WYSIWYG NEWS - 21 July, 2008
news at wysiwygnews.com
news at wysiwygnews.com
Mon Jul 21 22:31:24 NZST 2008
Subject: 20 July, 2008
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------
Copyright, Brian Harmer.
Working from home on Research leave is interesting, and it has
taken me far too long (almost three weeks) to develop a
productive working routine. Sometimes the luxury of just
sitting and reading research material, with no meetings or
random callers at my office door, feels wrong (as if I am
"goofing off"). By the time I get used to it, it will be back
to the office and teaching again.
On Sunday I had occasion to go out to Upper Hutt for the first
time in about six months, to run a family errand. On the way
back we came along River Road which runs beside a picturesque
stretch of the Hutt River. The water levels were high, and
stretches of it more usually characterised by its wide stone
bed were, on this occasion, filled with turbulent brown water.
As we came near to the Moonshine bridge, I noticed the
recently developed subdivision called "Riverstone" on the
hills above and to the West of the river. I observed to Mary
that I had never been up there, so being the persuasive woman
that she is, she promptly directed me to the turnoff to the
old Moonshine road. Soon we were on the wide streets of
Riverstone. There are no overhead wires which is a good thing.
However, I have a bad skin reaction to neighbourhoods where
the houses are all of a similar affluent price bracket. It
seems just one step short of being a gated community which
really sets my teeth on edge. One of the many things I like
about the Wellington region as a whole is the very diversity
of age and price in its housing stock. The rich and poor are
cheek by jowl in many suburbs, though there are some areas
where it has to be said, that the rich rarely go. New houses
in old suburbs, big houses, cheap houses, new planting, old
trees, narrow streets, broad streets, I just love the variety
of textures both real and metaphorical in the older well
established suburbs. Riverstone has some splendid views over
the upper river valley below, and beyond to the Tararuas and
Mt Climie. However, It could have been a transplant from any
other affluent new development on the planet with a lot of
bland beige coloured architecture uplifted from Northern
California. In perhaps another half century, with a patina of
time and some real families to grow up there, it may become an
interesting place, but for now at least, it does not appeal to
me.
We returned to River Road and carried on South towards Lower
Hutt. Just as we reached Manor Park at the bottom of the
Haywards Hill, we noted how black the Southern sky had become.
Even as we remarked on it, great heavy drops of rain hit the
window, and within seconds we were in the heaviest downpour I
remember. With wipers on high speed and headlights on, still
traffic was forced to a crawl. The rain contained more than a
hint of hail. There was so much surface water that the road
markings disappeared. To drive at anything above 20 km/h was
to risk driving off the road towards the river. By the time we
reached the Naenae turnoff, the rain ceased as if some switch
had been thrown, and the sky was a clear and guileless blue
once more. Shades of "The Truman Show". Was there a director
up there somewhere, adjusting the climate on the set? OK, I'm
impressed already!
A special request to readers in Melbourne or Brisbane: If you
are one of those people who has some autonomy in your work,
and you have the freedom to work away from the office, at home
or elsewhere, with the aid of technology such as laptops or
cellphones, then I would love the opportunity to meet you when
I come to Melbourne in August or Brisbane in September, for
the purposes of my research.
Equally, if you are someone who is the manager of such people,
I would be delighted to hear from you. In fact, if you fit
either of those categories and could find time to talk to me
via Skype, I would like to hear from you no matter where you
are in the world. If you can help me (and I would be truly
grateful) please email me in the first instance: brian.harmer
(at) vuw (dot) ac (dot) nz
----
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 Jim Justesen from
Minnesota. Thanks Jim, I appreciate the support.
----
On with the News.
Monday, 7 July 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRICE OF PETROL UP ANOTHER 6C
-----------------------------
The price of fuel has been increased again. BP was the first
to increase the prices of petrol and diesel by 6c a litre,
followed later by Shell and Caltex. 91 is now selling for an
average of $2.18.9 a litre.
(At the time of posting this, 91 has now dropped back to
$2.10.9 per litre - BH)
NEW ELECTORAL ROLLS PRINTED
---------------------------
New electoral rolls have just been printed and officials are
urging eligible voters to make sure they are on them. The
Electoral Enrolment Centre has released preliminary electoral
rolls containing details of registered voters. Electoral
Enrolment Centre national manager Murray Wicks says people
should check their details and make sure they are enrolled. He
says if your details do not appear, then you are not enrolled.
CITY FOLK KEEPING WALLETS ZIPPED UP
-----------------------------------
Rural areas are dominating the growth in electronic spending.
New figures from New Zealand's largest electronic payments
provider Paymark, shows $3.2 billion was spent across its
network in June, up just 3.9 percent on the same period last
year. Paymark CEO Simon Tong says the main centres have been
well and truly overtaken by rural regions in terms of
electronic spending growth. In the April, May, June quarter
the West Coast had 13.8 percent growth, compared with Auckland
which had just six percent. He says there have been plenty of
reasons for people to their tighten belt, including rising oil
prices and warnings from the Reserve Bank but consumers are
expected to start spending again once the weather warms up.
However, Mr Tong says it is hard to predict what sort of
spending levels will be reached. June is historically the
month with the slowest growth rate of the year.
TRIAL PERIOD HAS MERIT SAYS ANALYST KERR
----------------------------------------
A business analyst says National's plan to give small business
owners the option of putting new staff a 90 day trial period
before deciding whether to keep them on has merit. The party
is due to release its small business policy in the coming
weeks, however the trial period for businesses with fewer than
20 staff has already been revealed. The 90-day trial would be
voluntary National's Finance spokesman, Bill English, says the
period would give both bosses and employees a chance to see
whether they are fitted to the new job. He says for small
businesses, the decision to take on someone can be risky, so
the trial period would give everyone an option to see how it
goes. Mr English says the scheme would be voluntary, with both
the employer and worker agreeing to the probationary period.
Business analyst Roger Kerr says the initiative would allow
employers to dismiss staff within three months if they were
not up to the job and workers would not be able to take a
personal grievance claim. "(Employers) often prefer not to
take the risk of employing people as the cost of getting rid
of them if they can't do the job is just too high. Certainly
in my opinion the legal risk and cost of preventing someone
from being employed is a bit of a sad case for both parties
really." Mr Kerr believes it would be a rare case for an
unscrupulous business to abuse the system.
(Oh good grief! "Conquering other people is a good thing"-
Genghis Khan. Why is it news that Roger Kerr believes this? -
BH)
NAT'S TAX CUTS STILL ON THE CARDS
---------------------------------
National is vowing to press ahead with its promise of tax
cuts, regardless of the worsening economic outlook. The first
round of the Government's tax cuts for workers comes into
effect on October 1, which is likely to be during the election
campaign. National is planning to release its tax policy in
the first week of the campaign. Finance spokesman, Bill
English, says the current economic slowdown would not force
him to abandon plans for tax cuts. He says there may be some
short term fiscal consequences, but they would be worth
bearing, to gain longer term benefits. Mr English says
National wants tax cuts to provide improvements in incentives
to work and save, and those benefits could take three to five
years to realise.
MORE TALKS ON ROAD USER CHARGES DUE
-----------------------------------
The organisers of Friday's nationwide truck protest over an
increase in road user charges are happy with the progress
being made on the issue by the government. More than 5,000
trucks created havoc for motorists in most parts of the
country following the unannounced increase in the tax for
diesel-powered vehicles Tony Friedlander from the Road
Transport Forum met with the Ministry of Transport after the
protest. He outlined the industry wants a review of the way
road user charges are calculated, but he did not ask for the
increase to be revoked, as he says it would be very hard to
"unscramble that egg." Mr Freidlander says another meeting has
been scheduled for this week, before a meeting with the
Minister Annette King on the July 14.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LISTENING SERVICE FOR ABUSE VICTIMS
-----------------------------------
Steps are being taken by the Government to help those who have
suffered abuse in state-run facilities, but they do not
include financial redress. A confidential listening and
assistance service has been created. It has been born out of
issues raised by former mental health patients who have
complained of abuse cases while in state care. Internal
Affairs Minister Rick Barker says it the service will not have
any role in compensation, as that would change the nature of
the service too dramatically. He says compensation is also a
role for the court. Mr Barker says the service gives victims
an opportunity to tell their stories.
GOVERNMENT HINTS AT NEW HOUSING INITIATIVE
------------------------------------------
The Government is hinting at a new housing initiative. A
slowing economy is putting pressure on the construction
sector. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says there could be
some Government involvement in housing construction. He says
with the heat coming off the construction sector, the
Government may have the opportunity to think about being more
expansive in promoting housing development. The Government is
already piloting a shared equity scheme where home owners
jointly own their houses with taxpayer funding.
STUDY SUGGESTS RECESSION ON ITS WAY
-----------------------------------
The latest survey provides more evidence that the economy is
heading for a recession. Independent consulting and
forecasting organisation NZIER believes New Zealand is heading
for three consecutive quarters of negative economic growth,
the technical indicator that the economy is in a recession. It
shows business confidence was deeply negative but steady at a
33 year low. Firms' own outlook deteriorated in the second
quarter, suggesting the economy is in recession. A net 64
percent of firms expected general business conditions to
deteriorate in the next six months, the highest net pessimism
reading since December 1974, and unchanged from the previous
quarter. Institute chief executive Brent Layton says the
economy is shrinking, but there is strong, persistent
inflationary pressure. He says the Reserve Bank will be wise
not to immediately lower interest rates even although real
economic activity is slowing.
(I saw a commentator on TV who predicted the present global
downturn suggesting that, although NZ still has more economic
pain to come, it may be cushioned to some extent from the
worst symptoms such as those he predicted for the US. - BH)
ENERGY MINISTER WELCOME RISE IN HYDRO LAKES
-------------------------------------------
Energy Minister David Parker is heartened at the better state
of the country's hydro lakes. The latest figures show storage
levels are above 60 percent, a more than 10 percent increase
from when a power savings campaign was launched last month.
David Parker says things are now much better than they were
three weeks ago. He says barring some sort of extraordinary
incident, such as a long term failure of a thermal generator
in the North Island, the situation is much better.
AMBULANCE SERVICES LABELLED INADEQUATE
--------------------------------------
Ambulance services are inadequate, according to the
Parliamentary Health Select Committee. The MPs particularly
mention concerns that one-person crews respond to 70 percent
of emergency calls outs in some areas of the country. They say
they feel that may result in less-than-best care for the
patient and raise safety concerns for the ambulance officer.
The committee says all ambulances should be double crewed, but
accepts current shortages of skilled staff make this
impossible in the immediate future. It also wants ambulances
fully funded from the public purse and the service better
coordinated with other health and emergency services.
MAORI WARDENS BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH GANGS
--------------------------------------------
Maori Wardens are meeting with gang members in an effort to
combat crime in South Auckland. A number of suggestions have
been put forward about what is needed to protect the streets,
with one Asian group wanting to hire triad gangs. Maori
Wardens Association spokesman Thomas Henry believes his idea
will be more effective. He says his organisation does not just
work with Maori, and in the last week has in fact had a number
of phone calls from the Asian community. Mr Henry says Maori
Wardens are able to work with people that police and private
security firms cannot get to. He says Maori Wardens have built
some trusting relationships with gangs, and often discuss
community concerns. Mr Henry says the community has to come
together to deal with crime, no matter what background they
come from.
VOLUNTEERS AGAINST BEING ARMED
------------------------------
The nationwide group Community Patrols of New Zealand is not
ruling out the idea of an extension of their powers to help
police fight crime, but says arming volunteers is going too
far. There have been calls for armed vigilante groups in South
Auckland after a string of violent crimes, three recent fatal
incidents were against Asian people. Community Patrols NZ has
more than a hundred patrols around the country working closely
with local police. Spokesman Robert Fowler says they have had
great success in reducing crime in their own neighbourhoods,
but arming volunteers is out of the question. "I think it's a
road to a lot of trouble. In fact, I would think, one of the
reasons a lot of Asians left their countries was because they
were run by triads and gangs." Mr Fowler says similar groups
overseas have the power to do things such as issue tickets and
if New Zealand police wanted that sort of help, Community
Patrols would gladly provide it.
(Good. - BH)
SECURITY GUARDS WOULD MEAN RATES RISE
-------------------------------------
Rates in Manukau City could increase if a proposal that for
the council to employ mobile security guards gets the go
ahead. On Saturday, more than 10,000 people took part in a
march through the suburb of Botany Downs organised by the
Asian Anti-crime Group to protest against rising violence
following three recent homicides in the region involving Asian
victims. AACG is gathering signatures for a petition to
Parliament demanding tougher sentences. Councillor Dick Quax
wants the council to hire private security guards to patrol
South Auckland's streets. His colleague Michael Williams
supports the proposal but says residents have a serious choice
to make. Mr Williams says crime appears to be increasing and
with the Government reluctant to do anything about it, it is
time for council intervention. He says there are not enough
police in the city, so it is up to the council to do something
about crime. The council would need to raise rates to fund the
proposal.
NATS ACCUSED OF WANTING TVNZ PRIVATISED
---------------------------------------
The Government is describing National's broadcasting policy as
a stalking horse for privatisation. National is proposing to
remove TVNZ's $15 million of charter funding and allocate it
to New Zealand On Air. That would make the money accessible to
other broadcasters and production companies. The policy is
only a page long and has no details on future funding plans
for any of the state broadcasters but Broadcasting Minister
Trevor Mallard claims it is a policy that says National does
not want TV to be special or promote New Zealand's identity.
"They're saying it's to be the same as every other TV station
which is clearly a forerunner on privatisation." Mr Mallard
says National is essentially destroying the reasons for
keeping TVNZ as a state broadcaster, however National's
Broadcasting spokesman Jonathan Coleman says the plan gives
TVNZ a transparent and honest policy to operate under.
TEACHERS AGAINST NATIONAL'S TRIAL PERIOD
----------------------------------------
The primary teachers' union believes National's 90 day trial
period for new workers will do nothing to address the
country's skills shortage. The party wants employers with
fewer than 20 staff given the option of using a probationary
period, but NZEI National President Frances Nelson says the
policy is unfair as it would allow employers to have the power
to dismiss new employees without recourse to personal
grievance protections. Ms Nelson says it would have profound
implications on professional career development and exacerbate
teacher supply and shortage issues by deterring people from
applying for jobs, especially those already working elsewhere.
She says many teachers change jobs and schools for promotions
but National's policy would hamper career advancement because
applicants would be reluctant to move to a new job where there
was no certainty of employment. Ms Nelson says it would make
it even more difficult for small, rural or remote schools to
attract experienced staff. She says there is a huge skill
shortage in New Zealand and the policy will do nothing to keep
people in the country. NZEI represents 49,000 principals,
teachers and education staff.
(In the interests of balance - ref my earlier remarks about
Roger Kerr's opposition to this same legislation - I think
this is equally predictable and therefore equally un-
newsworthy - BH)
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMPLAINTS UPHELD OVER TARGET
-----------------------------
The Broadcasting Standards Authority has upheld two complaints
against the consumer affairs programme Target. The first is
over an episode which featured the level of formaldehyde used
on imported clothing. The show used the wrong testing method,
resulting in a random sample of clothing having 900 times the
safe levels of the potentially toxic chemical. The second
related to the filming of caregivers, which was found to be
intrusive and obtained through misrepresentation and
deception. Target has been told to issue apologies for both
and pay $4,000 in costs.
NEW ZEALANDERS PLAN TO TURN TO CREDIT TO COPE
---------------------------------------------
One in four New Zealanders believe they will have higher debt
levels three months from now. A new survey from Dun and
Bradstreet focuses on the country's expectations for credit
applications, credit usage and debt performance over the
September quarter. Spokesman John Scott says 31 percent of
families with children have indicated they will turn to credit
cards to pay for items they otherwise could not afford. He
says it highlights that consumers are struggling to pay their
bills, because of rising fuel costs, increased food prices and
general expenses being pushed up. Mr Scott says people should
always talk to their credit provider about setting up a
payment plan, and if individuals are in debt they need to
address the situation head on. He says payment defaults are
listed on a consumer's credit file for up to seven years. Key
findings: 24 percent of New Zealanders expect to have higher
debt levels in three months. Families with children and people
under 50 are showing the most significant signs of problematic
credit card use. New Zealanders earning less than $30,000 and
those with children have the highest expectations of missed
bill payments in September quarter. Credit demand is strong,
particularly for those aged between 18-34
PRISON OFFICERS' UNION WANTS TASERS
-----------------------------------
A Corrections officer who was viciously attacked at Rimutaka
Prison in Upper Hutt on Friday could lose his sight in one
eye. The Corrections Association is calling for prison guards
to be armed with Tasers after the assault which left the
officer in a serious condition suffering skull fractures.
Beven Hanlon, Corrections Association president, says it was a
particularly cowardly attack. He alleges a prisoner sneaked up
on the officer and bashed him over the head with the end of a
broom. Mr Hanlon claims serious assaults on prison staff
happen all the time, but the Corrections Department sweeps
them under the carpet. However, Paul Monk from the department
says despite an increasing prison population, serious assaults
have decreased dramatically. Police are investigating the
latest incident and the Corrections Department has launched an
internal investigation.
CALL TO REMOVE BLASPHEMY LAW
----------------------------
Rationalists are urging the Government to follow Britain's
example and take blasphemy off the law books. From this week
blasphemous libel will no longer be a crime in the UK. The New
Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists says the
charge gives religious doctrine special protection that other
ideas and beliefs do not have. The group says the crime is a
threat to freedom of speech.
(I think that the present law still serves a useful purpose.
Regardless of your attitude to the existence of God - I happen
to be a believer - the law at least creates a barrier to the
most extreme examples of giving of gratuitous offence to those
who do believe. On the other hand I can remember no case when
a charge was brought under this legislation. Lloyd Geering was
tried in the context of the Presbyterian church, and not under
the ambit of NZ law. - BH)
DR WARNS PREGNANT WOMEN AGAINST DRINKING
----------------------------------------
A leading paediatrician believes foetal alcohol syndrome is
the most common cause of mental retardation in New Zealand.
Child Youth and Family is investigating a heavily pregnant
woman who Tauranga police found drunk after an eight hour
binge session. Police are unable to lay charges against her
because there is no specific legislation in place. Dr Simon
Rowley from Auckland Hospital says unfortunately the unborn
child has no rights in our society. "So we can't dictate to a
mother how she should behave when she's pregnant. We can
advise her, but we can't legislate against her. This includes
taking other sorts of drugs as well, such as narcotics." Dr
Rowley says it is not safe for pregnant women to take any
drugs or drink any alcohol, because it is not known how much
of a substance is needed to damage a foetus. He says there
needs to be a public programme to educate women about the
dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant. "We should also, I
think, have labelling on drink bottles to say that there's no
safe level in pregnancy." Dr Rowley says lead maternity
caregivers must also be telling expectant mothers that alcohol
is not safe for their foetus.
HOSPITAL SAYS IT LET DOWN A CRASH VICTIM
----------------------------------------
Christchurch Hospital's Emergency Department acknowledges it
has let down a patient. The District Hospital Board has
apologised to Olivia Sherriff, a young woman who sought
treatment at the hospital after her car was struck by a police
vehicle and smashed into a pole on March 8. She spent a night
in hospital with a broken collarbone and a minor head injury.
But her family was worried that her injuries were more severe
and a GP urged the hospital to take another look at her. It
was found she had a serious break at the base of her skull,
broken ribs, a bruised lung and fractured pelvis. Ms
Sherriff's mother Rhonda has formally complained to the Health
and Disability Commissioner. "Over the weekend, she (Olivia)
was very confused and was talking nonsense. I knew then that
there was significantly more head injury than had become
apparent to staff at the hospital. I took her back to my GP
who immediately signalled that she should never have been
discharged." Mrs Sherriff says once the GP notified the
hospital Olivia was admitted for a week. She says the Accident
and Emergency Department and Intensive Care should be staffed
by fully trained, vigilant staff. "Obviously that's not
happening. In the apology that I got from the hospital it
basically states that they'll send staff off to trauma
courses." Mrs Sherriff says the formal apology was not sent to
her until 10 weeks after her daughter was treated. The DHB
says it is looking at ways of improving services to prevent
similar situations in the future. Chief Medical Officer, Nigel
Millar says initiatives could include checking staff have the
right level of training and ensuring more team work is carried
out. "That's a real challenge at times. It gets busy,
communication can get interrupted and problems can arise that
you weren't expecting. Our aim would be to get one hundred
percent perfection." Dr Millar says aiming for perfection is
ambitious with around 70,000 patients coming through the
hospital's doors every year.
Thursday, 10 July 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FORMER BOSS CRITICISES MOVES TO ABOLISH SFO
-------------------------------------------
The former head of the Serious Fraud Agency is criticising
moves to do away with the organisation he led for 10 years.
The SFO is set to be abolished and its functions merged with
police, to create a new anti-gang organised crime agency.
David Bradshaw says the SFO's role might be able to be
transferred to police, but the skills and capabilities that
can be developed in a specialised agency cannot. He says
abolishing it makes no sense, as you do not disband your most
effective law enforcement agency and reduce its powers under
the guise of getting tough on organised crime. Mr Bradshaw
says either the SFO is a sacrificial lamb to show steps are
being taken in the fight against organised crime, or
alternatively there is a hidden agenda which is yet to be
revealed.
TOUGH TIMES FOR MANUFACTURERS
-----------------------------
Manufacturing activity has slumped to its second lowest level
in six years. The latest BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance
of Manufacturing survey shows the manufacturing sector
weakened in June to reach one of its lowest levels since the
survey began. Business New Zealand Chief Executive Phil
O'Reilly says the past six months have been some of the
toughest for manufacturers in some time, with the possibility
of ongoing contraction for rest of the year. Huge hikes in the
cost of raw materials are squeezing profits while at the same
time sales are stalling. Mr O'Reilly says cash is king and
managing costs are paramount.
(I can't help wondering if the last vestiges of the Union of
Sabre Toothed Tiger Hunters lamented the passing of their
trade, and clung to the hope that it was a cyclic thing which
would bounce back - BH)
TRANSPORT OFFICIALS STUDY ALCOHOL IGNITION LOCKS
------------------------------------------------
Repeat drink drivers may face mandatory breath tests every
time they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Transport
officials are investigating alcohol ignition locks, which
require a driver to pass a breath test before a vehicle can be
turned on, then continue to randomly test the driver
throughout their journey. Transport Safety Minister Harry
Duynhoven says no firm decisions have been made, as there are
a lot of issues to be worked out. Mr Duynhoven points out that
the devices would not stop a drunk driver from using another
person's car. He adds if someone is in a situation that an
ignition lock is needed, then compulsory addiction treatment
might be a better option for them.
MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS SEEKING BUDGET HELP
-----------------------------------------
Budget advice services are under pressure from a new group of
wage earners as the price of basics such as food, fuel and
power keep rising. The Federation of Family Budgeting Services
says previously, mostly people on low incomes approached the
organisation for advice, but now a lot more middle income
earners are needing help. President Maureen Pitman, says
people across the country are coming forward with more complex
cases and a higher level of debt. She encourages anyone
considering increasing their debt to get budgeting advice
first. A survey by credit reporting agency Dun and Bradstreet,
has found one in four people expect to have higher debts over
the next few months. Nearly a quarter of 18 to 34-year-olds
will apply for more credit.
RETAILER FEELS CONSUMER PINCH
-----------------------------
The consumer squeeze is hitting Hallenstein-Glasson's bottom
line. The clothing company reports sales this winter are down
six percent compared with the same time last year. Its full
year profit to the end of August is expected to be $15
million, $6.3 million down on last year. Chief Executive
Shayne Quanchi says the current retail environment is the most
challenging it has been for a number of years. She says there
is fierce competition for consumer dollars because of the
impact of increasing fuel and food costs and higher mortgage
interest rates. As a result, margins are being squeezed and
every effort is being made to control stock levels.
Fortunately our business model is based on high stock-turn, so
we expect to end the season with our stock levels in good
shape. Hallenstein Glasson Holdings? full year result is
scheduled for release on September 24, 2008. Shares in the
company are trading 16 cents lower on $2.53.
(I have never seen so many "SALE" signs, and such big
discounts. I have to remind myself that, no matter how low the
price, it's only a bargain if I really need it - BH)
UNION PUZZLED BY MUSEUM JOB CUTS
--------------------------------
The Public Service Association is criticising the Auckland War
Memorial Museum for shedding staff with years of experience
who could have stepped into new roles. The restructuring has
seen 24 employees leave voluntarily or by mutual agreement and
another 22 being made redundant. Nearly 80 employees have
either kept their current roles or have been given similar
ones, external applicants have taken 20 positions and around
30 jobs are still to be filled. However the total number of
full-time employees and the budget for salaries has not
changed. The museum says the restructuring is being driven by
the need to increase the value and appeal of the museum and to
have a leading team and workplace where the best people want
to work. But PSA spokesman Warwick Jones says there is no
clear explanation as to how disestablishing the jobs will
improve the service offered by the museum.
Friday, 11 July 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSE PRICES CONTINUE TO FALL
-----------------------------
The latest figures from the Real Estate Institute show house
prices are continuing to fall. Median prices dropped by 2.15
percent in June - from $345,000 in May to $340,000. This
latest fall follows on from last month's drop of 1.42 percent.
The biggest June house prices declines were seen in Manawatu
and Wanganui, both down nearly 14 percent. Auckland and
Wellington fared worse than the national average, with prices
falling 2.24 percent and 2.26 percent respectively. Sales were
down again, from 4,372 in May to 4,305 in June and it now
takes nearly two months to sell the average property, with
days to sell up from 49 days in May to 53 in June. National
President Mr Murray Cleland says the market trend is
consistent with the current environment and other key economic
indicators. "As with the latest business confidence
statistics, there isn't a lot of confidence in the residential
property market at present."
NOTHING STUFFY ABOUT NEW EXHIBITION
-----------------------------------
A former US president's three little birds are finally seeing
the light of day in Auckland after being stuck in a drawer for
a hundred years. Auckland War Memorial Museum has been fishing
around in its storerooms and is putting its secrets on
display. Among them are the stuffed birds which were shot in
America by Theodore Roosevelt before he became US president in
1901. The museum acquired the common North American garden
birds as part of a museum exchange. Also on display will be a
frozen baby orang-utan, a gang of giant centipedes, a bald
kiwi and a mystery stuffed moose head which no one knows the
origins of. Curator Brian Gill says there is nothing stuffy
about the exhibition and the objects tell their stories in an
interactive way. The free exhibition, Secrets Revealed: The
backstage mysteries of your Museum, opens tomorrow and runs
all year.
BYPASS ROUTE REVEALED
---------------------
A new preferred route for the Transmission Gully bypass
between the Kapiti Coast and Wellington has been revealed to
the region's road authorities. The route, which is expected to
cost just over $1 billion, starts off at McKay's Crossing and
follows the main road before hitting a steep climb up to the
Wainuiomata saddle*. Paul Bruce a councillor with the Greater
Wellington Regional Councillor says it offers improvements in
terms of the impact on the environment as it now avoids a
patch of native bush in favour of firmer ground heading into
Whitby and fewer hills will have to be cut into. It does away
with an interchange and a large viaduct. Under the old plan,
up to 30 streams had to be crossed but the new route has fewer
than 10. Ninety-three property owners are impacted upon, 30
more than under the previous plan. Construction will take
between four and six years, however funding remains the main
hurdle. Around $275 million has been cut off the original cost
and the Government has committed $405 million but it is not
yet known who will pick up the shortfall. Mr Bruce says
despite the environmental improvements, the bypass should not
be built and the money should be invested in improving public
transport.
(* there are a number of places in New Zealand called
Wainuiomata. This is not the one to the East of Lower Hutt. -
BH)
KIWI FIREFIGHTERS HEADING TO CALIFORNIA
---------------------------------------
New Zealand firefighters are being deployed to California to
help battle the state's wildfires. Around 600,000 residents
have been affected by the more than 300 blazes, which have so
far destroyed dozens of homes. Nine New Zealanders will leave
for California on Sunday, as part of an agreement with the US
to provide help during emergency situations. It will be New
Zealand's fifth deployment to America since 2000. Murray
Dudfield of the Fire Service says the New Zealanders will be
away for five weeks and a decision will be made later, on
whether more firefighters will take part. He says New Zealand
firefighters are well respected by their American colleagues.
CRANE COMPANY OWED THOUSANDS
----------------------------
A crane company has downed tools at the Five Mile development
near Queenstown but is not overly optimistic about recovering
the almost $1 million it is owed. Smiths Crane and
Construction was working on the $2 billion project at Frankton
which was being run by developer Dave Henderson when Hanover
Finance appointed a receiver to recover the $70 million loan
in default. Tim Smith, the managing director of Smiths Crane,
says his company is owed around $900,000 and was supposed to
receive a payment in January but did not. The company is now
not carrying out any further work on the site. Hanover has
been taking action to recover a string of bad debts from
various developments.
REST HOMES DEFENDED AMID CLOSURE
--------------------------------
The union representing rest homes says most establishments do
a very good job and it hopes the public realises that.
Belhaven Rest Home in Auckland has been shut down after a
staff member put tape across an elderly woman's mouth to keep
her quiet. Police and the Ministry of Health launched
investigations last month and Auckland District Health Board
has now terminated its contract with the home. Victoria Brown
from the Association of Residential Care Homes wants the
public to go easy on other rest homes as she says most are
sound. She hopes the worker responsible for abusing the
Belhaven resident is charged with assault. The Ministry of
Health spokeswoman Rose Wall says although the board has only
seen some preliminary findings she believes the DHB made the
right decision to cut ties with the rest home.
MAYOR AGAINST REDUCING BAR HOURS
--------------------------------
Auckland City Mayor John Banks says a proposal to reduce 24-
hour liquor licensing in the city is ridiculous. Police want
all bars and clubs to stop serving alcohol at 3am and a
lockout period from 1am in a bid to reduce violent crime and
have presented their submission to the council. Mr Banks
believes that police should instead be adopting a zero
tolerance approach to drunken behaviour and he will not
support the proposal. He says police should come down hard on
thugs and graffiti vandals instead of punishing all good
people. Mr Banks says Auckland is an international city that
should be open all hours.
Monday, 14 July 2008
NEW ZEALAND'S ELECTION HISTORY MARKED
-------------------------------------
Today marks 155 years since New Zealanders' first trip to the
polling booths. Our first election began on July 14 1853 in
the Bay of Islands, and finished nearly three months later in
Otago on October 1. The NZHistory website has a feature on
colourful election stories to mark the occasion. It includes
tales like that of the most violent election in New Zealand
history in 1879, when 1,500 drunken larrikins wreaked havoc on
Christchurch city as the sun went down.
SHOPPERS TIGHTENING THEIR BELTS
-------------------------------
Retail sales fell 1.2 percent in May, down $69 million,
following a 1.2 percent rise the previous month. Statistics
New Zealand says the decrease was led by the motor vehicle
retailing industry, which fell 14.8 percent or $102 million.
However, core retail sales (which excludes the vehicle-related
industries) rose 0.7 percent or $27 million. Furniture and
floor coverings were down 15.6 percent ($21 million) in May
after a rise of 8.4 percent in April. Of the industries that
had sales increases, supermarket and grocery stores rose three
percent ($35 million), followed by automotive fuel retailing,
up 3.2 percent ($19 million). Among the regions, the largest
decrease in May was Canterbury, down 3.5 percent ($26
million), followed by Auckland, down 1.4 percent ($24
million); and the Waikato, down 2.8 percent ($14 million).
DRUNKEN FIGHTS COSTING MILLIONS
-------------------------------
Drunk young men getting into fights are costing taxpayers
hundreds of millions of dollars a year in hospital bills,
according to a study by two senior Canterbury surgeons
published in the New Zealand Medical Journal. Surgeons Leslie
Snape and Kai Lee say almost half the people requiring facial
surgery are young men aged 15 to 30 who have been injured in
fights. The study looked at more than 2500 cases of facial
injuries over 11 years and found 49 percent involved alcohol.
The Accident Compensation Corporation estimates that last year
a quarter of its $1.7 billion payout was alcohol related,
although that included car crashes as well as violence.
PLAN TO DRAW SHOPPERS BACK INTO CITY
------------------------------------
Businesses in central Christchurch say it is time to take the
gloves off in the campaign to attract shoppers. A $75 million
expansion gets underway this week at Westfield Riccarton,
which will include 45 new stores, a new cinema screen and a
three storey car parking building. Paul Lonsdale from the City
Centre Business Association says his group plans to market
aggressively and point out the differences between the two
shopping destinations. The association was set up to draw
people away from malls and back into the central city.
IRD CRACKDOWN NO SURPRISE
-------------------------
The horticulture sector is surprised that a crackdown by
Inland Revenue Department did not happen a long time ago. The
IRD says 20 contracting companies, mostly in the Bay of Plenty
and Hawke's Bay, are suspected of being involved in a tax
evasion scheme. Matt Johnson from the Kiwifruit Contractors
Association says tax evasion within the industry is rife and
has been going on for many years. He says Inland Revenue has
been doing a lot to try to stop it such as bringing in 15
percent withholding tax, but a lot of the people involved in
the schemes appear to be one step ahead. Mr Johnson says IRD
has already caught up with some of the big players and he
suspects the latest swoop involves some of the smaller
businesses.
TOUGHER PENALTIES WANTED FOR FLEEING DRIVERS
--------------------------------------------
A call for tougher stance against fugitive drivers is being
welcomed by the Sensible Sentencing Trust. The Police
Association wants political support for harsher penalties for
drivers who flee police, including instant jail and vehicle
seizure. It believes tougher penalties would help to prevent
future tragedies such as the death of police officer Derek
Wootton, who was killed last week as he laid road spikes to
stop a stolen car. Garth McVicar from the Sensible Sentencing
Trust says the Police Association hopes the Government will
take firm action. He feels the law and order ticket is the
fastest bus to Parliament and he is confident political
parties will be listening.
(I agree absolutely. Various commentators are quick to
criticise the police. Every chase could be avoided by the
simple expedient of the guy in the car up front putting his
foot on the brake. - BH)
PROPERTY MARKET CORRECTION UNDERWAY
-----------------------------------
The property market has hit its long-anticipated correction.
Quotable Value statistics for June show the property values
grew 0.1 percent in June, down on the 2.4 percent growth
reported in May. The average sale price increased slightly to
$392,436. But QV says only Wellington, parts of Auckland and
some provincial areas are keeping that figure positive.
However, Auckland City buyers are being very discerning,
avoiding potential problem properties such as monolithic
construction. Property values are now less than the same time
last year in many areas, even although average sales prices
have increased across the country. QV spokeswoman Glenda
Whitehead says with market activity slowing dramatically,
consumer confidence knocked by increasing interest rates, fuel
and food prices, the trend of falling property values is
expected to continue. She says the traditional upsurge in
activity in the spring market may reverse the mood of the
winter market, however the issue of home affordability may
dampen any resurgence in the market for a while. Across the
Auckland area property values are 1.0 percent down compared
with the same time last year, driven by a 2.4 percent year on
year decline in Auckland City and a 0.4 percent decline in
both North Shore and Manukau. There are still annual value
increases of 1.5 percent in Waitakere and 0.6 percent in
Papakura, although the rate of growth has been steadily
decreasing in recent months. Hamilton City's values are 2.5
percent down on the same time last year, and Tauranga 1.2
percent down. The Wellington region is still showing a slight
increase on last year at 1.1 percent, although this is down
from the 3.4 percent reported last month. Christchurch
property values are -0.2 percent compared to last year, and
Dunedin has declined further to -4.3 percent. All of the main
provincial centres are showing annual growth rates less than
those reported last month. Property values in Whangarei 1.1
percent, Rotorua 1 percent, Wanganui 1 percent and
Invercargill 9.9 percent are all still above last year, but
continue to trend downwards. Gisborne -3.2 percent, New
Plymouth -3.8 percent, Palmerston North -1.5 percent, Nelson -
0.1 percent and Queenstown Lakes -1.6 percent are now showing
declining year on year property values.
HYDRO LAKE LEVELS INCHING UP
----------------------------
The heavy rain that covered much of the country over the
weekend has brought more good news for the hydro lakes. Levels
have been increasing slowly but steadily since last month's
electricity savings campaign was launched. Rain Effects
hydrologist Dave Stewart says it will take a couple of days
before the full impact of the weekend's rain is known, but
things are looking good. He expects lake levels to have risen
more than two percent. Mr Stewart says if the lakes get
another couple of good rainstorms in the coming weeks as
forecast, the lakes would be getting close to the level they
were at the same time last year, when there were no power
shortage problems.
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
POWER SAVINGS CAMPAIGN TO CONTINUE
----------------------------------
The nationwide power saving campaign will run for another two
weeks. The Winter Power Group says South Island lake levels
are still not high enough. Convener Patrick Strange says even
with rain over the weekend, storage levels are still low at 58
percent. Up to Tuesday 15 July, national power savings reached
a campaign high of 4.9 percent compared to the same time the
previous year. Energy Minister David Parker says the system to
avoid blackouts has been robust. He says it has been an
unusually dry year, and it is thanks to the Electricity
Commission and good industry coordination that the tight
situation has been well managed.
GRANDCHILDREN CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO UK
-------------------------------------------
Young New Zealanders whose grandparents were born in the UK
have been given a reprieve. The British Government has decided
to keep the status quo, meaning New Zealanders with British-
born grandparents will continue to be able to work and live in
the UK for up to five years. It follows a decision last month
allowing kiwis to keep having visa-free access in the UK for
up to six months.
INFLATION HITS HIGHEST QUARTERLY RATE IN 18 YEARS
-------------------------------------------------
Inflation has rocketed to its highest three month rate in 18
years. The June quarter saw prices rise by 1.6 percent,
bringing the annual inflation rate to four percent. It is
fuelled mainly by the price of petrol. Transport costs rose by
almost five percent, with petrol prices rising by 13 percent.
If petrol prices had remained constant for the June year
inflation would have been 2.7 percent. Food prices rose by
just over two percent in the quarter, with housing and
household utilities like electricity contributing just over
one percent.
ROAD USER CHARGE PROCESS TO BE REVIEWED
---------------------------------------
Transport Minister Annette King has met with members of the
Road Transport Forum to discuss the controversial rise in road
user charges. The increase prompted unprecedented protest
action by truckies, with thousands of trucks converging on
towns and cities across the country. The meeting was attended
by Annette King, members of the Road Transport Forum and the
head of the Ministry of Transport. A review will now be
carried out, looking into how road user charges are set and
how costs are allocated for maintaining roads and building new
ones. The review will be completed early next year and will be
part of a wider inquiry into the way the land transport sector
is funded.
PLANS TO GIVE X-RAYS FULL COLOUR
--------------------------------
Researchers at Canterbury University have been awarded a $4.5
million grant in their endeavour to transform black and white
hospital x-rays into full colour. The medical imaging research
will receive the funding over a six year period, from the
Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. Lead
researcher Professor Phil Butler says the Medipix All
Resolution System is still in the research phase, but he is
certain it will be made commercial in the coming years. He
says the development will have a positive impact on health
care because it is expected the machine will be able to detect
abnormalities with greater clarity.
RECORD CHILD ABUSE CASES FOR DHB
--------------------------------
The Canterbury District Health Board has released figures that
reveal the highest number of referrals to its child abuse
service since records began. The statistics show that in the
last financial year, 754 children under the care of the board
were referred to its child protection service because of fears
of abuse. The figures are up more than 20 percent from the
previous year. The DHB's child protection service coordinator,
Sue Miles, says of those cases, 406 were referred to Child
Youth and Family for further investigation. She says the
increases are likely to be because of both a heightened
awareness of child abuse and a growing problem in the
community.
EXPORTERS REMAIN OPTIMSTIC
--------------------------
A survey has found the majority of exporters remain
optimistic, despite poor economic conditions. Freight
transporter DHL's Export Barometer shows 59 percent believe
their export orders will increase in the next 12 months. The
figure is down four percent on last year. But DHL Express
general manager Derek Anderson is pleasantly surprised given
the economic doom and gloom being reported. He says the result
is being led by exporters in the service sector with 65
percent expecting more orders. Mr Anderson says 38 percent of
exporters surveyed are expecting to increase their full time
staff numbers in the next year. One in four survey respondents
intend taking their manufacturing overseas in the next two
years. Mr Anderson says it is viable for exporters to
outsource offshore and they are doing it successfully. He says
China and Australia are the most popular options.
NZ BEEF SUSPENSION LIFTED
-------------------------
Indonesia has lifted a temporary suspension on the import of
New Zealand beef. The country put the ban in place last week
because of concerns over halal labelling and certification.
Labels must be in both the English and Indonesian languages.
Trade Minister Phil Goff held urgent talks with Indonesian
officials yesterday and says he made clear his concern about
what had happened. Mr Goff credits New Zealand's strong
relationship with Indonesia as the reason its government
backed down. New Zealand's meat trade with the world's most
populous Muslim nation is worth around $100 million a year.
MOST BUSINESSES PROVIDE TRAINING
--------------------------------
Ninety percent of businesses have provided some form of
training to their staff in the last two years according to a
survey by Business NZ and the Industry Training Federation.
The Skills and Training Survey also shows companies spent
about 2.5 percent of their payroll on training last year.
Those surveyed were most satisfied with training conducted by
in-house staff, private training providers and industry
training organisations and were least satisfied with
universities and modern apprenticeship coordinators. The
survey also reinforced the need for focussed action on
workplace literacy, with 35 percent of firms surveyed stating
that at least some of their employees had difficulties with
tasks such as filling in forms, understanding safety warnings
or accurately measuring volumes. Manufacturing, construction
and infrastructure firms were most likely to report literacy
and numeric gaps. Industry Training Federation executive
director Jeremy Baker says firms see training as an important
way of improving the quality of their services. He says
training lifts productivity and reduces waste and absenteeism.
Mr Baker says staff also tend to stay with the company longer
if attention is paid to improving their skills.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUSH TO ALLOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA
-------------------------------
Politicians are being urged to allow those with chronic health
problems to use marijuana as a medicine. The Health Select
Committee has been confronted by supporters of a law change
allowing cannabis to be used as a pain relief. Reform
supporter Billy McKee says users are often unemployed and
ostracised by family members for using the drug. Mr McKee says
there are also problems for people having to grow it, when
burglars break in. He says he has had his home burgled 10
times, and his dog killed. Another supporter Will de Cleene
says tolerance of medicinal cannabis may well provide the
message to young people, that it is a medicine, instead of the
illusion of the blind rebellion it currently garners. He says
patients who are having to using cannabis medicinally at the
moment are doing themselves harm, because of the health risks
associated with buying the drug on the black market.
NATS OFFICIALLY RELEASE ACC POLICY
----------------------------------
National has released its accident compensation policy, and as
previously indicated it would investigate ways of opening up
the system to competition. Leader John Key says the experience
of competition in the late 1990s resulted in much lower
levies. He says despite Labour's rhetoric, larger employers
can opt out of the state monopoly and either self insure or
use private providers. The policy will reward employers with
good workplace safety records and penalise those with poor
standards. It will also encourage employers to buy more than
the basic cover.
BANK OUTSOURCING JOBS TO INDIA
------------------------------
The union for ANZ National Bank staff says plans to outsource
237 jobs to India are now final. The proposal was made in
April, but the company has now informed staff of the job loses
from its lending services centre in Auckland and customer
transaction service centre in Wellington. Finsec spokesman
Andrew Campbell says staff are being offered other roles
within the bank, but are angry that the company values cheap
labour in India rather than employing people in New Zealand.
Mr Campbell says sending good jobs to India where they can be
done 75 percent cheaper is simply wrong.
CHARITY AT CHECKOUT "EMOTIONAL BLACKMAIL"
-----------------------------------------
Concerns are being raised about the increasingly common
practice of shoppers being asked to add $1 to their purchase
for charity. Some Wellington shoppers say while they will
always try to support a good cause, they are uncomfortable
being asked the question in front of other shoppers. Some are
even calling it emotional blackmail. Wellington man Hamish
Elliott says he was asked to add $1 twice while shopping on
Sunday. He says he is all for shops collecting for charities,
but has concerns about the way it is being done. Mr Elliott
would prefer a collection tin on the counter. The Warehouse,
Briscoes and Rebel Sport are some of the retailers involved in
the charity campaigns. John Albertson from the Retailers
Association says charities are always looking for innovative
ways to raise money to carry out the good work they do, and
retailers want to support that. Mr Albertson accepts
embarrassment could be an issue if customers are standing very
close to each other. He says that could be solved by
salespeople being a little more discreet.
(I choose my own charities. I have no qualms in saying a blunt
and loud NO! to these arrogant businesses. I resent being
asked in this way. - BH)
INTEREST RATES MAY STAY UNCHANGED
---------------------------------
An economist believes the Reserve Bank will hold the official
cash rate at 8.25 percent when it reviews monetary policy next
week as it is concerned about rising inflation. The annual
rate of inflation has risen to four percent. The Reserve
Bank's target band is between one and three percent. Auckland-
based economist for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Chris
Tennent-Brown, says people wanting some relief in mortgage
interest rates will have wait a little longer.
Thursday, 17 July 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LABOUR QUIET ON UNIVERSAL ALLOWANCE TIMELINE
--------------------------------------------
The Government says it has no timeline for plans to introduce
a universal student allowance. It has been suggested it is
looking at implementing the move in time for this year's
election campaign. A universal allowance would give every
full-time student a weekly payment and it is estimated it
would cost $728 million. But Tertiary Education Minister Pete
Hodgson says Labour's plans are to move progressively over a
period of time towards a universal allowance, not to go
directly to one. Labour successfully boosted its poll ratings
just weeks out from the last election, when it offered
interest free student loans.
NATS WANT EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME REVIEWED
-------------------------------------------
National is urging the Government to follow Australia's
renewed plans for an Emissions Trading Scheme. The Rudd
Government has reiterated it plans to introduce the scheme in
a calm and measured way with households compensated for the
increased costs. National's Nick Smith says New Zealand needs
to give careful consideration to the design of the Australian
scheme, so as not to risk adding to the pressure for
businesses. He is urging that the Emissions Trading Bill goes
back to a Parliamentary select committee for more work. The
Government is struggling to get political support for the
bill, and may not have it passed by the time of the election.
AIR NELSON PILOTS STRIKE FROM MIDNIGHT
--------------------------------------
Pilots working for Air New Zealand's subsidiary, Air Nelson,
are going on strike from midnight tonight until Sunday in
support of a pay rise. Around 10,000 passengers are expected
to be affected. The strike comes during one of the busiest
periods of the school holidays. Group General Manager Short
Haul Airlines Bruce Parton says the pilots' claims are
unsustainable and will add more than $8 million annually to
the airline's costs. He says pilots' claims regarding time off
including weekends, would mean 30 extra pilots would have to
be employed, costing more than $3.5 million a year. Other
claims relating to rostering, pay and allowances would cost a
further $4.5 million. Mr Parton says the increased costs would
have to be passed on through a hike in fares. "We have worked
too hard to make low-cost travel accessible to customers in
regional New Zealand to be forced into having to hike fares so
that 160 pilots can enjoy a longer weekend. That just won't
wash with the average New Zealander trying to cope with higher
mortgage, fuel and food costs.? Mr Parton says that on
average, Air Nelson line pilots work 31 duty hours a week and
the union's claims around time off would reduce that by 20
percent to just 25 hours a week. Mr Parton says Air New
Zealand is working hard to ensure that any disruption to
passengers is minimal.
PHYSIOS: PRIVATISING ACC WOULD CAUSE CHAOS
------------------------------------------
Physiotherapists are warning there would be chaos if National
introduced choice in workplace accident insurance. The Society
of Physiotherapists says when ACC was briefly opened to
competition by National in 1999, patients were caught in the
middle of a "bureaucratic nightmare", as physiotherapists and
providers struggled to see which company covered them.
President Jonathan Warren says patients were so confused about
how to claim coverage for their accidents that they sometimes
gave up in frustration, which resulted in chronic conditions.
He says another increase in bureaucracy and compliance issues
is the last thing the health sector needs. However the
Insurance Council says National's previous move to open ACC to
competition did work. CEO Chris Ryan claims there was a
substantial reduction in premiums, workplace accidents reduced
and rehabilitation increased. He says private insurers
virtually forced a significant number of firms out of business
because their workplaces were so unsafe. Mr Ryan says when
such a scheme is run by a monopoly there is no incentive for
problems to be solved.
AIRLINES CONTEST CHARGES
------------------------
International airlines say they will vigorously contest
charges brought against them by the Commerce Commission. The
commission has filed criminal charges against Cathay Pacific
Airways, Singapore Airlines Cargo and Aerolineas Argentinas.
It claims the companies did not provide information related to
the commission's investigation into allegations of price-
fixing and anti-competitive behaviour in the air cargo
industry. However, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines Cargo
are disappointed the commission has decided to prosecute them.
They argue they have cooperated and have only withheld
information relating to overseas activities based on legal
advice. The airlines say the information the Commerce
Commission wanted falls outside its jurisdiction.
Friday, 18 July 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSES STILL OUT OF REACH FOR MANY
----------------------------------
Houses are becoming slightly more affordable, but people on a
single average income would still be hard pressed to buy one.
Wizard Home Loans latest Affordability report shows the
improvement in June was the biggest in the six and a half year
history of the report. Interest.co.nz prepared the report.
Spokesman Bernard Hickey says a double whammy of falling house
prices and lower interest rates is driving the improvement. He
says right now it takes an estimated 78.5 percent of the
average take home pay to service the mortgage on the median
house, down from 80.6 percent.
MYSTERY PAPERS DUG UP UNDER SUPREME COURT
-----------------------------------------
Mystery still surrounds exactly what is in a 130-year old jar
that was dug up at the site of the new Supreme Court building
in Wellington. Workers at the Lambton Quay site last week
found a glass jar which had been buried by those constructing
the old High Court building in 1879, on a site where the
Supreme Court now sits. Archaeologists have been inspecting
its contents, which appear to be pieces of paper. However
exactly what is written on the paper is unrecognisable.
Experts at Te Papa are now planning to use technology to try
to decipher the writing.
UNIVERSAL STUDENT ALLOWANCE "TEN YEARS OVERDUE"
-----------------------------------------------
Victoria University's student leader says the possibility of
Labour pledging a universal student allowance in its election
campaign is ten years overdue. The Government has crunched the
numbers on the scheme and says it would cost more than $2
billion over four years, allowing 47,000 further students to
access an allowance. Victoria University Students' Association
president Joel Cosgrove says at the last election Labour
secured the vote of students and those attached to them with
its student loan interest write offs. Mr Cosgrove believes
students will probably flock to the polls to vote for Labour
once again if it announces a universal allowance scheme. He
says he will not be among them, describing the idea as "a last
ditch vote-grabbing attempt". The Otago University Students
Association say a universal allowance would go a long way to
relieving the dire financial situation many students are in.
President Simon Wilson says he is glad the issue is on the
agenda again. He says many Dunedin students are living a hand-
to-mouth existence. "In the past three years average student
debt has risen by 54 percent. That's not all loan debt, in
fact loan debt pretty much stayed the same, it's largely
credit card debt and debt with banks, as the cost of living
increases."
(Mr Cosgrove is the fellow who wore the offensive T-shirt to
graduation earlier this year. I find it difficult since then
to hear anything he has to say. - BH)
FUNDING BOOST FOR PHARMACY MEDICINES
------------------------------------
The Government has approved a funding boost for medicines sold
in community pharmacies. The $17 million increase for the next
financial year pushes the total up to $653 million. The
funding is distributed by District Health Boards for
subsidised medicines.
LEAKY HOMES COULD COST $132M IN WELLINGTON
------------------------------------------
Wellington ratepayers could be facing a bill of $26 million
for the cost of fixing the capital's leaky homes. That is from
an estimated total bill of $132 million to repair around 1,200
homes. It is expected a report from Wellington mayor Kerry
Prendergast and Auckland mayor John Banks will go to the Prime
Minister's office today, on behalf of 14 cities most impacted
by the leaky homes crisis. The proposal includes the creation
of a no-fault resolution service where homeowners are only
liable for a quarter of the total repair cost. It would also
include the introduction of cheap or interest free loans for
owners of leaky homes who struggle to pay their repair bills.
Ms Prendergast says the proposal would actually save
taxpayers' money from being wasted in litigation.
PARALLEL IMPORTER FINED FOR MISLEADING QUOTES
---------------------------------------------
A chain selling parallel imported goods has pleaded guilty to
breaching the Fair Trading Act for misleading customers over
prices. A Commerce Commission investigation into Parallel
Imported Limited found that between April 2005 and November
2006, people making enquiries about the prices of goods were
quoted higher prices in-store and on the phone than what was
advertised in newspapers. The company has been fined $15,000.
Spokeswoman Paula Rebstock says many consumers research the
price of goods before they commit to making a purchase, and
they are entitled to expect the price advertised in newspapers
and online is the price they will pay for goods in-store.
FORUM SAYS SPEND ON PROVIDERS, NOT STUDENTS
-------------------------------------------
The Education Forum believes New Zealand would be more
globally competitive without a universal student allowance.
Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson is looking into the
idea, which would cost $728 million a year. Education Forum
policy advisor Norman LaRocque says the money should not be
spent on students, but rather tertiary providers. He says they
could then compete on the world market for better researchers
and develop linkages with industries. Mr LaRocque says
taxpayers already subsidise about 75 percent of the costs of
tuition for tertiary students.
PARTNERSHIP OFFERS NEW SKILLS FOR PRISONERS
-------------------------------------------
Prisoners in Auckland and Wellington are being put to work in
a first-of-its kind partnership between the Corrections
Department and a private company. Under the agreement,
prisoners at the Auckland women's correctional facility and
Rimutaka Prison in Upper Hutt will carry out work for Canon.
They will be responsible for assembling new photocopiers and
dismantling old printers for recycling. Corrections Minister
Phil Goff says prisoners will be able to earn Qualifications
Authority accreditation for the work and Canon will pay the
Corrections Department market rates.
(How long, I wonder, before someone alleges that dismantling
old electronics brings exposure to carcinogens and a claim for
compensation is lodged? - BH)
SOARING GROCERY BILL MAY HARM NUTRITION
---------------------------------------
A nutritionist is concerned about the impact the sky-rocketing
price of food is having on diets, with many families now
buying cheaper, less nutritious options. Nutritionist Tania
Coombs from Ocean Health says as the cost of items such as
dairy products, meat, fruit and vegetables goes up, there is a
temptation to fill the shopping trolley with cheaper foods.
She says items such as soft drinks, white bread and biscuits
are often on special and people enjoy them, but not only do
they lack nutritional value, they can actually deplete the
body of nutrients. Ms Coombs says home cooking can help the
weekly budget stretch further but unfortunately many people no
longer have the skills to cook from scratch.
NO POWER CRISIS NEXT WINTER?
----------------------------
Transpower is cautiously confident the electricity generation
industry will be able to cope with the North Island's peak
demand period next winter as major investment in new
electricity infrastructure gets underway. The Electricity
Commission has revealed that more than $7 billion will be
spent on power generation and transmission over the next four
years. Transpower, which owns and maintains the national
electricity grid, says that level of investment is on a scale
not seen since the 1970s. Patrick Strange, Transpower chief
executive, says the industry has largely worked its way
through the winter with the help of consumers who cut back on
their power use, but the level of investment that is planned
will stand the country in better stead. The new generation
will include geothermal, wind, gas and hydro. Dr Strange says
on average New Zealand needs between 150 and 200 megawatts of
new generation capacity every year to meet the growth in
demand. He says with more than 1,300 MW of new generation
capacity over the next four years, the industry will be adding
significantly to the country's energy security margins. He
says it has been a tough year for the industry and it has
learned a lesson on planning for the unexpected.
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/20080721/54ff37c7/attachment.html
More information about the News
mailing list