Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
Mary and I are both enjoying some annual leave at present. Yesterday, we chose to go to visit the "Lord of the Rings" exhibition at Te Papa, and then on to a meal and play at Circa, the theatre on the waterfront just next to the museum. Wellingtonians who haven't caught up with the exhibition should do so, whether or not they are fans of the books or the films. The sheer mind-blowing scale of the technological and craft achievements absolutely took my breath away. I hope the exhibition will tour, and that others will get to see it. From there, we went to Circa where we enjoyed a wine and food before the show. The restaurant in the theatre is pleasant and reasonably priced, and is blessed with a view out over the waterfront. As we sat and watched late commuters strolling home, a log carrier left port, aided by the two red tugs, Toia and Kupe. Once that had gone, Toia came bustling back to port in reverse. Since these tugs are equipped with Voith- Schneider propulsion systems they go just as fast in reverse as forward. The other disappeared out to the east, and returned shortly thereafter with a rather large bulk carrier on the tow. The Arahura steamed across the view, bathed in the gold of a perfect summer evening. After our pleasant, if unfashionably early meal, we enjoyed the play "Soulmates" starring the evergreen Ellie Smith. Lots of great one liners in the play, though I disliked the underlying cynicism of the storyline. Apologies for the two in one news this week. Entirely my fault. Thesis revisions submitted on Monday and they took priority.
Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, or occasionally "HH" will indicate an opinion from Helen.
In all cases they are honest expressions of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact. This week's formatting is sponsored by http://www.moneyonline.co.nz On with the news:
New Zealanders are not saving any more for retirement than they were five years ago. That is the conclusion of Sovereign's latest survey. It shows 40 percent of people with household incomes of more than $50,000 per year are not preparing for retirement. Sovereign managing director Simon Swanson says it is something the government should be very concerned about. But he says it is actually worse than five years ago because an aging populating is putting more strain on the public purse. Mr Swanson believes the pressure on funds means the Government soon will not be able to cope with demand.
Banking should be as easy as buying the bread and milk, according to the latest entrant to the financial services market. Superbank opened for business on Sunday in 472 Pak 'N Save, New World, Write Price and Four Square stores. Foodstuffs is teaming with St George Bank of Australia to launch the business. It expects to offer a full range of banking services within two to three years. Chief operating officer James Munro says banking with the groceries follows a trend that works well overseas. He says it brings home to the consumer banking is a commodity like any other, and should be just as simple. Its first financial product is what it describes as a high interest on-call savings account. Mr Munro says Superbank believes there is room for a new player in banking. He says there is not enough competition in the market and says that is borne out by profit levels being made overseas.
(Hmmm ... a bank which is a supermarket strikes me like that other great idea, which is a shredder on the output side of all printers - BH)
There is concern Wellington's economy is suffering as companies move their head offices out of the capital. Recent departures include Tranz Rail, Westpac and New Zealand Milk Products. The Wellington Regional Council says emerging sectors in the arts and tourism are not growing fast enough to counteract the departures. Chairwoman Margaret Shields says central Government can help by providing infrastructure, with room for improvement in road and rail. She says the region's 2003 economic outlook is bright, especially in sectors like education, building, and info-technology, but it could take five years before emerging sectors in the arts and tourism grow to become the new core of the economy.
Waihi police say they are closer to establishing what caused a house fire which killed up to four people. Flames quickly spread through the two-storey home at around one o'clock this morning. Three bodies - two of them children - have since been recovered, and one child remains unaccounted for. Three other people managed to escape, and one is now in Waikato Hospital in a critical condition. The others are at Thames hospital. Police and Fire Safety Officers have spent the morning investigating the cause of the blaze. Detective Peter Hikaka says the dead are from the same extended family. He says at this stage it does not look as if the fire was started deliberately.
Hamilton police are investigating a sex attack on a 24- year-old woman in the city's Memorial Park on River Road about four o'clock on Sunday morning. The woman was walking alone when she was attacked from behind, dragged into a planted area, assaulted and sexually violated. Police say a number of people were walking from the city to Hamilton East at the time. They have asked for public help to identify the attacker.
A 50-year-old man appears in the Lower Hutt District Court this morning charged with murder. Police arrived at the man's flat around two yesterday morning to find a 39-year- old man had died from stab wounds. Police say the two men were known to each other. A post mortem examination is being carried out.
The man who is at the centre of an immigration furore in Ashburton is not happy over complaints which have been made about him. Three Ukrainians and a Russian were set up with jobs through an international agency with a representative based in New Zealand. Gail Campbell has lodged complaints with authorities and the agency which placed the young people on farms, where they were not suited to work because of language barriers and qualifications. She says that when she made contact with the man at the centre of the immigration scam, he became very angry and demanded to know the names of people who were making the allegations. Ms Campbell has informed him that complaints have been laid about they way they have been treated. She says the whole experience has shattered the self esteem and confidence of the workers. The allegations have come as a complete surprise to Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers. President Ian McKenzie says allegations of below minimum wage payments are news to him and he would be very surprised if it was happening. He says feedback in the community about Ukrainian staff is positive and they have a good working reputation.
Disastrous events in United States night clubs should be a wake up call to operators here. The Fire Service says nearly 50 percent of Auckland nightclubs are breaking safety regulations by blocking off fire exits and filling buildings beyond their capacity. Chief Fire Safety Officer Gary Talbot says an incident similar to the fire an stampede in a Rhode Island night club could happen here. Auckland Mayor John Banks says night club owners need to be responsible. He says anyone breaking the rules could lose their licence and be shut down. Mr Banks says the council will talk to the Fire Service to see what it can do to make sure club owners are acting responsibly. He says it is alarming so many night clubs are breaking the rules.
Most West Aucklanders do not want to buy their alcohol at supermarkets. An election on whether changes should be made to stop the Waitakere and Portage Licensing Trust having a monopoly on sales has seen voters opt for the status quo. In Waitakere 57.8 percent of people who voted wanted the Trust's trading rights retained, while in Portage the figure was a little higher, at 58.3 percent. The turnout - 60 percent for Waitakere and 53 percent for Portage - far outstripped the voter turnout in the 2001 local body elections where it failed to reach 50 percent in many regions. That means that the only place in the North Island where you cannot buy alcohol in the supermarket remains West Auckland. Polling closed at midday today. Portage Chairman Ross Clow and Waitakere Chairman Ross Dallow say voters have resoundingly given the Trusts a renewed mandate to continue supporting their community organisations in return for their trading rights. The two chairmen say voters have rejected the supermarkets' claims that change would not affect the community grants given out by the Trusts. The Trusts admit the costs of the enforced poll, estimated at up to $1 million, was a blow to their budgets.
Police are taking seriously terrorist threats sent to the US, Australian and British embassies, one of which contained cyanide. Reporters at a media conference in Wellington were told that the letters warn of more threats if there is a war in Iraq, and make reference to the America's Cup. A threatening letter was also sent to the New Zealand Herald. Apparently as a result of the threats, security surrounding the America's Cup and the diplomatic missions involved has been upgraded from the first level on a scale of one to five, to the second level. Assistant Commissioner Jon White told Newstalk ZB the authorities have decided to go public about the threats because they are concerned about public safety. He says they do not want people to become alarmed, but to take prudent steps, just as they did after a threatening letter was sent during golfer Tiger Woods' appearance at the New Zealand Open a year ago. Police are telling Aucklanders in particular to be careful of where their food comes from, and to check seals on pre-packaged food. Assistant Commissioner White says there are hundreds of people coming in and out of Auckland because of the America's Cup each day, and it is important that the public are advised to take reasonable steps. He says the presence of the cyanide in one of the letters indicates an ability to carry out the threat, and that there is a great deal of cyanide in many different forms in New Zealand, used in pest control, jewellery production and mining. Mr White says it may not be possible to know exactly where all the cyanide is at the moment, but new legislation introduced a short while ago is designed to strengthen the arrangements around such hazardous substances. He says it is too early to identify the source of the letters, and the full forensic capabilities of the police are being used to try to discover where they came from. He says anyone who has any idea who may be responsible for the threats should contact the police.
More than half the thalidomide tablets stolen last month have been found in the Feilding tip. Palmerston North CIB say it was a far from appealing job, but with the help of a Feilding refuse worker they searched between 160 and 200 tonnes of rubbish. Just over 6000 of the 10,000 tablets stolen while in transit to Mid Central Health were found. Police say it is likely the remaining missing tablets are also somewhere in the tip. Investigations continue into who is responsible for the theft. The drug was discredited in the sixties when it was used to combat morning sickness in pregnant women and found to cause serious birth defects. However, in recent years thalidomide has demonstrated therapeutic potential against dozens of serious diseases, including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and AIDS.
An Auckland family will have to wait longer for justice to be completed over their daughter's murder in India. Diana Routley was robbed and murdered while backpacking through the country in 1997. Dharam Dev Yadav has been sentenced to hang for his role in the killing. Three of his associates have been acquitted. Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff says that could change. He says the prosecution is appealing the acquittal of the three men and new charges could be laid. And he says the Government cannot back the death sentence. Mr Goff says he was keen to see a harsh penalty but cannot endorse capital punishment. He says there is a chance the sentence may change to life in prison. But Diana's father Alan Routley says the nature of the sentence is at the discretion of the Indian authorities. He says they have tried not to influence the system although he has criticised it for being slow.
A Waikato police officer has been stood down after a complaint of assault was filed against him. Police are investigating the allegation against the Matamata officer. Waikato Police Area Controller Inspector Alan Shearer says the assault was alleged to have occurred late last week. Inspector Shearer says a criminal investigation has been launched, and the investigation is being headed by a senior police officer from outside the area. He says the Police Complaints Authority has been advised and is monitoring the criminal investigation.
A middle-aged con-woman has been sent to jail for preying on the goodwill and charity of her fellow citizens. The woman, 44-year-old Jocelyn Helen Pavlovich has been sentenced to 3 years and 7 months after being convicted of a series of frauds around the country. Police say Pavlovich used up to 30 false names in the past 12 months to defraud victims of up to $19,000. She even conned her way into a pastor's home in Invercargill to eat Christmas dinner with his family.
The dinner table conversation in one Gisborne household will be interesting after a husband and wife - driving separate vehicles - collided. The husband was driving a ute and towing a caravan and his wife was in the family car when they collided at an intersection near their home late Tuesday morning. Police say one of the vehicles failed to give way at the intersection and smashed into the other. The ute ended up on its roof. Fortunately both husband and wife and a passenger escaped injury.
A terrorism expert believes we can almost certainly rule out the possibility the Muslim community is behind the cyanide letters. A group calling itself 'September 11' has posted letters to three diplomatic posts in New Zealand threatening terrorist actions. One letter, posted to the British High Commission, contained cyanide. A copy of the letter is now in the public domain. It refers to America as the Great Satan and threatens terrorist action here if war eventuates in Iraq. Auckland University's terrorism expert Paul Buchanan says the release of the letters has heightened his concern as the person has shown an ability to engage in deception. He says he is trying to cloak himself in the larger Islamic cause. But he says people should not be fooled by the Arabic sign-offs and the letter's similarities to other terrorist communications. He says blaming a Muslim flies in the face of reason. He says the Muslim community in New Zealand is very small and already heavily scrutinised, so he says it is extremely unlikely that anything like this would emerge from them.
Staff at Wellington Zoo are mystified as to why a man entered the tiger enclosure. The man, who is in his late twenties, suffered serious injuries after one of the big cats mauled him. He is now being treated in hospital. City Council spokesman Richard MacLean says the man climbed a three metre fence at about 1pm to get into the enclosure. He says the man suffered extremely serious wounds to his entire body. The man's partner witnessed the incident and raised the alarm. Staff rushed to the tiger enclosure when they heard her screams. Mr MacLean says the zoo staff used fire hoses to push the tiger away from his victim. The zoo has been closed while the incident is investigated. Richard MacLean says counselling is being offered to zoo staff and members of the public who witnessed the attack. Police are interviewing people who saw what happened, including some children who are believed to have been nearby when the incident occurred.
(I am mystified as to why anyone goes to the trouble of being mystified. The man concerned is apparently unwell, and speculation as to his motives are pointless. The tiger's motives may have been more complex, since it had already been fed. - BH)
A life member of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is making moves to have Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth expelled from the club. John Street has written to the squadron commodore asking for a special meeting to decide whether Russell Coutts - who is also a life member - and Brad Butterworth should retain their membership. Mr Street says it is intolerable that the Alinghi sailors should remain in the club, given that they are sailing for another country with the intention of taking the America's Cup away from New Zealand. He says numerous squadron members have approached him, unhappy that the pair are still members. He says if the commodore fails to do anything about it, all it takes is 50 members to sign a petition to force a special meeting.
(Someone should get over themselves. Without these guys the cup would never have come here in the first place. And in any event, the races are ultimately not between nations, but between whoever can put up the money to mount an entry. - BH)
A man is in hospital in Invercargill with serious arm lacerations following a shark attack off Stewart Island. Ambulance officers say the man told them the shark was very big, with mean eyes. Constable Rob Fox says the man had been diving with friends at the Muttonbird Islands when a mako shark attacked as he was about to clamber back on board their boat. He says the shark kept attacking and had about three goes at the diver before his friends managed to get him out of the water. The man's left arm is badly cut.
(Mean eyes? Anthropomorphism gone mad? - BH)
Nine Japanese students have been bailed on charges relating to the death of a fellow student. The body of a Japanese man was found at the Columbus Performing Arts Academy in West Auckland yesterday. The 22-year-old died at an accommodation block at the academy. Nine Japanese nationals ranging in age from 17 to 26 have been charged with assault and kidnapping. All of the accused have been remanded on bail to reappear on March 13, with more serious charges likely. A director of the Columbus Academy has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. He will also reappear in court on March 13.
The rural property market is showing signs of slowing down, with January's median prices dropping by more than 30 percent since December. The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand says the national sales volume also fell on the figures recorded for both December 2002 and January 2002. The Institute's rural spokesman, Murray Cleland, says January is typically less active for the rural property market. He says 2002 was a particularly successful year and it is inevitable that the recent high levels of activity and value of the transactions would begin to level. Mr Cleland says the outlook for 2003 is for a more challenging environment in the rural sector, given the impact of exchange rates, livestock prices and extremely dry weather in some regions. According to statistics released today by the Institute, the national sales volume for January was 179, compared to the December sales volume of 256 and the January 2002 volume of 201. The national median sale price for January was $522,500 compared to December at $755,000, and the January 2002 median of $700,000. However Mr Cleland says at this stage the statistics appear to indicate merely a seasonal easing.
An Auckland beneficiary has been arrested after an investigation sparked by a letter sent to the American ambassador in Wellington. Police say they do not believe the case has any connection with letters destined for three diplomatic missions, one of which contained traces of cyanide. A 62-year-old Mt Eden man will appear in the Auckland District Court later today, charged with posting an indecent article, and with wasting police time. Last week, security staff at the US Embassy in the capital discovered the letter contained a bag filled with white powder. It is not believed to have been toxic, but further tests are being carried out to determine exactly what it is.
National carrier Air New Zealand Ltd today announced a net profit after tax of NZ$93.9 million for the first half to December 31, and said it was on track to meet its full-year profit forecast. The result compared with a NZ$376 million loss in the year ago period, which included a NZ$350 million one-off charge linked to the closure of its Ansett Australia unit. "The results reflect the first signs of what the board and management consider a renewed Air New Zealand," said Air New Zealand chairman John Palmer. Air NZ shares last traded up two cents at NZ$0.53. The better-than-expected result came as Air NZ, saved by a NZ$885 million New Zealand government rescue package last year, waits for competition regulators to approve an alliance with Australia's Qantas Airways . Palmer said that Air New Zealand had benefited from a NZ$61 million reduction in fuel costs and a higher New Zealand dollar, which helped trim other operating costs. Debt fell sharply partly because of lower United States interest rates. Air New Zealand said it hoped to complete a rights issue in the first half of 2003, though no indication was given of the size. "It is still our intention that, in order to further strengthen our balance sheet, we will conduct a rights issue," said chief executive Ralph Norris. "Time is obviously moving on but we are hopeful that it can still be completed in the first half of this year." The proposed strategic alliance with Qantas would result in the Australian carrier taking a 22.5 percent in Air NZ in return for a cash injection of around NZ$550 million. The New Zealand government currently holds an 82 percent stake in the airline, with 5.5 percent held by BIL International and 4.5 percent by Singapore Airlines Ltd . Competition regulators have said a decision could be made sometime around mid-year. The airline said it still expected to report a NZ$230 million full year profit before unusuals and tax but also said uncertain world events could negatively impact on business. Air NZ has already said that traffic in the half year to December rose 7.2 percent from the year earlier, with the overall load factor up around seven percent to 76 percent.
Disgraced Christchurch lawyer Philip Coburn could end up being struck off as the Canterbury District Law Society investigates his crimes. The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to fraud, forgery and document charges totalling $1.4 million in the District Court today. Law Society president Gerald Nation says he cannot comment specifically on Coburn's case, but says proceedings can be brought against dishonest lawyers to have them struck off. The court heard that Coburn took the money to fund his gambling addiction. Serious Fraud Office Director David Bradshaw says they can be seen to take seriously any alleged breaches by persons in positions of trust. He says such cases will be thoroughly investigated and when warranted a prosecution will follow. With regard to any penalty Coburn may receive David Bradshaw says that's up to the court to determine. Meanwhile, Christchurch Casino says the Coburn case highlights the need for legislation to enable them to deal with problem gamblers. CEO Arthur Pitcher says gambling watchdog groups have come down strongly on casinos in general and Christchurch Casino in particular, saying casinos should stop turning a blind eye on gambling problems. But he says under current laws casinos open ourselves up to law suits, should they attempt to remove problem gamblers from their premises Mr Pitcher says casinos need to be able to legally ban them. Currently problem gamblers can only be banned from a casino if they join a self-barring scheme - ironically, a scheme which was pioneered at Christchurch Casino.
There are signs autumn has arrived early. Temperatures in many areas this month have been as cold as an average March. The figures have prompted the MetService to switch on its frost forecasting system 10 days earlier than normal. It recorded light frosts last Saturday at 14 weather stations around the country. The air temperature dropped as low as minus three degrees at Waiouru and last week snow fell unseasonably early over the South Island mountains. Meanwhile, a number of roads on the Coromandel Peninsula have been closed as a slow moving front continues to dump rain on the region. State Highway 25, which runs around the peninsula, is closed due to flooding at Manaia, South Whitianga and Haikuai. There are also a number of other minor road closures.
A person has been arrested following a protest against KFC stores in Wellington. Around 20 people gathered outside the KFC in Manners Mall with banners carrying an anti- vivisectionist message. Police spokesman Paul Berry says the group then moved through town to protest outside the fast food chain's Kent Terrace branch. He says they were generally well-behaved and failed to stop anyone from entering the fast food stores for lunch. Mr Berry says he is not yet sure if the arrested person will be charged.
(I refuse to eat any animal that is not made of meat! - BH)
The two men who were missing in the Nelson and West Coast regions have been found safe and well. Two search and rescue operations got underway this morning after a 68- year-old man failed to return from a day-tramp in the Aniseed Valley south of Nelson. On the West Coast police were helicoptered in to the Taipo Valley in a bid to locate a missing English tourist. Both men were located soon after.
It has been revealed the two people involved in the incident which saw a man mauled by a tiger at Wellington Zoo are psychiatric patients who had wandered away from care. A 29-year-old man remains in Wellington Hospital after climbing into the tiger enclosure and being mauled. He underwent eight hours of surgery following the attack. A woman with him at the time is now back at Capital and Coast Healthcare's mental health unit. Capital and Coast Health has launched an inquiry into all aspects of the incident, which will be led by external experts in the field of Mental Health. However, the authority will not comment on the specifics of the investigation. Counselling has been offered to a party of Palmerston North students who saw the attack. Five students from Freyberg High School were near the enclosure when the incident happened. Meanwhile, staff at Wellington Zoo are still being debriefed and a further statement is expected to be issued later this afternoon. No action is being taken against Rokan the tiger. The zoo is open as usual today.
(Hmmm ... I think the tiger knows more than it is telling - BH)
An employee was shut in the chiller, and the manager's car torched, during an aggravated robbery at an Auckland Burger King outlet on Friday morning. North Shore police say two disguised offenders confronted the manager and a staff member at the Albany Mega Centre branch of the fast food chain at about 2.15am. One was carrying a knife. Burger King spokesman Glenn Corbett says the robbers tied the staff member to racking in a chiller, which prevented the fridge from being opened from the inside. They then forced the manager to open the safe, before tying him up and leaving with a quantity of cash. One of the workers was left inside the restaurant chiller and the manager's car was set alight. The staff member, who was in the chiller two hours, is receiving counselling.
Market commentators are pleased with Air New Zealand's return to profit and say its outlook is good. The national carrier has returned a profit of $94 million for the six months to December, thanks to its new cut-price domestic service and the strong New Zealand dollar. UBS Warburg regional airlines analyst Timothy Ross says plans to extend the no-frills service to the trans-Tasman route will not affect Air New Zealand's existing cut price brand Freedom Air. He says Freedom predominantly flies to Queensland, so its parent company is likely to roll out a no-frills service to other Australian centres. Mr Ross says Air New Zealand's management has seized the initiative in terms of deciding which markets the airline needs to be in. He also believes Air New Zealand is better placed than many airlines to go forward in the face of world uncertainty over war in Iraq.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's criticised Maori as being unmotivated. The controversial comments are made in an Australian newspaper this morning. The Herald Sun quotes the New Zealand opera superstar as saying she wishes there were more Maori with her sort of attitude. She says she knows one Maori who has been on a benefit for 37 years. Dame Kiri says she wishes her culture had a better attitude.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is being urged to come home to live before making comments about Maori. The Opera superstar has told an Australian newspaper that Maori are unmotivated and she wishes her people had a better attitude. Maori lawyer and activist Annette Sykes says she is concerned about the criticism coming from someone who has lived a long way from home for a long time. She says she would be very concerned if Dame Kiri's comments were taken seriously as having any relevance to Maori development and achievements in this day and age.
Legislation requiring Television New Zealand to have a more public service focus passed through its final stage in Parliament last night. It provides a public service charter to guide TVNZ and turns it into a Crown-owned company. It also severs the broadcasting transmission arm from TVNZ and makes it an independent SOE. Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey says that under the new model, TVNZ can make a bigger contribution to national development and the cultural wealth of the nation. He is looking forward to more innovative and high quality programming on TV.
A Swiss tourist missing in the Mt Arthur region near Motueka has been found safe and well. Thirty-five-year-old Rainer Dunst left with three others to go tramping in the region. He set off to return to their vehicle early, but when the others arrived later, there was no sign of him. A search began shortly after midnight, but Mr Dunst has since made his own way out of the bush.
The jury has retried to consider its verdict in the trial of Nika Abraham at the High Court in Wellington. The 22- year-old is charged with strangling Lower Hutt woman Kate Alkema in April last year. In its closing statement, the defence argued the Crown's case was based on the flawed assumption Kate Alkema took a certain route. It also pointed out to the jury there was no DNA linking Abraham to Mrs Alkema. In his summing up, the judge directed the jury that it was up to them to assess the truth of a videotaped confession by Abraham.
Police are concerned for the safety of a six-and-a-half- year-old girl missing from the Christchurch suburb of Riccarton since last night. Stacey Leigh Scott has blonde, shoulder length hair and was last seen wearing a blue top and pink pants and was wheeling a bicycle. Christchurch police say Stacey has not been seen since 8pm on Sunday. They are asking members of the public to contact them immediately if they know anything regarding her disappearance.
Friends and former colleagues of the late Wellington actress Davina Whitehouse will have the chance to remember her life and her huge contribution to theatre in the capital. Ms Whitehouse died at her son's home in Auckland early on Christmas Day. Local theatre veteran Dame Kate Harcourt is helping to organise a memorial event at the Paramount Theatre. She says it will feature a range of memories of Ms Whitehouse and tributes to her. The memorial event will begin at 11am on Friday at the Paramount Theatre
Police have released the name of a man killed at a South Auckland service station. He was 21-year-old Punoua Robert Harvey Tourangi. The Otara man was found dead at a Papatoetoe Caltex station early Sunday morning. Police are focusing on a brawl at the service station, believed to have followed a large party nearby. Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford says the fight involved softball bats, knives, screwdrivers and bottle throwing. Police are trying to contact a number of witness who are yet to come forward. Police are still trying to piece together the events at an South Auckland party which led to the death of a man.
Latest statistics have confirmed there has been no let up
in the current tourism boom. Visitor arrivals for the year
to the end of January totalled 2,061,000, up 144,400 or
eight percent on the previous corresponding period.
Holidaymakers accounted for just over half the overseas
visitors, while 26 percent were here to visit relatives or
friends. There were more visitors from Britain, Japan,
China and the United States. The number of departures was
also up on the previous 12 months but by only one percent
to 1,296,000. Also in the year to the end of January there
was a net inflow of 39,000 migrants to New Zealand. In the
month of January alone permanent and long-term (PLT)
arrivals exceeded departures by 5,600, compared with a net
inflow of 4,700 in January 2002. There were significant net
PLT inflows from China (14,500), India (6,500), UK (6,400),
South Africa (2,600), Japan (2,300), Korea (2,100) and Fiji
(2,000). Conversely there was a net outflow to Australia of
11,700 people.
Around 1700 people turned up at Auckland's Viaduct Basin on Monday to watch the official handing over of the America's Cup to the victorious Alinghi syndicate. Russell Coutts and crew, along with syndicate boss Ernesto Bertarelli, were on hand to accept the Auld Mug from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The crowd was told that the ceremony was not only to congratulate the winners but also to acknowledge New Zealand's eight year hold on yachting's most prized trophy. Crew members from both Alinghi and Team New Zealand were presented with medals during the ceremony. The mood was significantly different to that of three years ago when New Zealand defended the Cup. Monday's ceremony ended with the playing of "Now is the Hour". Meanwhile, in Wellington the Prime Minister has confirmed that the loss of the America's Cup was discussed at Monday's meeting of the Cabinet. Helen Clark says there is no disputing the fact that the event has had a major spin off for New Zealand. When asked if it was the Government's role to put money into yachting, Miss Clark replied the Government's role was whatever it wanted it to be. And the Prime Minister has no hard feelings about Russell Coutts. "He's an extremely talented New Zealander who has done extremely well. Life's too short for bitterness." Miss Clark has confirmed that America's Cup Minister Trevor Mallard will be discussing various issues raised by the loss of the Auld Mug with Team New Zealand.
(Sob! Sniff! Snuffle! - BH)
A potentially life-saving service for those suffering a heart attack has been launched in a joint effort by Wellington Hospital, Wellington Free Ambulance and Telecom. The new technology allows ambulance staff to take an ECG reading in the ambulance and transmit the data over the 027 line to the hospital's cardiac care unit. Cardiologist Doctor Phil Matsis says a new clot-busting drug, when given early, can reduce mortality rates by 10 percent. He says the ability to take an ECG in the ambulance means precious time is saved for those who could benefit from the drug.
Police are trying to track down a vehicle seen in the vicinity of a northern Hawke's Bay shooting. Thirty police officers are involved in the inquiry, after an incident in Hunterbrown Street in Wairoa on Friday morning. Two men were taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital with gunshot wounds to their legs. Detective Sergeant Steve Smith says police have completed a scene examination, but they still want information on a blue 1986 Mitsubishi Sedan with gold mag wheels that was in the area.
The family of Kate Alkema says not even the harshest of sentences can compensate for their loss. A High Court jury took just over an hour on Monday to find Nika Abraham guilty of murdering the Lower Hutt woman last April. Mrs Alkema's brother, John Theyers, discovered his sister's body, after she went missing while on a morning walk along the Hutt River. He says the justice system needs to concentrate on preventing such horrific crimes, instead of spending so much effort dealing with the criminals after the fact. Meanwhile, the detective in charge of the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam, says Mrs Alkema naturally drew people to her and her death was a huge loss for the community.
One of the riders who has returned home from a troubled horse trek in Taranaki is calling for the closure of the event. More than a dozen horses were killed in a late night stampede at the MS Great New Zealand Horse Trek campsite near Urenui on Sunday. The rider, who does not want to be named, says she is absolutely distraught. She says the magnitude of the event could have been lessened with proper fencing and more adequate gate security. She says it was lucky no one was killed as the stampeding horses flattened a number of tents. The horse trek is raising money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and organisers say it will continue as scheduled. Two hundred and seventy riders registered for the event. They have received counselling and around 200 have decided to continue the trek. MS National Director of Operations Nola Rawson says she will be debriefed by the trek organiser, Trudi Jordan, when the event wraps up on Sunday. She says it is not yet known what caused the stampede.
The Ministry of Health is investigating claims some students at a Japanese academy need health services. A student at Auckland-based Columbus Academy was found dead on the premises last week. Nine students and the director have been charged in connection with the death. Ministry of Health spokesman Dr Colin Feek says the Ministry has had reports that some students are not receiving necessary health care. He says the academy is not a registered health provider. Immigration officials are also involved in the investigation.
Police have located the weapon used in a stabbing attack on a Napier cyclist. A 29-year-old man was stabbed in the back after he stopped to roll a cigarette in Riverbend Road on Thursday night. Detective Craig Davis says the knife used was found in the Rose Gardens on Russell Street, just a few hundred metres from where the unprovoked attack took place. He says it was a boning knife with a 14 centimetre blade and a 14 centimetre blue plastic handle with the word "DICK" written on it. Craig Davis says if anyone recognises its description, they should contact the police.
Anti-smoking campaigners say a new report shows banning the habit in bars and restaurants does not lead to a drop in patronage. A review in the British Medical Journal of 97 studies has criticised the view that smoke bans lead to a loss in business. It says many studies that come to that conclusion are biased and of poor quality. The report also looks at 21 studies it considers to be objective and independent. None of those report a loss in business because of a smoking ban. Four even report a positive effect on sales. The New Zealand Government is considering a smoking ban in bars and restaurants.
(As far as I know, there a still a lot of highly profitable bars throughout California. - BH)
It is hoped a new Maori tourist attraction will fill the some of the void left in Auckland's economy by the loss of the America's Cup. Work is set to begin on the cultural venture at Bastion Point. Te Pa is a high tech attraction providing an insight into the history of Maori in Auckland in a form of a sound, light and fire show. Oceania Attractions Chairman, Kim Heegan, says Te Pa will have a positive effect on Auckland's economy, post-America's Cup, injecting around $300 million into the city over the next 10 years.
New Zealand retailers have launched another broadside in their battle to deregulate the country's pharmacies. At present only a pharmacist can own a chemist shop, and the Health Professionals' Competency Assurance Bill currently before Parliament would retain this monopoly. However, it would end the only other retail ownership monopoly, which is currently held by optometrists, who support the ending of their monopoly. The Pharmacy Guild, which represents chemist shop owners, says it is important to maintain the involvement of health professionals as deregulation raises issues of accountability and public safety. The Retailers Association - which represents supermarkets who want to be able to sell medicines too - says a survey they have carried out reveals chemist shops have some of the shortest operating hours in retail. The Association says the pharmacists' monopoly results in short opening hours and high prices, which limits people's access to prescription and pharmacy-only medicines. Their survey revealed that supermarkets were open nearly twice as long as pharmacists, on average. The Association claims that chemists have been using fear tactics. It says chemists are saying that if their monopoly is ended communities would lose services, but the Association claims the most likely impact is that access would be improved if supermarkets were able to operate a pharmacy. The Association points out that a supermarket-owned pharmacy would still have to employ a qualified pharmacist to dispense drugs.
Expansion is on the agenda for Canterbury Winery Waipara Hills Estate as it looks to make moves into the Australian market. The vineyard has won a swag of awards of late, including a double gold for its 2002 Riesling at the 2003 Sydney Wine Show. Export manager Ian Blowers believes awards success will help them as they expand their sales across the Tasman. The company is expanding with the appointment of Sydney-based Combined Wines and Foods as a distributor in New South Wales and the Australian Territories.
There are fears the high number of teens checking out hardcore pornography on the web may in some cases lead to more serious behaviour. An Australian survey shows more than 80 percent of 16- and 17-year-old boys across the Tasman are accessing hardcore porn. The survey says that includes viewing depictions of rape, sexual torture and bestiality. Child Psychologist Ian Lambie says this will be happening amongst teenage New Zealand boys too. He says it can potentially be dangerous if such images make up a teen's first sexual experience. Dr Lambie says some young people may want to act out what they have seen. He says parents need to talk to their children about appropriate sexuality and restrict what they hear and see.
Police are investigating another two suspicious items received in the mail. The New Zealand Herald newspaper has received a second threatening letter, similar to those sent to three diplomatic missions last month. Police were also alerted to a suspicious package which was received by the Auckland Mail Centre. Auckland Police District Commander Howard Broad says New Zealand Post alerted police to the package because its content was leaking. He says police are investigating a possible link between the two items but will not comment on whether the Herald letter could be linked to similar terrorist threats. The Herald, along with the American embassy and the British and Australian high commissions, was sent letters containing white powder last month. One of the letters contained traces of cyanide. The newspaper says the latest letter arrived yesterday and was immediately taken away by police. It says the letter makes references to a cyanide attack and refers to an action against a particular target, by a particular date. Meanwhile, Herald staff say they are feeling quite safe, despite receiving the terror letters.
It has a nasty bite that can lead to the flesh wasting disease necrotising fasciitis, but entomologist Ruud Kleinpast doubts the white tailed spider is a killer. The Palmerston North coroner is waiting for reports on the death of a 20-year-old woman bitten by a white-tail spider a month before her death. Ruud Kleinpaste says the spiders have been in this country for about 120 years but there has never been any recorded death either here or in Australia. There are two different white-tailed species in New Zealand, both of which arrived from Australia. The bite of the spider itself is quite weak, but it is thought that bacteria carried on the fangs of the white-tail can cause blisters, ulceration and necrosis of the skin. Ruud Kleinpaste says there are plenty of records of people ending up in hospital with toes rotted off after six months and big holes in their bodies, but no deaths. The white- tail spider's normal prey are other spiders, particularly black house spiders in New Zealand.
Hawke's Bay police are investigating two incidents where a man has threatened people with a pistol. In the latest incident, a couple was accosted while visiting Napier's Marine Parade. The assailant demanded the woman's purse and when the request was refused, he held the gun to her husband's head and pulled the trigger four times. The gun failed to discharge and the man left the scene with two others in a yellow Daihatsu, which had been earlier reported stolen from a local street. Senior Sergeant John Lovatt says the incident is similar to one on Tuesday morning where a woman was confronted in Tamatea. She also had a pistol pointed at her and the trigger was pulled, but the gun did not fire. Mr Lovatt describes the offender as a Maori in his late teens with a number four haircut.
A Chinese man accused of murder has been remanded in custody for trial at the High Court at Auckland. Zhen Li is charged with murdering 10-year-old Hua Dai. He has also been charged with the attempted murder of the boy's mother Wenda Dai. In January, Li entered two pleas of not guilty. He has been remanded for trial on June 16.
The rising New Zealand dollar is not flowing through to the petrol pumps, but higher world oil prices certainly have. The Automobile Association's monthly review of prices finds a steady rise through February. Average pump prices for 91 across the country rose to $1.14 a litre, up 6.4 cents. For 96 grade petrol the average price is now around $1.20, an increase of 8.4 cents. Diesel varied between 70.9 and 81.9 cents a litre across the country, with an average price of 75.9 cents. Waikato is one of the cheapest places to pick up petrol, at around $1.10 a litre for 91. The AA is reiterating its advice that motorists should prepare themselves for possible further price increases if conflict in the Middle East occurs.
(Wellington prices seem to be $1.159 - BH)
The body representing commercial fishing crews is echoing calls from the Maritime Safety Authority. The MSA is alarmed at the rising number of cases involving skippers falling asleep at the helm. It follows the suspension of the skipper of a fishing boat who fell asleep at the wheel, just before a collision with a car carrier anchored in Tasman Bay. The skipper of Da Vinci has had his maritime documents suspended by the Maritime Safety Authority following Sunday's incident. Federation of Commercial Fishermen President Peter Jones says it can be difficult for crews to rest up. He says things can go wrong that need to be attended to, which eats into the time available for resting. But Mr Jones says that is no excuse for falling asleep at the wheel, and if people are that tired they need to anchor up and sleep, before travelling back to port. MSA director Russell Kilvington says it is unacceptable behaviour which warrants strong action. He says fatigue amongst the crew of commercial fishing boats is a major concern. Mr Kilvington says the MSA continues to see cases where people fall asleep at a time when they are responsible for the safe navigation of a vessel and have the lives of others in their hands.
The man accused of murdering Upper Hutt man Johnny Walker is due to reappear in court today. Twenty-seven-year-old Lee Hori Bishell is accused of killing the pensioner last December. He was arrested 11 days after Mr Walker's battered body was found in his Fergusson Drive flat. Bishell has been out on bail for the past month staying with family in the New Plymouth area.
South Pacific pictures believes word of mouth is getting people in cinemas to see Whale Rider. The film, directed by Niki Caro and based on the writings of Witi Ihimaera, has just become the second highest grossing local film in the New Zealand market. It has taken $3.3 million in four and a half weeks. It replaces the previous number two movie 'What becomes of the Broken Hearted?', the sequel to 'Once were Warriors', which keeps its number one spot. 'Whale Rider' already boasts three audience choice awards from the Sundance, Rotterdam and Toronto film festivals. Whale Rider producer John Barnett believes its reputation has done more for the box office than its advertising campaign. He says people are going twice and telling their friends. The movie opens in Australia on May 8 before heading to the US market. The film stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as 12-year-old Pai, who faces and has to overcome the rules and restrictions of Maori society and of her own family.
(It is a great movie, based on an excellent piece of writing by Witi Ihimaera. Much of the pleasure for me was in the bit parts, and the sheer realism of the characters. Don't miss it! - BH)
Vegetable growers on the Kapiti Coast are praying for rain. Otaki District Growers Association president Bruce Corlett says the ground is cracking on some farms and any rain that does fall does not sink in. He says there need to be at least 25 millimetres of rain for a few days to restore moisture levels in the soil. Mr Corlett says that based previous hot seasons, the drought may last for another month.
Police have issued a $20,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of Sheryl Brown's killer. The 45-year-old was found bashed to death in an Auckland city car park last December. Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner says the case has proved difficult, given the nature of the people in the area at the time of the attack, and the varying eyewitness reports they have received. He says police have talked to more than 1000 people, and it is likely one of them is the offender. He says the reward is on offer until July 1st. Greg Turner says the case is made difficult because Ms Brown's body lay outside in the rain before it was found.
A Mangakino man has been sentenced to eight months' jail for possessing and trading in child pornography. John Noble came to the attention of Internal Affairs after they received a tip-off from US Customs. The 64-year-old was trading images over the Internet of children being sexually abused by men. Inspectors seized his computer, CD ROMs and videotapes and found more than 36,000 images, two-thirds of which were pictures of sexual abuse. Noble pleaded guilty to 39 child pornography charges.
The Race Relations Commissioner is again at the centre of a political storm, this time for suggesting businesses should be using Maori names. Joris de Bres says it would be good for branding, good for the Maori language and good for the country's image. However, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says that is 'bunkum'. Mr Peters says clearly, Mr de Bres does not have enough to do and is dreaming up this sort of thing to fill up his time. And United Future's Marc Alexander wonders whether Mr de Bres has a secret agenda to deliberately sabotage race relations in this country. Mr Alexander says he fully supports anyone who wants to use the Maori language but it should not be forced on anyone.
Police say there is mounting concern over the disappearance of a Porirua youth. Fifteen-year-old Zahn Salu-Hamilton was last seen at his Titahi Bay home around 1pm Wednesday afternoon. Senior Sergeant Steve Whitehead says Zahn is 183cm tall and of slim build. He says when he was last seen he was wearing beige cargo pants, a grey short-sleeved button-up top, a beige baseball cap and black shoes. Anyone with information about Zahn's whereabouts is urged to call the police.
One of the two men injured in a double shooting in Wairoa last Friday has died. Forty-two-year-old Kevin Rutherford Tuahine from Wairoa died in Hawke's Bay hospital yesterday. The second wounded gang member is expected to be released from hospital within a few days. Meanwhile a Wairoa Black Power gang member charged over the shooting has been remanded in custody. The 27-year-old man appeared in the Gisborne District Court on Wednesday afternoon. He is currently charged with assault and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle but police have made it clear he will eventually face further more serious charges.
A Wellington schoolgirl is recovering in Taupo Hospital after being stretchered out of bush near the Tongariro river. The 16-year-old fell ill last night. The weather was not good enough to send a rescue chopper so search and rescue volunteers trekked to the camp site. They carried the girl out to a waiting ambulance.
Almost 11 hectares of undeveloped Queenstown land, thought to be the largest parcel of undeveloped land in the resort town is up for sale. The section is expected to fetch more than $8 million. Kelvin Collins from Harcourts Queenstown Real Estate says the land is zoned low density and could accommodate more than 100 sections. He says the property is owned by a family trust headed by three elderly Southland- based farmers. Mr Collins says the land is up for tender and he expects interest to be high. Tenders close at the end of the month.
ALSTOM has released the name of the employee who died last night after receiving an 11,000 volt shock. Twenty-two year-old Kurt Stott was seriously burned while switching electrical gear at the Haywards Hill substation near Wellington. His colleague, Andries Nieman, was also burned and is in a critical condition at Waikato Hospital. ALSTOM Managing Director Geoff Hunt says the company is doing all it can to support families and workmates. Meanwhile, three state agencies are investigating the explosion. The Energy Safety Service, OSH and police are all investigating, as are Transpower and the men's employer, Alsthom. ESS Operations Manager Graham Boxall says the men were connecting switchgear when the explosion occurred. It could be several days before the cause is known.
Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard has again indicated interest rates may be cut later in the year. The bank has decided to leave the Official Cash Rate, which determines interest rates, unchanged at 5.75 percent. Mr Bollard says that although the exchange rate has appreciated further, there is no evidence of inflationary pressures. He says the domestic economy has been more robust than was previously thought. "Rapid population growth, rising employment and the earlier strength in the export sector have fuelled strong household consumption and supported higher residential investment and housing market activity. Capacity utilisation is high and demand for labour is strong. Consequently, inflation in industries serving the domestic economy is relatively high at around 4 percent." He says the stronger currency and stronger domestic economy continue to pull inflationary pressures in opposite directions. CPI inflation is projected to fall over the next few quarters, reflecting the impact of the exchange rate on import prices. CPI inflation is expected to settle comfortably within the target range over the medium term. However, Mr Bollard says the Reserve Bank does not yet have sufficient certainty about the medium-term path of inflation to warrant a cut in interest rates now, although the assessment could change over the months ahead. He says the bank will be carefully watching economic developments and when there is reduced pressure on resources and medium- term inflation, there may be scope for a cut in the OCR later in the year.
The public is being asked to offer its opinion on a permanent 24-hour phone health advice service. Healthline has been piloted in four areas throughout New Zealand since May 2000. It is staffed by registered nurses who assess a caller's health needs and give free advice. Health Minister Annette King says Healthline has proven very successful. She says the Government now wants views on establishing the service permanently. People can make submissions to the Ministry of Health. The new national Healthline is set to be up and running by next year.
Date: 27 February 2003 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
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