WYSIWYG NEWS - 29 June, 2006

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 29 June, 2006 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer.  
 
Weather-wise, the week has been wet and windy, and when it 
cleared it was cold ... the kind of weather that has subtle 
rewards. When the clouds lifted to reveal snow on the 
Orongorongos* and Mt Climie behind Upper Hutt, then I knew it 
had been colder than it had for many a long year. When the 
clouds cleared fully, the snow had worked its magic on the 
high peaks of the Tararuas. Somehow, the snow covering makes 
the mountains seem both taller and closer than they appear in 
their green summer coat. I love driving home from the City and 
seeing that icy blue sharp-edged wall against the fading blue 
sky of evening. And there is something about the night sky on 
a clear winter's night. Perhaps it magnifies the stars but 
whatever, it is a joy to look up to find the pointers and then 
the beautiful constellation that is the Southern Cross. Unless 
you are dressed for the weather, however, these are no 
conditions in which to stand outside gazing at the heavens. I 
love to come inside and feel that almost painful sense of 
thawing out as the gas fire in the lounge does its work. 
Speaking of gas, we had need of a gasfitter this week, since 
we replaced our weary all-electric stove with a combination 
job - a gas hob and an electric oven. Peter knew that he was 
facing a long crawl under the house but I consoled him with 
the news that it was at least dry under there. He re-emerged 
from the crawl space smelling slightly less than sweet and the 
bad news that our drain was blocked. It seems that the hedge 
beside the house sought out more nutrient and broke into the 
waste water pipes and then blocked it. That added to the bill 
somewhat, but watching the man do his job, I was impressed at 
the skill and energy he brought to the task. And he expertly 
fitted the stove and rangehood and tiled the alcove in which 
it fits. If anyone in the Wellington area needs a plumber or 
gasfitter, contact me. I have just the man for you. 
 
*The Orongorongos are the range of hills down the Eastern side 
of the harbour and behind Wainuiomata. If I understand 
correctly, the Rimutakas are the range behind them again. I am 
not sure of the legitimacy of the name "Orongorongo" but 
generations of Wellingtonians have referred to them thus.  
Those of you who use Google Earth will be pleased to know that 
they have upgraded their coverage of much of New Zealand and 
you might like to explore the landscape with this fascinating 
tool.  
 
---- 
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 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 long time reader 
Amanda in Canada. Thanks Amanda 
 
----  
On with the News.  
 
Monday, 19 June 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
ALL-OUT EFFORT TO GET POWER BACK ON 
------------------------------------ 
 
Canterbury power companies are making good progress in getting 
people back on the grid and out of the cold. The worst-hit, 
Timaru District, still had about 800 people without power last 
night and further up Ashburton Energy was looking at about 
1000 people off the grid. Both companies have taken on extra 
workers from other power companies or contractors and report 
steady progress. Alpine Energy CEO Greg Skelton says they 
should get everyone sorted out this week but are still facing 
difficult conditions with freezing winds, driving rain and 
areas where damage to poles is extensive. Yesterday's 
southerly front did little to help, but failed to bring the 
dreaded snow dump predicted. 
 
(Well I may have felt cold, but these folks deserve a medal, 
as do the linesmen who have been working in extreme conditions 
to restore the lines. - BH) 
 
MORE TALKS TODAY IN JUNIOR DOCTORS' STRIKE 
------------------------------------------- 
 
The junior doctors dispute goes into mediation today, as their 
five-day stoppage winds down. They are due to go back to work 
at 7am tomorrow, however the Resident Doctors Association is 
not ruling out further action. Representatives from the RDA 
and the District Health Boards will meet with a mediator this 
morning. The mediator will have their work cut out for them as 
tensions between both sides have risen steadily during the 
strike. The DHBs say junior doctors have been trying to 
intimidate boards through the media. The union has responded 
by questioning board claims about the number of junior doctors 
breaking the strike. 
 
MORE DETAILS DUE ON BABIES' DEATHS 
---------------------------------- 
 
Auckland police are expected to release details on their 
investigation into the deaths of twin baby brothers today. 
Three-month-old Chris Kahui died from his head injuries in 
Starship Hospital at quarter to seven last night. His brother 
Cru passed away at 5am yesterday. The boys were admitted to 
Starship on Tuesday suffering from severe head injuries. One 
of the twins also had a broken leg. Police initially launched 
an assault inquiry, which they upgraded to a homicide 
investigation after the boys' deaths. Post mortem examinations 
are being carried out today. 
 
SOUTHERN OCEAN WHALE SANCTUARY SAFE 
----------------------------------- 
 
Japan has lost its fourth key vote at the International 
Whaling Commission meeting in the Caribbean. Delegates have 
voted down a proposal to eliminate the Southern Ocean Whale 
Sanctuary. The motion required a two-thirds majority, which 
was never going to happen. However Tokyo was hoping to obtain 
a moral victory by securing a simple majority. In the end 
though, Japan lost 28 to 33, with four abstentions. Japan has 
also lost three other votes, including a proposal to introduce 
secret ballots, and a motion to allow for-profit hunting of 
whales by Japanese coastal communities. 
 
SEA WALL DAMAGED AT PAEKAKARIKI 
------------------------------- 
 
The Kapiti Coast District Council is working to restore the 
sea wall at Paekakariki following this month's storms. High 
winds, rough seas and high tides have all contributed to parts 
of the wall being damaged, leading to substantial erosion 
along The Parade. Council spokesman Rob Williams says there is 
a fair bit of ground washed away, with a metre or so missing 
from the car park at the northern end of The Parade. There is 
damage also along Paraparaumu's Marine Parade. Mr Williams 
says the work has needed doing for some time and the storms 
have provided a timely reminder for the council to get on with 
it. 
 
MAORI OPTION PUSH BEGINS AGAIN 
------------------------------ 
 
A second push to encourage Maori to chose which electoral roll 
to be on is underway. Maori are being reminded to make a 
choice now about the type of electoral roll they enrol on for 
the next two Parliamentary elections. Electoral Enrolment 
Centre National Manager Murray Wicks says orange postcards 
have gone out to advise Maori they can choose to be on the 
general or Maori roll. He says enrolment forms are available 
at Postshops and by free-texting 3676 with a name and address. 
The 2006 Maori Electoral Option campaign ends in August. 
 
BIG PUSH TO GET LIGHTS BACK ON 
------------------------------- 
 
A major push is under way this week to reconnect the last 
thousand people in the Ashburton District who have been cut 
off for more than a week by Canterbury's fierce weather bomb. 
The sheer weight of snow brought down lines and falling tree 
branches took out power poles throughout Canterbury. However 
the people of Mid and South Canterbury have had to wait the 
longest. Electricity Ashburton General Manager Gordon Guthrie 
says it is not just remoteness that is the problem. He says 
some parts of the network have had extensive damage or are 
smaller side-lines. Gordon Guthrie says the delays are 
frustrating and mean it will be the end of the week for some. 
Meanwhile a Civil Defence spokesman says if the bad weather 
stays away in the south, Canterbury is on track to recover 
from last week's storm. The Army was called on last week to 
help Cantabrians trapped for days without power and phones. 
Canterbury Emergency Management Planner Jon Mitchell says they 
are keeping their fingers crossed predicted bad weather does 
not strike the affected region. He says they are ready to go 
if there is a need to re-mobilise. Mr Mitchell says Federated 
Farmers, Red Cross and other volunteers are still out there 
helping out. 

PARENTS TOLD TO TRY HARDER IN WAKE OF ABDUCTION ATTEMPTS
--------------------------------------------------------

A parents group says work needs to be done to prevent a new 
generation of predators. Police are searching for a man who 
attempted to abduct two girls in the Auckland suburb of 
Western Springs on Friday. The first, a 17-year-old, evaded 
capture by screaming and running away. A 14-year-old was not 
so lucky. She was forced into a car, but got out once it 
stopped at an intersection. The chairman of lobby group 
Parent.org, Steve Gore, says today's parents need to do better 
in raising the men of the future. He says while such 
situations are frightening, kids cannot be raised in a climate 
of fear. 
 
POST MORTEMS BEING CONDUCTED ON BABY BOYS 
----------------------------------------- 
 
Post mortem examinations are being carried on twin baby boys 
who died in Auckland from massive head injuries sustained in 
an assault. The deaths of Chris and Cru Kahui are being 
treated as homicide. Police say the autopsies will take most 
of the day. Spokeswoman Angeline Barlow says there is very 
little additional information police can reveal at the moment 
but the inquiry team is continuing to make progress in its 
investigation. The twins were admitted to Starship Hospital on 
Tuesday. One of the babies also had a broken leg. 
 
HOMICIDE INQUIRY FOLLOWS FATAL HOUSE FIRE 
----------------------------------------- 
 
A homicide investigation has been launched following a house 
fire near Whangarei. The fire started just after one this 
morning in a home at Hukerenui. The Fire Service and police 
initially were not sure if anyone was in the house at the 
time, but a body has since been found. Police are yet to 
establish if the body is that of a male or female. They are 
not commenting any further at this stage but fire fighters had 
been looking for a second person believed to have been in the 
house.

(Not a lot of good news this week. Helen and I merely compile 
it. Sorry folks - BH) 
 
P LABS FOUND IN STATE HOUSES 
---------------------------- 
 
National says taxpayers would be horrified to know that state 
houses are being used as P labs. Housing spokesman Phil 
Heatley says 11 taxpayer-owned properties have been busted as 
P labs over the past three years, which he says is 
disgraceful. He says one house had to be destroyed because of 
chemical contamination and he suspects that was due to P. Mr 
Heatley says the public would be interested to know how many 
of the houses they own are being used as drug supermarkets, 
gang headquarters or bases for other criminal behaviour, but 
inquiries have proved fruitless. Mr Heatley says he is 
concerned that the Housing Minister does not hold statistics 
for that, adding that Chris Carter could find out but does not 
want to. Mr Heatley says damage to state houses is getting out 
of control. He says it is time for Housing NZ to review 
whether it should step up checks on its properties. 
 
POLICE CREATE PROFILE OF PUKEKOHE RAPIST 
---------------------------------------- 
 
The man who subjected a woman to a five hour sexual assault in 
her Pukekohe home is being described as a classic-exploiter-
rapist. Police have created a profile of the offender. 
Detective Sergeant Dave Henwood says the man is likely to have 
watched the victim for some time before the attack and had his 
eye on other women. Detective Sergeant Henwood says it is 
likely he fantasises that he is having a relationship with the 
victim and that by the end of the attack she would have wanted 
to be with him. Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Neil 
Grimstone says the investigation is likely to be a long and 
drawn out inquiry. 
 
SELF-DEFENCE CLAIMED IN MULLALY MURDER 
-------------------------------------- 
 
An argument of self-defence has been presented at the High 
Court trial of two Christchurch people jointly accused of 
murder. Lisa Riley and Aaron Grimwood are accused of killing 
Grimwood's half brother, 36-year old Phillip Mullaly. The 
Crown alleges a fight erupted in August between the trio over 
a set of keys for a house where the deceased hoped to get 
alcohol. Grimwood's lawyer, Jeff McCall says Mr Mullaly 
confronted Grimwood with a knife during the argument. During 
the ensuing struggle, Mr Mullaly lost consciousness and 
Grimwood panicked when he could not find a pulse on the 
victim. Mr Mullaly's bound body was later discovered on the 
banks of the Waimakariri River. The defence counsel for Lisa 
Riley, Douglas Brown, has described Mr Mullaly as a violent 
and unpredictable person in the grip of severe alcoholism. He 
admits she kicked the victim three times in the ribs, but 
evidence shows the injuries were not life threatening. He says 
the disposal of the victim's body in the Waimakiriri River may 
show callousness, but Riley panicked while under the effects 
of alcohol and drugs. 
 
SECURITY VAN HOLD-UP NETS $30,000 
--------------------------------- 
 
Auckland police are hunting two men who escaped with $30,000 
after holding up a security van. A gunman targeted a security 
guard as he was returning to his van at the St Luke's shopping 
mall carpark. A second man drove a stolen getaway car. That 
car has been found dumped and partially burnt out in a nearby 
Mount Albert street. The man wielding the gun was wearing a 
black stocking-like mask which had eye and nose holes cut out 
of it. He is about 183 cm (6 feet) tall, of muscular build and 
wearing dark clothes. Police are appealing for witnesses of 
the robbery or the car dumping to contact them immediately. 
 
Tuesday, 20 June 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
MORE DISAPPOINTMENT AT IWC VOTE 
------------------------------- 
 
Helen Clark is refusing to attack the credibility of the 
International Whaling Commission despite the success by pro-
whaling nations. The Prime Minister says the majority 
declaration that the 20-year moratorium on commercial hunts is 
"no longer necessary" is obviously disappointing. But she says 
it is only a declaration not a resolution. Miss Clark says it 
makes the argument for a sustainable, conservation-minded 
approach to whales more important. She says the argument that 
whales are eating into the fish population is utterly 
untenable. 
 
NO NEED FOR LOOK AT AGED CARE 
----------------------------- 
 
A call for a wide ranging inquiry into the state of aged care 
is being knocked back by the Prime Minister. The Nurses 
Organisation has made the call claiming the sector is 
massively under-funded and in crisis Helen Clark accepts there 
are workforce issues within the sector, but does not believe 
an inquiry is necessary. She is doubtful it would advance, or 
address, the concerns raised by the nurses. 
 
CASE AGAINST NAPIER ARTIST DISMISSED 
------------------------------------ 
 
A prominent Napier artist and sculptor has been discharged 
without conviction, before being tried on sexual violation 
charges. Seventy two-year-old Paratene Matchitt was alleged to 
have committed the offences against a 29-year-old woman last 
October and today was to be the start of his trial. However, 
following a 45 minute pre-trial hearing yesterday, the judge 
ruled there was insufficient evidence for the case to proceed. 
Mr Matchitt walked free, from charges of sexual violation by 
rape and by unlawful connection. Detective Emmet Lynch says 
they were not too surprised by the discharge. He says the 
complainant is handling the decision well. 
 
FEARS THAT ARMED ROBBERS WILL STRIKE AGAIN 
------------------------------------------ 
 
Police fear a pair of armed robbers will strike again in 
Auckland. An ADT security guard was held up at St Luke's 
shopping centre yesterday afternoon. The robber was wielding a 
sawn-off shotgun and forced the guard to hand over around 
$30,000 in cash. Another man was waiting in the getaway car. 
It is the second robbery of this kind in a week. Detective 
Sergeant Eddie Iosefa says police are looking into the 
possibility the crimes were committed by the same people. He 
says it is suspicious that both robberies involved ADT 
Security but it is too early to say if the crimes are linked. 
Auckland police are appealing for witnesses to the robbery. 
 
MANY SUSPECTS IN TWINS' DEATHS 
------------------------------ 
 
The lawyer for the mother of twins who died after receiving 
fatal head injuries says there will be a number of suspects in 
the case. Three-month-old Chris and Cru Kahui were taken off 
life support on Sunday, after being admitted to Auckland's 
Starship hospital five days earlier. Police have launched a 
double homicide inquiry. Marie Dyhrberg is representing the 
twins' mother, believed to be in her twenties. She says 
everyone who came into contact with the twins at the relevant 
times will be treated as suspects. Ms Dyhrberg says all those 
involved in police inquiries have lawyers. She says that is a 
wise move given the history of wrongful charges and 
convictions in this country. Ms Dyhrberg says five adults live 
in the house. 
 
ROTORUA EXCITED ABOUT MAORI NEW YEAR 
------------------------------------- 
 
Art and performance is abundant throughout the community as 
Rotorua celebrates Matariki. The star cluster Matariki becomes 
visible in June and marks the start of the Maori new year.  
Several events to mark the occasion are being held in the city 
in the next few weeks. They include exhibitions and artists at 
RAVE and other galleries, poetry recitals at Sirocco's 
restaurant and demonstrations at Hei Tiki Gallery, Sunset 
Primary is also getting into the spirit and will host a dawn 
ceremony, in conjunction with Waiariki Institute of 
Technology, this Friday. Waiariki will host an exhibition of 
works at their gallery Te Whare Taa Whakaahau. 
 
RESEARCH LAUNCHED INTO PARTY PILLS 
---------------------------------- 
 
Researchers predict first-ever tests on party pills will 
reveal they have similar effects on the brain to P. The 
University of Auckland is to investigate the effects of BZP 
(Benzylpiperazine) and another key ingredient in the pills, 
TFMPP (3-Trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine Monohydrochloride). 
Research Coordinator Bruce Russell will conduct two tests. One 
will look at how the body breaks down the pills, to see if 
they have an effect on prescription drugs. Dr Russell says the 
other test will focus on before-and-after effects the 
compounds have on the brain. He predicts that will show the 
party pills have a similar impact as methamphetamine or 
caffeine. BZP has been tested in controlled studies before, 
but TFMPP has not. BZP has been placed on the US Drug 
Enforcement Administration's Schedule I since 2002, making it 
illegal to buy, sell, or possess in the United States without 
a DEA licence. TFMPP has not been scheduled, making it legal 
in the USA. The Auckland studies involve recruiting volunteers 
to perform simple tasks to assess their brain function before 
and after taking one or both of the chemicals. Their responses 
will be compared to that of a normal brain. A number of MPs 
have made it clear they want the legal highs banned. 
 
ARMLESS MAN TO DEFEND DRIVING CHARGE 
------------------------------------ 
 
An armless Tauranga man caught speeding while steering with 
his feet, is to defend the charge, arguing that he was driving 
quite competently. Colin Smith was clocked at 121 kilometres 
an hour in March at Papamoa and written a speeding ticket. The 
31-year-old is pleading not guilty to dangerous driving with 
the case to be heard on July the 6th. His lawyer told the 
Tauranga District Court that his client has a medical 
certificate on what he called LTSA paper - certifying his 
ability to drive. And he added that the police are equating 
disability with danger, which cannot be substantiated through 
any case law. Judge Chris Harding, referring to a highly 
unusual driving system, said the case should go to a hearing. 
 
(Even if he was driving competently, he has never held a 
driving license. I think it is time there was another charge 
on the books - that of wasting court time by defending the 
indefensible - BH) 
 
CHEAPER DOCTOR'S VISITS ON THE WAY 
---------------------------------- 
 
The Health Minister says the roll out of GPs subsidies has 
been resolved. District Health Boards and Public Health 
Organisations have been thrashing out the issue and Pete 
Hodgson says there has been great progress. He says there is 
now a roll out for the 45 to 64 age group, as well as funding 
to make doctor's visits cheaper for 25 to 44 year-olds from 
next year. Mr Hodgson says it is a very important moment in 
the primary health care strategy. He says it means there is 
now an ability to ensure that fee increases from doctors are 
reasonable. Mr Hodgson maintains it is not fee-setting or fee-
capping and all parties have worked very hard to reach a 
resolution. He says there is a specific provision in the 
agreement that if fees are going to be increased there will be 
a review by the DHBs. The news has come as welcome relief to 
family doctors. Leader of the GPs forum, Peter Foley, says it 
took a lot of work to get certain words changed in the 
contract. He says he is disappointed with the negative process 
that has ensued over the last couple of months, but he adds it 
is important all groups look forward to working with each 
other in the future. 
 
ROAD BLOCKS SET UP TO FIND RAPIST 
--------------------------------- 
 
Police will be setting up road blocks later today as they 
intensify their search for the man who forced his way into a 
Pukekohe woman's home and repeatedly raped her. Police have 
profiled the attacker as a classic exploiter-rapist who 
usually prowls around an area before picking the most 
vulnerable woman they can find. Inquiry head Detective Senior 
Neil Grimstone says they will stop traffic between 5pm and 9pm 
on Dublin Street where the attack occurred. They want to speak 
to people who were travelling past the area immediately before 
the attack, a week ago today. Mr Grimstone says it may jog the 
memory of someone who may have seen the attacker. 
 
POST MORTEM DETAILS OF TWINS RELEASED 
------------------------------------- 
 
The twin babies who died in Auckland's Starship Hospital had 
received multiple injuries and other children from their house 
were malnourished and dirty. The revelation follows postmortem 
examinations on the three-month-old boys. A homicide 
investigation was launched following the deaths of Chris and 
Cru Kahui, who died after being taken off life support on 
Sunday. They had been taken to the hospital five days earlier. 
The twins had serious head injuries and multiple other 
injuries. Detective Senior Sergeant John Tims says it is 
likely the injuries were received three or four days before 
the babies were taken to hospital, though it was not possible 
to determine if the injuries all happened at once or over a 
period of time. He says police still have a number of family 
members to speak to about the incident and are mindful that 
the family is trying to grieve after losing two babies; 
however, he says someone has to be held to account for the 
deaths. Two other children who lived in the same house have 
been taken into CYF care and have been treated in hospital for 
what police describe as neglect. He says they had not been fed 
properly and were not entirely clean. He says the twins' 
mother had been away from the house for at least 12 hours 
prior to the twins being taken to hospital and that the 
children were in the care of their father and other members of 
the extended family. Detective Senior Sergeant Tims says 
police are asking any family members with information to come 
forward. 
 
BLANKET COULD LEAD TO KIDNAPPER 
------------------------------- 
 
Forensic tests are being carried out on a blanket which fell 
from the car of a man who attempted to kidnap two Auckland 
school girls last week. It fell as a 14 year-old escaped when 
the car driver slowed near the corner of Old Mill Road and 
Garnet Road in Western Springs on Friday. The girl had been 
forced into the vehicle while walking to Western Springs 
College. The man had attempted to kidnap a 17-year-old student 
two hours earlier. The blanket has a large image of a tiger 
head with a dark blue border. 
 
NAME SUPPRESSION CONTINUES IN BABY CASE 
---------------------------------------- 
 
Name suppression continues for a young student charged with 
the manslaughter of her baby. The newborn girl's body was 
discovered wrapped in a plastic bag on the University of Otago 
campus last month. A 20-year-old woman is charged with causing 
the death of her baby by failing to provide the necessaries of 
life. She had given birth alone in a bathroom in a Hall of 
Residence, before later taking herself to hospital with severe 
internal injuries. The woman has undergone a psychiatric 
evaluation, and is yet to enter a plea. She is on bail, and 
will next appear in the Dunedin District Court on July 20. 
 
Wednesday, 21 June 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
MPS SLUG IT OUT OVER DOG MICROCHIPPING 
--------------------------------------- 
 
Political hackles were raised in Parliament last night as 
moves to stop dog microchipping prompted heated debate. MPs 
argued for more than two hours over amendments aimed at 
exempting farm dogs and doing away with it altogether. Time 
ran out before votes could be called and the debate will 
resume this afternoon. Green MP Nandor Tanczos savaged United 
Future MP Gordon Copeland accusing him of elevating petulance 
to a point of principle. He asked how Mr Copeland could 
justify his intransigence on wanting to give a special 
exemption to farm dogs when farmers do not want special 
treatment and support a blanket ban of microchipping. Labour's 
Jim Sutton opposed exempting farm dogs saying it was a load of 
rot if anyone believed farm dogs do not bite. He described the 
debate as overblown saying microchipping is simply about 
identifying dogs. 
 
ANGER THAT UNIONIST HELPED FORM GOVERNMENT POLICY 
-------------------------------------------------- 
 
The Government is being accused of bowing to ideology over 
independence. It follows union economist Peter Harris playing 
a key role in moves to allow State Owned Enterprises to invest 
outside their core business areas. The move was opposed by 
Treasury. ACT MP Heather Roy says Mr Harris brings a very 
biased view with him. She says the Minister, Trevor Mallard, 
has decided to go with his advice and the SOEs say they are 
happy with it, but she believes ideology has won at the 
expense of the independent advice from Treasury Claims that 
criminals have been looking after inmates Police are 
investigating claims private security guards with criminal 
pasts were put in charge of monitoring suicidal inmates in 
police cells. New Zealand First MP Ron Mark made the 
allegations in Parliament. Mr Mark says one guard watching 
over a female prisoner had been a gang member and had a long 
criminal record, including serious offences against women. He 
says another guard was found to have a history of serious 
offending against children. There are suggestions the 
incidents took place in Wellington, but no one seems to know 
anything about it. A police spokeswoman says the claims are 
concerning, as police work hard to ensure the safety and well-
being of anyone in their care. She says the matter is being 
investigated. 
 
(Where, in any part of NZ law does it say that membership or 
even high office in a union disqualifies you from other roles? 
- BH) 
 
FAMILY URGED TO REVEAL CAUSE OF DEATHS 
-------------------------------------- 
 
Police are hoping the family of twin boys Chris and Cru Kahui 
will come forward to explain what happened. A homicide 
investigation was launched after they died on Sunday. Post 
mortem examinations have found the three-month olds had 
multiple injuries, including brain damage. Detective Senior 
Sergeant John Tims says the boys were hurt three or four days 
before they were taken to hospital. He says they met a violent 
death and someone will be held accountable. Detective Senior 
Sergeant Tims says now is the time for family members to step 
up and say who is responsible. Two other children who lived in 
the house were found to be malnourished and dirty and they are 
now in the care of Child, Youth and Family. 
 
MINISTRY SEEKS FEEDBACK ON ACCOMODATION SUPPLEMENT 
-------------------------------------------------- 
 
A benefit paid to almost a quarter of a million people every 
year is to be reviewed by the Ministry of Social Development. 
Every year, more than $730 million is paid out in the 
accommodation supplement to beneficiaries and non-
beneficiaries who rent, board, or own their own home. The 
review is to look at the positives of the supplement but will 
also focus on problems and how financial assistance for 
housing costs could be improved. The Ministry is taking 
feedback on the review until the end of September with a 
report to go to the Government later this year. 
 
POLICE HAVE OPEN MIND ON DISAPPEARANCE OF STUDENT 
------------------------------------------------- 
 
Police are not ruling out suspicious circumstances in the 
disappearance of an Auckland Korean student. They say they are 
keeping an open mind over why Young Wook Ma went missing from 
his Glenfield home last Monday. North Shore police have 
circulated fliers at WINTEC's Newmarket campus where the 23-
year-old studied. Spokesman Kevin Loughlin says police are 
concerned about the nature of the disappearance. He says Young 
Wook Ma is without money or credit cards and although he had a 
cellphone, it has not been active since last Wednesday. 
Auckland zoo hunts for missing otter An otter has made a 
slippery exit from its Auckland Zoo enclosure. The four-year-
old female, named Gin, was last seen in Stanley Point Road in 
Devonport yesterday evening. Zoo curator Maria Finnigan says 
the otter was carried from the Meola Creek area on the 
outgoing tide last week. She says while otters are good 
swimmers, staff are stunned at the distance she has travelled. 
Gin is not dangerous and will not approach people but zoo 
staff say it is important members of the public do not try to 
chase or catch her themselves. 
 
WESTLAND HIGH SCHOOL SOUNDS DRUG ABUSE ALARM 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
Westland High School has called an urgent meeting with parents 
to discuss the growing drug abuse problem. Principal Tony 
Guilliland says one student was caught sniffing butane, while 
four students were suspended for behavioural problems believed 
to be linked to drug use. He says the frequent use of 
marijuana in the community is having a huge impact on 
students' learning. West Coast DARE educators and youth aid 
officers will attend the meeting informing parents of how to 
look for signs of drug abuse. 
 
GRAFITTI SOLUTIONS BEING SOUGHT 
------------------------------- 
 
Wellington Waterfront Limited is looking to new technology to 
help curb the growing amount of graffiti at Waitangi Park. 
Graffiti and tagging is becoming a problem at the park and 
officials are trying to come up with ways to not only remove 
it, but prevent new graffiti appearing. Spokeswoman Barbara 
Bercic says they are looking into a protective coating for the 
concrete, which should make the job easier. She says once it 
is applied, graffiti can be washed off easily. Ms Bercic says 
there are only two problems with the coating - it cannot be 
used on the skate park, because it will affect the skating 
surface and it needs a week of dry weather for it to be 
applied. 
 
PESSIMISM OVER EFFORTS TO CONTAIN VARROA 
---------------------------------------- 
 
There is pessimism from the Government about the chances of 
beating the latest Varroa infestation. Biosecurity Minister 
Jim Anderton has visited Nelson, the first South Island region 
affected by the bee mite. He concedes he is not confident 
officials will be able to eradicate the pest, based on 
experience from the North Island. Meanwhile Dargaville woman 
Deborah Hambly is investigating how beekeepers can protect 
their hives from the mites. Ms Hambly says camphor is used in 
other countries to fix the problem, but it has not proven 
effective in New Zealand. She is investigating how to make it 
work in local conditions. 
 
WELLINGTON MOBILE LIBRARY ON THE WAY OUT 
---------------------------------------- 
 
It is looking increasingly likely that the Wellington mobile 
library will be closed down. The City Council says the mobile 
service is the least used library in the network and its 
closure would have minimal effect on library services. Deputy 
mayor Alick Shaw says there are plenty of people who use the 
mobile library, who use other libraries as well. He says there 
are just 195 people who have used the mobile more than once in 
the last 10 months and 60 percent of them also use other 
branches. Mr Shaw says those numbers do not make it a 
worthwhile venture.  
 
GREENS CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY 
-------------------------------------------------------- 
 
There are renewed calls for the Police Complaints Authority to 
become an independent body. It follows revelations from New 
Zealand First MP Ron Mark that private security guards with 
criminal histories have been hired by police to supervise 
potentially suicidal people in police cells. Green MP Nandor 
Tanczos says when combined with recent criticisms of police, 
including misuse of pepper spray and improper DNA sampling, it 
makes a compelling case for the need for an independent police 
complaints authority. He says it is in the public interest 
that languishing legislation for an independent authority be 
revived as soon as possible. 
 
(And just where will this independent body get the people with 
the investigative skills and training to perform this role? - 
BH) 
 
NOT GUILTY PLEAS IN SUPPRESSION ORDER CASE 
------------------------------------------ 
 
Two people accused of breaching suppression orders after 
distributing fliers in support of Louise Nicholas have pleaded 
not guilty. Frances Martin and Daniel Ray appeared in the 
Christchurch District court today. The suppression orders were 
imposed during the high profile court case which saw Assistant 
Police Commissioner Clint Rickards and two former officers, 
Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton, acquitted of raping Louise 
Nicholas. Martin and Ray are representing themselves and have 
been remanded to August 3. It has now emerged one of the 
reasons why the information was supposed to be suppressed is 
that the three men are also alleged to have committed sexual 
offences against a second woman in the 1980s. That suppression 
order was eased after the New Zealand Herald won the right to 
publish the fact there will be a second trial but other strict 
suppression orders surrounding this and the Nicholas case 
continue. The maximum punishment for breaching a court 
suppression is a fine of $1,000. 
 
HEALTH MINISTRY DENIES RACIAL BIAS 
----------------------------------- 
 
Health bosses are being accused of failing to address 
institutional and personal racism against Maori. The claim has 
been made by Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia. She has told 
Ministry of Health staff that Maori are being denied access on 
the basis of race, and the ministry is doing little to address 
a report on reducing inequality. Ministry spokesman Colin Feek 
disputes that and has told a Parliamentary Select Committee it 
is difficult to define discrimination on the basis of race. He 
argues the disparities are not just ethnic but also socio-
economic and gender-based. A recent report by Auckland 
University Professor Peter Davis, published in the Lancet, 
cast doubts on the racial equality of New Zealand's health 
system. 
 
DON'T BLAME MAORI SAYS MP 
-------------------------- 
 
Tau Henare is rejecting claims from child advocates that Maori 
need to take more ownership of child abuse. The claims follow 
the deaths of twin baby boys Cru and Chris Kahui who were 
taken off life support after sustaining brain damage and 
multiple injuries. Speaking on Newstalk ZB's Leighton Smith 
show, For the Sake of Our Children CEO, Christine Rankin said 
Maori feature far too strongly in the child abuse statistics 
and she is not going to be politically correct and pretend it 
is not happening. National MP Tau Henare says claims from Ms 
Rankin that strong male Maori figures need to speak out about 
the problem of child abuse in Maori families is nonsense. Mr 
Henare says he gets sick and tired of hearing that Maori need 
to do something when the entire community should be working 
together. He agrees child abuse is a huge problem, but says 
the blame should not be placed on one ethnic group. 
 
THOUSANDS CULLED FROM WAITING LISTS 
----------------------------------- 
 
Health officials have indicated that up to 16,000 more 
patients face being culled from hospital waiting lists. The 
revelation has come at a Parliamentary select committee. 
Ministry of Health spokeswoman Brenda Wills says the deadline 
for wiping hospital waiting lists was the end of June but she 
says the Ministry has agreed to shift that deadline by three 
months because of the junior doctors' strike. Ms Wills says 
that unless DHBs can provide more services, more patients will 
be returned to GPs if that is what's required. National's 
health spokesman Tony Ryall is alarmed, saying the waiting 
list cull is out of control. 
 
Thursday, 22 June 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
NATIONAL CELEBRATES VICTORY ON DOG MICRO-CHIPPING 
------------------------------------------------- 
 
National is claiming victory over the Government on dog-micro-
chipping laws. It has been successful in amending the 
regulations to ensure farm dogs will be exempt. National 
Agriculture spokesman David Carter says it is a significant 
blow to the Government and its supporters. He says Labour and 
the poodle parties, United Future and New Zealand First, have 
consistently ignored public opinion and have now been shown to 
be in the wrong. David Carter says last night's vote shows 
just how fragile the Government's majority is. Meanwhile 
associate Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is surprised 
four Green MPs changed their vote at the 11th hour to support 
the amendment. She says in the past they said all along they 
were not going to support exemptions and assurances given were 
not kept, and she is disappointed about that. And Federated 
Farmers is pleased with the result. Vice-President Don 
Nicholson says it is great to see commonsense prevail. He is 
grateful to the promoters of the amendment and thanks the 
Green MPs. Mr Nicholson says the next step must be getting 
urban dogs which are not menacing or dangerous exempt too. 
 
FAMILY VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TODAY 
--------------------------------------- 
 
A multi-agency campaign to fight family violence is being 
launched in South Auckland today. Manukau City mayor Sir Barry 
Curtis says it is an unfortunate coincidence that the launch 
falls just days after twin boys Chris and Cru Kahui died of 
head injuries. He says family violence is a considerable 
problem in the area and he is confident a team effort could go 
a long way to changing that. He says families have been 
falling through the gaps because all the relevant 
organisations have been working independently of each other. 
Sir Barry says for the first time community and health 
agencies, central and local government and the police will be 
working together to reduce family violence. 
 
KENNEL CLUB ANGRY ABOUT FARMERS' EXEMPTION 
------------------------------------------- 
 
It is claimed many urban dog owners will refuse to comply with 
the micro-chipping legislation. MPs voted 61 to 60 to exempt 
farm dogs from the requirement. Kennel Club president Lesley 
Chalmers says it is disappointing and a kick in the teeth for 
the urban dog owner. She says many will just refuse to micro-
chip their pets. She says it is silly, ad hoc, irresponsible 
legislation and there is no encouragement for dog owners to be 
compliant. Lesley Chalmers says attacks are usually carried 
out by unregistered dogs and this law will not stop that. 
 
FARMERS ARE CALLING IT A VICTORY FOR COMMONSENSE. 
------------------------------------------------- 
 
Federated Farmers vice-president Don Nicholson says farmers 
will be pleased the majority of MPs decided to exempt working 
dogs. He says micro-chipping is a cost being imposed with no 
benefit to the safety of dogs or people. Mr Nicholson says it 
is only a partial victory though, as urban owners will still 
be saddled with the extra cost of micro-chipping. 
 
POLICE LOOK FOR LINKS TO ST LUKES HOLDUP 
----------------------------------------- 
 
It is still unclear if the two armed robberies in Auckland in 
the past week are related. The latest saw an ADT guard held up 
at gunpoint outside St Luke's shopping mall on Monday 
afternoon. The offender and his accomplice got away with a bag 
containing $30,000. Detective Senior Sergeant Rick Veacock 
says police are examining other aggravated robberies to try to 
find any similarities. He says their investigations go back 
over 12 months. Detective Senior Sergeant Veacock is appealing 
for anyone who saw either the robbers or their getaway car to 
come forward. 
 
TWINS' BODIES RELEASED TO THEIR FAMILY 
-------------------------------------- 
 
The bodies of the Kahui twins have been released to the 
family. Three-month-old Chris and Cru died on Sunday after 
suffering severe head injuries eight days earlier. Lorraine 
Smith is the lawyer for their father, Chris Kahui. She says he 
spent eight hours being interviewed by police yesterday after 
police agreed to release a copy of an earlier statement he 
made. Mrs Smith says her client denies any knowledge of how 
the babies were killed. 
 
CUSTODY REMAND FOLLOWING ESCAPE 
------------------------------- 
 
A Mongrel Mob member who escaped police custody this week has 
again been remanded in custody. Hendrix Haerewa broke out of 
an interview room that doubles as a holding area at Palmerston 
North District Court on Tuesday. Police recaptured the 25-
year-old later that day and he reappeared in court yesterday. 
Haerewa is now facing a charge of escaping custody, as well as 
assault with a weapon, unlawfully taking a vehicle, burglary, 
and dangerous driving. 
 
GUILTY PLEA IN BAY OF PLENTY DOUBLE MURDER 
------------------------------------------ 
 
Rotorua truck driver Anthony Doyle has pleaded guilty to the 
murder of a Tauranga couple. The bodies of Mikaere O'Sullivan 
and Toni-Anne Nathan were found under the Wairoa River bridge 
on October 31 last year. Doyle, an alleged 'P' dealer known as 
'Truckie', initially pleaded not guilty to the slayings. He 
changed his plea in the High Court at Rotorua this morning. 
Doyle has been remanded for sentencing on October 13. 
 
MORE DETAILS ON RAPE CASE ARREST 
-------------------------------- 
 
Police have arrested a man and charged him with the brutal 
sexual assault of a woman in her Pukekohe home. The 37-year-
old local will appear in the Papakura District Court today. 
Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone says telling the 
victim of the arrest this morning was one of the most 
satisfying moments of his career. The woman was viciously 
assaulted and raped for several hours last week. The woman 
escaped death only by fleeing when she was driven to a nearby 
ATM machine to withdraw money from her bank account. The 
arrested man faces seven charges, including rape, assault with 
intent to rape, sexual violation and threatening to kill. 
 
BUS PASSENGERS SAFELY RESCUED 
----------------------------- 
 
All 25 passengers have been safely rescued after their bus 
slid off an icy road, ending up on a 45 degree angle, in the 
Central Plateau. Police spoke with the driver of the bus on 
the phone as they made their way to the crash site, on State 
Highway Four just north of Raetihi. They say he provided them 
with up to date information and reassured his passengers. They 
are applauding his calm manner. Meanwhile there has been 
little in the way of business for shops in Taihape today, 
thanks to the snow which has hit the central North Island 
town. The Desert Road is closed and diversions are in place. 
Kelly Murray, cafe assistant for the Brown Sugar Cafe, says 
the dumping of snow has left locals isolated. She says local 
businesses are dead because there are no travellers passing 
through. Ms Murray says its the first time Taihape has had 
snow in about five years. 
 
MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED ABDUCTIONS 
------------------------------------- 
 
A man has been arrested, following the attempted abduction of 
two teenage girls in Western Springs last Friday. A 17-year-
old was on her way to school at about 8.30am, when a man 
threatened her - saying he had a gun, and would shoot her if 
she didn't get into his car. The teenager managed to scare him 
off by screaming, and ran to school. A couple of hours later, 
a 14-year-old student walking in the same area, was bundled 
into a car and driven off. She managed to escape when the car 
stopped at an intersection. A 26-year-old Mount Albert man 
will appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow, charged 
with kidnapping and attempted kidnapping. 
 
Friday, 23 June 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
FAMILY TAKES UP MOTEL OFFER 
--------------------------- 
 
The bliss of some home comforts has become a reality for one 
South Canterbury family who have been without power for weeks 
due to storms knocking out supplies. Annie and Nick Light and 
their three pre-school children have taken up the Timaru 
District Council's offer of free motel accommodation. Mrs 
Light says the family has been coping without power and the 
children think it is an adventure. However, she says it is 
lovely to have the benefits of electricity again just to have 
a break, catch up on washing and finally cook food that is not 
barbequed. She says the nights have been particularly 
restless, and the couple have had to get up several times to 
keep the generator going and the kids warm. Mrs Light says 
their two-year-old is asthmatic and has been sleeping with the 
couple. She says it will be tough heading home and she has 
already hold her husband he will have to drag her from the 
motel kicking and screaming. Mrs Light is not expecting power 
to be back on at her home for another week. 
 
TOUGHER LAUGHING GAS LAWS WANTED 
-------------------------------- 
 
The Government is being called on to toughen up the laws 
surrounding the sale of nitrous oxide. Since a crack down on 
the sale of laughing gas for recreational use was announced 
more than a year ago, the Ministry of Health has run only one 
enforcement operation, and referred only one retailer to Crown 
Law for prosecution There is speculation the Ministry is on 
shaky legal ground in getting a successful prosecution and 
with this in mind, National MP Jacqui Dean believes there is a 
case for the Government to tighten up the laws. She says the 
Government needs to act sooner rather than later before 
problems associated with nitrous oxide and other legal highs 
become entrenched. 
 
GREENS WANT OPEN BENEFIT REVIEW 
-------------------------------- 
 
Full public involvement is being sought by the Greens as one 
of the country's largest benefits is reviewed. The Ministry of 
Social Development is looking at problems with the 
accommodation supplement and how it can be improved. Last year 
$735 million was paid out to almost quarter of a million 
beneficiaries. Green MP Sue Bradford says she is surprised 
about the lack of information the ministry is supplying about 
the review and hopes the results will be made publicly 
available. She says it has deep implications for those who 
depend on it for their survival. 
 
MATARIKI WILL RAISE AWARENESS OF VIOLENCE 
----------------------------------------- 
 
The police district investigating the death of baby twins 
Chris and Cru Kahui is planning to use the dawn of Matariki, 
or Maori New Year, to raise awareness of family violence. 
Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Steve 
Shortland will head a torch-lit dawn vigil alongside Maori 
Party co-leader Pita Sharples. The vigil will take place on 
Mangere Mountain at five o'clock next Tuesday morning. Mr 
Shortland says each torch lit that morning will represent a 
person killed. Domestics account for 42 percent of all 
emergency police calls and they have dealt with a further 
10,000 family violence jobs in the past year. Mr Shortland 
wants to use Matariki to call for a new beginning and united 
way for police and the community to work together to stamp out 
family violence. 
 
TOUGH SENTENCE FOR TEEN NON-PAYER 
---------------------------------- 
 
A judge has imposed a sentence on an 18-year-old man which 
Hamilton police hope will deter anyone else thinking of 
driving off without paying for their petrol. Marcus Birchall 
has been disqualified from driving for six months, for using a 
vehicle in the commission of a crime. That comes on top of 
another six months' disqualification for driving while already 
disqualified. Birchall has also been issued with a trespass 
notice, banning him from the BP Horsham Downs service station 
for two years. Detective Senior Sergeant Russell Le Prou says 
police are pleased the courts are taking a tough stance. 
 
ACCUSED KIDNAPPER'S NAME RELEASED 
--------------------------------- 
 
The name of the Mount Albert man charged over the kidnapping 
or attempted kidnapping of two Auckland school girls has now 
been released. Twenty-five-year-old Philip Foss was arrested 
last night, and charged with kidnapping a 17-year-old Western 
Springs College student and attempting to kidnap another 14-
year-old He is unemployed, and was looking nervous during a 10 
minute appearance at the Auckland District Court today. His 
name suppression ran out at three thirty this afternoon, after 
Judge Ray Keane ruled he had enough time to contact his 
parents to tell them he had been arrested, even if he had to 
use his defence lawyer's mobile phone to do so. 
 
FAMILY STONEWALLS IN KAHUI CASE 
------------------------------- 
 
The head of the inquiry into the deaths of twins Chris and Cru 
Kahui says the babies' extended family is stonewalling the 
investigation. Detective Senior Sergeant John Tims says some 
family members have told police some of the truth. He says 
they have also received information the extended family met at 
a south Auckland house just after Chris and Cru were taken to 
Starship Children's Hospital with multiple injuries. Detective 
Senior Sergeant Tims says they decided not to cooperate with 
police until they were given the go-ahead by a spokesperson 
and their lawyers. He says this is effectively supporting 
those responsible for inflicting the fatal injuries on the 
twins. He is urging family members when they attend Chris and 
Cru's funeral on Saturday to be mindful that someone in their 
midst knows what happened. 
 
	 
 
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