonathan Hill, Contact
spokesman, says the Resource Management Act can make the
application process lengthy but he is confident it will be
approved and the project can be completed by 2015. He says
there has never been a better time to build a wind farm, given
low water levels in the hydro lakes. The project will be able
to produce enough power for 250,000 homes.
BUDGET CARRIER FORCED TO RAISE FARES
------------------------------------
Pacific Blue says the continuing rise in jet fuel prices has
forced it to increase fares. Prices are rising by around two
percent on many of the company's international routes and by
one percent on some domestic flights, but other domestic fares
will actually drop as part of a fare review. Pacific Blue's
Commercial General Manager, Adrian Hamilton-Manns, says
because the airline is low-cost, the company is making the
move reluctantly. He says such increases are a commercial
reality, with jet fuel now costing $US165 a barrel compared to
$US90 a year ago.
KUMARA PRICES RILE GREENS
-------------------------
The Green Party wants the Commerce Commission to investigate
grocery prices. The Greens say they have received information
from a supermarket industry insider showing that in April,
consumers were being charged a mark up of 195 percent on the
price of kumara and 286 percent on pumpkin. Green MP Sue
Kedgley questions whether Foodstuffs and Progressive
Enterprises are monopolising their market position with high
prices. She says the companies control about 95 percent of the
market and the time has come for them to open their books to
the public and prove they are not monopolising the market with
high prices.
Monday, 30 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NATS WANT THE EMPHASIS ON SPORT
-------------------------------
National wants funding for anti-obesity programmes to be
redirected into getting children into sport. Leader John Key
has released the party's policy on children and sport, an
issue he says is a priority. Mr Key says schoolchildren could
do with a bit more sport in their lives, and he is concerned
at the number of overlapping Government programmes aimed at
encouraging people to eat healthier and exercise more. He says
a National Government would bring re-prioritise Government
funds currently dedicated to a host of "bureaucratic" anti-
obesity campaigns.
BUILDING CONSENTS DIVE
----------------------
The number of consents sought for building new houses has
taken another dive. Statistics show there were 1,653 new
housing units authorised in May, down 669 from the same time
last year. It is a decline of almost a third. Statistics New
Zealand spokeswoman Kathy Connolly says it is a nationwide
trend, with only three out of 16 regions showing an increase
in building consents. She says building consent numbers are
quite volatile so it is not uncommon to see large movements,
but a drop of a third is reasonably high.
MAJOR SHAKE-UP LOOMING IN MEAT INDUSTRY
---------------------------------------
A $220 million deal has been proposed between two major
players in the meat industry. Rural services company PGG
Wrightson wants to buy a 50 percent share in Silver Fern
Farms, which was formerly known as PPCS. The companies say
they would work together to lift the earnings of New Zealand
meat producers. They say the partnership would create an
integrated supply chain "from plate to pasture," with every
stage geared to meeting the needs of meat consumers around the
world. The companies say their relevant parts would work
together on a complementary basis. PGG Wrightson would provide
access to advisory and other services inside the farm gate,
and procurement for prime and store stock. Silver Fern Farms
would provide its processing capacity, technology and
expertise in logistics, marketing and branding. The deal is
subject to a number of proposals.
FLEXI HOURS COME INTO FORCE TOMORROW
------------------------------------
New legislation comes into force tomorrow, giving employees
with dependents the right to flexible working hours. The bill
was drafted by Green MP Sue Kedgley, who hopes the new
employment right will see flexible working arrangements become
a legitimate and productive working arrangement as opposed to
being viewed as a favour. Ms Kedgley says similar changes in
Britain led to a culture change and she hopes the same will
happen in New Zealand.
(As far as I can see, this legislation is surrounded by so
many ifs and buts that it is almost toothless. - BH)
NEW FACILITY OFFERS MORE RECYCLING
----------------------------------
Auckland now has the most advanced recycling centre in the
Southern Hemisphere* as a new materials recovery facility
opens in Onehunga today. Using an array of screening
techniques and optical sorting devices to separate recyclable
materials, the centre is capable of sorting up to 80,000
tonnes of recycling every year, allowing people in Auckland
and Manukau to put a wider range of recyclable products into
wheelie bins. It is hoped recycling can increase by 25
percent.
(The most/biggest/best/fastest **** in the Southern hemisphere
is a claim that should always be distrusted. It usually means
that we asked in Melbourne and Sydney, and if we did unusually
thorough research, we asked about Adelaide and Perth. I would
usually guarantee that no inquiries were made in the great
cities of Sao Paulo, Santiago, Lima, Buenos Aires, Rio de
Janeiro ... I cringe at the cultural insecurity to prompts such
fatuous claims, even in the few cases where they are true -
BH)
Tuesday, 1 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAY RISES COME INTO EFFECT FOR TEACHERS
---------------------------------------
Thousands of teachers are receiving pay rises from today. It
follows the successful settlement of a number of collective
agreements last year. The agreements, which were among the
largest ever set of pay deals in the education sector, were
negotiated by the education union NZEI Te Riu Roa. They impact
more than 30,000 kindergarten, primary teachers and principals
and deliver a four percent annual pay increase for up to three
years, depending on the agreement expiry date for each group.
Many early childhood teachers, as well as non-teaching early
childhood staff, will also be receiving increases. The four
percent increase will bring the starting salary for a
beginning primary school teacher for example, to $42,642.
FOOD AD RESTRICTIONS BEING PHASED IN
------------------------------------
A system restricting some food ads during children's
television shows is being phased in from today. The Children's
Food Classification System has been developed by the
Television Broadcasters' Council, which represents the major
free-to-air broadcasters. The classification system is based
on the one used for the catering of food in schools and
applies during programming hours aimed at children aged five
to 13. The initiative consolidates an agreement made between
broadcasters and the Government last year.
DHBS BREACHED GOOD FAITH IN JUNIOR DOCTOR TALKS
-----------------------------------------------
District Health Boards have been found to have breached their
good faith obligations in talks with junior doctors. The
Employment Relations Authority has ruled the DHBs should have
provided information to substantiate their claim junior
doctors were being offered a deal consistent with the one
senior doctors were offered. Junior doctors began negotiating
with DHBs in June last year. The authority has ordered the
boards to supply the requested information to an independent
reviewer within 21 days.
KIWISAVER EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS IN 1ST YEAR
------------------------------------------
More than 700,000 people have now signed up to the
Government's KiwiSaver scheme. The savings programme turns a
year old today and the Government is celebrating the sign up
rate, which has been far greater than first anticipated.
Finance Minister Michael Cullen says latest figures have
718,000 people using KiwiSaver, well ahead of the 275,000 that
had been forecast. He says on average 1,969 people joined
KiwiSaver each day in its first year.
MAP SHOWS NZ'S MOST DEPRIVED AREAS
----------------------------------
A map showing New Zealand's socioeconomic landscape has been
released by the Ministry of Health. The Atlas of Socioeconomic
Development in New Zealand shows the differences between the
21 District Health Boards. It shows parts of the Bay of
Plenty, East Coast and Northland are the most deprived. In the
South Island, parts of the West Coast are the most deprived.
Health and Disability Systems Strategy deputy director-general
Deborah Roche says the deprivation scale is determined by
variables like income, family support, employment and
transport. She says the map is used to monitor inequalities
and to determine funding formulas for DHBs.
LINK BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND OBESITY
--------------------------------------
A New Zealand study has found a link between anxiety disorders
and obesity. The research from Otago University in Wellington
involved nearly 13,000 New Zealanders. Lead investigator Dr
Kate Scott says people with obesity are more likely to have
certain mental disorders. Dr Scott says research into
emotional eating could explain the nature of the link. She
says people eat in response to negative emotional cues like
depression or anxiety, rather than eating because they are
hungry. Dr Scott says if people are eating in response to
emotions, it is likely to lead to weight gain.
USE POSTCODES OR MISS OUT ON DISCOUNTS
--------------------------------------
As of today, New Zealand Post business customers have to use
postcodes if they want high-volume discounts. The two-year
transition period is over and businesses that do not fully and
correctly address their mail will pay significantly more to
have it delivered. New Zealand Post CEO Peter Fenton says
around 20 percent of mail is incorrectly addressed. He says
working with business customers to ensure correct addressing,
means they can take costs out of their process and ensure
accurate and reliable delivery.
PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL OVER TO SHAREHOLDERS
-----------------------------------------
Meat and Wool New Zealand believes farmers should own more
assets in the meat industry. PGG Wrightson wants a 50 percent
stake in Silver Fern Farms, formerly known as PPCS, in a deal
worth $220 million. Silver Ferns Farms is a Dunedin
cooperative with 9,000 farmer suppliers. Mike Petersen, Meat
and Wool NZ chairman, welcomes the move to restructure the
industry, but says the final shape of the deal lies with
farmers. He says there is no doubt such a type of ownership is
starting to become commonplace in the industry and may be the
way of the future. Mr Petersen says it is not up to him to
make recommendations about the proposal, as it is now a
company and shareholder issue. The scheme needs approval from
75 percent of shareholders. He is dismissing claims the price
of meat in New Zealand will skyrocket because of any deal. He
says New Zealand consumers pay the price set by international
markets and the price locally would only rise if there was an
increase in the cost of meat overseas.
OFFICIAL RAIL HANDOVER TODAY
----------------------------
The country's rail operations are now back in the Government's
hands. The $665 million takeover of Toll Holdings' rail and
Cook Strait ferry operations came into effect at midnight. It
is the first time the Government has controlled the rail
operations since the National government privatised the
business in 1993. National has attacked the rail buy-back,
claiming the true cost of the deal might actually be closer to
$1 billion. The handover will be officially marked by Prime
Minister Helen Clark and Finance Minister Michael Cullen at a
ceremony at the Wellington Railway Station this morning. They
will announce the governance and management structure of the
rail operation, with former Prime Minister Jim Bolger widely
tipped for the role of chairman.
Wednesday, 2 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMMERCE COMMISSION REVISES GUIDELINES
--------------------------------------
The Commerce Commission is revising the guidelines for
business acquisitions and takeovers. It wants to speed up the
process and improve business certainty for companies seeking
clearance. Commission spokeswoman Paula Rebstock says mergers
play an important role in the market and can benefit the
economy. But she says some mergers might have anti-competitive
effects. One of the high profile mergers is the battle for the
takeover of The Warehouse by Woolworths and Foodstuffs. The
commission says the move will lessen competition, but the two
supermarket chains are challenging the decision which is now
before the Court of Appeal in Wellington.
GANG MEMBERS "BECOMING HARDER TO TRACK DOWN"
--------------------------------------------
Police bosses have fronted up to a Parliamentary select
committee and admitted they need to become more sophisticated
to crack down on gangs. Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope has tried
to clear up recent confusion about the number of gang members
in New Zealand, at the Law and Order Select Committee. He says
police believe there are up to 3,000 gang members in the
community, but they are becoming harder to track down. Mr Pope
says gang members are not putting their hands up to be
arrested, so police need to be more sophisticated with their
investigation techniques. The select committee appearance
comes after The Organised Crime Bill passed its first reading
in Parliament last night. The legislation would double the
jail term for those convicted of being part of an organised
crime group. Police bosses have also been grilled on the
recent spate of killings and violence in South Auckland, with
particular focus on the fatal shooting of Manurewa liquor
store owner Navtej Singh. National MP Chester Borrows says the
ethnic community is worried about the violence and robberies,
with many choosing not to report criminal activity. He says
they feel police do not respond to the ethnic community the
way that they should, or could. But Mr Pope says police are
working with the more than 200 ethnic communities in South
Auckland. He says police are trying to ensure they provide the
appropriate engagement with them.
DEFENCE FORCE LAUNCHES DOUBLE DIPPING INQUIRY
---------------------------------------------
The Chief of the Defence Force has called for an inquiry into
why officers have been double dipping into housing allowances.
Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae has convened a Court of
Inquiry to find out why Defence Force allowances were being
paid to officers who are also receiving an allowance from the
United Nations. He says he wants to determine how the
situation came about and ensure the force is complying with UN
rules. The court has been directed to find out whether defence
force practice was in breach of UN rules, whether officers
knew that, and if so why they continued with that policy.
HUGE BENEFITS FROM ADULT EDUCATION
----------------------------------
Adult and Community Education is good for the economy,
according to research by business advisory firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers. Almost half a million New Zealanders
take part in community-based informal education every year.
The report says the estimated economic benefit to the country
is between $4.8 billion and $6.3 billion and is due to the
fact that most learners have a lower socio-economic profile,
so there is greater added value in investing in them. Margie
Scotts CEO of Adult and Community Education says adult
education is likely to have one of the highest added values of
any community activity, because it focuses on improving
people's productivity. She says for every dollar the
Government puts in, it gets between $16 and $22 in return. The
report found that 409,000 people take part in adult education
each year. In the year ended June 2008, the Government put $66
million into the sector.
REPORT FINDS ONTRACK HAS WORK TO DO
-----------------------------------
The company responsible for managing the country's rail
network has some work to do according to the Auditor-General.
Kevin Brady has released a report into how Ontrack is
maintaining and renewing the rail network. He has found the
organisation has significantly more work to do as its systems,
plans, policies, and procedures are not complete, connected,
or able to be used together when needed. In addition, Mr Brady
says there is not enough information to form a clear picture
of the state of the network and until there is, it will be
difficult to determine effective management options and their
likely costs. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says Ontrack is
responding to the issues raised and accepts it has work to do.
He believes Ontrack's problems are due to a lack of asset
planning in the past, before the Government bought the rail
network back. National's transport spokesman Maurice
Williamson says the findings are a damning indictment of the
way Ontrack is being run. He says if he was a member of its
board he would be tendering his resignation. Mr Williamson
says the Auditor-General's report also leaves huge question
marks over the Crown's ability to operate the newly reacquired
rail fleet.
DESPITE EARNING MORE WORKERS NERVOUS
------------------------------------
Workers are nervous about their future employment amid rising
costs, but are still upbeat about their income. The latest
Westpac McDermott Miller employment confidence index has
fallen eight points to 120.8 in the June quarter. It is the
biggest drop in the four years the survey has been running. An
index above 100 indicates there are more optimists than
pessimists and a number below 100 indicates more pessimists
than optimists. Economist Donna Purdue says the labour market,
which has been the pillar of the economy, is vulnerable to the
economic downturn and many are concerned it will deteriorate
over the next year. Ms Purdue says despite the poll's results,
people are earning more now than they were are year ago, so
remain optimistic about their salaries.
Thursday, 3 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FUEL TAX LEGISLATION PASSES
---------------------------
New legislation allowing regional fuel taxes has been passed
by Parliament. The Land Transport Management Amendment Bill
also merges the offices of Land Transport New Zealand, the
director of Land Transport, and Transit New Zealand into a
single crown entity. The bill passed by 70 votes to 51 with
National, ACT, and Gordon Copeland opposing the legislation.
AIR NZ INCREASING FARES AGAIN
-----------------------------
Air New Zealand airfares are rising again. The increase will
take place from the July 17 in response to continued high jet
fuel prices. Airfares sold in New Zealand for Tasman and
domestic flights will rise by an average three percent while
fares to North America, Asia and United Kingdom will rise by
an average five percent. Deputy CEO Norm Thompson says with
jet fuel now above $US170 a barrel, the airline cannot
continue to absorb the significantly higher cost of fuel. He
says the increase will only partially recover those costs.
UNIVERSITY PLANNED FOR MANUKAU
------------------------------
Plans to build a university campus in Manukau have been
confirmed. Prime Minister Helen Clark and Tertiary Education
Minister Pete Hodgson have announced the Government will give
Auckland University of Technology a $25 million cash injection
to develop the campus, at the old Carter Holt Harvey
headquarters near Rainbow's End. The Prime Minister says
Counties Manukau is home to New Zealand's largest and fastest
growing population of under-25s. She says the campus will help
ensure they get every opportunity to realise their career
aspirations.
COMMUNICATION THE KEY TO RELATIONSHIPS
--------------------------------------
She nags and he does not listen. Those age-old complaints have
come through in a survey by Relationship Services which shows
78 percent of couples experience some form of ongoing
disagreement. Spokeswoman Hillary Smith says the same topics
seem to occur again and again and include money and financial
security, housework, or time pressures. She says some people
react to arguments by becoming curt or heated which often
leaves the issue unresolved. Ms Smith says it is important to
maintain a relationship by keeping to talk and staying
connected.
BROADBAND MEETING IN ROTORUA
----------------------------
The spread of broadband to rural New Zealand is being
discussed in Rotorua today. The Telecommunications Users
Association is holding a two day symposium on how to make the
vision happen. TUANZ CEO Ernie Newman says broadband will
probably start to be laid in rural areas within the next
couple of years as it is at last being seen as a significant
economic change that can be brought to farmers. He says the
Government has recently announced a $75 million rural
broadband fund to help the cause.
Friday, 4 June 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UNIVERSAL STUDENT ALLOWANCE "SMART BANKING"
-------------------------------------------
Student leaders are adamant the allocation of allowances
should not be judged on parents' income. The New Zealand Union
of Students Associations has launched a campaign promoting
independence from debt by increasing access to student
support. Co-president Paul Falloon says student debt is
increasing by one billion dollars each year, which is totally
unsustainable. He says a universal student allowance is smart
banking and an investment in New Zealand's future. Mr Falloon
says the Government must take action now to prevent more
students heading offshore.
ARC WELCOMING FUEL TAX LAWS
---------------------------
New legislation allowing regional fuel taxes will not be
welcomed by motorists, but has pleased authorities in
Auckland. The law was passed last night and Auckland Regional
Council chairman Mike Lee says it means the region can finally
have an electric rail system. He is congratulating politicians
for making the decision at a time when petrol prices are
already sky high. He says the five cent increase will be
gradual, with the first cent being added to a litre of petrol
next July. Mr Lee says the aim is to have the tax fully
implemented by the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
TEACHERS PLEASED WITH ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVE
----------------------------------------------
The Government's new anti-bullying initiatives are getting a
pass mark from the primary teachers union. Schools will be
required to put in place programmes to cope with bullying and
students will be given resource cards listing ways they can
deal with situations and keep themselves safe. A new website
called 'Team Up' also offers advice for children and schools.
NZEI national president Frances Nelson says the Government has
acknowledged just how serious bullying is. She says the cards
in particular are a great idea, as children often forget what
resources are available to them. Ms Nelson says parents and
the wider community have a huge role to play in identifying
bullying and the new initiatives recognise that.
TRUCKIES ON THE MOVE
--------------------
The first of the truckers involved in this morning's
nationwide protest are beginning to arrive into city centres.
The drivers are protesting about the unexpected rise in road
user charges for diesel vehicles and thousands of rigs from
Dargaville to Southland are taking part. Around a dozen trucks
have already arrived in the CBD in Auckland and are lining
Queen St from Karangahape Rd to the Town Hall. Roads in the
region were busy early this morning as commuters took heed of
warnings to leave home in plenty of time, but wet weather
caused a number of minor crashes on the motorways, causing
delays. At least three crashes have been recorded on the
Southern Motorway and one on the North Western. Taranaki
truckies are taking a different approach to the protest.
Spokesman Tom Cloke says the drivers want to minimise
disruption to motorists, and rather than blocking traffic,
they are holding a go-slow by reducing their speed. In the
Wellington region, Inspector Simon Perry says motorists should
expect delays of at least 90 minutes. In Christchurch,
truckers are gathering in Kaiapoi in the north and at the
Riccarton Race Course as they prepare their convoy into the
city. Dunedin police are out in force. Around 35 extra
officers are on duty and will try to divert traffic away from
the protest route.
GROUP WANTS MORE MONEY FOR POOR FAMILIES
----------------------------------------
A child lobby group wants the Government to provide an extra
$60 a week for poor families. Latest figures from the Ministry
of Social Development show the poverty rate has fallen from 17
percent in 2004 to 13 percent in 2007. But Mike O'Brien from
the Child Poverty Action Group says more than 160,000 children
are living in poverty and their plight is getting a lot worse.
He says it is unfair that families on benefits are not
entitled to the Working for Families subsidises and is
demanding the Government gives all low income families more
money each week. Mr O'Brien says the much talked about
recession is going to cause even more hardship to low income
families.
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. If you want to send a personal message to Brian,
change the country code to nz and send a message
brian.harmer at vuw.ac.xx If you do choose to comment on
something in these posts, please don't send the whole
newsletter with your message. Just trim it back to the
relevant bits. Thanks. Brian.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://wysiwygnews.com/archives/news/attachments/20080712/de05f0c0/attachment.html
More information about the News
mailing list