WYSIWYG NEWS - 4 August, 2006

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 4 August, 2006 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer.  
 
Still in Melaka, but with just one more full day in Malaysia, 
I decided to jump in my rental car and drive South, staying 
close to the coast. Sign boards indicated that the next 
significant centre of population to the South was somewhere 
called Muar. Despite my total ignorance of what I might find 
there, I reasoned that I had never been there before, and that 
therefore the drive to  Muar was potentially as interesting as 
any other journey I might make. Occasionally I suffered from 
pangs of anxiety when the somewhat erratic road signage failed 
to mention Muar, but what the heck, I was just intent on 
seeing some of the country, and therefore whatever I saw met 
my purpose. Various small settlements passed by, and lunch 
seemed to be calling to me. A modern bridge over a wide river 
gave me a view out towards the coast and there was a largish 
town in the distance off to my right. Clearly I had missed the 
exit to Muar, so at the earliest exit, I rejoined the highway 
and re-crossed the river to find the road to Muar. Extensive 
light industrial areas told me that this was a town of some 
size (population in excess of 300,000). Apparently the most 
common industry in town is furniture making, and I imagine it 
is the source of much of the low cost furniture, often made of 
rubber wood, that finds its way to New Zealand. As I came into 
the town centre, across yet another bridge, I could see a row 
of restaurants to my right. Unfortunately, the road mandated a 
left turn off the bridge, and like many of the towns in that 
part of Malaysia at least, one way streets were a feature. I 
usually have a good sense of orientation and managed to 
circumnavigate the CBD to arrive at a riverside food market. I 
wandered the stalls and selected one that offered Nasi Lemak 
at a modest price, and with a cup of orange juice thrown in I 
spent the equivalent of NZD$1.50 on a very satisfying lunch. 
Sitting in the food market looking out through the windowless 
walls I could see on the far side of the river, a magnificent 
mosque with very striking architecture set in lush green park 
like surrounds.  I later learned that this was the Sultan 
Ismail Mosque. After lunch I walked the town at great risk to 
my ankles. More than most other places, Muar seems to suffer 
from the uneven footpath problem. I formed the opinion that 
this is a provincial industrial town with no pretensions to 
any of the amenities that usually go with high levels of 
tourism, and in many ways that made it more attractive to me. 
I eventually returned to Melaka and parked my car. I was 
uncertain what cuisine I wanted for my last evening in 
Malaysia so I went south on foot to the Portuguese settlement 
where I had an excellent seafood meal. By then, I was too full 
and too hot to walk back to Melaka central so found a cab 
which for just NZD$8 did a good hour of tourism on the way 
back. 

The next day I returned via the North South highway to the 
extraordinary Kuala Lumpur International Airport. For reasons 
I still don't understand, I found my agent had booked me on 
first class for the KL to Singapore leg with Singapore 
Airlines. I was a few hours earlier, so the blessed cool oasis 
of the Silver Kris lounge provided a very comfortable spot in 
which to sit and sort out my 260 or so digital images. And so 
back home into all the chaos of an extraordinary wet and cold 
New Zealand winter. Still dressed for KL, I was met by my 
dearly beloved at Wellington Airport in the midst of a howling 
southerly gale, and the news that SH2 from Wellington to Lower 
Hutt was blocked by slips at Horokiwi. It was a long drive 
from the airport to the Pauatahanui inlet and over the 
Haywards hill to home. Happily Mary had brought a heavy jacket 
to ward off the winter chills, and so my Malaysian adventure 
was concluded. 

Well almost. A week later I came out in a striking rash and 
felt truly awful with aches and pains and many other 
unpleasant symptoms. My doctor was not absolutely certain, but 
thinks I had a mild case of Dengue fever. I am almost back to 
normal now. The rash has gone and I expect to resume work on 
Monday. See you next week. 
 
---- 
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.  
 
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced 
by kind permission (renewed this week) of copyright owner, 
Newstalk ZB News. All copyright in the news items reproduced 
remains the property of The Radio Network Limited.  
 
Our change of staff has occurred. News gathering and 
formatting is now being carried out by GS (who wishes to 
remain anonymous). Helen is getting into her new job.  
 
This edition of the news is sponsored by John Burland in 
Germany. Many thanks John. 

----  
On with the News.  
 
Monday, 31 July 2006 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
CHARGES LAID OVER INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT 
------------------------------------- 
 
Charges have been laid over the incident which saw a worker 
seriously injured when he was dragged into an industrial 
shredder in New Plymouth. The worker's legs and an arm had to 
be amputated. The incident happened in February and now the 
Department of Labour is prosecuting the man's employer, 
Manawatu Waste Limited for failing to take all practicable 
steps to ensure his safety. The maximum fine for the offence 
is $250,000. 
 
(Occasionally I wonder if there must be someone to be held 
liable for every misfortune. In this case, however, the danger 
was apparently drawn to the employer's attention on several 
occasions - BH)
 
GOVT SPENDS $771 MILLION ON HELICOPTERS 
--------------------------------------- 
 
The Government has signed off the purchase of a brand new 
fleet of helicopters to replace the air force's 14 ageing 
Iroquois. Defence Minister Phil Goff says the eight new NH90s, 
which cost $771 million, are a good investment. It is the 
Government's biggest defence purchase in close to 20 years and 
Mr Goff says it is the most significant spend-up in defence 
since the two ANZAC frigates were ordered in 1989. He says 
they represent state-of-the-art technology which is being 
adopted by NATO countries as well as Australia. He says the 
NH90s can carry 19 rather than eight passengers and can cruise 
at 260 kilometres an hour- a third faster. Mr Goff says in 
addition, their maximum range is 800 kilometres as opposed to 
330. He says the choppers will be used for border control, 
civil defence, police and counter-terrorism work as well as 
military operations. He says the defence force has been 
modernised and upgraded by the purchase. 
 
(The price has ballooned almost 50% since the first figure was 
floated, mostly due to the significant drop in the exchange 
rate of the NZD in relation to the USD. Opponents of the 
scheme seem torn between making a meal of the price blow out 
and supporting the long needed upgrade of the ancient Iroquois 
with which the comparisons above are made - BH) 
 
JULY WAS WETTEST ON RECORD 
-------------------------- 
 
Statistics confirm this month has been the wettest July on 
record for parts of the Wairarapa and Wanganui. MetService 
forecaster Bob McDavitt says it's due to an unusual cluster 
that saw those areas hit by three rain-making low pressure 
systems in as many weeks. He says another low-pressure system 
is getting ready to cross central New Zealand later this week. 
It may bring some heavy rain to the eastern Bay of Plenty on 
Wednesday, but is not expected to be as wet any of the three 
storms in the first half of July. 
 
(I was lucky enough to enjoy the tropical warmth of Malaysia 
for almost two weeks of it, but the impact has lingered. - BH) 
 
NEW DIRECTION FOR CURRICULUM 
---------------------------- 
 
The Government is poised to launch a new draft school 
curriculum which will reset the direction of subjects taught 
in schools. The current curriculum was introduced in 1993 and 
was reviewed between 2000 and 2002 in what was known as the 
curriculum stocktake. The Government says the new, simplified 
document sets out the core values that go with the education 
system, and provides a clear statement of the skills, and 
knowledge that all students need in the 21st century. The 
document includes a new section on learning languages. 
 
THUMBS UP FOR NEW CURRICULUM 
---------------------------- 
 
Primary teachers are hailing a draft new school curriculum. 
Their union, the NZEI, says it simplifies the current complex 
and unwieldy system, which was introduced in 1993 and was 
reviewed between 2000 and 2002 in what was known as the 
curriculum stock take. President Irene Cooper says not only is 
it more user friendly, but it gives schools more freedom to 
determine the most effective way to teach the curriculum. She 
says schools will still be required to teach core skills, such 
as numeracy and literacy, but will be able to adapt lessons to 
make them relevant to their community. The Government says the 
new, simplified document sets out the core values that go with 
the education system, and provides a clear statement of the 
skills, and knowledge that all students need in the 21st 
century. The document includes a new section on learning 
languages. 
 
SOMBRE PROTEST OVER HERCEPTIN 
----------------------------- 
 
A sombre protest has been held in Auckland today against 
PHARMAC's decision not to fund Herceptin. The drug funding 
agency announced on Friday it would not subsidise the breast 
cancer treatment for early stage breast cancer, saying there 
was insufficient clinical data proving that the medicine 
actually prolonged life in those cases. PHARMAC says research 
shows women taking Herceptin have little long-term benefit, 
despite some studies overseas claiming otherwise. Around 50 
breast cancer sufferers and their supporters stood in the rain 
in Aotea Square as part of a show of support in the wake of 
the decision. The group took part in a march through the 
square which included a pink coffin labelled 'Breast Cancer 
Kills - Herceptin saves Lives'. Campaigners have vowed this is 
just the start of their push to get the decision overturned. 
Protest organiser Libby Burgess says there is dismay at 
PHARMAC's decision as shown by those gathered today. She says 
more protest action is planned. 
 
(There are mixed emotions as I have indicated before. Those 
from competing interest groups seem relieved - BH) 
 
TRAFFIC PLAN IN PLACE FOR MALL SHOPPERS 
--------------------------------------- 
 
Measures are place to stop traffic on Auckland's southern 
motorway grinding to a halt when the next phase of New 
Zealand's biggest shopping mall opens tomorrow. A branch of 
Pak'n'Save supermarket opens at the Sylvia Park complex in Mt 
Wellington tomorrow and is expected to attract big crowds. In 
a bid to prevent the gridlock which happened in June when the 
mall first opened, Auckland City Council has been meeting on a 
weekly basis to put roading plans in place. Transport 
Operations Manager Barry Williams says recommended entrances 
and routes have been advertised. He says shoppers can help by 
travelling outside of peak hours or by using public transport. 
 
SCHEME TO HELP FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS 
------------------------------------- 
 
The Housing Minister says the Government will be providing 
assistance for first time home buyers to make it easier for 
them to get into home ownership. Research by AC Nielsen for 
Wizard Home Loans shows a 12 percent fall in the number of New 
Zealanders owning their own homes in the year to March. 
Minister Chris Carter says the increasing scarcity of land has 
pushed up house prices beyond the reach of some people. He 
says funding will be provided in the next budget for a shared 
equity scheme as one way of getting more people into their own 
homes. Mr Carter says it seems home ownership rates have 
dropped from 75 percent to 65 percent in the last 10 years. He 
suspects the census will reveal an even lower figure in 
Auckland, possibly as low as 61 percent. 
 
GREENS WANT PROPERTY TO BE TAXED 
-------------------------------- 
 
The Greens are calling for the introduction of capital gains 
tax on all property except the family home. Their call comes 
on the back of statistics showing home ownership falling by 12 
percent in the year to March. Spokeswoman Sue Bradford says 
wealthy overseas investors have driven up house prices, 
putting home ownership out of reach of young people and those 
on low incomes. She says the housing market has been 
artificially inflated especially by overseas-based investors 
buying up land and houses. 
 
(It is hard to find any finically literate commentator to 
support this proposal. - BH) 
 
CASINO LICENCE HANGS IN THE BALANCE 
----------------------------------- 
 
A landmark hearing to decide whether to suspend Dunedin 
Casino's licence is underway in Auckland. The Department of 
Internal Affairs is asking the Gambling Commission to suspend 
the licence, because of the Casino's dealings with problem 
gambler, Christine Keenan. The Mosgiel woman stole about 
$500,000 from her employers, to help fuel a gambling turnover 
of $5 million in two years. Gambling Commission spokesman 
Graham Reeves says it is uncharted territory, as this is the 
first application of its kind in New Zealand. The hearing runs 
for two days. 
 
FREIGHTWAYS POSTS A PROFIT 
-------------------------- 
 
Freightways Limited has posted a net profit of $29.3 million, 
despite anticipating lower growth in the express package 
market. The figure is nine percent higher than in the previous 
year to June. Managing Director Dean Bracewell says revenue 
growth was achieved by gains in market share and price 
increases to offset escalating fuel costs. He says the company 
has declared a final dividend of $11.2 million.   
 
Tuesday, 1 August 2006 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
FELTEX SOLD TO GODFREY HIRST 
---------------------------- 
 
Troubled carpet company Feltex is being sold to Australian 
firm Godfrey Hirst. Tim Preston from ASB securities told 
Newstalk ZB's Larry Williams the purchase price is $141.8 
million which will clear its $129 million debt to the ANZ. The 
debt to the bank is more than six times the company's 
projected profit for this year. What is left will provide 
shareholders with a maximum of 12 cents a share. It could be a 
smaller amount once due diligence and other preparations have 
been carried out. Earlier in the year shares were trading at 
over 60 cents, and when Feltex first listed in 2004, they were 
worth $1.70. The share price plunged thanks to a series of 
profit warnings. Tim Preston says the alternative for 
investors would be even less palatable however - if Feltex 
went into receivership they would receive nothing. The move 
means the company, which employs around a thousand people, 
will keep going. All current employee entitlements and all 
current trade accounts in New Zealand and Australia will be 
taken over by Godfrey Hirst. Today's move creates the largest 
carpet maker in Australasia with combined sales of $750 
million. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. 
 
(I think the article is a little premature. There are, in 
fact, two bidders for Feltex, the other is the bedding 
manufacturer, Sleepyhead. Feltex has long been a feature of 
the New Zealand share market, way back since companies such as 
NZFP, AHI and UEB were also headliners. Sad to see it in 
trouble now - BH) 
 
COUNCILLOR RESIGNS AFTER FRAUD CONVICTION 
----------------------------------------- 
 
Manukau City Councillor James Papali'i has resigned following 
his conviction for fraud. Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says he 
really had no other option. The law states any councillor 
convicted of an offence punishable by two years or more in 
jail must be disqualified. However that disqualification 
cannot take effect until any rights to appeal are over. Sir 
Barry says Papali'i has accepted that, regardless of any 
appeal, his conviction will result in a loss of public 
confidence in his role as a councillor. 
 
JEWISH COUNCIL UPSET AT VANDALISM 
--------------------------------- 
 
The Jewish Council is upset at the vandalism of a synagogue in 
Christchurch. Anti-Semitic graffiti was written at the two 
entrances in what is believed to be a protest at Israel's 
bombing of Lebanon. Jewish Council President Stephen Goodman 
says these kind of attacks make people less comfortable in the 
society they live in. He says they are always disappointed to 
hear of vandalism and feel it is not truly representative of 
New Zealand society. 
 
ELLERSLIE LAUNCHED 
------------------ 
 
Organisers are trumpeting this year's Ellerslie International 
Flower Show. The largest horticultural event in Australasia 
has been launched this afternoon in Auckland. Exhibition 
Manager Kate Hillier says among the new innovations for 
November's show is The Avenue of Gold, which features gardens 
by six previous show winners. She says organisers have also 
taken onboard comments from those who visited last year's 
show, and have added more gardens and more plants than in 
previous years. Ms Hillier says organisers have also booked in 
more exhibitors showing gardens and have asked them to put in 
a sizable amount of planting. 
 
(They weren't able to book the best weather for the job - BH) 
 
NO EUROPEAN-STYLE HEATWAVE FOR NZ 
--------------------------------- 
 
The heatwave hitting Europe after its bitterly cold winter is 
not a story likely to repeat itself down under. New Zealand 
has been hit with one of its coldest winters on record with 
households using record amounts of power to keep warm. 
However, NIWA climate scientist Jim Renwick says history shows 
New Zealand is not likely to follow Europe's extreme weather 
pattern. Mr Renwick says over the last hundred years in New 
Zealand, a cold winter is usually followed by a cold summer. 
He says there is not much relation between the seasons. 
 
(Is it just me, or does the last sentence not follow from the 
one before it? - BH) 
 
PROBLEM GAMBLERS ARE NOT SEEKING HELP 
------------------------------------- 
 
The Ministry of Health says problem gambling is worsening, 
with fewer gamblers seeking help for their addiction. A 
Gambling Commission hearing in Auckland this week is looking 
at whether the Dunedin Casino should lose its licence for 
failing to help a woman who blew up to $50,000 a week. A 
Ministry of Health report shows most problem gamblers live in 
poor areas, with just 12 percent seeking help. Gambling 
Project spokesman Shayne Nahu says they are trying to identify 
people with gambling problems at an early stage, including 
putting in place screening processes at social service 
providers. 
 
LANGUAGES A PRIORITY SAYS MAHAREY 
--------------------------------- 
 
The Education Minister says New Zealanders must become 
competent in the major languages of the world or risk being 
left behind in trade with emerging economies. Steve Maharey 
has unveiled a draft curriculum which will make it compulsory 
for schools to offer classes in a second language other than 
Maori and English from Year 7. He says New Zealand needs 
people competent in Spanish, Chinese and Indian because they 
are countries New Zealand will be doing business with this 
century. Mr Maharey says young people today are likely to 
start a business and try to make their way through Asia so 
they will need some basic competency in languages to operate. 
 
FINANCIAL HELP FOR CHARACTER HOMES 
---------------------------------- 
 
Financial support could be available for owners of character 
homes in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. The Christchurch 
City Council is putting out the call for owners of pre-1945 
homes who need financial help with external upgrades and 
maintenance. Planner Katie Smith says the gradual loss of 
these houses is causing an irreversible loss to streetscapes 
and neighbourhoods. She says the grant scheme means there is a 
small financial contribution towards their preservation. 
 
(I wonder how, in these times of rising rates, and rates 
revolts, the good citizens of Christchurch will react to this 
initiative. I like the idea that our architectural heritage 
should be preserved, but times are tight for many - BH) 
 
ORGANIC FLOUR SHOULD BE EXEMPT SAY GREENS 
----------------------------------------- 
 
The Green Party wants organic flour to be exempt, if the 
Government decides to add folate to bread. Submissions on a 
Food Safety Authority's proposal to have folate added to all 
flour closed yesterday. It is believed the vitamin reduces the 
number of babies being born with spina bifida. Health and Safe 
Food spokeswoman Sue Kedgley, says while the Greens support 
the additive, consumers should still have a choice. She says 
exempting organic flour would mean non-folate fortified flour 
could still be bought. Ms Kedgley says it is also important 
that folate-fortified products are clearly labelled and warn 
that the additive could mask any vitamin B12 deficiency. 
 
Wednesday, 2 August 2006  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
NO SIGN OF ARTHRITIS DRUG BEING FUNDED 
-------------------------------------- 
 
While breast cancer patients are lobbying Pharmac to fund 
Herceptin for early stage cases, arthritis patients are being 
told to move to Australia to get a drug they need.  
Enbrel has been given public funding across the Tasman but 
Roger Sowry, CEO of Arthritis New Zealand, says there is no 
sign of the Government's drug management agency following 
suit. He cites the case of a woman in her 20s needing 24 hour 
care in a rest home in the South Island, when Enbrel would get 
her up and moving. Mr Sowry says it is cruel that such new 
generation drugs are available in Australia, but not in New 
Zealand. 
 
MAORI ROLL CLOSES TODAY 
----------------------- 
 
The option to go on the Maori Roll closes today. The choice is 
only offered every six years and there has been a large 
advertising campaign advising Maori to take the time to 
choose. The Electoral Enrolment Centre reveal how many Maori 
have decided to enrol on the General Roll or the Maori Roll 
next week. The number on the Maori roll dictates how many 
Maori seats there are. 
 
ETHICS OF GENETIC MEDICINE STUDIED 
---------------------------------- 
 
The Law Foundation hopes a ground-breaking study into ethical 
and legal issues surrounding genetic medicine will make New 
Zealand an international expert in the area. The first results 
from the $2 million study financed by the Foundation concludes 
that the screening of test-tube embryos for genetic diseases 
provides more benefit than harm. Executive Director Lynda 
Hagen says laws and policies are not keeping up with 
scientific advances and she hopes the study will build 
specialist knowledge in New Zealand in the area of law and 
genetics. She says skilled young people must have the 
opportunity to develop expertise and brilliant thinking or New 
Zealand will be a follower rather than potential leader in 
this area. 
 
(I wonder to what extent ethical fundamentals are really 
altered by emerging science. Certainly science can present new 
situations.  - BH) 
 
DOZENS OF DANGEROUS DOGS MICROCHIPPED 
------------------------------------- 
 
Almost half the dogs classified as dangerous or menacing in 
Christchurch have been microchipped. Since the July 1, all 
dogs registered for the first time and dogs classified as 
strays or dangerous have had to be chipped. Animal control 
team leader Mark Vincent says of the 350 dogs considered 
dangerous or menacing in the city, 150 have been chipped. He 
says in general, dog owners have had little or no resistance 
to the new law. 
 
(What of the dangerous dogs that have not been so classified? 
- BH) 
 
CANCER DEATHS ARE DOWN 
---------------------- 
 
The number of people who die from cancer in New Zealand is 
declining. The latest Health Information Service figures show 
cancer mortality rates reduced from just under 126 deaths per 
100,000 people in 2001 to a shade under 121 in 2002. The 
Ministry of Health spokesman, Dr John Childs, says the 
decrease can be partly attributed to the impact of screening 
programmes, earlier diagnosis and treatment improvements. The 
most common fatal cancers for women in 2002 were breast, 
throat, lung and bowel cancer. In men the most common were 
throat and lung cancer, followed by prostate and bowel cancer. 
 
UNIVERSITIES CAUTIOUSLY WELCOME CURRICULUM 
------------------------------------------ 
 
Universities are cautiously welcoming the government's new 
school curriculum. The draft curriculum has a heavy emphasis 
on learning languages. The Universities Association Academic 
vice-president Dr Tom Ryan says it is welcome news for 
language departments. He says in recent years there has been a 
decline in enrolments, leading to an elimination of 
programmes. Dr Ryan says the new curriculum is a chance to 
reassert the value of language study in education generally. 
 
(I sincerely hope that some attention is given to the teaching 
of good grammatical English. My anonymous friend GS is from an 
Asian country, and has part time work as a tutor while 
pursuing her own doctorate. As a tutor she often finds herself 
correcting the grammar of domestic students who have somehow 
come through their primary and secondary schooling without 
learning to write competently. - BH) 
 
STATE HOUSES VANDALISED BY TENANTS 
---------------------------------- 
 
There has been a big hike in the number of tenants vandalising 
state houses. Housing New Zealand has spent $20 million 
repairing state houses in the past year - up 40 percent on a 
year ago. The damage is being committed by the people living 
in the homes, and their guests. National's Housing Spokesman, 
Phil Heatley, is appalled. He says the Government needs to 
explain why thousands of people are languishing on New Zealand 
waiting lists, while those lucky enough to get a state house 
are trashing them. 
 
POLICE GO ON THE BUS 
-------------------- 
 
Police officers may soon travel on Auckland's buses to prevent 
drivers and passengers being attacked. The move comes in the 
wake of a growing number of assaults on board buses, 
particularly after dark. Options being looked at to prevent 
crime include cash-free buses after seven at night, and a 
security screen around the driver. Drivers union spokesman, 
Gary Froggatt, wants both off-duty and uniformed officers to 
travel on the buses. He says police will be encouraging off-
duty and on-duty officers to travel on the buses and will 
provide additional cars to patrol problem routes, particularly 
in south Auckland. 
 
BID TO KEEP LIQUOR-BUYING AGE AT 18 
----------------------------------- 
 
The move to raise the liquor-buying age is under attack by the 
Hospitality Association. The Association has told a select 
committee the Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill is seriously at 
odds with natural justice. Chief Executive Bruce Robertson 
says it will prevent 18 and 19-year-olds buying liquor, 
despite being legally of an age to drink. He also argues at 
least 50,000 tourists of the same age, who come here ever 
year, will look for an alternative destination. Mr Robertson 
says a significant number of international students will also 
be affected. 
 
"SMART METERS" TO BE INSTALLED 
------------------------------ 
 
Meter readers are on the way out, with the launch of a project 
in Christchurch today. Just over 100,000 Meridian Energy 
customers are to get their old electricity meter boxes 
replaced with "smart meters" They are two-way communication 
devices that do away with the need for a meter reader to visit 
the property. It also means all bills can be based on actual 
consumption, rather than estimates. One hundred and twelve 
thousand Meridian Energy customers in Canterbury are to have 
the smart metres installed in their homes. The project is 
costing the power company and Christchurch based Arc 
Innovations close to $100 million. 
 
COURT RECORDS ACCESS "DOG'S BREAKFAST" 
-------------------------------------- 
 
The Law Commission is describing access to court records as a 
"dog's breakfast". President, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, says it 
should be presumed all court records are accessible, unless 
there is a good reason to withhold them. Sir Geoffrey says the 
courts are financed by the taxpayer, and what goes on needs to 
be subject to public scrutiny. He says the regime he 
recommends would assist the media and aid in accurate 
reporting. That would allow the free flow of information to 
the community about the judicial process. The Government has 
welcomed the report from the Law Commission. The Minister 
responsible for the Law Commission, Mark Burton says the 
accessibility of information is an important element of the 
judicial system and he welcomes the Law Commission's 
contribution. 
 
Thursday, 3 August 2006  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
MENTAL HEALTH NURSES ON THE UP 
------------------------------ 
 
The Government is boasting significant growth in the number of 
mental health nurses. Figures released by Health Minister Pete 
Hodgson says 27 percent more mental health nurses and 16 
percent more specialist psychiatrists have entered the 
workforce since 2000. Mr Hodgson says this year the Government 
will invest just under a billion dollars in mental health 
services. Earlier this week the government released its ten 
year action plan for mental health and addiction services. 
 
CREDIT CARD SCAM CATCHES KIWIS 
------------------------------ 
 
A handful of New Zealand tourists who visited Thailand are 
among those who have been targeted by a hi-tech credit card 
scam. It is estimated that 48-thousand people were targeted in 
Phuket, where wiretapping phone lines intercepted credit card 
data before it reached banks. New Zealand banks were among the 
first to pick up on unusual credit card activity and identify 
the problem. Visa International spokesman Iain Jamieson says 
about 15-million dollars was taken over about two months. He 
says if customers are affected Visa will cover them, and the 
money will be returned to accounts within five working days. 
 
HUBBARD WASTES HIS MONEY 
------------------------ 
 
The Auckland Chamber of Commerce says Dick Hubbard has missed 
the point. The mayor of Auckland has paid from his own pocket 
for an ad in this morning's Herald trying to explain the 
latest rates hike. Chamber chief Executive Michael Barnett 
says Aucklanders appreciate a vision for the city but do not 
agree with the mayor's funding method. He says people do want 
it to be better than it is today but there are other ways of 
meeting this cost. Mr Barnett says the council has received 
submissions suggesting alternative funding options, but it is 
not listening. 
 
FEARS LAB CHANGE WILL AFFECT STUDENTS 
------------------------------------- 
 
There are concerns the decision to reallocate Auckland lab 
contracts will put student training at risk. The New Zealand 
Institute of Medical Laboratory Science is the latest to shun 
a decision by Auckland DHBs to reassign the community lab 
contract currently held by Diagnostic MedLab to Labtests 
Auckland. President Chris Kendrick says the decision will 
merely bolster the country's knowledge drain. He says the 
three universities currently offering a lab science degree are 
already struggling to obtain practical training placements for 
students. Mr Kendrick says with further rationalisations in 
the sector, there is a real risk student training will be 
compromised. 
 
NZ POST RELEASES HEALTH STAMPS 
------------------------------ 
 
Posting a letter will soon remind us to eat healthy food. New 
Zealand Post is releasing stamps promoting the eating of five 
or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day. The Children's 
Health Stamps go on sale this week, and will be launched at 
Parliament this afternoon. A portion of the proceeds from the 
stamps will go to the Children's Health Camps, which support 
at-risk children. 
 
CAMPAIGNER URGES GOVT TO CONSIDER VACCINE 
----------------------------------------- 
 
An international campaigner on meningitis issues is in the 
country today in a bid to try to save the lives of hundreds of 
New Zealanders. He is hoping to persuade the New Zealand 
government to put the vaccine against pneumococcal meningitis 
on Pharmac's schedule. It is already on the schedule of 
medicines in Australia, Canada and the US. Bruce Langoulant, 
from Perth, is currently vice-president for the International 
Confederation of Meningitis Organisations. However, he has a 
personal reason for his campaign - his daughter Ashleigh, who 
contracted the disease when she was just 6 months old, 17 
years ago. She has never walked, or talked, and he says he 
does not want other parents to have to go through what he has 
gone through. He says it is a tragedy that is being repeated 
every day. He says if Ashleigh lives to a normal age, her 
treatment will have cost around $5 million - and what he calls 
little "Ashleigh bombs" are going off all over New Zealand, 
every day. Pneumococcal meningitis maims or kills as many as 
500 New Zealanders a year and Mr Langoulant says immunisation 
is the only sure way to protect children. He says the illness 
strikes suddenly, and can kill in a matter of hours. Mr 
Langoulant says he has had a good reaction from health 
officials and parliamentarians he has spoken to in this 
country. He is urging people to register their support at 
www.meningitiscampaign.org.nz or contact the Meningitis Trust 
so the Government knows there is a groundswell of support 
across the country. 
 
BOOKLET FOR EXPORTERS 
--------------------- 
 
The Government has launched a booklet designed to help would-
be exporters reach their goals. The publication called "This 
way up: Facing the Challenges and Thinking like an Exporter" 
is a result of a study commissioned by New Zealand Trade and 
Enterprise. Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard says 
the study found that the personality and mind-set of business 
owners is a major factor in companies taking the plunge of 
selling offshore. He says a confident, decisive risk-taker is 
more likely to become an exporter. 
 
CANCER FIGURES POSE CHALLENGE 
----------------------------- 
 
New figures showing a declining death rate from cancer leaves 
health officials with the challenge of how the trend can be 
continued. Figures from the Health Information Service show 
the mortality rate from cancer fell from 125.9 per 100,000 in 
2001 to 120.9 in 2002. Dr John Childs of the Ministry of 
Health says that is in line with a downwards trend since1987. 
He says while the figures are encouraging, there remains a 
significant difference in death rates between Maori and non-
Maori. Maori are more likely to die of the disease because of 
late diagnosis. However, while the cancer rate is decreasing, 
the actual number of people who died from the disease 
increased by 132 from 2002 to 2003. The cancer types with the 
lowest survival rates over five years were pancreatic, throat 
and lung, and liver cancers. 
 
HIGH SPEED NETWORK FOR RESEARCHERS 
---------------------------------- 
 
New Zealand scientists are being plugged in to the rest of the 
world. Until now, researchers have had to rely on the internet 
to transfer large amounts of data around the world but a high 
speed global network connecting Auckland to the US city of 
Seattle and Sydney is being set up by global 
telecommunications company Verizon Business. The Research 
Education Advanced Network New Zealand will allow universities 
and research institutes to collaborate with international 
colleagues. Glenn Watkins from Verizon says the new network 
levels the playing field and gives New Zealand scientists and 
researchers the same high speed reliability and performance 
their overseas equivalents have enjoyed for some time. He says 
the initiative has some great advantages for New Zealand, 
because key scientists and researchers will be less likely to 
be tempted to head overseas to work. Mr Watkins says it also 
supports the Government's knowledge economy strategies.  
 
PRIVATE LANDLORDS WORRIED ABOUT RIGHTS 
-------------------------------------- 
 
Private landlords believe it could be even more difficult for 
them to evict tenants who vandalise homes under a new bill 
before Parliament. Housing New Zealand figures for the year 
ending June show $16.7 million dollars was spent on damage 
caused by tenants. Third parties such as tenants' guests 
caused a further $3.8 million worth of damage. The Property 
Investors Federation has revealed private landlords are also 
facing growing problems with homes being smashed up and 
spokesman Andrew King is worried that the Residential 
Tenancies (Damage Insurance) Bill could bring about a system 
which favours tenants rather than landlords. He believes it 
may make it easier for tenants to get out of paying for 
damages to a property by forcing the landlord to insure them 
against the cost of wilful damage. 
 
Friday, 4 August 2006 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
COST DETERS SENIORS FROM GOING TO DOCTOR 
---------------------------------------- 
 
The high cost of after hours medical care is making older 
people sicker. An article in today's Medical Journal says a 
number of factors are preventing those aged over 65 from 
seeking urgent help. They include transport concerns, costs 
and a reluctance to be a nuisance or to see an unfamiliar 
doctor. Grey Power president Graham Stairmand says cost is the 
biggest culprit forcing many to allow their conditions to 
worsen before seeking help. He says many elderly people cannot 
justify a $90 after hours visit when a normal visit would cost 
around $28. He says many over 65 also carry a mentality of not 
wanting to be a bother to others. 
 
(Hmm. I'm getting closer to that age but no such mentality is 
kicking in yet. - BH) 
 
GAMBLING GROUPS WORRIED ABOUT BIG DRAW 
-------------------------------------- 
 
Gambling help groups are putting a damper on Lotto's one 
thousandth draw tomorrow night. Lotto began in 1987, when in 
the first draw, the first division prize pool of just $280,000 
was shared among four winners. These days there are several 
varieties of the game worth millions of dollars in prize 
money. But Krista Ferguson of the Gambling Helpline says the 
big money on offer attracts people who have a very small 
chance of winning the jackpot. She says people are sucked in 
by the message that they may be able to win significantly more 
than they spend on tickets. 
 
NZ DOCTORS MORE LIKELY TO FESS UP TO PATIENTS 
---------------------------------------------- 
 
A study has shown New Zealand doctors are more likely to 
confess their mistakes to their patients rather than their 
employer. The report in today's Medical Journal shows 79 
percent of respondents would be happy to report a minor error 
to a patient compared to 21 percent who would be happy to tell 
the hospital. With major adverse events doctors acknowledged 
it was important to address both parties. Medical Association 
chairman Ross Boswell says all errors need to be reported so 
as to improve the safety of hospitals. 
 
THOUSANDS DISRUPTED BY FOG 
-------------------------- 
 
About 5,000 people have had their travel plans disrupted 
because of heavy fog at Auckland airport this morning.  
Dozens of domestic flights throughout the country were 
affected, and airlines are now working to clear the backlog. A 
number of international flights were also affected, with many 
incoming international flights diverted to Nadi. Passengers 
will be rebooked to travel on later flights. 
 
(An unexpected diversion to Nadi is not altogether unpleasant 
- BH) 
 
IMMIGRATION MINISTER'S POWERS QUESTIONED 
---------------------------------------- 
 
United Future MP Gordon Copeland is calling for a review of 
the Immigration Minister's powers. It follows issues raised by 
the Taito Phillip Field case. Mr Copeland says the present 
system relies heavily on the thousands of review applications 
made to the Minister each year by MPs. He says this, together 
with the virtually unlimited discretion of the Minister, opens 
the door to political patronage and perceptions of unfairness. 
Mr Copeland says any system which depends on who you know 
rather than clear objective criteria, strikes at the New 
Zealand sense of fair play. 
 
(I can see that ministerial discretion needs some checks and 
balances and I think I endorse Mr Copeland's position - BH) 
 
MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT TAKES STEP FORWARD 
-------------------------------------- 
 
A massive development in east Auckland has taken another step 
forward today. Auckland City has published notification of 
Environment Court approval for Landco to continue the rezoning 
of the Mount Wellington quarry. The development will host 
2,600 dwellings, which will house up to six thousand people. 
The 110-hectare project will be the largest residential 
master-planned community in Auckland City. It includes a town 
centre, a primary school, a mixture of conventional homes and 
townhouses, three lakes and a heritage trail. 
 
FUEL QUALITY TO BE IMPROVED 
--------------------------- 
 
Changes are being made to improve the quality of petrol and 
diesel. The Government has announced that the level of sulphur 
in both fuels will be reduced from January 2008. Associate 
Energy Minister Harry Duynhoven says the changes will improve 
air quality and reduce the impact of particulate emissions on 
human health. He is also flagging further reductions saying 
the Government is committed to the introduction of zero 
sulphur petrol. However a decision on when that will happen 
cannot be made until issues surrounding the regional security 
of supply have been resolved. 
 
TELECOM LOOKS ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 
-------------------------------- 
 
Telecom is trying to put a positive spin on its operations, 
despite posting a massive loss. In the year to June, the 
company has recorded an after-tax loss of $435 million, 
compared with net earnings of nearly $1 billion at the same 
stage last year. Much of the fall has to do with the failings 
of its Australian operation, AAPT, which has lost nearly $1.3 
billion in value. Telecom did look at one stage at selling 
AAPT off, but abandoned that plan last year. The company paid 
more than $2 billion for AAPT during the late 1990s. Telecom's 
chief executive Theresa Gattung says with New Zealand 
operations performing strongly, the outlook is bright. She 
says despite the loss, Telecom has no plans to get out of the 
Australian market. She points out that in the local market, 
mobile, broadband, directories and IT services all performed 
strongly, and that it was pleasing to see stability in access 
lines and local service revenue and a moderation in expense 
growth. Telecom shares dropped down seven cents shortly after 
the stock market opened, and had dropped another seven by the 
end of morning trading. Meanwhile a telecommunications analyst 
reckons the rough ride for Telecom looks set to continue for 
at least another year. Australian-based industry observer Paul 
Budde says it was clear that there needed to be change in 
Telecom's outlook and the company has reacted to that. He says 
while there will be another year of pain, they are positioning 
themselves well for the future, as is evidenced by their 
strong growth in the past year in broadband connections and 
mobile revenue. 
 
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