WYSIWYG NEWS - 19 August, 2006
news at wysiwygnews.com
news at wysiwygnews.com
Sat Aug 19 15:53:19 NZST 2006
Subject: 19 August, 2006
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------
Copyright, Brian Harmer.
Determined not to talk about the weather this week, even
though it is bitterly cold and a bleak rain-laden Northerly is
blowing(doh!), I thought some of you might be interested in an
area of downtown Wellington. Dixon Street runs at an angle
from the intersection of Taranaki Street and Manners Street.
Running beside Te Aro Park (aka Pigeon Park), it intersects
Cuba Mall and then crosses Victoria Street and Willis Street
by St John's Presbyterian Church. It then climbs sharply past
the Capital City Preschool to where it connects with
McDonald's Crescent. Steep pedestrian steps zigzag up the hill
from there to rejoin the extension of Dixon Street at the top
of the Hill and thence intersects with the Terrace. Many of
old Wellington's streets were originally planned in London by
people who had no idea of the topography of the place on the
other side of the world. There are several of these
interrupted streets as a consequence of such colonial
management. Although the Blair Street and Allen Street end of
Courtenay Place are regarded as the centre of Wellington's
booming restaurant precinct, there are a goodly number in the
Willis Street and Dixon street area. In the short block
between Victoria Street and Willis Street, the newest arrival
is called MVP. Inside, the décor is a mixture of glowing wood
floors and panelling with the upper walls painted deep red and
framed in black. The glassware and cutlery looks very well on
the black tablecloths. The restaurant occupies the premises
previously known to a generation of Wellingtonians as Chevys.
On the outside of the building is a large neon sign depicting
a cowboy whirling his lariat. I believe that this was once
mounted on a Jeans store in Auckland's Queen Street. Anyway,
my younger daughter Helen who formatted the news for WYSIWYG
for years is managing this new business. She took a major part
in the stripping and refurbishment of the premises, hiring
staff, and getting ready to open. They opened for business
this week. Chefs Jason and Yana have created a series of
interesting and versatile menus (which I spell-checked for
them), and the young people who attend to the customers are
all smiling and eager to please. They have a good wine cellar,
and the food is well prepared and nicely presented. I have
come away well satisfied from my visits so far. I won't make
a practice of touting for business, but if you are in that end
of Wellington, and looking for a reasonably priced substantial
meal, be it brunch, lunch, dinner or snacks in the bar then
give MVP a try, and let Helen know that WYSIWYG sent you :-)
----
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 another long-time
WYSIWYG supporter, Kathy Brierley in Ipswich, UK. Many thanks
Kathy.
----
On with the News.
Monday, 14 August 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MORE PEOPLE IN DEBT WITH HOMEOWNING SCHEME - NAT
------------------------------------------------
Supporters of the Government's "Welcome Home" scheme are
welcoming moves to raise the amount of money people can
borrow. Housing Minister Chris Carter has announced that under
the initiative, the limit for lending without a deposit has
been increased from $150,000 to $200,000. Rebecca James, who
used the scheme to buy her first home in Paraparaumu, says
people are being priced out of the property market. She says
the scheme gives them the chance to get a major asset under
their belt. However the National Party believes the scheme
will merely put more people into debt. Housing spokesman Phil
Heatley claims it will lure families into debt they cannot
service causing them to enter a cycle of poverty and
frustration. He believes the Government should be more
cautious about encouraging people to borrow. Mr Heatley says
if more land was freed up for development, prices would be
driven down.
(The median house price in NZ is now $313,000. It is over
$500,000 in Auckland and around $430,000 in Wellington. It
would be almost impossible to find a house for $200k in
Auckland or Wellington. - BH)
HOUSE PRICE GROWTH EASING
-------------------------
The long-awaited drop in house price growth appears to be
underway. Quotable Value figures show growth in prices has
dropped for the seventh successive month. There was an 11.1
percent growth rate in July, down from 11.5 percent in June.
Business correspondent Roger Kerr says many analysts expected
the housing market to be much flatter by now, but the jobs
market remains good and income confidence has been high.
However he believes that with evidence of a weakening in the
domestic market, that could be about to change. Mr Kerr says
one of the key reasons for high house prices is the control
and supply of land for new sections.
FEW HINTS ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE CHANGES
----------------------------------------
The Government is giving little away about planned changes in
store for the criminal justice system. Justice Minister Mark
Burton and Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor are to unveil
their plans in Wellington tomorrow. The specifics are a
closely guarded secret however the indications are it will be
in line with ideas previously floated in ministerial speeches.
They could include more home detention provisions, curfews,
electronic tagging and other measures aimed at keeping minor
offenders out of an already-crowded prison system.
NZERS HEAD OFFSHORE FOR HOLIDAYS
--------------------------------
The number of New Zealanders holidaying at home has dropped.
The Ministry of Tourism reports that spending by domestic
travellers fell almost five and a half percent last year.
Research Manager Bruce Bassett says it is no surprise. He says
the high New Zealand dollar, cheap trans-Tasman fares and all-
inclusive Pacific holiday packages means many New Zealanders
are opting for a bit of overseas travel. He says the same
trend can be seen in Australia and many European countries.
HUNT ON FOR BEST LOO
--------------------
The hunt is on to flush out the country's top public toilet.
Keep New Zealand Beautiful has launched a campaign to find the
cleanest and most attractive public facility. Campaign
chairman Barry Lucinsky says they want to recognise what
impact a public toilet can have on the appearance and pride of
a community. He says everyone has standards when it comes to
having to use a restroom. Mr Lucinsky says most people just
want a pleasant and hygienic public toilet given the short
time they use them.
(I don't know how many people have told me that if they want
clean facilities anywhere in the world, they look for the
nearest McDonalds - BH)
VECTOR ISSUES WARNING OVER POWER SUPPLY
---------------------------------------
A warning has been issued that the country's power supply
could be under threat if the Commerce Commission proceeds with
its plan to take over the running of Vector. The electricity
and gas distributor today announced it made just over $45
million in profit for the year. It comes just days after the
company was accused of overcharging Auckland businesses, with
the commission threatening to take over control of its
distribution. Warren Kyd, the chairman of Vector's majority
stakeholder the Auckland Energy Consumers Trust, says any such
move would be worrisome as they might not be able to protect
the security of supply. Mr Kyd is expecting profits to
continue, particularly given the colder than normal winter,
but he says much will depend on whether Vector can come to an
agreement with the Commerce Commission.
(Public antipathy towards vector seems to be increasing as
various figures have denounced their statements as brazen
attempts at blackmail - BH)
OIL COMPANIES SLASH PETROL PRICES
---------------------------------
Major oil companies have slashed prices at the pump today in
response to a fall in the price of crude. BP has cut five
cents off the price of both 91 and 95 - taking the per litre
price to $1.659 and $1.709 respectively in main centres. There
is no change in the price of diesel. Earlier this afternoon
Shell announced it had slashed four cents from both its
regular and premium fuels.
(Astonishing, though in my recent experience, each recent fall
seems to have been for a short while, and to have been
followed by an even larger increase. I am not optimistic about
this. - BH)
PM NOT FOR UN
-------------
The Prime Minister is scotching rumours she might be looking
for a new job. Speculation's been doing the rounds that Helen
Clark might have a shot at the Secretary General's position at
the United Nations when Kofi Annan's term expires later this
year. Helen Clark says that is a work of fiction. She says she
has had no approach about the position and it is not on her
mind. Miss Clark says the best job for her in the world right
now is the one she has as Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHANGES TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TODAY
----------------------------------------
The Government unveils a new approach to law and order and the
criminal justice system today. In a speech to the Safer
Communities Conference yesterday, Justice Minister Mark Burton
flagged increasing the use of home detention, restorative
justice, and community sentences. He also indicated crime
prevention strategies and smarter use of prison resources will
be a focus. Mr Burton is set to release specific details at a
news conference later this morning.
INTERNET JOB ADS ROCKETING AHEAD
--------------------------------
Internet job advertising is set to surpass newspaper ads. The
ANZ Job Vacancy Rate survey shows a big jump in employers
using the internet to fill vacancies. Bank economist Steve
Edwards says internet-based advertising rose 4.6 percent in
the June quarter to almost 79,000, marginally behind newspaper
ads of almost 80,000. He believes the writing is on the wall
for traditional newspaper job advertising to be overtaken by
internet advertising. Mr Edwards says web advertising is much
more cost-effective and can be accessed worldwide, whereas
newspaper ads are restricted to wherever the publication is
sold. Recent figures show nationwide employment rose one
percent led by Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury and Auckland.
The largest drop was in Manawatu which eased 2.1 percent over
the quarter.
PM WANTS CLEARER SPENDING GUIDELINES
------------------------------------
Prime Minister Helen Clark says it is inevitable that the
rules around pre-election spending will be simplified,
following the release of the Auditor-General's report.
Submissions on the report close today and Miss Clark says the
Labour Party will be putting forward suggestions. She says it
is clear the funding system needs to be more transparent
because it is important that people realise the dispute is
between the Auditor-General and Parliamentary Services, not
politicians. Miss Clark says no political party sets out to
break the rules although there have been some gross and
defamatory statements put out regarding that issue. She says
Cabinet has not yet discussed the prospect of retrospective
legislation. The Auditor-General's draft report to party
leaders about political parties' taxpayer-funded expenditure
has found that Labour's $446,000 pledge card breached
Parliament's spending rules for 2003. The regulations forbid
spending on material being used for electioneering. National
has repaid $10,588 spent by seven MPs.
(Newspaper editorials have been pretty much unanimous in
condemning the attitude of Labour and NZ First towards these
matters. - BH)
SLIP KEEPS HOMEOWNERS AWAY
--------------------------
It could be some time before the owners of two properties in
Christchurch which are the path of several hundred tonnes of
falling rock, can return to their homes. Police evacuated two
families from their houses in Sumner on Sunday after a slip
slammed into the garage of one house and threatened another.
The problem is believed to have been caused by heavy rain.
City Council spokesman Terry Sefton says a geologist has been
investigating what measures should be taken next. An initial
report will be presented to council staff tomorrow and a full
report completed later in the week.
VECTOR HAD "NO CHOICE" BUT TO FREEZE SPENDING
---------------------------------------------
Powerlines' company Vector says it was left with no choice but
to freeze $430 million worth of expenditure after threats by
the Commerce Commission to impose price controls. The
commission claims Vector is overcharging commercial and
industrial customers while Auckland residential customers are
paying less than others, particularly those in Wellington.
Chief Executive Mark Franklin says investors want stability,
transparency and consistency in the regulatory environment.
"The board has taken a call to suspend all of those capital
investments so that we can come up with an agreement probably
with the Commerce Commission that we can have a stable
regulatory environment and an appropriate commercial rate of
return." Mr Franklin says shareholders would rather not spend
any more money if a reasonable return is not foreseeable.
(Whoops! There they go again - BH)
REVIEW OF DISABILITY STRATEGY
-----------------------------
A review will be carried out to see just how well a National
Disability Strategy has been implemented since its release
five years ago. Disabilities Issues Minister Ruth Dyson has
signalled the review releasing its terms of reference. It aims
to evaluate how effective the strategy has been, identify how
it can be improved and consider whether it can be extended
beyond Government departments. The results are expected to be
released early next year.
BIG CHANGES TO JUSTICE SYSTEM
-----------------------------
The most far reaching changes for many years to justice,
sentencing and prison culture have been unveiled by the
Government. Key elements to the package are a revamp of the
sentencing system with the establishment of a Sentencing
Tribunal. It will give judges guidelines with home detention
as a sentence rather than simply an option. There will also be
a raft of community sentences available and new drug and
alcohol units in prisons. Prime Minister Helen Clark says
something has to be done as the prison population is growing
faster than the general population and the criminal justice
system cannot go on as it is.
MOBILE HEALTH INFORMATION IMPRESSES MEDICS
------------------------------------------
A New Zealand based company is taking the medical world by
storm with its electronic mobile health information system.
Healthphone eliminates paperwork and gives health
professionals instant access to patient information via the
Internet. When the idea was first put forward to a US
conference a year ago, it was met with an enthusiastic
response though many thought it would never work. The project
has been further developed over the past year with the support
of Microsoft. Healthphone CEO Matt Hector-Taylor says St
Joseph's Hospice in Auckland has had the system up-and-running
for three weeks and would not be without it, and the company
is now dealing with enquiries from all over the world. Mr
Hector-Taylor says the system can also give individuals access
to their own health records. He says one of its attractions is
that it uses standard Microsoft products, such as Internet
Explorer, which will already be owned by many businesses which
might be interested in the idea. He says they have been
working on the idea for three and a half years and it is great
to see it all coming together, though he admits it has been a
lot of hard work. Healthphone is now being established in
Australia and Canada and enters the US, Europe and Asia later
this year.
THE MAORI QUEEN HAS PASSED AWAY
-------------------------------
The Maori Queen has passed away. Dame Te Atairangikaahu was
75. Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu has been unwell for
some time and was released from hospital into the care of her
family last month when she celebrated her 75th birthday at
Turangawaewae marae. The low-profile but influential queen
became monarch when her father King Koroki died in 1966. She
is a descendant of the first Maori King, Potatau. Prince
Charles sent Dame Te Ata a congratulatory telegram during
recent celebrations for her 40th anniversary. He described the
40 years of leadership, courage and stability she gave to the
people of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the wide world, as an
immeasurable treasure. Her wisdom and influence were
recognised by an Honorary Doctorate from Waikato University in
1973, and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Victoria University
in 1999. She was one of the first inductees of the Order of
New Zealand. Te Atairangikaahu hosted many royal and
diplomatic visitors to New Zealand, and represented Maori at
state events overseas. In December 2005, she started dialysis
treatment and was admitted to Waikato Hospital following a
possible heart attack last month.
(This death has been the occasion for a national outpouring of
grief among Maori and many others who held her in high esteem.
Maori funerary customs involve a tangihanga, in which the
bereaved sit in company with the body of the deceased in the
Marae. The body is interred on the last day of the observance.
In the case of the Maori monarch, it will be transported from
Turangawaewae down the Waikato river to Taupiri where it will
be borne with hour up the sacred mountain to buried among her
forbears. When Dame Te Ata's father, King Koroki was buried in
1966, mist and rain swirled around the mountain, and I recall
the superb photograph on the front page of the New Zealand
Herald which showed the warrior pallbearers clad in
traditional garb struggling up the mountain through that awful
weather. Nothing in that photograph gave any hint that it was
taken in the 20th century. - BH)
HUGE RECALL OF DELL LAPTOP BATTERIES
------------------------------------
Dell Computers is recalling the batteries of some of its
Notebook computers after a number of them erupted in smoke or
flames. It is recalling 4.1 million of the lithium-ion
batteries, which were made for Dell by Sony. It is understood
to be the biggest recall of electrical products ever. Some
have been sold with notebooks in New Zealand. The suspect
batteries are included in models of Dell's Latitude, Inspiron,
XTS and Precision mobile workstation notebooks. Dell says
problems are rare, but it has decided to take this broad
action to ensure public safety. The words "DELL" and "Made in
Japan" or "Made in China" or "Battery cell made in Japan,
Assembled in China" are printed on the back of the batteries.
More details of how to identify whether a laptop is affected
by the recall are on the Dell website at
https://www.dellbatteryprogram.com/Default.aspx
(I was pleased that mine was not one of those effected. It
does get hot, but that is in the region of the CPU, and not
the battery. - BH)
Wednesday, 16 August 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMMISSION RESPONDS TO SUPPLY CONCERNS
--------------------------------------
The Commerce Commission is dismissing claims its intention to
control Vector's electricity pricing will impact on capital
investment and threaten supply. The commission's regulatory
threat is linked to concerns about price disparities between
some customers. Vector has suspended $630 million of
expenditure including capital investment in response.
Commission chairwoman Paula Rebstock is assuring the public
that appropriate investment to ensure security and quality of
supply is a key part of the regulatory regime it enforces. She
says Vector can propose an administrative settlement as an
alternative to the commission taking control. That would mean
Vector agreeing to pricing levels and quality measures. The
powerlines company has asked for more time to make a
submission and the deadline has been extended to October 2.
COMMUNITY SENTENCES NEED MORE MONITORING
----------------------------------------
The Police Association wants an assurance the force will be
given the resources to keep an eye on the increased number of
criminals serving their time in the community. The
Government's revamp of sentencing policy increases the
provision for home detention and community sentences for lower
level offenders. Police Association president Greg O'Connor
says it is clearly going to mean more work for police and
other enforcement agencies and they need the resources to
match it. He believes criminals who breach the conditions of
their community sentence must be dealt with severely.
LULL IN HOUSING MARKET
----------------------
The impact of a cold, wet winter is being felt in the housing
market. Real Estate Institute figures show the national median
house price went up by only $3,000 to $313,000 from June to
July. The number of houses sold last month was 7,771, compared
with 8,135 in July last year. Business correspondent Roger
Kerr says the industry is concerned about the figures as they
represent more than just a lull. He believes banks may
increase their one and two year mortgage rates to cope with
the drop-off in trade.
ORCON LOOKS TO LAUNCH MOBILE SERVICES
-------------------------------------
New Zealand-owned Internet service provider Orcon has signed
an agreement with Vodafone which could see the launch of more
mobile phone and data services next year. Orcon spokesman
Scott Bartlett says the ISP industry is undergoing significant
change as a result of the Government's threat to open up
Telecom's lines to competitors. But he says it could take 18
months for the unbundling to come about and Orcon's deal with
Vodafone means there will be more competition in the mobile
field as early as 2007. "In the mobile market today, we have
two major players, Telecom and Vodafone. The entry of Orcon is
going to drive competition." Mr Bartlett says adding mobile
services to Orcon's products is a natural progression of its
business. He says other countries which have mobile wholesale
operators have seen a dramatic upswing in market competition,
for example, Virgin Mobile in the UK.
NZ DIPLOMATS TRAVELLING TO JERUSALEM
------------------------------------
Two New Zealand diplomats are due to arrive in Jerusalem today
to join efforts to secure the release of kidnapped cameraman
Olaf Wiig. The 36-year-old freelance cameraman and his Fox
News colleague, US journalist Steve Centanni, were snatched in
Gaza City when two vehicles carrying armed men surrounded
their news truck. The British Consul has contacted the office
of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas asking for
assistance in securing the pair's release and Palestinian
security forces have been deployed. Mr Wiig's wife, Anita
McNaught, says negotiations are underway but officials in Gaza
say no contact has been established with the kidnappers. No
group has claimed responsibility yet. Mr Wiig was born and
raised on the Kapiti Coast.
MORE PEOPLE SIGN UP TO BROADBAND
--------------------------------
Statistics New Zealand has revealed the number of broadband
subscribers has jumped by a third in the six months to March
this year. It now stands at 1.3 million people. The Internet
Service Provider Survey shows the number of dial-up
subscribers is beginning to drop off, falling almost seven
percent in the same six month period. Despite the percentage
of broadband users in the population rising from nine to 11.5
percent, New Zealand remains in 22nd place. The OECD average
percentage is 13.6 percent. However, while subscriber numbers
are increasing, the number of internet service providers is
down by nine compared to last September. It is thought a rise
in customer numbers has seen some ISPs shut down, as larger
companies have increased their subscriber numbers at the
expense of smaller ones. There were 57 ISPs operating in New
Zealand at the end of March, compared to 66 six months
earlier.
(I could wish that I had confidence in these statistics, but I
suspect that many of the people on entry level packages have a
service that barely meets the definition of broadband. And
even those of us who do have the current top rate of 3.5Mb/s
find that we are actually getting speeds not much better than
dial-up in peak hours. - BH)
CHANGES TO ACC LEVIES
---------------------
Changes are to be made to the way ACC levies are imposed on
the self-employed. ACC Minister Ruth Dyson says a planned law
change will see the self-employed treated the same as
employers when levy rates are set. She says the current
separation is due to National's failed privatisation of ACC in
the late 1990s, and as that is no longer on the agenda, the
discrepancy is to be done away with. Ms Dyson says the changes
will ensure ACC levies paid by businesses will be fairer, as
they will be based on injury risk rather than business
structure.
TRIBUTES PAID TO MAORI QUEEN
----------------------------
Maori Television is among those expressing deep sadness at the
death of the Maori Queen. Chairman Wayne Walden says Dame Te
Atairangikaahu's leadership, humility and dedication to iwi
Maori were instrumental in the establishment of Maori
Television. He says throughout her life, Dame Te Ata was at
the forefront of many initiatives, from Maori language to the
revitalisation of Maori education, welfare and culture. He
says those contributions also helped drive the momentum to
establish Maori Television. Victoria University is also
sending its condolences and sympathies to Dame Te Ata's
whanau, friends and all those who benefited from her gentle
leadership. The University presented Dame Te Ata with a Doctor
of Law degree in 1999. Ngai Tahu have joined those paying
tribute to the Maori Queen. Iwi Kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon
says although Ngai Tahu is not part of the Kingitanga movement
it has great respect for Dame Te Ata and what she has done for
Maoridom. He expects many many people to farewell Dame Te Ata.
The gates of Turangawaewae Marae have opened to Tainui people
so they can mourn the Queen many referred to affectionately as
"The Lady". This morning only close family and kaumatua were
on the marae but this afternoon the gates were opened to
around 500 Tainui waiting to pay their respects. Today is
reserved for Tainui. Thousands are expected for Dame Te
Atairangikaahu's funeral on Monday of next week. Tainui says
the Maori Queen will be laid to rest on Taupiri Mountain
following the funeral service. Tainui MP and family
spokeswoman Nanaia Mahuta expects a large number of people to
take part in the tangi. Flags around the country are being
lowered to half mast in recognition of the death of the Maori
Queen. Transit says it has had an official request from the
Prime Minister's office for the flags on the Auckland Harbour
Bridge to be lowered, and they will be until dusk. Dame Te
Atairangikaahu's husband Whatumoana Paki lost not only his
wife, but also his stepmother yesterday. Emily Paki died just
hours before the Maori Queen, and just a few kilometres down
the river from Ngaruawahia, in Huntly. She will be buried in
Kopu in the Coromandel on Friday.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALLOUTS INCREASE
-----------------------------------
The number of domestic violence -related call outs and arrests
has almost doubled over the past 10 years. Latest figures show
the number of family violence incidents in 1996 was just over
31,000 compared with around 63,000 in 2005. Arrests over that
period have increased from just over 9,000 to just over 18
thousand. Police Minister Annette King says the increase might
seem dramatic but she believes that this is a case of some of
the tragedies that have been going on behind closed doors now
being uncovered. She says society itself has to change.
SLIP KEEPS PEOPLE OUT OF HOMES
------------------------------
Some residents affected by today's slip on Wellington's
Oriental Parade may have to spend the night elsewhere. The
landslide came down late this morning, crashing through the
back windows of the second-floor apartments in the Waterfront
complex. Eighteen people have been evacuated from five
buildings in the wake of the slip. Wellington City Council
emergency management officer Jock Darragh says some people
will be able to return to their homes later today. He says
some houses are still right in the firing line, so those
people will not be able to come back until tomorrow at the
earliest. Mr Darragh says they are using electronic listening
devices to try to establish if more of the slip is going to
come down. He says the ground is still very unstable, with
small rocks and debris constantly coming down.
(You thought it was just me moaning about all the rain didn't
you! I have to say that each time I see a digger cutting into
a bank, as they have done in various new developments along
Oriental Parade, I am aware of the probability of disaster.
Relatively few of these seem to involve serious engineering
for the retention of the newly created bank. - BH)
Thursday, 17 August 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DON'T HESITATE TO REPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SAYS MINISTER
--------------------------------------------------------
The Police Minister is urging the public not to hesitate
reporting domestic violence. Annette King's call follows new
data which shows the number of domestic violence-related call
outs and arrests have almost doubled to around 63,000 over the
past 10 years. She says that shows society is becoming more
open in terms of reporting and exposing family violence. But
Mrs King says sadly, there is probably a lot more going on
behind closed doors. She says rather than ask what the police
or the Government are going to do about it, people need to be
proactive.
FRUIT IN SCHOOLS PROGRAMME WORKING
----------------------------------
The Christchurch District Health Board says the campaign to
get fruit into schools has been a success. The initiative has
now been running for a year and is part of the Cancer Control
Action Plan. It provides at least one piece of fruit every day
for primary school children at 10 Christchurch schools. Fruit
in Schools organiser Jo Homes says the project aims to promote
health and by targeting primary aged children, they have been
able to reach into the wider community.
KEY PRAISES WEST COAST'S POTENTIAL
----------------------------------
National's Finance spokesman John Key says the West Coast's
strong economy is making the region extremely attractive for
new businesses. Mr Key has been touring the area for the past
two days, meeting with economic leaders. He says with the
continued development from the tourism and dairy industry, he
sees no reason why businesses cannot be extremely successful
on the West Coast. He says with the renowned Tranz Alpine
train service and sound investment decisions from the West
Coast Development trust, the region will remain the number one
economic performer in New Zealand.
MARAE CROWDS NO PROBLEM
-----------------------
Tainui is confident it can handle the influx of mourners for
the Maori Queen's tangi. Up to 100,000 people are expected at
Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia between now and the funeral
service for Dame Te Atairangikaahu on Monday. The Queen's
niece, MP and family spokeswoman Nanaia Mahuta, says
celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Dame Te Ata's
coronation earlier this year proved organisers can cope with
large crowds. Representatives from several North Island tribes
are due at the marae today to pay their respects. Former prime
ministers Jim Bolger and Jenny Shipley, former Governor-
General Dame Cath Tizard and former treaty negotiations
minister, Sir Doug Graham are at Ngaruawahia. Mayors and
councillors from around the Waikato region will also be
expressing their condolences. Ms Mahuta says members of the
public are welcome from tomorrow. An official letter has been
sent to Tainui from the Prime Minister in which Helen Clark
expresses deepest sympathy for the passing of Dame Te Ata. She
says over the years, she gained a profound respect for the
Maori Queen's wisdom, talents and humour. She says the country
has lost a national treasure, a woman of great judgement and
vision who touched the lives of all those who met her. Miss
Clark will be at Turangawaewae Marae tomorrow morning.
NZ STONEFRUIT CLEARED FOR AUSTRALIA
-----------------------------------
Moves to allow New Zealand stonefruit exports into Western
Australia are being described as a breakthrough by the
Minister of Agriculture. Australia has released a policy
memorandum which clears the way for apricots, peaches,
nectarines and plums. Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton is
pleased issues that previously blocked the market have been
resolved and at an estimated value of $14 million a year, the
development is a worthwhile breakthrough. He says exports are
set to begin this December.
(And about time too. Now how about that long delayed decision
on apples and dropping the spurious fear of fireblight which
scientists around the world agree is not transmitted on mature
fruit? - BH)
LIFE INSURANCE TAX RULES TO BE REVIEWED
---------------------------------------
The Government is to carry out a comprehensive review of the
life insurance tax rules. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says
a review is long overdue. He says the current rules have been
operating in a largely unmodified form since 1990, even though
the commercial, regulatory and savings environment has changed
dramatically. Dr Cullen says the review will also look at
whether life insurance should be included in the proposed
rules for taxing portfolio investment entities.
CHALLENGE FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION
--------------------------------
The tertiary education system is being told it needs to do
more to attract quality international students and
researchers. Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen has
put forward the challenge at the annual Education New Zealand
International Education Conference. He says New Zealand has a
lot to offer with world class facilities and teachers, but
could do more to maximise opportunities in the international
education market. Dr Cullen says steps will be taken to lift
the country's profile in overseas markets with $1 million
being allocated over the next two years for promoting and
marketing the education system in key overseas markets.
(Well duh! Notwithstanding the recently negotiated 7.5% pay
rise for academics, they have fallen so far behind other
professions that it still remains difficult to persuade
distinguished academics from elsewhere that coming to New
Zealand for a few years is an affordable option for them. -
BH)
NZ FIRST STANDS FIRM ON RATES
-----------------------------
New Zealand First is not about to be brow-beaten into
supporting an ACT bill aimed at capping rates rises. Greypower
has been putting the pressure on with the organisation's vice
president warning of dire consequences if NZ First does not
support the Bill. However, Leader Winston Peters doesn't
believe the public comments are representative of the entire
Greypower body. He says Greypower surely expects his party to
approach the matter in a sane and logical manner. Mr Peters
says they have been told New Zealand First is in favour of
getting a Commission of Inquiry into rates rises.
UNION SAYS AIR NZ MAY OUTSOURCE FINANCE DEPT
--------------------------------------------
Air New Zealand is being accused of planning to outsource more
than half of its finance department overseas. The Service and
Food Workers union says it understands the airline could be
looking to have its staff based in Fiji, to take advantage of
cheaper labour costs. Secretary Jill Ovens says this is simply
another drive by the company for bigger profits, with clerical
workers in Fiji paid as little as $6,000 a year. She says
other options Air New Zealand is looking at include India and
the Philippines.
(I think the policy of sacking your own workers and giving
their jobs to people in poorer economies is economically
rational and morally bankrupt. - BH)
Friday, 18 August 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IT INDUSTRY TARGETS STUDENTS
----------------------------
A conference at Auckland's Sky City Theatre today is
encouraging students to consider IT as a career. The Tech Ed
Student Day gives students a chance to meet industry leaders
in this country, and experience the latest software and
gadgets. More than 1300 young New Zealanders will be attending
the events in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. They will
be exposed to the latest software and applications, and meet
experts from computing world giants such as Microsoft,
TradeMe, Navman and Intergen. Microsoft's Director of
Innovations, Brett Roberts, says the next Sam Morgan - who
founded TradeMe - might be considering his career right now
and needs to be encouraged. One very popular session at the
event is ?Ask the industry? where a line up of industry
speakers answer student questions on what the IT job market is
like, what is being paid, what opportunities exist, and what
it takes to make it in the industry. Mr Roberts says there's
been a dip in interest in recent years, partly because people
have been put off by highly publicised dot-com industry
troubles. He says they hope to address the shortage in the
industry by inspiring students with what is now available and
what sort of career opportunities are around. The final
conference is in Wellington on September 8th.
PETROL PRICE DROPS AGAIN
------------------------
Petrol prices have fallen for the second time this week. Shell
has announced it is dropping the price of a litre of petrol by
five cents a litre. Prices have now fallen 10 cents in the
past four days and takes a litre of regular to a $1.66.9. in
the main centres. Shell spokeswoman Jacqui Maitland says that
is due to a number of factors, including a strengthening of
the New Zealand dollar and a sharp fall in the cost of crude
oil. Other petrol companies are likely to follow suit.
(OK, so call me a liar. I am still not optimistic. - BH)
TV TEXT MESSAGE COMPETITION ILLEGAL
-----------------------------------
Internal Affairs is welcoming a court ruling that a text
message competition promising cars as prizes was an illegal
lottery. The TXTDrive competition ran during March 2004.
Entrants could text a word spotted on TV2 to enter a daily
draw for a Peugeot car and receive free products from Pizza
Hut. An Auckland District Court judge has found the organisers
hoped to generate a profit of more than $1.5 million, but the
competition failed because of a lack of entrants and
insufficient money to honour prizes. The organisers Richard
Hayes and Troy Elliot will be sentenced in October.
UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR PACIFIC ISLAND
-----------------------------------
A gloomy outlook is being painted for the future of Pacific
island Kiribati. MP Ruitano Benetito believes his country's
future is measured in mere decades due to the impact of global
warming. He has spoken about his concerns at the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association conference in Wellington. Quoting a
United Nations report predicting sea levels will rise by half
a metre by 2050, Mr Benetito says time is running out for
Kiribati. He says it is only a matter of time before the
country suffers more soil salination and could be totally
inundated before the end of this century.
MAORI QUEEN'S FAMILY QUIET ABOUT SUCCESSOR
------------------------------------------
The Maori Queen's family says it is not appropriate for it to
comment on Dame Te Atairangikaahu's likely successor.
Speculation is growing about who will be the next Maori
monarch. The most likely candidates are Dame Te Ata's eldest
son or daughter. Tainui will have no say in who takes over as
king or queen as the debate and decision will be made by the
leaders of other major tribes. Some tribes have put in bids to
have the title moved from the Waikato iwi. Dame Te Ata's
family spokeswoman Nanaia Mahuta says it would be
inappropriate for the family to comment on a successor. She
says its focus is looking after the thousands of visitors to
Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia. An estimated 10,000 people
visited yesterday, including former prime ministers Jim Bolger
and Jenny Shipley, entertainer Sir Howard Morrison and
Paramount Chief of Tuwharetoa, Tumu Te Heu Heu. Today, Prime
Minister Helen Clark will lead a contingent of ministers and
MPs who are due to arrive at the marae gates at 8.30am. Queen
Elizabeth has sent a letter of condolence to Tainui. She says
Dame Te Ata gave a lifetime of service and dedication. The
Queen says she warmly remembers her own visit to Turangawaewae
and her meetings with the Maori Queen. She says her
leadership, dignity and compassion will long be remembered. A
spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace has dismissed speculation a
member of the British royal family may travel to New Zealand
for Monday's funeral.
ECONOMY EXPANDING AT MORE MODERATE PACE
---------------------------------------
The economy is still expanding although at a more moderate
pace. National Bank's composite index of regional economic
activity increased in nine of the 14 regions it monitors in
the June quarter. Waikato is leading the way, rising 1.8
percent in the past three months, the region's largest
quarterly gain in economic activity since 2003. At the other
end of the scale Hawke's Bay's economic activity dropped 1.6
percent in the three months to June. Nationwide economic
activity rose 0.5 percent. Economist Steve Edwards says
improving business confidence, commodity prices, employment
and house sales are being partially offset by weaker household
sentiment, retail sales and building consents.
MORE EVIDENCE FOR WASHING HANDS
-------------------------------
New research has come up with an old message for avoiding
campylobacter - wash your hands before every meal. In findings
published in the Medical Journal today, researchers argue that
cattle dung, not chicken meat, is the main source of the
painful infection. It says in early summer, flies can transmit
Campylobacter from field to common surfaces people often
touch. Researchers say if people eat takeaway food, where
utensils are not often used, it may result in a dose of the
infection. Medical Association chair Ross Boswell says the
simple message is - wash your hands before you eat.
HOMEBUYERS MORE CAUTIOUS
------------------------
Homebuyers in Wellington are becoming more cautious according
to a local real estate agent. Slips in several areas recently
including Oriental Bay, Kelson and Eastbourne have caused
hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage and the
managing director of Tommy's Real Estate, Tommy Heptinstall,
says people now want official clarification that the land they
are buying is safe. He says more homebuyers are insisting on
geotechnical and engineering reports before parting with their
money. Mr Heptinstall says the very nature of Wellington's
geography means there are many hillside properties.
EDUCATION COLLEGES MERGE WITH UNIS
----------------------------------
The two remaining colleges of education in the country are
finally to merge with their local universities. The official
announcement was made today by Tertiary Education Minister
Michael Cullen. The merger of the Christchurch College of
Education and the University of Canterbury has been in the
planning for 18 months and the final decision has officially
been made. Dr Cullen says the decision follows six weeks of
public consultation and will take effect from January 1 next
year. The Dunedin College of Education will also combine with
Otago University. The government will provide $14.5 million to
cover transition costs for the institutions.
REVENUE UP, PROFITS DROP AT SKY
-------------------------------
Sky TV has posted a drop in profit. However, the pay
television operator says subscriber numbers and revenue rose
in the past year. Total revenue was $548.9 million, an
increase of $56.5 million (11.5 percent) over the previous
year. Subscriber numbers rose nearly eight percent to just
over 667,000. Chief Executive John Fellett says the drop in
profit to $60.1 million is due to higher interest costs. ?The
result is very pleasing, especially as it includes $50.4
million of interest costs incurred on the additional $500
million of debt that was raised as part of the merger of SKY
and its major shareholder, INL, in July.? he said. Churn, the
percentage of subscribers who disconnect their service,
continued to fall. Gross churn fell from 15.8% for the June
2005 year to 13.5% in June 2006. EBITDA (earnings before
interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) increased by
12.7% to $247.7 million. The company says the launch of a new
satellite next month will allow it to increase the number of
channels and services on offer.
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