WYSIWYG NEWS - 13 August, 2006

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 13 August, 2006 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer.  
 
The weather is on fast forward again, and is cycling rapidly 
through all the seasons of the year, sometimes more than once 
in a day. Mary is away visiting the elder generation in 
Wanganui this weekend, so my morning schedule included doing 
the laundry and hanging it out on the clothesline to dry. I 
should add that this latter practice is perfectly normal and 
acceptable in almost every part of New Zealand, and carries no 
lower class connotations. And anyway, the air here is clean 
enough that you can still hang your washing out in the open.  
Be that as it may, when I hung the washing out to dry 
yesterday, there was bright sun and a brisk Northerly breeze.  
Several hours later, there was a lowering sky and the wind was 
hammering along at somewhere in excess of 50 km/h. It took 
some effort to untangle the sheets! And thus it has been for 
much of the week. On Monday, there was a fierce Southerly 
which brought big green rollers thumping into the sea wall at 
the Western end of Petone beach. Shattered waves were being 
flung high in the air and then spread themselves all over the 
windscreens of passing traffic, concentrating on those 
vehicles whose owners had not filled the washer bottles in a 
while. It's no fun driving with salt streaked windshields. On 
at least two days there was an outbreak of sunshine. I am not 
a regular listener to the radio station "The Breeze", but on 
those days, I found myself humming the words to their 
advertising jingle: "Harbour City you're a friend of mine. 
There's no better place to be". There is something about 
bright clear skies and deep blue water that lifts the soul, 
even if the temperatures are low. On other days, unrelenting 
rain, brought anxiety to some and heartbreak to others and 
houses on hillside suburbs of Lower Hutt were threatened, and 
in one case, destroyed by landslips. It's kind of hard to 
reconcile this with today, Sunday. We are back to the clear 
and bright model, albeit with a bone-chilling breeze. See you 
next week when I hope I will have more than the weather to 
talk about.

 
---- 
Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in 
parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the 
personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, 
or occasionally "GS" will indicate an opinion from our 
editorial assistant. In all cases they are honest expressions 
of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.  
 
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced 
by kind permission (renewed this week) of copyright owner, 
Newstalk ZB News. All copyright in the news items reproduced 
remains the property of The Radio Network Limited.  
 
This edition of the news is sponsored by a long-time WYSIWYG 
supporter, Joe in New Jersey. Many thanks Joe. 

----  
On with the News.  
 
Monday, 7 August 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ISLAM A RELIGION OF PEACE SAYS MINISTER
---------------------------------------

The Ethnic Affairs Minister is calling on people to take the 
chance to learn about Islam. Today marks the start of Islamic 
Awareness Week, an event which comes amidst events in the 
Middle East. Last week anti-Semitic taunts were painted on a 
synagogue in Christchurch and swastikas and the number 666 
were sprayed on a mosque in Lower Hutt. Ethnic Affairs 
Minister Chris Carter says Muslims are feeling quite 
vulnerable amidst a climate of misinformation about what Islam 
stands for. He says this week is a chance for New Zealand 
Muslims to explain their beliefs and get rid of some of the 
stereotypes. Mr Carter says people visiting mosques will learn 
that Islam is a religion of peace. 
 
(I believe this is true for most Muslims in most countries. 
Similarly I believe many other religions including my own, 
would make the same claim, yet still we manage to generate the 
extremists, the lunatics who will kill in the name of a loving 
God. How strange, how sad!  - BH)

ANOTHER CALL FOR BUSINESS TAX CHANGES
-------------------------------------

A business think tank has come up with four steps it says the 
Government needs to make to boost New Zealand companies 
internationally. The third paper in a series by the New 
Zealand Institute on creating a global New Zealand economy is 
out today. Chief executive David Skilling says one of the 
calls is for the business tax regime to be improved. He says 
the reason some firms choose not to go global is because the 
financial incentives are stacked against them. Mr Skilling 
says for that reason the institute is suggesting export tax 
credits for up to five years to help firms develop a presence 
in international markets.

INVESTORS NEED MORE PROTECTION
------------------------------

Investors need to be more savvy about where they place their 
money. Western Bay Finance was put into receivership last 
week. It is the third finance company to go bust in recent 
months. Business correspondent Roger Kerr says it is difficult 
to protect an investor from their own greed and naivety and 
there were warnings in the media about Western Bay Finances's 
situation up to nine months ago. He says irregularities with 
the company's accounts were evident, so it is no surprise it 
has gone under as the economy weakens. Mr Kerr says there has 
been plenty of publicity warning about the risks of putting 
money into companies offering high returns. He says one 
suggestion which involves forcing investor trusts to take out 
special insurance would cost money and would mean lower 
returns.

NZ KIDS ENTER DENTAL CHALLENGE
------------------------------

Around 200 schools from Fox Glacier to Auckland will be 
attempting to smash the world record toothbrush challenge. The 
record attempt coincides with World Dental Health Day and is a 
challenge organised by a small team of volunteers at 
Southbrook School in Rangiora, north of Christchurch. 
Principal Rod Thompson says the challenge is to break the 
record for the largest group of people to simultaneously brush 
their teeth for a minute. He says the record is held by more 
than 200 German schools which had almost 31,500 children 
brushing their teeth. Mr Thompson says the New Zealand attempt 
will involve 32,000 children and will be made at 1.45pm today.

LONG WAIT FOR CAPITAL'S CANCER PATIENTS
---------------------------------------

National claims some cancer patients in Wellington are having 
to wait more than 10 weeks to receive radiation treatment. 
Health spokesman Tony Ryall says that is more than twice as 
long as is recommended by Ministry of Health standards. He has 
also discovered emails from the head of Wellington's radiation 
Services, Professor David Lamb, which he says describes the 
situation as an absolute disgrace. Mr Ryall says the papers 
show the DHB and the Government have been aware of the problem 
for some time yet have done nothing to fix it.

TAXPAYER OWED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
-----------------------------------

The Greens are amazed that the Auditor General has found that 
hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money may need 
to be repaid after the last election. Kevin Brady's draft 
report suggests political parties and individuals spent 
taxpayer money unlawfully; the report has been distributed to 
all parties who have until next Tuesday to decide whether to 
contest it. The report says the Greens alone owe tens of 
thousands of dollars, and co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says 
the finding is extraordinary, and contrary to the way she had 
interpreted the rules. She says it was understood the Leader's 
budget could be used to promote policies to the public as long 
as it did not ask them to vote and says this is the way the 
rules have been interpreted for the last few elections. Ms 
Fitzsimons says the Greens believed they were working within 
the law.

CHANGES AFOOT TO VEHICLE INFO
-----------------------------

Public access to motor vehicle details could be in line for a 
shake up. It follows public concern about how easy it is for 
people to obtain details about vehicle owners simply by paying 
a small fee and requesting the details at any Post Shop. 
Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven says he is 
developing a policy that would see access to the motor vehicle 
register limited to those with approved purposes connected to 
transport. He says the Ministry of Transport and Land 
Transport New Zealand are working on the matter and he 
believes a law change could be introduced before the end of 
the year.

NEW MAORI SEAT POSSIBLE
-----------------------

The New Year will reveal if there will be an extra Maori seat 
in Parliament. The Electoral Roll Centre has just finished a 
four month campaign promoting the Maori Electoral Roll option, 
resulting in more than 14,000 extra voters signing up to the 
Maori Roll. Centre National Manager Murray Wicks says it is 
too soon to speculate on whether the extra numbers will see 
the creation of a new Maori seat in Parliament, which will be 
decided by the Department of Statistics next February. Based 
on the 2001 census, 14,000 new enrolments were required for 
another seat. Mr Wicks says more than 21,000 Maori changed 
electoral rolls and more 10,000 enrolled to vote for the first 
time. When combined with new enrolments, an additional 14,914 
people are now on the Maori roll. 
 
(Interesting that about 7,000 Maori chose to switch the other 
way. I am unsure what to make of that. Some politicians 
suggest it is a disavowal of the sovereignty thrust within the 
Maori Party, however, I suspect that is pure speculation. - 
BH)

NUMBER OF JOBS UP 4 PERCENT
---------------------------

There has been a rise in the number of full time jobs. The 
Quarterly Employment Survey shows 1.3 million people are in 
full time employment, an increase of four percent since the 
June quarter last year. Statistics New Zealand spokesman 
Julian Silver says the high demand for labour is continuing. 
He says the major increase in employment has been in 
education, transport, storage, communications and health and 
community services. Mr Silver says average hourly earnings 
have also risen by 4.4 percent to $21.90.

ELECTRICITY COMMISSION REMINDED OF CORE BUSINESS
------------------------------------------------

The Government is ordering the Electricity Commission to get 
its relationship with Transpower back on track and ensure the 
lights stay on. Energy Minister David Parker has released a 
six-point Government policy statement reminding the 
electricity regulator what its core business is. He says it 
follows record electricity demand, a significant transmission 
outage in Auckland and delays in Transpower's decisions on its 
proposed new line into Auckland. Mr Parker says the statement 
emphasizes the paramount importance that the power does not go 
off. 
 
(I think this sudden lurch in the direction of pragmatism is 
going to be bad news for those who are fighting the march of 
the pylons across their landscape. - BH)

BUILDING REPORTS ARE AS LEAKY AS SOME HOMES
-------------------------------------------

Building inspection firms have largely failed Consumer 
Institute tests on pre-purchase house reports. The test has 
prompted the Institute to call for the compulsory registration 
of firms in the same way that builders must be licensed from 
next year. Consumers' Institute chief executive David Russell 
says people are told to get such an inspection to give them 
security that they are not buying a dud - particularly in view 
of the leaky homes crisis. However, he says the results from 
the test left a lot to be desired. Companies in Auckland and 
Wellington were asked to do reports on two homes - and 
Consumer magazine says some firms' reports were as leaky as 
the houses they inspected. Mr Russell says such reports are 
far from cheap - some cost around $500 - and a bad one could 
leave a homeowner looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars 
in repairs. He says sadly, the results mirrored past 
experiences in Auckland and Christchurch from 1997 and 2001. 
 
(My own experience of building reports as acquired by various 
family members is that they are infinitely variable in their 
breadth and rigour. Some reports are not worth the many 
hundreds of dollars they cost. Others have been comprehensive 
and professional. - BH)

NEW SOLICITOR GENERAL APPOINTED
-------------------------------

A new Solicitor General has been appointed. Dr David Collins 
QC has been appointed to the position as well as that of chief 
executive of the Crown Law Office. Attorney-General Michael 
Cullen says Dr Collins was appointed QC in 2000 and has 
extensive experience as a trial lawyer both as defence counsel 
and since 2000, as prosecutor. He says he has made regular 
appearances in all courts, including seven Privy Council 
appearances. Dr Collins's appointment follows the resignation 
of Terence Arnold QC, who became a Judge of the High Court and 
Court of Appeal in May. The Solicitor General is the 
Government's chief legal advisor. 
 
(Just occasionally, I wonder if we should follow the patter of 
the United States and have elected legal officials. I am sure 
Mr Collins is a worthy candidate, but the process of his 
appointment is totally opaque. I have no idea who appointed 
him, or on what grounds. Who else was considered? What factors 
were considered? - BH)

Tuesday, 8 August 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXPORT INCENTIVES NOT THE ANSWER
--------------------------------

Business New Zealand is wary of export incentives suggested by 
a business think-tank as a way to boost New Zealand companies. 
The third paper is part of a series by the New Zealand 
Institute on the subject of creating a global New Zealand 
economy. It suggests how New Zealand multinational companies 
can develop and included offering tax credits to firms 
developing a presence in international markets. But Business 
New Zealand chief executive Phil O'Reilly says export 
incentives are a bad idea because they encourage firms to 
export not because it is a good business decision, but because 
they might get a tax break. He says New Zealand went through 
that in the 1980s and it led to an enormous amount of pain in 
the economy.

KEEP PUSHING FOR WAGE RISE SAYS UNION
-------------------------------------

The Council of Trade Unions is urging workers to continue to 
push for wage rises above the rate of inflation. The latest 
Quarterly Employment Survey shows a four percent increase in 
full time jobs since the June quarter last year and an average 
wage rise of 4.4 percent. But CTU economist Peter Conway says 
rising costs are hitting workers hard with higher transport, 
electricity and housing costs and staff must push for decent 
wage rises to keep pace. He says four percent inflation will 
be around for a while and he believes there can be wage 
increases above that level on sustainable basis paid for out 
of profits. Mr Conway says although the economy is slowing, 
productivity has increased and profit levels are holding up. 
He says there is a need for regular wage rises above the rate 
of inflation to catch up with wages in Australia, which are 
significantly ahead of New Zealand.

HOUSING MARKET "BALANCED"
-------------------------

The latest ASB Housing Confidence Survey shows a net five 
percent of people believe it is a good time to buy a property 
compared to an average net three percent who, three months 
ago, thought it was a bad time to buy. ASB Chief Economist 
Anthony Byett says the survey reflects a steady and more 
balanced housing market and the small rise in confidence is 
backed up by recent reports suggesting any slow down on the 
housing market should be moderate. He says there is a sense of 
comfort with the market at the moment because it is not 
proving to be as bad as might have been feared.

DUNEDIN RAILWAY STATION IN TOP 200
----------------------------------

You think world landmarks, you think the Eiffel Tower or the 
Taj Mahal. But how about the Dunedin Railway Station? The 100-
year-old station has made it into the top 200 must-see places 
in the world in the influential DK Eyewitness Travel guide. It 
is described as being one of New Zealand's finest historical 
buildings and one of the Southern Hemisphere's finest examples 
of railway architecture. The building is the most photographed 
in the country, ahead of the likes of Auckland's Sky Tower and 
the Beehive. The only downside for the Dunedin Railway 
Station, is with the demise of passenger rail services, very 
few trains stop there anymore. 
 
(It's a handsome edifice - see 
http://www.answers.com/topic/dunedin-railway-station - but I 
have to say I was blown away by the ornate railway station in 
Kuala Lumpur - 
http://www.kiat.net/malaysia/images/trainstn2.jpg
- BH)

MS DISEASE MORE WIDESPREAD
--------------------------

A ground breaking study is showing more New Zealanders suffer 
from Multiple Sclerosis than initially believed. The study 
conducted by a team from the Christchurch School of Medicine, 
aims to accurately measure the number of people living with MS 
in this country. The study is the first in the world to 
examine the prevalence of MS across a whole country. 
Disability Issues Minister Ruth Dyson says the initial 
findings of the National Prevalence Study indicate there are 
more people living with the debilitating disease than 
previously thought. She says the findings will assist in the 
planning and provision of resources and services. The final 
results of the study will be available by the end of next 
year.

DETECTIVES OVERWORKED, NOT APPRECIATED
--------------------------------------

A union-commissioned survey suggest a malaise within 
Auckland's CIB. Detectives were asked last November how they 
felt about their workplace. The outcome published in the 
Police News show many feel overworked and underpaid. Police 
management say they will take action. Police Association 
president Greg O'Connor says while the problems start in 
Auckland, similar issues have been recorded in Canterbury. The 
258 detectives surveyed cited a high workload and being 
understaffed as the major problems. More than half felt their 
efforts were not appreciated. 
 
(Given the adversarial attitude of many of the media channels 
in this country, I imagine most police will feel that way. 
There are too many reporters who regard hectoring as good 
journalism. - BH)

TIMOR FORCE REDUCING
--------------------

New Zealand will reduce the size of its forces stationed in 
East Timor by the end of the year. More than 200 police and 
Defence Force personnel are currently in the troubled nation 
helping to restore civil order following a fresh round of 
riots and political instability earlier this year. Australia 
has already signalled its intention to withdraw troops and 
Defence Minister Phil Goff says New Zealand will follow suit.

NZERS WELLBEING IS IMPROVING
----------------------------

New Zealanders' wellbeing may be on the rise - but they are 
getting fatter. New data in the Social Report 2006, released 
by the Ministry of Social Development, shows New Zealanders 
are living longer, becoming better educated, and reducing both 
smoking and suicide rates. Ministry spokesman Conal Smith adds 
that New Zealand is above the OECD median in many areas 
including health, education, unemployment and civil and 
political rights. Mr Smith says New Zealand is also the second 
least corrupt country in the world and the second top in the 
OECD for unemployment. However, he says obesity has doubled 
for men and almost doubled for women, reflecting changes in 
diet and physical activity. Outcomes for Maori have improved - 
in many cases, at a faster rate than for Europeans.

VACCINE BRINGS EARLY END TO EPIDEMIC
------------------------------------

A new study into the effectiveness of the Meningococcal B 
vaccine is highlighting its benefits. The Menzb programme has 
been rolling out across the country since mid-2004. 
Researchers at Victoria University have undertaken a study 
showing those who are fully vaccinated are five times less 
likely to get the disease than those who have not had any of 
the immunisations. Immunisation Programme Director Dr Jane 
O'Hallahan says if current trends continue substantial 
progress towards ending the epidemic will be made by the end 
of the year. She says that is several years earlier than it 
would have taken to end naturally.

TRADEME ENTERS JOB MARKET
-------------------------

TradeMe is moving into the jobs market. It has launched an 
online section for businesses to advertise jobs. The internet 
company had 2.6 million users in July this year. General 
manager Sam Morgan says they will offer cut price advertising 
online to try to shake up the market. He says more people than 
ever before are using the Internet and papers are suffering 
because of it - particularly when it comes to advertising 
jobs. He says they want to connect the right employers with 
people who are not actively looking for work.

PHONE LINE SWAMPED BY TROUBLED CHILDREN
---------------------------------------

The number of troubled children mutilating themselves are on 
the rise, but thousands of them phoning in for help are 
finding their calls unanswered. The children's telephone 
counselling service What's Up received more than half a 
million calls last year but was only able to answer 30 percent 
of them. Executive director Marlies Puentener says boys tend 
to burn themselves while girls cut themselves. She says there 
is a fair percentage of young women who are straight A 
students who cut themselves at night in order to get up and 
perform at exams the next day. Ms Puentener says that is how 
they keep the lid on their emotions but she warns it can only 
be a temporary measure.

Wednesday, 9 August 2006 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENE IN MANY MAORI COULD HAVE HEALTH LINKS
------------------------------------------

A New Zealand researcher is suggesting a gene carried by a 
large number of Maori could be key to addressing health 
issues. Dr Rod Lea is a genetic epidemiologist at the 
Institute of Environmental Science and Research and has been 
speaking at an international conference in Brisbane. He claims 
there is an over representation of the gene monoamine oxidase, 
known as the 'warrior' gene, in Maori men. Dr Lea says the 
gene has been linked to aggressive behaviour as well as 
addictions to things such as tobacco. He denies Australian 
reports quoting him suggesting the gene has links to 
criminality. 
 
(This report has led to a lot of puffing and bombast on the 
part of people challenging the research. I don't know whether 
it is good research or not, or even whether this article 
accurately represents it. I wish, however, that those who 
scoff would at least use the tools of science to contradict Dr 
Lea. Mere personal opinion doesn't cut it. - BH)

BATTLE NOT YET OVER AGAINST MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE
-------------------------------------------------

Despite a study praising the effectiveness of the 
meningococcal vaccine, Auckland health experts are calling for 
continued vigilance. Victoria University researchers say there 
is proof the vaccination programme has stemmed the number of 
cases of the disease. Auckland Regional Public Health Service 
specialist Dr Craig Thornley says this winter, only 15 people 
have presented with the disease locally. He says while that is 
the lowest number since 1994, cases are still occurring. Dr 
Thornley says of those with the disease this winter, two 
thirds were not fully vaccinated. 
 
(Regrettably this article appeared the same week as the death 
of a fully vaccinated infant from the disease. - BH)

COST OF COMPUTER SECURITY GROWS
-------------------------------

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce says ensuring computer 
security is now a major cost especially for medium and small 
businesses. An Otago University survey says New Zealand 
businesses are forking out around half a million dollars a 
year to fight computer crimes. Chamber Chief Executive Michael 
Barnett says many small to medium businesses cannot afford 
that cost and contract out their computer security work. He 
says it is part of the cost of being part of the Internet 
society. The computer crimes range from virus strikes to toll 
fraud, identity theft, denial of services and insider abuse. 
 
(Another possible headline might have been "COST OF NO 
SECURITY ESCALATES" - BH)

PACIFIC ISLANDERS MISS OUT ON WELL BEING
----------------------------------------

There are claims the Government's social report merely 
highlights the plight of Pacific Islanders. The Ministry of 
Social Development report shows the social well being of New 
Zealanders is continuing to improve. But the Service and Food 
Workers union says that does not apply to everyone. National 
Secretary John Ryall says the report highlights the 
inequalities Pacific Island people experience here as they are 
over-represented in low paid jobs. Mr Ryall says these jobs 
are much more dangerous and says that is reflected in higher 
accident rates for Pacific Islanders and Maori compared with 
other ethnic groups. He says the report also notes that being 
a Pacific Island family is a feature most likely to determine 
a lack of resources.

MAJOR CHANGES WANTED FOR CHILDREN IN CARE
-----------------------------------------

Paediatricians are warning proper basic health checks are not 
being carried out on children going into care. There are more 
than 5000 children in care placements across the country 
according to 2004 figures. The doctors are now urging major 
changes to the health system including ongoing checks and 
immunisation records to ensure our youngsters are not being 
left at risk. Spokesman Dr John Clarkson says we have an 
obligation to care for children, even if they are with foster 
families. He says it is necessary for every child to have a 
health coordinator and future reviews to ensure they are safe 
and well.

WELLINGTON CANCER PATIENTS SENT AWAY FOR TREATMENT
--------------------------------------------------

The Capital and Coast District Health Board has confirmed that 
at least five Wellington cancer patients are to be sent to 
Otago and Canterbury for radiation treatment. The announcement 
comes as Wellington Hospital struggles to cope with a backlog 
that has seen some people waiting more than twice the 
recommended time. Chief Operating Officer Meng Cheong says 
some cancer patients are having to wait up to 10 weeks for 
radiation treatment, compared with the recommended four. He 
says they are waiting for a breakdown of last month's figures 
so they can establish whether the backlog has come from an 
increased demand for services in the region, or one-off events 
like recent industrial action. He says if there is increased 
demand, that would be eased by the purchase of a third linear 
accelerator machine, used by radiation therapists to kill 
cancer cells. That purchase is being considered.

POPULATION REACHES 4.14 MILLION
-------------------------------

The country's population is growing at a faster rate, 
according to latest figures from Statistics New Zealand. The 
population now stands at just over 4.14 million people. That 
is an increase of one percent over the previous two months. 
That compares with a growth rate of 0.9 percent the previous 
year. Statistics says the higher population growth is due to 
more births than deaths and larger permanent and long term 
migration gains.

STUDY SAYS NZERS MORE CONSERVATIVE
----------------------------------

New research shows New Zealanders are becoming more 
conservative. Otago University's latest Consumer and 
Lifestyles study reveals New Zealanders are becoming more 
traditional in their viewpoints. The survey of 3,600 people 
shows an emphasis on marriage, the family unit and showing 
respect to ones elders - as well as attaining social 
recognition. Associate Professor Sarah Todd says the results 
are in contrast to a similar study in 2000/2001. That showed 
families spending less time together and a disappearing middle 
class. 
 
(I wonder whether this is true. I have always felt I missed 
out coming and going with regard to respect for elders. It was 
compulsory when I was young, and apparently prohibited now 
that I am an elder :-) - BH)

RECORD PROFIT FOR ASB
---------------------

ASB Bank has posted a record $440 million after-tax profit for 
the year to June. It is a 16 percent jump on the previous 
year. Chairman Garry Judd QC says the Bank's residential 
lending increased by just over $29 billion. Total assets 
increased by 15 per cent to $44.5 billion. He says lending to 
business, the rural sector and the corporate banking division 
were the key drivers of overall growth.

INSURANCE COUNCIL BILL EXPANDS
------------------------------

Slips around the country are expected to add millions to an 
ever increasing bill for the Insurance Council. Landslides in 
parts of the central North Island and Lower Hutt are the 
latest in a string of weather-related damage this year. 
Insurance Council CEO Chris Ryan says this winter has been the 
most destructive and expensive for many decades. He says the 
snow storms which struck the South Island last month were the 
most devastating New Zealand has ever had - causing $50 
million in damages alone. Mr Ryan says nationwide, the bill 
will cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Meanwhile 
homeowners who have endured the troublesome landslide in Lower 
Hutt are trying to recoup some costs. Four homes in Vista 
Grove have been evacuated as slips there continue to cause 
concern. The Earthquake Commission has already received five 
claims and Insurance Manager Lance Dickson says two of those 
are major. He says engineers are at the site assessing the 
damage. Mr Dickson says he does not expect more than half a 
dozen claims from the slip. He says more claims are expected 
to trickle in after heavy rains across the country.

COMCOM TAKES CONTROL AT VECTOR
------------------------------

The Commerce Commission has published its intention to declare 
control of Vector's electricity distribution services. The 
Commission says it has found that the lines company is 
overcharging industrial and commercial customers across its 
networks. It also found that Vector was undercharging some 
residential customers, especially those in Auckland who are 
beneficiaries of Vector's principal shareholder, the Auckland 
Energy Consumer Trust. The Commission says Vector is aware of 
the imbalances, and has had ample opportunities to improve the 
situation. The Commission says Vector's failure to do so is an 
abuse of its monopoly power.

Thursday, 10 August 2006 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FULLY VACCINATED CHILD DIES FROM MENINGOCOCCAL B
------------------------------------------------

Authorities say the parents of the first fully-immunised child 
to die from Meningococcal B did all they could. The Waikato 
District Health Board is releasing little details about the 
dead child, other than that they were aged under five and died 
earlier this month. The region's Medical Officer of Health 
says the child had three doses of the Menz B vaccine, making 
them fully immunised. Dr Anita Bell says unfortunately no 
vaccine can provide 100 percent protection from a disease and 
Menz B is only 80 percent effective. She says the child was 
one of the 20 percent who are not always protected.

HEADACHES AS NEW COINS ARE INTRODUCED
-------------------------------------

The introduction of new coins this month is causing minor 
headaches for retailers. There have been reports that banks do 
not have enough of the new coins to issue. Along with that, 
businesses are spending longer cashing up during the change-
over, as weighing machines cannot do the job when the coins 
are all different weights. Hospitality Association CEO Bruce 
Robertson says although the transition is annoying, it will 
all sort itself out soon. He says all retailers are facing the 
same issues and they just need to be patient.

FARMERS CONCERNED BY LAND RETIREMENT PLAN
-----------------------------------------

Federated Farmers says it is waiting to see how badly plans to 
retire some 400,000 hectares of land to try to prevent slips 
in the Manawatu and Wanganui area will affect its members. 
Horizons Regional council has decided seriously eroded hill 
country needs to be retired from grazing. Some farmers are 
concerned they may completely lose their livelihoods. Charlie 
Pedersen, President of Federated Farmers says they are taking 
those fears seriously. He says they are still waiting for 
mapping to be done of the areas and then after that they can 
consider which farms will be affected by the plans.

BACKING FOR MOVES TO CUT CAR EMISSIONS
--------------------------------------

The Motor Trade Association is strongly supporting the 
Government plan to promote cutting back emissions from cars. 
The group is already committed to conducting a national 
programme which will run at the same time as the government 
campaign. It is thought regular vehicle servicing would 
drastically cut the problem. But MTA spokesman Andy Cuming 
says it is all about the money we have to spend. He says 
motorists are already being pummelled by high fuel prices and 
putting aside cash for regular services can sometimes be 
difficult. 
 
(At least two years ago, legislation was enacted prohibiting 
smoky vehicles. Visible smoke for more than 10 seconds was to 
be cause for being stopped by police. In practice, I cannot 
recall hearing of any prosecution under this legislation. 
Legislation that is toothless is worthless.  - BH)

NATIONAL BEMOANS GROWTH IN PUBLIC SECTOR
----------------------------------------

The huge increase in the size of the state sector has seen it 
being described as a bloated bureaucracy. National has 
obtained details revealing the amount of space leased by 
Government departments has increased 64 percent since 1999. 
That is coupled with a 95 percent increase in policy and 
administration staff within the civil service. National Deputy 
Leader Gerry Brownlee says in six years Labour has increased 
its bureaucracy by the equivalent of 15 rugby fields and 
filled the space with pen-pushers. He says the Government is 
obsessed with forming committees, writing reports and 
launching strategies. 
 
(I am coming to the opinion that in any public organization, 
there ought to be constraints on the people engaged directly 
in the core business of the organization, and the number of 
managers, marketers, accountants, and HR people who swell the 
staff numbers and thereby, the costs of these institutions. I 
am not much given to citing scripture but: "Consider the 
ravens: they neither sow nor reap, ... 
they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them" 
Luke, 12, 22-23. In short there are way too many ravens in our 
institutions and they are eating more than their share! - BH)

UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS AGAIN
------------------------

The unemployment rate has fallen yet again. Statistics New 
Zealand's Household Labour Force survey puts the jobless rate 
for the June quarter at 3.6 percent. That compares with 3.9 
percent in the March quarter. It says there has been strong 
employment growth, resulting in the lowest unemployment rate 
on record. For the June quarter, employment rose by one 
percent, taking the number of people in work to 2,129,000 - 
the highest ever recorded. That figure has been driven by a 
one-and-a-half percent rise in full time employment, while 
part time employment dropped by 0.8 of a percent.

WHICH WAS NZ'S MOST CORRUPT GOVERNMENT
--------------------------------------

An internet blog competition to nominate the most corrupt 
government in New Zealand history has attracted the attention, 
and the input, of the leader of the National Party. Among the 
54 comments on the Kiwiblog website is one from Don Brash. He 
took on board feedback from other participants regarding the 
actions of the Vogel, Hall, and Seddon Governments and has 
revised his opinion of the Clark administration. Dr Brash says 
while it is far from proven these Government's were as bad as 
Helen Clark's, he will apologise to the Prime Minister and 
rephrase his claim about her Government being the most corrupt 
ever to merely "The Clark Labour Government is the most 
corrupt government in the last hundred years.? The results of 
the competition can be read at 
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2006/08/and_the_winner_is_2.html 
 
(The blog site is owned by a really nice fellow called David 
Farrar, whom I count as a friend in a distant network sort of 
way. What this item does not record, is that David is a former 
National Party backroom person. That of course does not 
invalidate his opinion in any way, but it is relevant to the 
story - BH)

COLDEST WEATHER YET ON THE WAY
------------------------------

The country can expect another blast from the south this 
weekend. MetService is forecasting a bitterly cold south-
westerly wind straight from the sub-Antarctic to hit Southland 
and Otago on Saturday. By Monday it will have travelled up the 
country, bringing very cold showery conditions to Wellington 
and eastern regions. Forecaster Bob McDavitt says the next few 
days will be the coldest yet this winter.

LOCAL LOOP ANNOUNCEMENT WAS BUNGLED
-----------------------------------

The Government and Telecom are facing more criticism over how 
plans to unbundle the local loop were unveiled. When the 
Government made the announcement in May local markets were 
closed. However trades in Australia saw Telecom's stock price 
slide rapidly. Securities Commission member David Jackson says 
there was an avoidable asymmetry of information in the market 
with some players having more details than others. He says 
Telecom could have requested a trading halt on the Australian 
Stock Exchange for the time of the policy announcement. David 
Jackson also says the Government could have told Telecom a 
market sensitive announcement was about to be made as it would 
have allowed Telecom and the New Zealand Stock Exchange to 
decide if a trading halt was needed.

BONDING CHILDREN WITH PRISONER DADS
-----------------------------------

A new programme has been launched at Wanganui prison to 
encourage children to bond with their fathers. Massey 
University's trialling a method where children will visit the 
prison to spend one-on-one time reading books with their 
father. Adult literacy researcher, Dr Franco Vaccarino says 
the programme will help children get better acquainted with 
their fathers so things are not as difficult when they are 
released. He says normally when children go out to visit their 
dad they are in a crowded room with hundreds of other people 
and they do not get to spend any quality time together.

Friday, 11 August 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW TWIST IN ELECTION OVERSPENDING DEBATE
-----------------------------------------

The moral high ground over election overspending has become a 
battlefield. National has paid back $10,000 identified as 
being outside parliamentary rules by the Auditor General and 
is demanding Labour cough up for its pledge cards. Leader Don 
Brash says National is abiding by a draft ruling from a very 
high authority and he doubts that ruling will change once the 
final report's released. Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen 
does not believe National has stolen the high ground saying it 
is hard for people to take the position when they start out as 
moral pygmies. He says National has been deep in the trough in 
terms of spending through Parliamentary Services and cannot 
just pick out the bits before the 2005 election and ignore the 
past. Dr Cullen says that is a very cheap moral high ground. 
Winston Peters is bemused saying the decision may come back to 
haunt National. The New Zealand First leader says the Auditor 
General's opinion applies not only to the last election but 
many more before that. He says National could end up paying a 
lot more than $10,000. Mr Peters says National is caught more 
widely than any other party apart from Labour and does not 
appear to know that. He is deciding whether or not to 
challenge the Auditor General's opinion in the courts or 
support retrospective legislation. 

LITTLE CHANGE EXPECTED FOR INTEREST RATES
-----------------------------------------

Interest rates are unlikely to be affected by the record low 
unemployment. The Household Labour Force Survey for the June 
quarter shows employment rose by one percent, taking the 
number of people in work to $2.129 million. BNZ Chief 
Economist Tony Alexander says it will probably mean inflation 
will remain high, but interest rates probably will not be 
pushed up. He says the Reserve Bank is most likely wary of 
creating a hard landing further down the track. But Mr 
Alexander says there will not be a decrease either.

FARMS EXPECTED TO TAKE BRUNT OF COLD
------------------------------------

More snow is on the way for the south with the MetService 
forecasting it to arrive at midnight. The cold front is 
expected to bring snow to sea level from Southland to the 
Otago Peninsula. Weather commentator Philip Duncan says the 
farming community will be hit worst. He says they are right in 
the middle of lambing season and it could affect the health of 
some of the newborns. Even parts of the north will see the bad 
weather over the coming 48 hours.

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM TO KEEP TABS ON STUDENTS
------------------------------------------

A new electronic system is to be used to help schools and the 
Ministry of Education keep better tabs on students. As of next 
week, a web-based ENROL system will go live in 124 Auckland 
schools. It will be expanded to another 339 nationally over 
the following month. Education Minister Steve Maharey says the 
system will improve the information that goes with students 
from school to school and help ensure every student stays in 
the school system until they are 16. He says it will provide 
alerts to students that are not enrolled and when a pupil does 
not enrol after 20 days a notification will be sent to a 
truancy service.

STRICT NEW RULES IN WAKE OF BOMB PLOT
-------------------------------------

Air New Zealand is already implementing strict security 
measures for passengers travelling from the UK over the foiled 
plot to blow up trans-Atlantic flights. Passengers are being 
advised to arrive for their flights up to four hours before 
departure. Air New Zealand says effective immediately, no hand 
luggage will be carried on board. Passengers will only be 
allowed to keep with them pocket size wallets and travel 
documents. Prescription medicine will be allowed, but not in 
liquid form unless it is verified as authentic. That also goes 
for babies' milk where the adult accompanying the infant will 
be required to taste the contents of each bottle. This follows 
revelations that terrorists were planning to carry out the 
bombings with liquid chemical devices. And it has been 
reported this morning that authorities are urgently seeking 
five more suspects linked to the bomb plot. Pakistan says it 
has also made some arrests over the terrorism scare.

PIGEON PROJECT BEING LAUNCHED
-----------------------------

A project aimed at boosting the population of the native wood 
pigeon, the kereru, is being launched today. Te Papa and Dame 
Kiri Te Kanawa will launch the campaign to help the kereru 
thrive in urban environments. DOC spokesman Ralph Powlesland 
says the biggest concern is domestic cats making a nuisance of 
themselves if the big - and slow - pigeons decide to settle in 
an urban garden. But he says the tui is a good example of how 
birds can overcome that problem, because they have enough 
numbers to sustain small losses due to predators.

MOVES TO EASE WELLINGTON SLIP PROBLEMS
--------------------------------------

There are hopes improved building and surveying practices will 
put an end to slips causing havoc in the Wellington region. 
Number six Vista Grove in Kelson was knocked down after a slip 
earlier in the week meant its foundations were unstable. A 
slip in Eastbourne meant another house was knocked down last 
month. Hutt City Council spokesman Don Carson says heavy rain 
in the area has not helped matters, but older sections and 
subdivisions are more at risk than newer ones. He says today's 
rules should mean future generations do not have to put up 
with the kinds of problems they have seen in the past few 
weeks. Mr Carson says they are not overly concerned other 
areas in the Hutt could be at risk of slipping.

NZ DISCOVERY GETS HI-TECH CONFIRMATION
--------------------------------------

The Hubble telescope has confirmed a discovery by New Zealand 
astrophysicists. Scientists at Mt John Observatory in 
Canterbury identified a new and distant planet in 2003 using a 
technique called gravitational microlensing. Unfortunately, 
because of the light from other stars in the area, no-one 
could see the planet to prove their theory. Now the Hubble 
Space Telescope, based 600 kilometres above the earth, has 
managed to pick out the planet and its host sun, proving the 
New Zealanders' theory. For the record, the planet is circling 
a star called OGLE-2003-BLG-235L/MOA-2003-BLG-53L and is 
19,000 light years from Earth, making it the second most 
distant planetary system known 
 
(The romance behind the naming of ships and stars has 
apparently gone out of the window - BH)

EXTRA MONEY FOR SOME TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
------------------------------------------

Some extra cash is coming the way of tertiary institutions 
with Centres of Research Excellence. The Government has 
announced an extra $10 million in operating grants, and one-
off capital funding of $20 million will be available from next 
year. Tertiary Education Minister, Michael Cullen, says the 
money will be available to existing research centres, and 
there is a prospect two more may be established.

WEBSITE SEEKS GOOD TRADESMEN
----------------------------

A Christchurch mum may have solved all the problems of people 
who are frustrated about how hard it is to find a good 
tradesman. Jan Parkin's annoyance over a no-show tradesman was 
the catalyst in a new website launched by her son Chris and 
his friend Matthew Burgess. Matthew Burgess says 
mytradesman.co.nz is a simple website where New Zealanders can 
read and write reviews of their tradesmen. He says their 
mission is to connect customers with great tradesmen and keep 
them away from the bad ones. Matthew Burgess says every review 
that comes in is examined before being posted. 
 
(I had a quick look at the site, and so far they are mostly 
positive reviews. - BH)

 
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