Copyright © 1998 Brian Harmer
In due course (only 20 minutes late we boarded the aircraft, which on this occasion was a Saab 340. To my horror, row 2 where I was seated has no windows since it is in line with the propellers, so no view, and intrusive noise, and a very tight pitch, with my knees firmly against the seat in front. Still, it was just an hour, and there was not much else to complain about apart from the breakfast egg being overcooked. As we approached Hamilton, a bit of craning on my part allowed me a glimpse through the windows of row 1 and all that could be seen was a vast expanse of white fog. The aircraft sank into the fog and burst out below into a drizzly grey day.
During my lunch break it was positively belting down, and the main square off Victoria Street was clearly designed with the mistaken assumption that it would never rain. It was quite difficult to get from one place to another while staying dry. A pleasant little coffee bar on Victoria Street did a nice line in shepherd's pie which I enjoyed, and then it was another mad gallop between dry spots back to the scene of my interviews. I finished comparatively early, and was able to transfer to an earlier flight back. As I sat in the utilitarian departure area at Hamilton's airport, I was much struck by the spectacle of young mothers meeting partners of planes, still wearing the gumboots which are a necessary part of the farming life. On this flight, the equipment was an ATR72, on which I had never previously travelled. I don't know if the cabin layout was typical of the breed, but I shall actively seek them out for future provincial flights. There was ample leg room, and the interior was bright and airy. The food was still mediocre, but they had some good wines on offer, though the Cabernet Sauvignon was not a good match for the slab of Louise cake. Cabin noise was but a fraction of the screaming Swede of the morning flight. Regrettably the foul weather had covered much of the island, so there was not much to see. A little congestion in the Wellington traffic pattern saw us in a holding pattern during which we did two relatively tight circuits over Kapiti, and then it was back skidding into the Southerly onto the wet black runway on a dark Friday winter evening.
Monday,17 July
The boss of WINZ has admitted to authorising part of the expenditure for the hire of jets to ferry staff to a conference in Taupo. Christine Rankin says she was misled by a staff member as she signed off the travel costs which totalled one hundred and sixty five thousand dollars. She says this is all she has to say on the matter while the investigation into it continues. WINZ will present the preliminary findings from its inquiry to the Government tomorrow.
A Huntly total immersion school faces the possibility of a hefty lawsuit from parents of students that were allegedly assaulted by teachers. Huntly GP Dr David Gilgen says papers are being filed in the civil court against Rakaumanga Kura Kaupapa's Board of Trustees and teachers. Dr Gilgen says two of the schools students were allegedly assaulted by teachers in two separate incidents last year. He says the parents of the two students are seeking thousands of dollars in punitive damages.
The Health Minister is demanding answers over National Women's Hospital's move to provide luxury maternity care at a cost. Wyatt Creech has sought advice from the Ministry of Health and the HFA over the issue. He says the decision was made by National Womens without reference to him. Mr Creech says women should receive the same high level of care regardless of where in the public health system they are.
A father has told the Napier District Court that his concerns about two students leading his daughter astray at a prestigious private school were ignored. A family is challenging their 14 year old daughers' expulsion from Woodford House in Havelock North 2 years ago following an alleged drugs incident. While being cross- examined by the defence, the girl's father said the school had discounted his concerns about two students as "old fashioned". After his daughter was expelled he claims to have heard of other alleged incidents when drugs were brought to the school. The case continues tomorrow.
Police staff around the country will today be notified of the results of their reassignment under the current police review. Police Deputy Commissioner Barry Matthews says that of the 162 staff who applied for reassignment, 87 are being offered positions. He says staff will be offered the new positions based on their expressions of interest. Barry Matthews says those who have been unsuccessful in the reassignment round will be able to apply for other nationally advertised vacancies or lower level positions. Other options include voluntary severance or leave without pay. Mr Matthews says they hope to have the new positions settled by the end of March next year.
Alliance leader Jim Anderton says "not a chance" regarding the prospect of going into a coalition with New Zealand First. His comments come hard on the heels of Labour leader Helen Clark signalling her party would be very unlikely to do a deal with Winston Peters. Mr Anderton says Mr Peters promised to get rid of National before the next election then was happy enough to hop into bed with them and become deputy Prime Minister. He says he does not "want a bar" of having Mr Peters back in Government.
(And of course Winston has vowed that he will never again go into government with Jenny Shipley ... looks like he will have to get a simple majority :-) - BH)
New Plymouth National candidate Len Jury's campaign is claiming a world first. Mr Jury has released his own stamps to promote his candidacy in the upcoming General Election. He says with the deregulation of New Zealand Post, many clients of private mail are able to issue their own stamps for publicity purposes to use on their own mail. The two stamps, one featuring Mr Jury and his wife in front of New Plymouth's Paritutu rock, and the other showing Mr Jury on Churchill Heights, were unveiled during his campaign launch in New Plymouth today.
(I guess this further illustrates the Mickey Mouse state of our philately industry. Already world collectors are angry that with various regional stamp issues it is nigh on impossible to obtain a complete set of all NZ stamps. This just compounds the issue. _ BH)
A guard at Auckland's Paremoremo prison has been arrested and charged for breaching the Penal Institutions Act. It has been reported he was selling drugs to inmates. He has been placed on special leave pending further inquiries. Prison manager Brett Bestic, says prison staff and police have been working together closely over the past few days. He says any breach of the Penal Institutions Act is regarded very seriously.
Convicted paedophile Bert Potter is to remain in custody pending the release of a Parole Board hearing into his stay at the Centrepoint commune north of Auckland. Potter has made a brief appearance in Auckland's North Shore District Court where he is facing three charges of breaching his parole conditions. He was remanded in custody until Monday. He appeared before the Parole Board earlier this month to contest the conditions which forbid contact with under 16 year olds. The Board's decision is due out at the end of the week and if it finds in Potter's favour he may be released from custody early.
A lucky escape for a New Zealander missing without trace in one of the most dangerous parts of the world. Christchurch man Geraldo Cruz was snatched by bandits on the border of Chechnya two months ago - but he has now been released. Mr Cruz was working for the International Committee of the Red Cross when he was taken hostage in the breakaway Russian republic. New Zealand embassy staff in Moscow say Russian federal security services and the Caucasus organised crime unit secured Mr Cruz's release in what they are calling a special operation... although they will not give details. Mr Cruz was one of about a thousand people being held by kidnappers in Chechnya, many for high ransoms.
WINZ boss Christine Rankin has no fears about a new inquiry into her decision making being launched today. The Government has asked the State Services Commissioner to review Ms Rankin's performance, including the widely publicised affair of aeroplanes being chartered to ferry staff to a conference. Ms Rankin says on that matter she was misled by a senior manager who has now been suspended. She says it is the right step to now bring in the State Service Commissioner and she welcomes the move.
New Zealand salmon exporters have received good news, with the Australian government overturning a 24 year ban on raw salmon imports. Australian salmon farmers have long maintained that imported salmon fillets could carry diseases, and should be banned. But Canadian exporters took the matter to the World Trade Organisation, who put pressure on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to investigate the issue. The AQIS has determined that allowing salmon fillets into Australia would pose a negligible disease risk. New Zealand salmon exporters say it is too early to tell how good the news is financially.
(The Australian salmon farmers point out somewhat bitterly that New Zealand's trout industry is susceptible to exactly the same pressures. - BH)
The Privacy Commissioner says it is about time the Security Intelligence Service was held accountable for its actions. In a move recommended by Commissioner Bruce Slane, the SIS will now have to file an annual report on its activities. It is the first time in its history that it has had to do so. Mr Slane says the department carries out many activities that are not secret and yet they are kept under wraps. He says it is time the public knew more about what the SIS does.
New Zealand First has finalised a set of proposals under which it would support the government's electricity line-company price control bill. The party's energy spokesman, Peter Brown, will meet with Commerce Minister Max Bradford this afternoon to discuss the proposals - with a final decision from New Zealand First due by Sunday. Leader Winston Peters has indicated that a thorough inquiry into electricity pricing regimes might be enough to win his party's support - if it kept its focus on lower prices. However Mr Peters says such an inquiry would need to have the right terms of reference, be conducted by an impartial body and report back within a month.
(The only solution is to put it to the electorate. Dissolve parliament, call a general election. - BH)
A misunderstanding by four Colombian stowaways led them to going half way around the world instead of on a four day trip to Panama. They ended up in the Port of Napier. The men mistook the place of registration - Panama - for the destination - New Zealand. The men were able to hide in an area near the rudder which would normally be underwater because the vessel was not carrying any cargo. Customs Operation's Manager, Cyril Wilson says the men panicked when they could not see land and attracted the crews attention by banging on the hull. The Immigration Department is working out how to send the Colombians home.
(These guys were slung in a net on the outside of the hull! - BH)
An announcement is expected by tomorrow, on whether National Women's Hospital can proceed with its plans to offer luxury maternity services - to those who are willing to pay for it. Standard services would remain in place - but some rooms would get TVs, videos and room service. Health Minister Wyatt Creech says hospitals do have some flexibility - as long as they meet their contracts to provide services bought by the Health Funding Authority. Mr Creech says the government provides a free clinical service to everybody - and as he sees it National Women's is proposing services on top of that.
Latest research out today confirms Central Otago's rabbit population remains well down since the virus formerly known as RCD was introduced nearly two years ago. Otago Regional Council chairperson Louise Rosson says farmers are now dealing with only a few rabbits per square kilometre compared with 60 before the virus. She says monitoring proves the virus is surviving the Central Otago conditions. Louise Rosson says Central farmers have welcomed the positive news.
The Civil Aviation Authority says it is surprised its audit procedures are mentioned in the coroner's report into last year's Foveaux Strait plane crash. The Invercargill coroner found the main cause was the Southern Air plane running out of fuel. He has recommended the CAA improve its audit procedures. CAA spokesman Martyn Gosling says the recommendation has come out of the blue as an inquiry last year found its systems to be world leading. He says he is surprised at the one and a half lines attributed to the CAA in a 64 page report. Mr Gosling says they are happy to take on board the recommendation, but stresses the CAA was NOT mentioned as a causal or contributing factor to the crash
Farmers across the country are cautiously welcoming the possibility of a drought-free summer, after days of widespread rain. Otago, Canterbury and Marlborough, the areas worst hit by drought over the last couple of years, have all experienced substantial downpours. North Otago had up to 80 millimetres over the weekend. Chairman of the Otago drought relief committee, David Shepherd, says they do seem to be on the road to recovery. Farmers in Canterbury and Marlborough say they are also optimistic. However, many of them are still getting back on their feet after the last drought.
A bill seeking to ban pit bull terriers from New Zealand has taken another step towards becoming law. The bill has had its second reading and has been sent to select committee. The proposed legislation would initially see American pit bulls outlawed because they are seen as particularly dangerous, and would be eventually applied to all varieties of the breed.
Visitor numbers for June this year were nearly 88 thousand - up 9 percent on June last year. The number of Asian visitors climbed by 17 percent. In the year ended June 1.54 million people visited these shores - up 6 percent on the previous 12 month period. However in terms of long term arrivals and departures we are continuing to lose people. In the year ended June the number of people leaving New Zealand long-term outstripped the number of long- term arrivals by more than 11 thousand.
Detectives are trying to find the source of plans for the home- made bomb which killed a Wanganui teenager this week. Aljarreau Kuru-Hoani Forsman-Aki died of blood loss after Monday's blast. It is thought he was killed by a home-made bomb, which included a CO2 canister filled with gunpowder. Detective senior sergeant Graham Matthews says the 14 year old is thought to have been alone at the time, so officers are still trying to figure out what triggered the detonation. Neighbours, friends and family of the dead youth are to be interviewed.
(Silly question! Everybody, especially the Australian government, knows that the Internet is the source of all that is evil and corrupting. I am of course very sad for the bereaved family and do not mean to make light of their loss, but you can just see in the question that ht e Internet is to blame. - BH)
A bill which would give local authorities the power to ban the consumption of alcohol in public places in certain areas on particular days has been sent to select committee. The proposed legislation would see local bodies given the right to impose the ban between Christmas Eve and the day after New Years day, Easter weekend, Guy Fawkes Day and Waitangi day. Local Government Minister Maurice Williamson says the dates are associated with high levels of public drunkenness and disturbance.
The Fire Service Commission is promising to fight an interim injunction which aims to stop the recruitment of front-line staff. The Union representing Professional Fire Fighters fears the process could damage its position when the Commission appeals against an earlier court decision preventing mass lay-offs. The Commission says the suggestion is wildly out of line, and the 23 recruits will help provide proper cover in Auckland and Gisborne. But union spokesman Derek Best sees it as a clandestine way to proceed with restructuring.
The Local Government Commission is set to announce its final recommendation on whether Hastings and Napier councils should merge. In March the commission announced a draft scheme which recommended both councils unite. Since then it has considered 80 written submissions and heard oral submissions at a two day hearing. The decision will be announced at the Hawkes Bay Regional Council chambers on August 11th. If the commission decides on unification the next step will be a public referendum.
MPs argued for around half an hour today over whether Maori members are allowed to speak in Maori without providing an translation. The debate ended with Maori Affairs Minister Tau Henare being asked to leave the debating chamber because he refused to apologise for something he said in Maori.. Tuariki Delemere says Parliament should be bilingual with an interpreter on hand at all times to provide instant translation and with Hansards being published in both languages... Mr Delemere says even though all MPs speak English the rules do not require them to translate what they say in Maori.
Labour's Mark Peck is highlighting another expensive training conference conducted by WINZ. The department and its chief executive are currently under investigation for allegedly approving 165 thousand dollars to hire whisper jets to ferry workers to a conference near Taupo. Mr Peck is now pointing to a the 64 thousand dollars paid for a one-and-a-half day WINZ hui held in held in Invercargill in May. Mark Peck says as the local MP he has no objection to money being spent in his electorate. But Mr Peck says it is hard to justify spending that much to take 100 people to what was essentially a "getting to know each other" meeting.
The Y2K Readiness Commission has devised what it describes as a "likeable and engaging" mascot for its millennium awareness campaign - it is a Cockroach. Ken the Cockroach will front a 2.5 million dollar public awareness campaign - emphasising the need to stockpile items such as water and food - in case the Y2K problem causes disruptions to essential services. Commission chairman Sir Basil Logan says love them or hate them - Ken the Cockroach will be noticed and memorable. He says the campaign needs to compete for attention against the background of the election - and it should be obvious that their cockroach is not running for parliament.
(Even though Ken may be far and away preferred over many of the current choices for government... I vote Ken for PM.-AH.) (Hmmm ... the hired help are at it again - BH)
The latest allegations of lavish spending by WINZ have fallen flat on their face. An anonymous manager today went public claiming the video presentation at an April conference was a glitzy one - featuring WINZ boss Christine Rankin in a silver suit - associating with yachting notary Sir Peter Blake. But our political staff has seen the video - and says it has a shoestring budget. The scenes featuring Sir Peter Blake were taken from a commercially available video. The tape then cuts to a home video quality shot of Christine Rankin - wearing one of her own coats - being escorted down a pier by two co-workers dressed in orange civil defence overalls.
Nurses say they are amazed that Healthcare Hawkes Bay is pumping an extra one point eight million dollars into relieving pressure for nursing staff. Around 50 full-time nurses and care associates will be employed as a result. New Zealand Nurse's Organisation spokesman, Craig Walsham, is pleased hospital management has implemented most of the recommendations from a recent review. The review was part of a deal brokered to break an industrial deadlock earlier this year. Meanwhile the hospital's chief executive, Mark Flowers says nursing problems resulted from them setting unrealistic staffing levels for the new regional hospital in Hastings.
There will be no by-election in Mike Moore's Waimakariri seat when he takes up his job as World Trade Organisation Director General. Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has already said the Government would not be keen on a by-election so close to the General Election. The Alliance has confirmed it will not push for one while Labour says it would be unnecessary. That gives Parliament the majority vote needed to decide against staging a by-election. Mr Moore will be confirmed in his new role by the General Council of the WTO in Geneva tonight and will take up his new job in September.
The Corrections department says the future of a guard at Auckland's Paremoremo prison who was sentenced today on drugs charges, will be decided within the next couple of days. The guard pleaded guilty in the North Shore District Court to possessing cannabis, and taking an item out of an institution for an inmate. He was fined 700 dollars in total, plus costs. A Corrections department spokeswoman says she can not say at this stage whether the guard will lose his job. She says the matter is now under discussion, and a decision should be made within 48 hours.
South Korea's President Kim Dae-jung is to make a state visit to New Zealand. It is the first such visit since 1968, and will take place after he attends the APEC summit in Auckland in September. Korea is New Zealand's sixth largest export market, buying mainly New Zealand logs, aluminium and deer velvet. U.S. President Bill Clinton and Chinese President Jiang Zemin are also planning state visits to New Zealand after the APEC summit.
Corrections Minister Clem Simich wants laws in place before the end of this year to allow the monitoring of phone calls by prison inmates. Parliament this afternoon sent a government bill on that issue to a select committee. Mr Simich says the aim is to prevent prisoners planning crimes or escapes while in jail. All calls would be taped - except those to lawyers or relating to formal complaints about the treatment of inmates. Calls will be checked at random - with targeting of inmates who are under suspicion. The bill has cross-party support - ensuring it will have a smooth ride through parliament.
Good news for the kiwifruit industry - as the United States lifts its anti-dumping ban against New Zealand growers. The order prevented the sale of kiwifruit in the US at less than the domestic price. Trade Minister Lockwood Smith says that has prevented us from participating competitively in the US market for the past eight years. However Kiwifruit New Zealand and its US counterpart have now struck a deal - which will see them join forces for a generic marketing campaign - to build a stronger market for kiwifruit within the US. Dr Smith says that is a win- win situation for growers in both countries.
A second harbour bridge is coming for Auckland - but it may be 20 years away. The Auckland Regional Land Transport Committee has approved the plan in principle to build the new bridge right next to the existing one. However other ways of easing traffic congestion from the North Shore are to be tried first. The bridge would be connected to the North Western motorway by a tunnel under Herne Bay, Ponsonby and Grey Lynn. Committee chairman Les Paterson says it makes sense to have the two bridges side by side as it would make use of the portals which are already there. He says the existing bridge still has extra capacity in it, but extra work is needed on the approaches.
("Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." - George Santayana. I once prepared a speech for a Jaycees oratory competition on the history of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Sid Holland had much to answer for in his delaying and penny-pinching. It looks as if his ghost still walks the halls of power - BH)
The Government's proposed law to ban pitbull terriers is again attracting strong criticism. The Local Government Law Reform Bill has been sent to select committee bringing it a step closer to becoming law. The Veterinary Association Chief Executive Murray Gibb says enforcing it will be a nightmare because pitbulls are hard to identify. He says the law would also send a message to the community that other dogs are not aggressive, when all dogs are potentially aggressive.
( What they really need to do is to formulate a bill that bans or gives vets the power to put-down the breeders and trainers of fighting dogs, these are the ones at fault not the breed of dog.- AH) (Wow! Go Ant! - BH)
Armed police searched a Gisborne house last night after reports of two shots being fired and sightings of a man with a firearm. Police believe the incident was related to tensions between rival gangs Black Power and the Mongrel Mob. However the search by AOS members failed to find any sign of weapons or the possible offender. Meanwhile five people were arrested yesterday after a confrontation between the gangs outside the Gisborne Courthouse.
(In case it is not immediately obvious, "Armed Offenders" in New Zealand jounalistic parlance refers to the "Armed Offenders Squad" of the New Zealand Police ... a SWAT unit as far as North Americans are concerned - BH)
The Kiwifruit and Apple and Pear boards have taken another step towards deregulation. Bills have been sent to a special select committee with the proposed legislation to create separate commercial arms to sell the fruit, while growers will be able to buy and trade shares in the new boards. Finance Minister, Sir William Birch says it is a vital step to combat the worldwide trend in lower prices for agricultural goods overseas.
The Kohanga Reo National Trust says it knew a convicted killer was working in a Stokes Valley centre - but says parents were happy with the situation. It has been revealed Huia Tawhai, who was convicted of the manslaughter of her husband in Carterton in 1992, has been looking after children at the Koraunui Kohanga Reo. The centre has now closed while it investigates. Kohanga Reo National Trust head Iritana Tawhiwhirangi says she met with the kohanga staff and whanau six weeks ago who were happy to have Mrs Tawhai there. The kohanga is located on a marae and she says it appears the marae board wanted her out.
A huge glass dome is being imported from France for next year's Sports Champion of the Century dinner in Auckland. Halberg Trust executive director Dave Currie says the "Millennium Dome" will measure 70 by 30 metres and be built beneath the Cenotaph in front of the Auckland Museum. According to Mr Currie there is no current facility in Auckland to host the 1500 people expected for the February 17 dinner. The Halberg Trust is sharing the cost of importing the steel-framed structure with America's Cup 2000 which had also been on the lookout for a venue to accommodate a large number of guests around the same time.
Prime Minister Jenny Shipley is warmly congratulating Mike Moore on his victory in the race for the top job at the World Trade Organisation. Mrs Shipley, who is in Japan, says it is a tremendous honour for Mr Moore and for New Zealand. After a brief meeting overnight in Geneva, WTO delegates decided to appoint the former New Zealand Prime Minister as secretary general for a three year term from September the first. Thai rival Supachai Panachpakdi takes over the reigns for the following three year term. Mrs Shipley describes the role as one of the most important jobs in the world.
The next step in the case of the suspended WINZ employee involved with the chartered jet saga is in limbo. WINZ and the employee were unable to agree to terms for a hearing about the matter this week. Nothing has been resolved since and there is no set date for when they will get together. WINZ boss Christine Rankin suspended the person, accusing her of giving her misleading information which resulted in her signing off over 120,000 dollars towards paying for chartering jets to take staff to a conference.
One of the world's best known hotel chains has announced it is coming to New Zealand. Hilton International has signed a 15-year contract to manage the Auckland Hilton, a 167-room hotel being built at Princes Wharf. Land developers Kitchener Group says the Hilton is going to be the focal point of a 200 million dollar redevelopment at the wharf. Kitchener spokesman David Henderson says the 50 million dollar hotel should be completed by July next year.
Date: 22 July Brian Dooley Wellington New Zealand CURRENCIES The currency codes given below conform to ISO 4217, which can be found at http://www.xe.net/currency/iso_4217.htm. The rates given are for telegraphic transfer and are as given in the Wellington Evening Post today. To Buy NZD 1.00 USD 0.5342 AUD 0.8247 GBP 0.3383 JPY 63.25 CAD 0.8013 EURO 0.5083 FRF 3.3328 DEM 0.9942 HKD 4.1559 SGD 0.9085 ZAR 3.2771 CHF 0.8167 INTEREST RATES (%) Call : 4.50 90 Day: 4.72SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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