WYSIWYG NEWS, 29 July, 2006

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 29 July, 2006 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer.  
Apologies. For the second time in a year, we have dropped a 
week. Easier to carry on than attempt to pick it up. 
 
So, there I was in Melaka. The temperature was hovering around 
32 deg C which may not sound so hot in the context of the 
Northern hemisphere heat waves, but the humidity was beyond my 
prior experience. My first night in town was a Sunday, and at 
around sundown, the streets of the old town are closed to 
vehicles and the place becomes a bazaar. Melaka is the self-
proclaimed capital of the Asian antique trade, and many of the 
shops and stalls were selling some very ancient looking 
artefacts. Indeed some of the stall holders themselves 
appeared to be in that category. Lights and music, sizzling 
food and strolling tourists all added to the atmosphere of the 
place. In an open square at the end of the Jalan Hang Jebat 
(once known as Jonker Street) there was a platform on which a 
lady of indeterminate age was doing a creditable job of 
singing to the exotic strains of a Chinese language Karaoke 
system. A crowd of masterly elderly citizens were arrayed in 
plastic chairs, listening with at least one ear, and fanning 
themselves against the oppressive warmth of the equatorial 
evening. I worked my way around the back streets to Jalan Tun 
Tan Cheng Lock (formerly Heeren Street) where the Puri Hotel 
was, and observed with interest the number of small lizards or 
skinks scuttling up walls, and wondered why the ubiquitous 
swallows and mynahs didn't pick them off. Another feature of 
the walls in Malaysia is the ever present black mildew. Only a 
recently painted building is exempt, and you know that only 
the passage of a few months stands between that state and the 
re-appearance of the unsightly staining. I freshened up in my 
hotel room and then went out again to find some dinner. I had 
been warned that if I wanted a beer or other alcoholic 
beverage, then I had to look for a Chinese or Western 
restaurant, since Malay establishments were usually Islamic in 
character. Happily for my thirst, I found a restaurant of 
vague ethnicity which served not only the widely avaialble 
Heineken, but also a good range of Malaysian food. It was an 
interesting experience sitting on the edge of the street under 
the extended awnings, watching the swirling spray from the 
restaurant's misting system. In an already humid climate this 
was a little puzzling, but I guess the intention was cooling.  
The next day I set out for Port Dickson which is about 135 km 
to the Northwest along the edge of the Malacca Straits. I was 
told by the hotel staff that it was a fairly straightforward 
drive with little chance of missing the road, and so it proved 
to be. Unlike the main North South highway, route 5 brings the 
traveller into intimate contact with rural life in the states 
of Melaka and Negeri Sembilan. Almost every little village had 
at its heart, a school and a mosque, and occasionally a 
Buddhist temple. Food stalls seemed to exist almost as a hobby 
in people's back yards, usually furnished with cheap and 
cheerful plastic moulded tables and chairs. Roadside stalls 
sold a variety of fruits including bunches of the tiny bananas 
that are so common in Malaysia. Another feature of this road 
was the number of military encampments along its length. 
Malaysia has an active conscription system, and often the 
first sign of a camp was an increase in traffic with car loads 
of young men with short hair and DPM clothing as they headed 
to report in for training. From time to time there would be a 
convoy of trucks, high off the ground, and full of young 
soldiers sleeping or gazing moodily out of the open sides. 
Once or twice I encountered a convoy of small Pinzgauer gun 
tractors towing some serious looking artillery pieces. 
Everywhere, there were plantations of palm trees, stretching 
at times from horizon to horizon. I understand that up to 40% 
of Malaysia's arable land is in such palm plantations, and 
that each hectare produces up to 5 tonnes of palm oil. 
Eventually the road came down to the seashore to display some 
of the most beautiful golden sandy beaches you could wish for. 
Port Dickson's township was uninspiring, and its main feature 
was a bazillion high rise hotel blocks all with access to 
those lovely beaches. After a few photographs and a meal in a 
local food stall, I set out to return to Melaka, and then 
things went awry. Going North, when the road branches, the 
choices are relatively obvious, since everywhere seems to lead 
to Port Dickson. Going South, the road signs are more 
ambiguous and there are more choices. Somewhere (I still don't 
know where), I made a bad choice, and before long I was 
driving through a landscape that I had definitely not seen on 
the way North. Uh oh! I stopped at a gas station and asked for 
directions to Melaka. It seems I was now 100 km and 90 degrees 
off course, and was close to the rural city of Seremban. 
Fortunately I recalled that Seremban was on the North South 
highway, and if I could get to there I could go back to Melaka 
on the toll road by which I first got there. So that's what 
happened. Emerging from the Highway at Ayer Keroh, which is a 
sort of industrial satellite and gateway to Melaka, I was 
attracted by signs pointing to a so-called butterfly and 
serpent park. The butterflies were, as you might expect, 
beautiful and prolific. The serpents on the other hand, were a 
nasty shock. Each snake was in a glass cage, and running in 
terror around each cage according to the eating habits of the 
snake concerned were little fluffy chicks or white mice. These 
were there to provide the snake's next meal, and the only 
thing keeping them alive for the time being was the fact that 
the snake was still digesting its last meal. In one cage, a 
large constrictor was working its way down a still struggling 
hamster. Feeling distinctly queasy, but recognising that this 
is no different to what happens in nature, I left the park and 
drove uneventfully back to the cool oasis of my hotel. More 
next week.  
 
---- 
Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in 
parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the 
personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, 
or occasionally "HH" will indicate an opinion from Helen. In 
all cases they are honest expressions of personal opinion, and 
are not presented as fact.  
 
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced 
by kind permission (renewed this week) of copyright owner, 
Newstalk ZB News. All copyright in the news items reproduced 
remains the property of The Radio Network Limited.  
 
A change of staff is occurring. Helen is starting a new job 
that is taking a lot of her time, and she can no longer 
promise the news gathered in a timely way. She has been doing 
it for a very long time so I am sure readers will join me in 
wishing her well in her new job. Someone else has agreed to do 
the job from next week. Introductions to follow 
 
This edition of the news is sponsored by Elizabeth Hansen in 
La Jolla, CA 
----  
On with the News.  
 
Monday, 24 July 2006 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
BRASH CONFIDENT LEADERSHIP SAFE 
------------------------------- 
 
Don Brash has come away from the National Party's annual 
conference, confident he has broad support to remain as 
leader. Around 500 delegates joined MPs for the two-day meet 
in Christchurch, which focused on building the party's support 
and presenting National as a Government-in-waiting. Leader Don 
Brash says it was a highly successful conference, helped by 
the lack of controversy, despite speculation of a leadership 
spill. Dr Brash adds he is not worried about leadership 
rumblings and welcomes the fact that there are several other 
people in the party who have the qualities to become leader. 
He says it is still his aim to lead National into the next 
election.  
 
(As I recall, Bill English was equally confident that he would 
lead the Party into the last election. Safety as head of any 
party is a relative thing, I think - BH) 
 
AVALANCHE LOOK OUT AMID BUMPER SNOW SEASON 
------------------------------------------ 
 
Mountain Safety New Zealand is keeping an eye on avalanche 
risks as a bumper snow season sees the slopes groaning with 
heavy snow levels. The organisation charged with monitoring 
mountain safety has agents throughout New Zealand keeping an 
eye on snow and safety levels. Chief executive Ian Nicholson 
says most places have a low to moderate avalanche risk level, 
but heavy winds often pose the biggest risk for avalanches as 
it moves snow around and is no longer evenly loaded on a 
mountainside. Mr Nicholson says information is posted daily on 
the website - www. avalanche. net. nz 
 
NEW WIRELESS BROADBAND PLANS HELD UP 
------------------------------------ 
 
The Government is being accused of holding up new wireless 
broadband plans. Woosh Wireless, which provides internet and 
phone services, wants to introduce WiMax wireless broadband 
network, a system which is becoming increasingly popular in 
the US. Business correspondent Roger Kerr says Woosh has 
stated it has offshore financial backers to build the network, 
but is waiting for the Ministry of Economic Development to 
sort out the radio spectrum the company needs to operate it. 
Mr Kerr believes it is the perfect time for the ministry to be 
promoting competition and investment given all that is going 
on in the telecommunications industry.  
 
WORKERS WANT MORE FLEXIBILITY 
----------------------------- 
 
Flexibility in the workplace is a priority for staff according 
to a new report. The Work Life Balance findings have been 
presented at a workplace leaders forum in Wellington. It has 
found that 40 percent of staff say they need and want more 
flexible work options. A similar number believe their job 
creates problems for them spending quality time with their 
family. The good news is of the employers who were questioned, 
55 percent saw no barriers to their ability to improve 
flexibility in their workplaces.  
 
DRY WEATHER A RELIEF FOR EASTBOURNE RESIDENTS 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
The forecast dry weather over the next couple of days should 
be a big help for Eastbourne residents after last week's 
slips. Twenty-five homes in the harbourside suburb were 
evacuated when the house at 10 Russo Terrace slipped off its 
foundations, threatening to slide onto the homes below it. 
Hutt City Council's emergency management spokesman Stuart 
Duncan says it should help matters if there is no further rain 
for a few days, but the Russo Terrace house is so badly 
damaged that it will have to be demolished. Mr Duncan says the 
council is doing its best to help keep the area safe and the 
road open.  
 
AUSTRALIA BULLISH ABOUT SECOND TEST 
----------------------------------- 
 
Despite Saturday night's 12 goal drubbing, Australian co-
captain Sharelle McMahon refuses to accept the Silver Ferns 
have the upper hand on their Trans Tasman rivals at the 
moment. McMahon has no doubt in her mind Australia can win 
tomorrow night's second test in Sydney. She says they proved 
in the second half of Saturday's test they can compete with 
the New Zealanders, saying it is just a case of putting it all 
together. Both sides train again in Sydney today.  
 
NATIONAL PUSHES PRIVATELY RUN PRISONS 
------------------------------------- 
 
National is optimistic it will be able to force the 
reintroduction of privately run prisons. The Party's Law and 
Order spokesman Simon Power has drafted a Private Member's 
Bill with that aim in mind. He says he is quietly confident he 
has the support in Parliament to get his Bill through 
Parliament. He says going by the questions that New Zealand 
First and United Future were asking the Corrections Minister 
last month, they appear to be in support of the concept which 
would give National the numbers to pass the bill. However 
there are no guarantees; Simon Power's Corrections Amendment 
Bill still has to be drawn from the ballot if it is to 
proceed. Mr Power is also accusing the Government of wasting 
millions of dollars to support its ideology of keeping prisons 
out of private hands. He has obtained the bill for switching 
the Auckland Central Remand Prison from private to public 
hands last year and says the process cost $2. 6 million. He 
says it is money wasted as there was no need for the 
transition. Mr Power says Treasury has argued for the 
effectiveness of private prisons - but its advice is falling 
on deaf ears as the Government is ideologically opposed to it.  
 
CHANGES POSSIBLE AFTER COMMISSIONER'S CALL 
------------------------------------------ 
 
Changes are in the wind for government-funded early 
intervention programmes for children and their families. They 
have been signalled by Education Minister Steve Maharey 
following calls from the Children's Commissioner for children 
to be tracked from birth to adulthood as a check on their 
health, safety and education. Mr Maharey says he will be 
working closely with other ministers to develop a programme 
which focuses on children in the early years. He says a key 
focus will be helping communities and families support 
themselves to find lasting solutions.  
 
POLICE HUNT "ONE MAN CRIMEWAVE" 
------------------------------- 
 
Auckland police are still hunting a teen they describe as a 
"one man crime wave" after he escaped police custody 
yesterday. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named because of his 
age, bolted from an unlocked interview room while waiting to 
be questioned. Police had picked him up on Sunday morning, 
after he allegedly attacked three west Auckland pensioners. 
Despite a large scale search, he remains on the run. Police 
believe he may also be responsible for a robbery in downtown 
Auckland around midday yesterday.  
 
(Red faces all around, especially on the part of the officer 
who assumed that the room in which he was left was locked. - 
BH) 
 
COURT STRIKES OUT ELLIS CASE 
---------------------------- 
 
An attempt to hold the Counties Manukau District Health Board 
to account after a mentally ill patient killed his father has 
failed. In October 2001 Paul Ellis killed his father just days 
after being released from medical care. His legal team has 
been seeking to hold the DHB to account, alleging it failed to 
provide Ellis with duty-of-care and breaching its statutory 
responsibilities. However, the High Court has upheld the 
Counties-Manukau Board's argument that the law meant it was 
unable to detain Paul Ellis against his express wishes. The 
case has been struck out - meaning Paul Ellis is unable to 
seek damages from the District Health Board.  
 
COURT APPEARANCE AFTER ARREST IN DEAR CASE 
------------------------------------------ 
 
There may be further arrests in relation to the killing of 
Tokoroa teacher Lois Dear. The body of the 66-year-old was 
found in her classroom at Strathmore Primary School nine days 
ago. She had been preparing classes for the new term. A 23-
year-old Tokoroa man was arrested last night and is due to 
appear in the Tokoroa District Court this morning charged with 
murder. Detective Inspector Garth Bryan says the arrest does 
not spell the end of the investigation. He says police have an 
open mind as to whether anyone else may be involved and there 
is still a significant amount of work to do. Mr Bryan is 
praising the Tokoroa community for their help in the 
investigation.  
 
(Good work on the part of the police has led to a number of 
very quick clearances recently. Well done. - BH) 
 
Tuesday, 25 July 2006 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
BODY PART MEDICINES NOT USED HERE 
--------------------------------- 
 
The Ministry of Health has ruled out the possibility that 
medicines containing stolen body parts from a New York funeral 
home have been used in New Zealand. The stolen tissue was used 
in medical products including Alloderm and is believed to have 
involved the organs of former BBC broadcaster Alistair Cooke. 
Ministry Chief Clinical Advisor, Dr Sandy Dawson, says he sent 
letters to local cosmetic and oral surgeons asking whether 
they had privately imported any Alloderm products likely to be 
affected. He says anyone who has had cosmetic or oral surgery 
done in New Zealand should have no cause for concern.  
 
FRUGAL PETERS REJECTS EXTRA STAFF 
--------------------------------- 
 
Foreign Minister Winston Peters appears to be defying a 
suggestion from the Prime Minister that he take a press 
secretary with him on future overseas trips. Helen Clark told 
reporters that it might be a good idea, following Mr Peters' 
controversial trip to Washington where he accused journalists 
of hijacking a meeting with Republican senator John McCain, 
potentially America's next president. However, at a later 
press conference of his own yesterday, Mr Peters says cost 
issues are upper-most in his mind. He says he has always run 
frugal administrations and is not going to impose extra costs. 
He has also denied that he interrupted media questions to 
Senator McCain, accusing the reporters who covered his 
American visit of a "tissue of lies". Journalists travelling 
with Mr Peters say they have proof that is not the case. Mr 
McCain was speaking positively about a free trade deal with 
New Zealand when Mr Peters butted in mid-sentence, calling an 
abrupt end to the session, and asking journalists to leave.  
 
(I don't know how Mr Peters imagines that the public will 
accept his word against that of the evidence so clearly seen 
on our TV screens. - BH) 
 
AIRLINES WORRIED CHARGES WILL RISE 
---------------------------------- 
 
Airlines are worried about Auckland International Airport's 
doubling in value of its assets to $1. 4 billion, fearing it 
will push up landing and passenger charges. The latest 
revaluation has put the total worth of Auckland Airport at $2. 
7 billion, but Air New Zealand Chief Financial Officer Rob 
McDonald says the figure has been driven by a lot of charges 
imposed by the airport, which are ultimately hitting the 
public, lowering demand for travel and affecting tourism. 
Auckland Airport's CEO Don Huse says the airport has been 
consulting with airlines for two years to settle user charges 
and increases are one of the outcomes of any such talks. Mr 
Huse says the airport's land value has increased considerably 
and the development of runways and infrastructure have also 
had an impact.  
 
PRINCIPAL CALLS FOR CALM 
------------------------ 
 
The principal of Strathmore Primary School in Tokoroa is 
calling for calm as a man is charged with the murder of new 
entrants' teacher Lois Dear. A 23-year-old local man is due to 
appear in the Tokoroa District Court today. Principal Murray 
Kendrick says he will not be present at the court and hopes 
there are no scenes. He says while people are still angry 
about Ms Dear's murder, he hopes everyone controls their 
emotions. He is praising the police investigation team, saying 
they have been great throughout the ordeal. The brother of 
murdered Tokoroa teacher Lois Dear is relieved someone has 
been arrested for the killing. Harley Dear says the family is 
indebted to the citizens of the central North Island town. He 
says there would not have been an arrest without locals' help 
and the valuable information they and people further afield 
provided. Mr Dear also praises the police team for putting in 
the hard yards. He says while the family is pleased at the 
news of an arrest, that joy is overshadowed by the loss of his 
sister.  
 
COURT APPEARANCE IN LOIS DEAR CASE 
---------------------------------- 
 
Emotions are running high in Tokoroa. A 23-year-old man has 
appeared in the Tokoroa District Court charged with the murder 
of school teacher Lois Dear. Around 200 locals gathered 
outside the court this morning to wait for the accused man. As 
he made his way to the court by way of a back entrance, the 
crowd erupted in anger and began hurling abuse. There was a 
large police presence outside the court. Newstalk ZB's 
reporter in Rotorua, Clint Owens says if there had not been a 
mesh between the prisoner and the crowd he has no doubt they 
would have torn him apart. He says there is a great deal of 
relief in the town that someone has been charged in connection 
with the brutal crime. Inside the court, the abuse continued 
as the local man made a brief appearance and entered no plea. 
He was wearing a white prison suit and it was difficult to 
gauge his expression. He was remanded back in custody until 
July 31 and interim name suppression will apply until at least 
that date.  
 
("torn him apart" may be a bit dramatic, but he would 
undoubtedly have suffered severe injury, and that's 
unfortunate. I don't see how justice is served by having those 
who sit in judgement descend to the same level of brutality. - 
BH) 
 
FROCK SHOCK KNOCKS BLOCKS 
------------------------- 
 
A prominent lawyer has succeeded in drawing attention to a 
long-running legal case by switching to wearing women's 
clothing. Rob Moodie has appeared at the Wellington High Court 
dressed in a navy blue skirt and jacket, and carrying a 
handbag. He has donned the get-up out of frustration at delays 
in the Berryman bridge saga, a case involving an army-built 
bridge that collapsed and killed a North Island bee keeper. Mr 
Moodie says the feminine attire is designed to draw attention 
to the injustices of the case. He says he remains happily 
married and heterosexual. At 6-foot tall with a moustache, he 
says he will never be mistaken for a female. Mr Moodie says 
dressing as a woman means he can keep the case in the 
headlines.  
 
RAV4 AD COMES BACK TO NZ SCREENS 
-------------------------------- 
 
The Advertising Standards Complaints Appeal Board has allowed 
in part an appeal against its decision over the Toyota Rav 4 
ad. In April the board upheld 17 complaints about the ad which 
shows a couple going to extreme measures in order to drive the 
vehicle to work. During the commercial, the woman is 
electrocuted in the shower; the man's hair is set alight and 
he falls down stairs; and the woman is blown up in her house. 
Although it is currently off New Zealand screens, it has 
become a popular download from online video sites such as 
YouTube. Toyota and the advertising agency behind the ad, 
Saatchi and Saatchi NZ appealed that decision. The Board has 
now decided the ad can be played as long as it receives an AO 
rating and is only broadcast during adult hours. 
 
(Like so many ads with a plot line, once is amusing, twice is 
boring, and after that, it loses any value whatsoever - BH)  
 
CUNLIFFE CLEARED OF DAMAGING TELECOM VALUE 
------------------------------------------ 
 
Communications Minister David Cunliffe has been cleared of 
opening his mouth and affecting the Telecom share price 
One hundred and fifty million dollars was shaved off the 
company's share price in May after Mr Cunliffe said Telecom 
may have to cut its dividend to fund increased investment. His 
comments were referred to the Securities Commission by the 
Stock Exchange. The Commission is advising the Government in 
the future to work with the Stock Exchange to develop 
guidelines and procedures before disclosing price sensitive 
information. However, it says the comments made by the 
Minister during his interview with Bloomberg were not based on 
any price-sensitive or confidential information about 
Telecom's intentions or policies, nor did the Bloomberg 
reports give the impression that his comments were based on 
information of that nature. The Commission also recommends 
that everyone - including Ministers - who may be presumed by 
the market to be in possession of non-public information, 
should exercise caution if they comment on matters that might 
affect the price of listed securities. The Commission also 
decided there was no evidence of any trading or tipping by 
anyone who knew of the contents of the Government's decision 
to unbundle Telecom's local loop before it was made public 
It says the actions of both Telecom and the Government were 
understandable in the unusual and difficult circumstances of 
the day.  
 
SILVER FERNS LOSE SECOND TEST 
----------------------------- 
 
The Silver Ferns have paid the ultimate price for 
experimentation against Australia. They have been thrashed 48-
38 in Sydney after trailing right throughout the game. New 
Zealand took a gamble at the start of the game, when they 
opted to start without star shooter Irene van Dyk. The Kiwis 
also had to deal with the loss of Temapara George after less 
than two minutes of play. Australia led 27-19 at halftime.  
 
(Oh dear. - BH) 
 
TOKOROA LOCALS QUESTION NAME SUPPRESSION 
---------------------------------------- 
 
Tokoroa locals are questioning why name suppression has been 
handed to the man charged with murdering Lois Dear. A 23-year-
old man appeared in the Tokoroa District Court yesterday, 
charged with killing the new entrant teacher nine days ago. A 
crowd of around 200 people gathered outside the court, yelling 
abuse at the accused and surging against a fence that 
separated them from the defendant. Radio Network Broadcaster 
John Dryden reports detectives were obviously concerned as 
they walked the man into court. The accused was clad in a 
white boiler suit which covered all but his eyes. He entered 
no plea to the murder charge and was remanded back into 
custody with interim name suppression. Many locals voiced 
their disgust outside court following the appearance, saying 
name suppression was an absolute joke. They are arguing that 
so many people in Tokoroa know who the accused is and that the 
wider public is entitled to know too. The accused will 
reappear in the Tokoroa District Court next Monday.  
 
(The whole suppression thing has to be questioned. How does it 
help? - BH) 
 
KAHUI FAMILY "BREAKING RANKS" 
----------------------------- 
 
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says he also knows who 
killed the Kahui twins and has passed the information on to 
police. Fiona and Denise King, the half-sisters of Chris and 
Cru Kahui's mother, Macsyne King, have told TVNZ's Sunday 
programme that King and their brother Robert King told them 
the name of a man who was responsible for the killings. The 
twins' grandmother Gwen Hetaraka, then came forward and said 
the culprit is a woman. Dr Sharples is confident police will 
crack the case and fully supports the time they are taking to 
do it. He says the public must step back and let the police do 
their job, because it is important officers secure a 
conviction and do not jeopardise a prosecution by rushing. Dr 
Sharples says he is glad the family is starting to feel the 
strain. He says as the cracks start to emerge, the family is 
breaking rank to discuss the case.  
 
NATIONAL MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT MP FIELD 
------------------------------------ 
 
National is considering lodging a complaint with the 
Department of Labour over Taito Phillip Field, as he believes 
there are aspects of the Ingram report that need to be 
investigated further. Industrial Relations spokesman Wayne 
Mapp says the report into the Mangere MP's activities shows he 
substantially underpaid foreigners working on his properties. 
He says the Labour Department has independent powers of 
inquiry and could look into the issues in more depth. Dr Mapp 
says Noel Ingram states that Mr Field gave contradictory 
evidence and in one case, his explanation was highly unlikely 
if not an improbable proposition. Dr Mapp plans to wait to see 
what the department does before making a complaint.  
 
TAX PLAN NOT EXACTLY BOLD 
------------------------- 
 
Business New Zealand believes the Government proposals for 
corporate tax are far from bold. The main plank is a reduction 
in the company tax rate from 33 to 30 percent. Business New 
Zealand's Phil O'Reilly believes the government is being too 
timid. "It is entirely possible that by the time we change our 
rate in 2008 the Australians either already will have or will 
be about to move their rate down below us again. So, what is 
lacking here is a plan. " Mr O'Reilly says the last time the 
Government cut the corporate tax rate, revenue increased 
because of rising economic activity. The New Zealand Chamber 
of Commerce also believes the three cent tax cut for 
businesses does not go far enough and will not achieve the 
kind of productivity growth the country needs. Director 
Charles Finney says business tax rates should be level with 
the OECD average of 25 cents in the dollar. He says around 40 
percent of businesses are sole traders or partnerships and 
will not benefit directly from a reduction in business tax.  
 
OVERLANDER NO LONGER COMPETITIVE 
-------------------------------- 
 
Cheap airfares and the speed of air travel are being blamed 
for the demise of the Overlander express. The train, which 
runs between Wellington and Auckland, will make its last run 
on September 30. It spells the end for long distance passenger 
services in the North Island, with only the Christchurch to 
Picton and Christchurch to Greymouth services left operating. 
Toll New Zealand's Corporate Affairs Manager, Sue Foley, says 
patronage has fallen sharply in recent years to fewer than 
45,000 passengers annually, making the service uneconomic. She 
says with busy lifestyles nowadays, the idea of a long, slow 
train trip no longer appeals. She admits it is sad but says 
that is the reality. Around 20 passengers were catching the 
train from the Britomart depot Auckland this morning. One 
passenger who has taken the journey before says the scenery is 
amazing, particularly through the central North Island. She 
says passengers can take in so much more when travelling by 
train. Greens Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons believes the 
pressure from cheap airfares will not last. She predicts as 
oil prices continue to rise the Overlander will be needed 
again. Ms Fitzsimons says it is important the Government 
ensures Toll retains the line's infrastructure so it can be 
reused when needed. The Overlander rail route began operating 
in 1908 and had its heyday during the 1950s and 1960s. It was 
on this route that on Christmas Eve 1953, 151 people died when 
the locomotive plunged into a river, after the Tangiwai Bridge 
collapsed due to a lahar from Mt Ruapehu.  
 
(Alas, the last long distance train in the North Island except 
for the "Capital Connection" between Wellington and Palmerston 
North. When I first arrived in NZ on Feb 4 1954, our family 
was taken from the wharf in Wellington to board the Overnight 
Limited to Auckland. My memory of it is vague, but I do 
remember the train running through the main street of 
Palmerston North, and then waking up the next morning as the 
train came into a beautiful Auckland day past the Parnell 
baths. - BH) 
 
MP SLAMS OVERKILL ON SAFETY 
--------------------------- 
 
Tauranga MP Bob Clarkson is astounded after seeing three 
safety vehicles working alongside one person on a roadside 
weedeater. He is labelling it a waste of precious roading 
dollars. Bob Clarkson says he saw the operation on State 
Highway 29 between Te Maunga and Te Puke. He claims each 
safety truck costs about $1500 a day, so it was costing about 
$600 an hour to kill the roadside weeds. 

(Hmm. While I was in Malaysia, I noticed solo workmen in 
fluoro overalls wandering along the verges miles from any 
vehicle or base, picking up rubbish, with only their bright 
colour protecting them from 110 km/h traffic beside them. I 
think I would rather our roadside workers got home alive. - 
BH) 
 
TV COMPANIES DENY OBESITY LINK 
------------------------------ 
 
Free to air television companies are today telling the Health 
Select committee enquiry into obesity that the link between 
junk food adverts and weight problems is small compared to 
parents' influence and other societal factors. They have also 
dismissed the idea of banning such advertising on television, 
saying it would have no significant impact on obesity levels. 
However, the New Zealand Television Broadcasters Council 
points out that the major TV companies are working with the 
government on its Healthy Eating, Healthy Actions strategy.  
 
(I can just see the TV companies saying to McDonalds and KFC, 
"we don't know why you spend so much with us, it really has no 
significant impact, you know" - BH) 
 
NO INVESTIGATION INTO FIELD 
--------------------------- 
 
Taito Phillip Field has escaped a Privileges Committee 
investigation into his affairs. Parliament's Speaker has ruled 
that his case does not warrant it. She says Mr Field has not 
obstructed or impeded the way Parliament works. Margaret 
Wilson says the Mangere MP's immigration interventions have 
been confined to making submissions to ministers, which is a 
common practice. She says if any evidence had been presented 
to her showing that Mr Field used Parliamentary processes, 
such as a question or debate, to advance the immigration 
applications at the centre of the case, a question of 
privilege would have arisen. She says no such evidence has 
been presented. Taito Phillip Field was cleared of conflict of 
interest allegations in a report released by QC Noel Ingram 
last week. 
 
(While I deplore the tendency of oppositions to pack hunt what 
the regard as weak links, I think that despite the hamstrung 
inquiry, the events surrounding Mr Field do not present a good 
look. There was a time when an MP whose integrity was 
questioned would take the issue to the electorate. I don't 
think either of the present main parties are up for that these 
days. - BH) 
 
Thursday, 27 July 2006 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
PETITION GATHERS THOUSANDS OF SIGNATURES 
---------------------------------------- 
 
Medical laboratory service Diagnostic Medlab has had a huge 
response to a petition urging Auckland District Health Boards 
to reverse a decision to award the contract to a new provider. 
The controversial decision to give the contract to another 
Australian-owned company, Labtests Auckland, has been met with 
a large amount of industry and public concern. The boards 
claim they will save more than $15 million annually with the 
new provider. In the 11 days since it has been in circulation, 
22,000 people have signed the petition calling for the 
Auckland, Waitemata and Counties Manukau district health 
boards to review their decision. Diagnostic Medlab has also 
received many letters, emails, phone calls and faxes from 
doctors and patients showing their concern. CEO Arthur Morris 
says the DHBs need to acknowledge they have made the wrong 
decision and take steps to put it right. The DHBs say the 
change will put significant savings back into healthcare. 
Labtests Auckland will take up the contract from next July.  
 
(This decision seems entirely flaky to me. The winning bid is 
from a company that does not yet have the buildings or staff 
to do what it has contracted to do, and its success seems to 
depend upon many of the workers from the incumbent switching, 
and even on the incumbent selling its assets to them. - BH) 
 
RUTH AITKEN'S CALL MOTIVATES AUSTRALIANS 
---------------------------------------- 
 
Australian netball co-captain Liz Ellis has revealed the full 
extent of how the 'van Dyk decision' backfired on Silver Ferns 
coach Ruth Aitken on Tuesday night in Sydney. Aitken chose not 
to start with Irene van Dyk and experiment with shooting 
combinations in Tuesday's heavy second test loss. Ellis claims 
it was not just the fact that van Dyk's skills were missing on 
court. She says they were pretty fired up because not starting 
the big guns was a slap in the face. Ellis says they decided 
they would make the New Zealanders pay. However, she feels 
they have a lot of work still to do, pointing out that they 
have taken the result with a grain of salt, given that van Dyk 
and Temepara George did not take a full part.  
 
TREATY BILL PASSES FIRST READING 
-------------------------------- 
 
Labour MPs are being criticised by opposition parties for 
being forced to vote for a New Zealand First bill which 
removes references to the Treaty of Waitangi in all 
legislation. It is one of the agreements New Zealand First won 
in its coalition deal with Labour. Labour insists it will only 
support the bill to the select committee stage. Cabinet 
Minister Steve Maharey says the bill is riddled with 
inconsistencies which go against the basic philosophy of the 
Labour Party, but says it is an example of one of the most 
sophisticated parts of MMP, where governments have to work out 
relationships with other parties. The bill has passed its 
first reading overwhelmingly and goes to a select committee 
for consideration.  
 
(I gather that from here on, Labour will oppose the bill. - 
BH) 
 
PUBLIC ACCESS ISSUE COSTING TAXPAYER 
------------------------------------ 
 
The group set up by the Government to look at public access to 
private land is incurring some major costs to the public 
purse. The National Party has obtained information which shows 
the Walking Access Panel has hired a contractor at a rate of 
$115 an hour, or more than $900 a day. MP Nathan Guy claims 
that in the last financial year, the contractor has cost the 
taxpayer more than $138,000 and he questions why he is needed 
given the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has ample staff 
with skills to do the job. He is also concerned that more than 
$66,000 has been spent on fees and costs for the panel 
members.  
 
FIELD AFFAIR SEES NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE 
------------------------------------ 
 
Don Brash will move a vote of no confidence in Parliament's 
Speaker Margaret Wilson this afternoon . It follows her 
refusal to send Taito Phillip Field to Parliament's privileges 
committee. Newstalk ZB Political editor Barry Soper says the 
fairly rare move is destined to fail. If just one MP objects, 
the motion fails - and he says that is bound to happen today. 
The last time Parliament debated a no confidence vote in the 
Speaker was around 20 years ago when Sir Robert Muldoon moved 
a motion against the then Speaker Gerry Wall. There was no 
objection then because Labour wanted to clear the air 
surrounding its controversial Speaker. The decision not to 
refer Mr Field to the privileges committee has ruffled not 
just National's feathers but also the Greens. They say public 
confidence in Parliament has been damaged.  
 
PROBATION IS KEY TO PRODUCTIVITY - MAPP 
--------------------------------------- 
 
It is being argued that a probationary period for new 
employees is needed to boost economic productivity. National's 
Wayne Mapp has fronted a Parliamentary Select Committee to 
support his Probationary Employment Amendment. He says every 
other OECD country has probation periods and their 
productivity is better than New Zealand's. Wayne Mapp says 
that suggests they have got it right, and New Zealand has got 
it wrong.  
 
HAKA CONCERNS WALLABIES COACH 
----------------------------- 
 
Wallabies coach John Connolly has weighed into the great 
debate over the Kapa O Pango haka. Connolly wants the throat 
slitting gesture canned. He says it is his personal opinion, 
and the Wallabies will face up to any haka, but the throat cut 
needs to go. Connolly says as custodians of the game, they are 
always looking to set a good example and the throat slitting 
gesture does not do that. John Connolly says the players have 
great respect for the Ka Mate haka, but are still unsure of 
the new haka. Outspoken former test winger David Campese also 
believes the throat slitting is offensive.  
 
ZAOUI AFFAIR COSTS MILLIONS 
--------------------------- 
 
The Government has revealed the costs of legal action incurred 
in the Ahmed Zaoui affair. The Algerian is still locked in a 
lengthy battle with immigration and the SIS to be allowed to 
stay in New Zealand. Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen says 
the case has cost around $2. 4 million dollars. Legal aid 
accounts for over $483,000 of that. Costs to the SIS Inspector 
General have been $357,000, and the Courts have incurred bills 
totalling 252 thousand. However the biggest cost has hit the 
Crown Law Office - almost $1. 3 million dollars.  
 
(Can we spell "self-inflicted injury"? - BH) 
 
NZ SOLDIERS STAY IN SOUTHERN LEBANON 
------------------------------------ 
 
The two New Zealand soldiers attached to the United Nations in 
southern Lebanon will remain at their posts for the time 
being. Their safety was an issue following Israel's bombing of 
a UN post which killed four unarmed peacekeepers. Helen Clark 
says New Zealand's permanent representative to the UN raised 
the issue of the safety of New Zealand personnel who are there 
with the organisation. All non-essential personnel are being 
evacuated but the New Zealand soldiers will remain. Miss Clark 
says New Zealand is protesting the Israeli attacks through 
diplomatic channels, including a letter from Foreign Minister 
Winston Peters to his Israeli counterpart.  
 
POLICE INVESTIGATE PENROSE SHOOTING 
----------------------------------- 
 
An employee of an Auckland gun shop is being questioned by the 
police after a man was shot in his shop. A 19-year-old man 
entered the Small Arms International gun shop in Penrose 
around 10 o'clock brandishing a machete. He was shot in the 
stomach. He has undergone surgery at Auckland Hospital and is 
in a stable condition. Senior Sergeant Simon Scott says it is 
understood the man behind the counter shot the intruder in 
self defence. He says there were three or four people in the 
shop at the time, all of whom are being interviewed by police. 
Meanwhile the father of the man alleged to have shot the 
intruder is angry his son may face charges. Ray Carvell says 
his son was working behind the counter and acted in self 
defence. Mr Carvell says his son felt threatened by the 
machete, adding that people should not need to be attacked 
before doing something about it. He says he is glad it is not 
his son who ended up in a pool of blood.  
 
Friday, 28 July 2006 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
PRISONER REMOVES TRACKING BRACELET 
---------------------------------- 
 
A prisoner on home detention in Porirua has removed his 
tracking bracelet and is on the run. Cameron Johnson was 
serving 18 months of a two-and-a-half year sentence for 
burglary and dishonesty charges when he cut the anklet off 
early this week. Detective Paul Fleck says the bracelets are 
not unbreakable, but it is rare for someone to remove them. He 
says Johnson is not doing himself any favours and will face 
prison when he is caught.  
 
CIVIL LIBERTIES URGE CAUTION IN SHOOTING CASE 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
Police say it is too early to know whether charges will be 
laid against a shop worker after the shooting of a man in a 
gun shop in the Auckland suburb of Penrose. A 19-year-old man 
was shot in the stomach when he entered the Small Arms 
International gun shop yesterday morning brandishing a 
machete. The teenager is in a stable condition in Auckland 
Hospital after undergoing surgery. Thirty-three-year-old 
Gregory Carvell, who is understood to have fired the gun, has 
been speaking with the police. His father and owner of the 
store, Ray Carvell, has told the media that his son acted in 
self defence. The Civil Liberties Council is cautioning police 
not to rush into prosecuting Gregory Carvell. Spokesman Barry 
Wilson says in similar cases in the past, police have laid 
charges and the case has gone to court. He says police have a 
greater responsibility to examine the evidence before them. Mr 
Wilson says if police think there is any reasonable evidence 
pointing towards the man acting in self defence, they should 
not prosecute.  
 
MORE PEOPLE DEFAULTING ON LOANS 
-------------------------------- 
 
The number of New Zealanders defaulting on their mortgage loan 
repayments has reached record levels. The world's leading 
provider of financial market intelligence, Standard and 
Poor's, says arrears have jumped to 6. 38 percent in May 
compared with around 4. 5 percent last year. Director Gary 
Tucker says the problems are usually with easier-to-gain loans 
offered by finance companies and secured against homes. He 
says if the economy slows or interest rates continue to rise 
and create additional pressure on borrowers, more arrears may 
translate into foreclosures. Mr Tucker says arrears on full 
documentation loans offered by banks have also risen to 2. 63 
percent.  
 
OBESE PATIENTS CAUSING HOSPITALS PROBLEMS 
----------------------------------------- 
 
Radiologists are facing difficulties dealing with an 
increasing number of obese patients. Dr Stewart Hawkins, from 
Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland, says repeat 
investigations or the use of more than one imaging tool is 
often needed to examine bigger patients. He says with very 
obese people, ultrasound cannot even locate the likes of a 
gall bladder, so CT or MRI scanning needs to be used. In 
addition, weight limits on tables have had to be increased to 
200 kilograms and may need to be able to cope with patients 
weighting 300 kilos within the next decade. Dr Hawkins says 
medical professionals are seeing increasing numbers of obese 
patients.  
 
PARKING METERS READY FOR NEW COINS 
---------------------------------- 
 
Auckland City Council is assuring motorists they will not face 
any headaches over parking meters rejecting the new 10 , 20 
and 50 cents coins that come into circulation on Monday. 
Auckland city council parking services manager Chris 
Greenlings says the parking meters will accept both the old 
and new coins. He says they have spent $20,000 converting all 
the pay and display machines. He says they changed the 
equipment that accepts the coins. The new coins will have the 
same design, but will be significantly smaller and the 10 
cents coin will be copper coloured.  
 
CHECKED-OUT CHOOK BRINGS REGO RELIEF 
------------------------------------ 
 
A dead supermarket chicken could save you up to $200. A 
Christchurch woman has revealed a loophole in car registration 
rules. The woman, who wants to remain anonymous, says it 
normally costs more than $260 to register her diesel vehicle. 
However if a driver goes to the Post Shop and asks them to 
change the vehicle's registration to a code 06, which is for a 
non-commercial hearse, then the cost drops dramatically - to 
just $58. Her friends told her the scam had been going on for 
years, so she went to a Post Shop to try it. She told the man 
behind the counter her car was a non-commercial hearse because 
she carried dead chickens home from the supermarket. He said 
that was fine, stamped her $58 registration - and told her 
there are a lot of non-commercial hearses driving around the 
affluent Christchurch suburb of Merivale. However, perhaps not 
surprisingly, Land Transport New Zealand is not amused. It 
says people who are classing their cars as non-commercial 
hearses to save on their registration are breaking the law. 
LTNZ spokesman, Andy Knackstead, says effectively, people are 
ripping off ACC, accident victims, and the rest of the 
population who are paying the correct levies, which he says is 
not something to be particularly proud of. Mr Knackstead says 
if they discover it is a widespread scam they may consider 
bringing in the police. 
 
HERCEPTIN PROPOSAL TURNED DOWN 
------------------------------ 
 
Pharmac will not be funding Herceptin for early stage breast 
cancer. The decision has been made, despite lobbying and a 
petition from cancer patients and supporters pushing for the 
move. Pharmac says cost is one factor in its decision. It 
would cost DHBs $20 to $25 million a year to extend Herceptin 
to early stage breast cancer patients, who number around 320 a 
year. That compares with the $35 to $40 million they spend on 
all cancer drugs. Spokeswoman Dilky Rasiah says the available 
clinical data is not sufficient to justify a positive funding 
decision as it is unclear about Herceptin's long-term benefit 
and its impact on life expectancy. Pharmac says it will be 
seeking more information on the effectiveness of the drug and 
will constantly review the decision. District Health Boards, 
who fund pharmaceutical cancer drugs used in hospitals, have 
accepted PHARMAC's recommendation to not fund Herceptin at 
this time. Dr Rasiah says Pharmac is making every effort to 
obtain further information, including directly contacting 
clinical trial researchers in the United States and Finland. 
Two-year follow up data from the important HERA trial is also 
expected to be published in a peer-reviewed journal by the end 
of this year. She says other countries have also raised 
concerns similar to those raised by Pharmac. In Britain, the 
National Institute of Clinical Excellence has issued draft 
guidance recommending funding for Herceptin, although this 
guidance has been appealed. It will be a number of weeks 
before a final recommendation is made. In Australia, the 
Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has provisionally 
recommended funding for the medicine, although this 
recommendation remains subject to price negotiations with the 
makers, Roche and final approval by the Australian Federal 
Cabinet.  
 
(Double edged sword territory. I have huge sympathy for those 
affected. However, proponents of this particular remedy are 
but one of about 50 groups each clamouring for funding for 
their particular cause, be it Alzheimers or MND or whatever. 
This drug alone represents a 50% increase on the total cancer 
medication bill. What hope in these times of shrinking 
budgets, for all the other causes if this one wins? - BH) 
 
LOAN COMPANY TOLD TO MOVE ON 
---------------------------- 
 
A finance company is under fire over claims it is using 
underhand tactics in one of Christchurch's poorest suburbs. GM 
Finance staff are approaching people in shopping centres in 
Aranui to sign them up for high interest loans. Aranui 
Community Trust chairman, Rob Davidson says upset residents 
have approached the Trust about it. He says the GM Finance 
Staff have been told that they are not welcome and should stop 
what they are doing as it is not acceptable. He describes the 
tactic by GM Finance as "inappropriate", as people with 
limited financial resources, offered something for nothing, 
are going to be attracted to the sales pitch. Mr Davidson 
believes the Aranui community supports the action against the 
company.  
 
IMMIGRANTS MUST SHARE NZ VALUES 
------------------------------- 
 
Don Brash says New Zealand needs to be cautious about 
accepting immigrants who do not share this country's bedrock 
values. At a speech in Auckland, National's leader described 
those values as an acceptance of democracy and the rule of 
law, religious and personal freedom and equality of the sexes. 
Dr Brash says anyone who wants to live here who rejects those 
core aspects of New Zealand culture should not be welcome. He 
admits it is not easy to assess people's values before they 
arrive in the country, but says it cannot be left to chance. 
 
(I am not sure that Dr Brash or anyone else is capable of 
defining such a set of universally acceptable values. Few of 
my values seem to coincide with his at the best of times. - 
BH) 
 
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