Copyright © 1998 Brian Harmer
And then we plunged into the wilderness. In a very short space of time, we are on a road which winds between rocky outcrops through some rather marginal looking farmland, and the road begins to wind its way downhill. Increasingly, the farmland gives way to clumps of bush, and before long, we are on a narrow unsealed road snaking through quite dense bush in spectacularly steep country. Many kilometres later we arrive in the tiny and quite charming little town of Pipiriki. The locals look totally relaxed and carefree, and have the air of an antipodean Huckleberry Finn. We managed to confuse ourselves and missed the road south through Jerusalem, and instead found ourselves on an even narrower road which threatened to turn into a mere ledge along the cliffs above the Whanganui River. Eventually we found a place to turn, which we did with great care, and after passing for the second time through Pipiriki, went South along the old road. This was clearly missionary territory, and many of the "Maori" place names along The river are transliterations from someone's classical education. Thus Jerusalem becomes Hiruhirama, Athens is Atene, Corinth is Koroniti, and London is Ranana. Of them all, Jerusalem has become the most famous as the last home of James K Baxter, alcoholic, poet, pilgrim, saint and sinner. Here in this tranquil little settlement above the river, he and others formed a commune which seemed to shock some of the locals. Death bestowed a lustre to him which he never enjoyed in his lifetime, and which I suspect he would have rejected anyway. I met the man a few times, and was never sure what to make of him ... he was doing great work among the down and out, yet was himself down and out. A bear hug from a man who looked and smelled as he did, was a mixed blessing. Yet I hope history looks even half as kindly on me, as it now does on him.
Leaving behind the little cluster of houses, the beautiful church, and the imposing convent building, we carried on our way through those lesser but no less pretty settlements. The astounding thing to me was that after thirty km of more or less continuous descent from Raetihi we were still going down. Fortunately there was little traffic on the road, so no one was travelling in the cloud of dust behind us, and the occasional car coming the other way was only a brief inconvenience. At last we were down near river level, and the glassy brown surface of the Whanganui reflected the sheer grey cliffs on the other side of the river. Cicadas rattle incessantly, and reminded me not a little of the social event which just occurred in Wellington, the "dateless and desperate" ball. Only the males were calling and there must have been millions of them. Interestingly (or not, as you prefer), the Hutt City Council noise control officer measured the noise from these little clickers and found it to be sufficiently high that it would be illegal if it were being made by a human agency.
Anyhow, soon after that, we were back on SH3 at the Western end of the Parapara road, approaching Wanganui, and our thoroughly enjoyable week in Taupo was now a mere memory.
On with the news:
Not reviewing the legal status of cannabis is one of several Government initiatives on fighting the use of illicit drugs announced today. There will also be a progressive ban on the importation and supply of drug paraphernalia. Among the more intriguing moves will be distribution of information on how to hold safer dance parties. As has already been announced there is going to be a special focus on the use of cannabis in the Far North and East Coast, particularly among Maori.
After a week of fighting deep-seated fires near Alexandra locals have a welcome respite today following heavy falls of rain. Martin McPherson of the Central Otago District Council says the rain began shortly after midday and has got heavier to the delight of farmers and fire crews. The two blazes near Alexandra broke out last Sunday and have kept fire-fighters busy with flare-ups over the last week. Martin McPherson says today's rain is a huge help - but they will still be monitoring the fires closely. He says Choppers will be up again tomorrow, weather permitting, to check for hotspots.
There are fears of prejudicing a fair trial, as controversy rages about whether a community should have publicized the address of a murder accused. The youth has been released on bail, pending his trial connected with the death of Reporoa's Beverly Bouma. The courts have suppressed details of the accused's whereabouts, which means local residents risk being in contempt of court because of the mail drop publicizing the address. Legal experts are wary of publicity surrounding the case, and say it is possible for anyone to risk prejudicing a fair trial by presuming guilt, which could cause the accused to be acquitted.
(At the very least the defence lawyer seems determined to have the police deal firmly with those who did leak the whereabouts. –BH)
Social Services Minister Roger Sowry has ordered a review of a CYPFA decision to place a juvenile offender on remand... in the care of an uncle with gang affiliations. It is understood the boy was placed in a Rotorua house with family members - one of whom is the president of motorcycle gang Black Power. Mr Sowry says high priority has been given to a review - to check whether that placement is appropriate. He is also calling for a review of how the placement decision was made in the first place. Roger Sowry says the 16-and-a-half year old has been in the house since last year - and has not reoffended during that time.
The government has today come under fire from Alliance MP Laila Harre over its reluctance to back her paid parental leave bill. Ms Harre was speaking at an International Women’s Day rally in Auckland. The paid parental leave bill would see working women paid 80 per cent of their salaries for 12 weeks. Laila Harre says society relies on women to reproduce and it is up to the government to ensure they are able to undertake motherhood without money worries. She says paid parental leave gives mothers and babies the time they need to settle together.
(Without in any way passing judgement, I noted that the TV coverage of this rally appeared to show Aotea Square filled with thirty or forty people listening to Ms Harre using an entirely superfluous microphone – BH)
It appears Far North residents are out of danger, after the lifting of a heavy rain warning. Several Hokianga families, nervous after January's devastating flood, have been on alert, since the MetService issued its warning. Some have just returned to their homes, after being evacuated as a precaution. MetService forecaster Ian Miller says it appears the worst is over, and residents can rest easy. He says that is not to say the rain will stop - it just will not be as bad as initially thought. Ian Miller says rain will continue to fall overnight in Auckland, Coromandel and Whangarei.
A live tortoise has been intercepted at Christchurch International Airport - but no-one has come forward to claim it. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry says the tortoise was found last weekend during inspection of mishandled luggage from a previous flight. The alleged owner of the bag had arrived on an earlier flight, claimed his other luggage, but did not advise the airline that he was missing the bag containing the tortoise. He has since been interviewed by MAF officials and denies any knowledge of the tortoise. The tortoise is not an endangered species, but is new to New Zealand and therefore the Environmental Risk Management Authority must give it permission to enter the country.
The acting Chief Executive of the Correspondence School says potential staff cuts would be a trade-off to improve the overall service to students. John Simpson has confirmed the school is looking to try to save over $3 million in salaries. But he says that money would be used to improve technology which is needed to provide quality education and he says the prospect of cutting staff levels is not evidence of a funding crisis. The correspondence school teaches twenty thousand students nationwide.
Hawkes Bay orchardists are calling for the Government to ban the importation of pears from Victoria until the Australians drop their opposition to our apples. The Australians have agreed to conduct a new risk assessment on whether importing New Zealand apples could pose a fireblight threat. However, Hawkes Bay Fruit Growers President, David Mardon is not confident as they have been down this path before. He says the matter will probably have to be sorted out in World Trade Organisation.
Police hunting Kirsty Bentley's killer say the posting of a 50 thousand dollar reward on the weekend was prompted in part by ongoing gossip about the case. The reward is offered for information leading to a conviction. Detective Inspector John Winter says unfortunately small-town gossip in Ashburton centring on the family of the murdered teenager continues, as the case drags on. He says there were high expectations of an early resolution to the case, leading to rumours, which is another reason why it is timely for the reward to be issued.
The Minister for Senior Citizens denies new rules which came into effect last month will force tomorrow's superannuitants to look for part time work. A seminar in Auckland today, aims to educate employers on the new rules which make it illegal for bosses to force staff to retire at the age of 65. David Carter is opening the conference, and he admits the debate on the affordability of national superannuation is still a political hot potato which the nation has yet to address. But he denies the law change is a bid to force senior citizens to fend for themselves.
The Children's Commissioner plans to take a close look at a report which recommends a teenager continue living with Rotorua relatives affiliated to the Black Power gang. Despite a barrage of criticism, the Children and Young Person's Agency has decided not to remove the 16 year old from the care of his relatives. It says although the young offender was originally placed in the care of his uncle, who is the President of Black Power, he is not now living with the man, but with another family member. Children's Commissioner, Roger McClay, says he will request a copy of the decision and consider what it has to say.
This week's long-awaited downpour in drought-stricken Otago comes as a relief for locals, but it may be too late to save the livelihoods of some farmers. There are now puddles for the first time in 15 months in the region, and Otago Federated Farmers president, Ian Bathgate, admits the rain has provided breathing space. But he says it is not yet over for farmers who have been forced to sell off stock to offset their losses during the drought. He says with water levels still low in some areas, farmers have a hard slog ahead to recovery.
Six months on and police investigating the murder of a Japanese tourist in downtown Auckland concede the inquiry may soon be shelved. Twenty nine year old Kayo Matsuzawa was murdered and dumped in a cupboard in a central Auckland building. Despite extensive inquiries and an offer of a 50 thousand dollar reward, the killing has not been solved. Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Baker says police are working on one or two positive lines of inquiry as a result of the reward. But he says police only have enough resources left for another two to three weeks. Detective Senior Sergeant Baker says the investigation will be re-assessed soon.
Consumer Affairs Minister, Peter McCardle, is refusing to give up his battle to make Telecom back down on its policy regarding phone cards. The cards will be obsolete when Telecom introduces new technology. Mr McCardle wants Telecom to offer refunds or transfer the value of the cards onto new ones. But the telecommunications giant is standing firm, but Mr McCardle says he will not give in easily.
(I have never had much time for Mr McCardle, but on this occasion, he is on the side of the angels. I have difficulty distinguishing between Telecoms proposal, and theft – BH)
It seems Parliament has becoming rowdier as the election draws near...an updated list on unparliamentary language shows there were more than twice as many outbursts last year as the year before... The most disappointing aspect of the latest unparliamentary language list is that it can all be repeated on radio... The most provocative selection includes phrases like a chimpanzee with a speech impediment, dirty rotten Tory government, drinking whiskey for his country, lemon suckers, numb skulls, poncing, scrawny toothless tomcats and tell tale tits.. They must not refer to each other as idiots, hypocrites or liars - they are all honourable members.
(Close your eyes and say after me “I believe .... I believe.. I believe ....” – BH)
The Tourism Board says it can still deliver an effective marketing campaign despite ending its controversial relationship with Saatchi and Saatchi. Board deputy chairman James Boult says the political storm which erupted over the arrangement played no part in the decision. He says Saatchi and Saatchi's ideas were too expensive and failed to meet the board's objectives. Mr Boult says the Tourism Board will outline its marketing strategy at the end of the month. Meanwhile, Saatchi's boss Kevin Roberts is in Europe, but the company says it is consulting legal advisors.
The woman who is accused a top Wellington policeman of a racist remark is today questioning some of the evidence offered up by a mystery witness. Esther Haddon claims Inspector Tom Stenhouse made the comment during an incident at a car-park last month. Wellington police are investigating. The witness is apparently claiming Esther Haddon's mother was acting in a threatening manner, but the alleged victim finds that hard to believe since her mum was seated next to her the whole time.
(There were so many claims and counterclaims that I can only agree with the lady who sent a fax to the Holmes Show and asked if there was really so little going on that a spat over a carpark made national headlines – BH)
The Union representing Police is backing Labour's policy on crime ahead of ACT's proposal to increase jail sentences. Labour's law and order policy advocates a "zero tolerance" style approach while ACT is calling for inmates to serve at least 80 per cent of their jail sentences. Police Association president Greg O'Connor says Labour is talking about cutting the red tape and putting officers back on the beat. He doubts any move to lengthen jail terms will have any impact on crime rates.
The mother of convicted paedophile Peter Ellis says a change in public opinion over her son's guilt, could give him the strength to face a parole board hearing tomorrow. Lesley Ellis says her son has not indicated whether he will attend. He refused to front up to the board last year, fearing it would be interpreted as an admission that he molested children at the Christchurch Civic Creche. But Lesley Ellis says anything could happen now that views are changing for the better.
A Napier high school has bowed to pressure from teachers and parents and has ditched bulk funding. A month ago Colenso High had to close for two days when teachers refused to supervise breaks in protest. The protest was later scaled down to not taking out-of-school activities. Board Chairman Murray Arnold says they are now looking forward to the school getting back to normal.
New Zealand Post's new joint venture business is to open its first store in Dunedin. The Books and More New Zealand Post store will be located in the Golden Centre and it will open in late April. New Zealand Post retail business manager Bill Cassidy says the store will complement existing Post Shops in the city. He says the shop will offer customers a full range of services, including postal, bill- paying, greeting cards, magazine and stationery.
The fight to save Daryl the Turtle could be running out of time. About $1,200 has been raised for the Vietnamese box turtle that was found at Christchurch International Airport on the weekend. MAF was looking to have Daryl down however Willow Bank Wildlife Reserve has stepped in...it hopes to raise $2,000 to keep the turtle. Reserve spokeswoman Kelly Carroll says donations came in thick and fast earlier this week however they have since slowed down...
Convicted paedophile Peter Ellis has met with the Parole Board, something he refused to do last year. Ellis is about midway through a ten year prison sentence, and has always claimed he is innocent. Last year Ellis said he would not appear before the Parole Board, for fear that it may suggest an admission of guilt. But this afternoon Ellis spent more than an hour before the Board at Paparua Prison. There is no word yet on the outcome from Ellis's point of view. Peter Ellis, his mother Lesley, and his lawyer Judith Ablett-Kerr have now gone to Ellis's villa at the prison for further discussions.
The Australian Tourist Commission says our Tourism Board may have given itself a problem by sacking Saatchis. Australia rejected Saatchi's for its global campaign to promote the country for the millennium. Mike Yates of the Commission says Saatchi's was a contender when Australia made its decision two years ago, but did not even make the short list of three agencies. The Aussies went with DMB&B instead and Mr Yates admits that axing an agency now, as the New Zealand Tourism Board has done, would make kicking off a global campaign in time "very difficult". The Australians have spent $180 million on the campaign, the biggest tourism campaign ever undertaken.
Green party leader Jeanette Fitzsimons is comparing a radical group which vandalised potatoes last night... to Gandhi... and Springbok tour protesters. The activists last night vandalised a genetically engineered potato trial crop at Lincoln University. That is had a devastating impact on three students working on research to complete their Ph, as it will require them to do an extra years work. But Ms Fitzsimons says it was for the greater good and history may well remember the potato vandals in the same way it remembers Gandhi, or those who broke the law to protest against the Springbok tour.
(I can't see it myself. The research which was destroyed was precisely to investigate the safety of a modification to potatoes to include some antibiotic properties. I can only regard it as mindless vandalism – BH)
Labour has released documents showing the government sold off 75 state houses in Wanganui - for an average price of just $18,000 a property. The MP for the city - Labour's Jill Pettis - says that would barely cover the cost of the land. Ms Pettis describes the sell-off as a "fire-sale" which ignores the fact there is a demand for state housing in Wanganui while people can not afford the government's market rents. She says once Labour abolishes market rents it will /cost a lot more to replace those houses than was brought in by their sale.
The government is offering free management training to small businesses as part of its new business development programme. The 12 million dollar scheme replaces the Business Development Boards, which were closed down by the government last year. 47 organisations - including the Open Polytechnic, Maori Business Network and several YMCAs - have been contracted to provide the management training. The new programme also includes a business information service - to provide details about what forms of assistance are available and how to access them.
The government is offering free management training to small businesses as part of its new business development programme. The 12 million dollar scheme replaces the Business Development Boards, which were closed down by the government last year. 47 organisations - including the Open Polytechnic, Maori Business Network and several YMCAs - have been contracted to provide the management training. The new programme also includes a business information service - to provide details about what forms of assistance are available and how to access them.
The ban on taking rental cars on Central Otago's Crown Range Road may be about to end. Four companies have tendered to seal the remaining 18 and a half kilometres of the rugged road, which the AA describes as probably New Zealand's most difficult to drive in winter conditions. John Lee has been campaigning for 30 years for the Crown Range Road to be sealed, and he is overjoyed by the plan to finish the job. He says lots of tourists are put off by rental car companies, who refuse to let their cars be taken on the scenic road. John Lee says once the road is sealed, the companies will have to change their policy.
The father of the New Zealander who suffered a suspicious death in the Persian Gulf says he is satisfied that New Zealand police will not be going to the Gulf to investigate, yet. Timaru's coroner is calling on our police to go to Dubai, after findings into the death of Aaron Hopa show he was probably murdered. But police say no one is being sent over, because our police department has no jurisdiction to investigate. Aaron's father, Jim Hopa, says that is OK, as long as police obtain the appropriate result. He says there was only a handful of people aboard the ship, so it should not be difficult to track down the culprits
Labour MP Phil Goff has today made a call for more police staff to be dedicated to investigating burglaries after a tavern in his constituency was robbed for the 43rd time. Two men entered Richardson's Tavern in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill, held a shotgun to the head of a staff member, took $41,000 and then tied three staff up. Police assigned to investigate the robbery were taken off two days later to deal with another case. Phil Goff says while home invasions have been in the spotlight recently - armed robberies are more common and need to be given a higher priority.
Predictable responses across the political spectrum to the Health Funding Authority giving money to a private hospital. The HFA is dishing out $1.6 million to the Ascot Hospital for elective surgery. ACT leader Richard Prebble applauds the move, saying it is a good way to help get waiting lists down. Labour health spokesperson Annette King says public hospitals should have been given an opportunity to tender for the contract to do the surgery as well. She says the Authority has an obligation to go to the public sector first. The Alliance's Phillida Bunkle says giving the money to a private hospital is a bad use of resources as they charge twice as much as public hospitals.
The son of an elderly Christchurch woman viciously beaten in his shop is promising he will not give up the fight for harsher punishment of violent offenders. Norm Withers is bitterly disappointed at news his petition has failed. 250-thousand valid signatures are needed to force a referendum on the issue. But the clerk of the House of Representatives says the petition contains too many invalid and ineligible signatures. Norm Withers says the issue is too important to give up just because of this latest set- back. He says he and his mother will be back at supermarkets and shopping centres trying to get the extra 20-thousand signatures needed to give the petition another shot.
Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa farmers will finally get the rain they have longed for - but not at the right time. The Met Service has issued heavy rain warnings for the area and up to 100 mm in the hills and ranges can be expected. Met Service spokesman Bob McDavitt says it is bad timing for farmers who are now right in the middle of the harvesting. He says tomatoes and sweetcorn are at the peak of their harvest, and apples and grapes ready for picking may have to be delayed a week. Bob McDavitt says the rain may stay offshore but it is more likely to hit the hills and ranges of the area.
Forget the Saatchi ads, it looks like they are coming anyway... Figures just out show during January there was a six percent rise in the number of foreign guests spending nights in our hotels... Most of them came from across the Tasman with Australian hotel guests rising by 14 percent...the number of European visitors to hotels increased by six percent... The Asian woes showed fewer hotel guests from there...down by 11 percent with the Japanese hotel guests declining by 17 percent.
Police are praising the Employment Court for acknowledging the urgency of an injunction application that is holding up restructuring of the department. A non-sworn Wellington police manager successfully lodged the injunction last week. It has been announced this afternoon that a hearing will take place in the Employment Court in twelve days time. Police Assistant Commissioner Jon White says the Police Association and Police Managers' Guild have joint concerns over the delay the process will cause. However, he says he is pleased the court has decided to deal with the matter so quickly.
Police returned to the crime scene where a crop of genetically modified potatoes grown near Christchurch was attacked today. The plants were being grown by Crop and Food Research at Lincoln. A group by the name of Wild Greens claims it was responsible for the attack. It says it knows the action was illegal but claims it was morally necessary. Selwyn Police Constable Wayne Stack says police are going to do fingerprint tests on some items found at the scene. He says it is going to be well into next week before charges are laid.
There has been major traffic congestion on Auckland's southern motorway for motorists heading north. A truck and trailer unit carrying onions blocked three lanes in the Mt Wellington area, and traffic was being fed through one lane. Police say the accident occurred just before four o'clock, when the truck hit a median barrier. Two cranes and other heavy salvage equipment were being used to pick up the truck, which was lying on its side.
ARREST MADE IN McCARTHY MURDER CASE
A 30 year old West Auckland man will appear in court tomorrow, charged with the November killing of Whangaparaoa mother Joanne McCarthy. The 33 year old was found slumped in the bathroom of her home north of Auckland. She had been bludgeoned to death. The killing triggered a nation-wide hunt for the owner of a yellow Holden utility seen in McCarthy drive-way on the day she died. Police say they are still looking for that vehicle. The accused is due to appear in the North Shore District Court tomorrow morning, facing just one charge of murder. Joanne McCarthy's husband and brother were on hand for tonight's police announcement, both men have praised police for their efforts in the case.
Date: 11 March 1999 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
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