WYSIWYG NEWS - 10 October, 2006

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 9 October, 2006 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer.  

Wednesday morning before the sun had even thought of 
appearing, the shuttle bus was at the door to take us to the 
airport. Rain and a fairly stiff wind made the predawn 
darkness even more unpleasant. Our cheerful driver took us 
along the motorway to the city where more passenger pickups 
took place from various hotels, and thence through the Mt 
Victoria Tunnel though Hataitai and Kilbirnie to the airport. 
At 4 am, though it is the official check in time for many 
flights, the counters were dark and unmanned. In due course, 
the ticketing staff emerged, and the whole dreary process 
commenced. We emerged into the concourse and as you might 
expect, the various food franchises, despite their apparent 
licenses to print money were also not prepared to begin 
serving the public. Wouldn't it make sense for the cooks to 
begin preparing the food so that customers with a long wait 
for boarding calls might at least get coffee and a light 
breakfast? Our Airbus A320 took off on time (well done!) and 
we were soon high above a cloud covered Tasman Sea en route to 
Brisbane. The three and a bit hours passed surprisingly 
quickly and patches of the Gold Coast landscape appeared below 
us as we approached Brisbane from the South. Our flight was 
allocated the Southernmost pier and as we scurried along the 
walkways we could see taxiing across the apron, not one but 
three wide-bodied jets eager to disgorge another thousand 
people to the already busy airport. I am sure there are more 
chaotic places than Brisbane International airport in the 
morning rush, but I have yet to find them. The line to the 
immigration section was moderately well controlled, though I 
think there is a special place in the underworld for the 
inventor of those mazes of nylon webbing that has weary 
passengers filing backwards and forwards past each other for a 
long time. Once through into the main baggage hall, I was 
reminded of some of the gloriously disordered paintings by the 
Breughels. This was a scene from bedlam. Few of the carousels 
had accurate records of what flights they were carrying, and 
we spotted our bags by accident, even as a public announcement 
was made that they would be allocated to a carousel soon. An 
hour after landing, and after a brief interlude with customs 
to explain the need for chocolate pineapple lumps being 
delivered as relief parcels to homesick kiwis, we emerged into 
the arrivals hall where David, Rowena and young Grace awaited 
us. Even at a little after eight in the morning, the 
temperature was warmer than the predicted high for Wellington 
that day. At David and Rowena's house some other house guests 
were busy at the barbecue preparing an enormous breakfast of 
eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns and toast. Later in the day 
we took the children (Grace and Ataraira) to a local zoo. We 
had a great day and that is a sufficient description for one 
issue of WYSIWYG. 
 
As I write this I have just had the news that David is out of 
surgery after 8 hours, and that his surgeon is pleased with 
his progress. Keep thinking those positive thoughts for us, 
and if you are of a praying disposition, keep us in your 
prayers.
 
   
---- 
Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in 
parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the 
personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, 
or occasionally "GS" will indicate an opinion from our 
editorial assistant. In all cases they are honest expressions 
of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.  
 
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced 
by kind permission 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 Stephnie Thomas in 
Maryland whom I was privileged to meet at a memorable 
gathering in a pub and restaurant called "The Wharf Rat"  in 
Baltimore in 2000. Many thanks Stephnie. 

----  
On with the News.  

Monday, 2 October 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GOVT TO DISH OUT MORE MONEY FOR ELECTIVE SURGERY
------------------------------------------------

The Government is shelling out 200 million dollars to provide 
10 thousand more elective surgery operations. The funding runs 
over four years and was approved by Cabinet this morning. 
Health Minister Pete Hodgson says the money will be available 
to all District Health Boards which consistently meet the 
requirements of the Government's booking system policy. In an 
apparent philosophical shift, he says DHBs will be able to 
contract with the private hospital sector if spare capacity 
exists. DHBs will also be able to contract with other DHBs to 
do surgery. The funding will be available from the first of 
November. 
 
(Smoke and mirrors are at work here. This "extra" money is 
apparently an advance on already committed expenditure. - BH)

MOBIL PUTS UP PRICES
--------------------

Mobil has raised its petrol and diesel prices by six cents. 91 
is now at $1.49.9. 95 is at $1.54.9 and diesel is at $1.09.9. 
Mobil says the increase is due to a range of factors, 
including an increase in product costs and declining margins. 
Other oil companies are considering moving their prices. 
 
(At least as far as I know, the others didn't follow, so I 
assume Mobil will have backed down - BH)

CHLAMYDIA SET FOR NOTIFIABLE DISEASE LIST
-----------------------------------------

A recent rise in the number of cases of the Sexually 
Transmitted Disease Chlamydia could see it classified as a 
notifiable disease. Over the five year period ending last 
December, reported cases of the disease rose by 40 percent and 
Minister of Health Pete Hodgson says the Ministry of Health is 
supporting efforts to extend surveillance and information 
collected about Chlamydia. He says a review of the notifiable 
diseases list is underway and if it is decided Chlamydia be 
added to it, the addition would be included in public health 
legislation.

UPWARD TREND IN CRIME STATS
---------------------------

Recorded crime is on the rise throughout New Zealand. The 
biggest increase in the past year has been in the Counties 
Manukau District, where recorded crime per head of population 
has risen almost 23 percent. Waikato had a 16 percent rise and 
the East Coast 11 percent, while two districts, Tasman and 
Canterbury, reported three percent drops. The biggest rise has 
been in property crime, which is up 15 percent and includes 
graffiti, while violent offences up are ten percent, with 
drugs and anti-social crime up six percent. Police 
Commissioner Howard Board says dishonesty offences, such as 
theft, continue to be the largest category creating the 
greatest number of victims. Such crimes are up seven percent - 
with five and a half thousand more car conversions this year 
than last, and almost four thousand more home burglaries. He 
says they have solved 13-and-a-half thousand more crimes this 
year than last, despite the rise. Meanwhile, Wellington Police 
District Commander Pieri Munro admits he is concerned that 
crime in his region has gone up 4.7 percent in the last 12 
months. Just over 42,000 offences were recorded by Wellington 
police in the 12 months ending June this year - almost 2000 
more than the previous year. However, Pieri Munro says the 
figure is still down on three years ago, when more than 45,000 
crimes were reported. Canterbury is one of two districts in 
the country to have recorded a drop in reported crime and it 
has put a smile on the face of the region's police 
superintendent. The statistics cover the 12-months to June and 
show the reported crime rate in Canterbury decreased by 2.5 
percent. Canterbury's superintendent Sandra Manderson says 
reported crime has been tracking down for the past four years, 
but any drop is welcome.

UNI STUDENTS TESTED FOR TB
--------------------------

At least 120 Canterbury University students are being tested 
for tuberculosis. A month ago, a similar outbreak was reported 
at a high school in Palmerston North, where more than 200 
students were exposed to the disease. Canterbury Medical 
Officer of Health Dr Mel Breisman says one Canterbury student 
has TB and people who have been in close contact with that 
person are being contacted to see how far the disease has 
spread. Officials also hope to find out whether a local source 
can be identified. Dr Mel Briesman says it could be weeks 
before the extent of the problem can be gauged.

MORE TALKS ON RADIOGRAPHERS' DISPUTE
------------------------------------

The union representing radiographers will return to the 
negotiating table today. Workers met with their employer for 
two days of negotiations last week without resolution. 
Radiographers at six district health boards are demanding pay 
parity with other parts of the country. Union spokeswoman, 
Deborah Powell, says the parties will reconvene today for 
another three days of mediated negotiation.

ONE GROUP TAKES THE MOST AIDS CASH
----------------------------------

The New Zealand Aids Foundation is getting the lion's share of 
Government funding for HIV AIDS prevention and education. The 
Government has revealed 15.7 million dollars has been 
allocated for such work over the past seven years and Health 
Minister Pete Hodgson says all but 400 thousand dollars of the 
funding has been allocated to the Aids Foundation. The trend 
is set to continue this financial year, with the Aids 
Foundation set to receive 3.4 million dollars out of the 3.5 
million dollars up for grabs.

Tuesday, 3 October 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ELECTION SPENDING REPORT STILL ON TRACK
---------------------------------------

The Auditor General's report on election spending is on track 
to be released next week. Kevin Brady is due to make a final 
determination on the way political parties managed their 
election spending last year and how much of it was within the 
rules. There had been speculation the report might be delayed 
due to furious last minute lobbying, particularly from Labour, 
which is believed to be in the gun for up to 800 thousand 
dollars of overspend. However the Office of the Auditor 
General indicates the report will be tabled in Parliament next 
Tuesday.

(Although it is apparently in the hands of the speaker, it 
will not be released until Thursday. In my opinion, if it 
exists, it should be released. To delay merely raises the 
suspicion of manipulation. - BH)

FELTEX SOLD TO GODFREY HIRST
----------------------------

Feltex has been sold to Australian company Godfrey Hirst. The 
company's receiver has just announced that a deal has been 
signed that will see Godfrey Hirst acquire all of Feltex's 
assets and operations in New Zealand, Australia and the United 
States as a going concern. The purchase price is enough to 
repay the existing bank loan of around 140 million dollars. 
The bad news is that Godfrey Hirst intends to make around 15 
percent of Feltex's 820 New Zealand employees redundant. Those 
to go will be at the Kakariki and Christchurch plants. 
 
(ANZ have not won any friends among the small investors, I 
think. - BH)

GOVT TO BUILD 22 NEW OPERATING THEATRES
---------------------------------------

The Government has announced the construction of 22 new 
operating theatres for public hospitals. Health Minister Pete 
Hodgson says the new theatres are part of the Government's 
four-year, 630 million dollar capital investment in health. It 
follows yesterday's announcement that 200 million dollars will 
be invested in 10 thousand new elective surgery operations. 
The Government has also announced that it is creating more 
training locations for GPs. Mr Hodgson says the 15 extra 
registrars will be targeted for placement in rural practices.

NEW INITIATIVE AIMS TO REDUCE CHRISTCHURCH CRIME
------------------------------------------------

Police, pubs and central city businesses hope a new initiative 
will reduce alcohol induced crime in central Christchurch by 
10 percent. Various groups, including about 50 pubs, have 
signed an alcohol accord which will see a one-way door policy 
implemented. For the next six months late night revellers 
between Thursday night and Sunday morning will be faced with 
being prevented from entering a bar between 4am and 6am. 
Police hope the trial will see a ten percent drop in the 
number of common and sexual assaults. A similar scheme on 
Australia's Gold Coast saw a double digit percentage drop in 
the assaults and sexual offending.

(I thought this scheme was already being trialled with some 
success in Wellington. - BH) 

BYLAW CRACKS DOWN ON UNWANTED JUNK MAIL
---------------------------------------

The Auckland City Council has passed a bylaw which introduces 
tighter restrictions on junk mail. Distributors who ignore a 
no junk mail sign on a letter box could face a $5,000 fine. 
Councillor Glenda Fryer says the bylaw also cracks down on 
advertisers who stuff even more material into already-full 
letter boxes.

(Alleluia! - BH)

PLAN FOR AUCKLAND REVEALED THIS WEEK
------------------------------------

Aucklanders can expect a major announcement about the much 
touted metro plan this week. The plan aims to enhance and 
develop an internationally competitive, inclusive and dynamic 
economy for the city. Prime Minister Helen Clark says she and 
Cabinet Minister Trevor Mallard will be present at the 
announcement on Friday. She says input has come from a range 
of local stakeholders as well as overseas experts with 
experience in city regeneration.

UNPAID REPARATIONS ALMOST RUINS HOLIDAY
---------------------------------------

A man who has not paid a cent he owed a victim of his crime 
has almost had his holiday plans ruined. The passenger was 
stopped at Auckland International Airport because he owed 
$3,750 in reparation payments from a crime in the 1980s. He is 
the first person to feel the impact of a new airport 
collection initiative. Legislation can now prevent people from 
travelling internationally if they have a warrant issued for 
their arrest or owe reparations or fines totalling more than 
$5,000. Courts Minister Rick Barker says the man last made a 
payment in 1987 and the intercept was the first time officials 
were able to pin him down. The passenger paid the amount owing 
and was allowed to board his plane.

(I think it is a good initiative. I just regret that the 
courts extract only the nominal amounts. No interest is 
applied for the delay in making reparation which is one more 
theft from the victim - BH)

EXTRA FUNDING NO HELP FOR CULLED PATIENTS
-----------------------------------------

The National Party says extra funding designed to cut elective 
surgery waiting lists is cold comfort for patients recently 
culled from lists. The Government is allocating $200 million 
over four years, enabling an extra 10,000 operations annually. 
$50 million a year over the next four years will allow more 
operations for conditions such as hernias. The funding will 
also allow district health boards to contract out operations 
to private hospitals. The new funding comes as thousands of 
people are culled from hospital waiting lists amid a 
Government ruling that no patient should be on a list for 
longer than six months. However National's health spokesman 
Tony Ryall says the Government is misleading the public when 
it says there will be a greater use of the private sector. He 
says private hospitals can only be used when every public 
hospital has been squeezed of capacity, and then it will only 
be on an ad hoc basis. He says Labour has poured an extra $4 
billion into health over the past six years and achieved fewer 
operations. Mr Ryall claims too much money is being wasted on 
bureaucracy. He says National would get more from health 
dollars by smart use of the private sector, greater 
cooperation with specialists and doctors, cutting bureaucracy 
and a strong focus on value for money. More than $10,000 has 
been recovered since the initiative began on Thursday from 
travellers sorting out unpaid fines or reparation before they 
embarked on international travel.

Wednesday, 4 October 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TRACK ACCESS FEES UNDER DISCUSSION
----------------------------------

Toll New Zealand says it is in on-going discussions with the 
Government over track access fees. The Independent Financial 
Review claims there is a threat to close down large chunks of 
the North Island rail network including the main trunk line. 
But Toll says it has nothing to say other than talks are 
continuing.

"CHALLENGING" YEAR FOR RBNZ
---------------------------

The Reserve Bank is describing its business over the past 
financial year as "challenging". It has just released its 
annual report and key results include an almost $254 million 
surplus and an upcoming payment of a $410 million dividend to 
the Crown. Reserve Bank Governor Allan Bollard says the last 
year has been particularly challenging with monetary policy 
having to contend with more persistent oil price increases and 
stronger than anticipated economic activity. He says monetary 
policy is now clearly focussed on ensuring inflation returns 
to its target band of one to three percent.

NATIONAL COMPLAINS TO POLICE
----------------------------

Police National Headquarters has confirmed the office of the 
commissioner has received a letter of complaint from National. 
The party has sent a letter to police bosses expressing 
concerns about the failure of the police to understand the 
Electoral Act and their failure to deal adequately with the 
concerns of former Chief Electoral Officer David Henry over 
Labour's 2005 pledge card. A spokesman from Police National 
Headquarters says Commissioner Howard Broad has received the 
letter but no comment will be made until he has had time to 
read it and make an appropriate response. 
 
(I am not sure that I see the point of this. I think the 
police understood the electoral act very well and were even 
handed since everyone seemed to be in breach and the only 
difference was one one of degree. - BH)

AQUACULTURE BENEFITS FROM PUBLIC CASH
-------------------------------------

Seventy thousand dollars' worth of public money is coming the 
way of the country's aquaculture industries. The money is 
being provided for the creation of a united organisation to 
represent the interests of the aquaculture sector. Currently 
five separate organisations act on behalf of separate industry 
bodies. Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard says 
aquaculture is a vital part of the country's future and the 
sector has a lot to contribute to an export led economy.

GOVERNMENT PROMOTES ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES
------------------------------------------

A balancing act faces homeowners if the Government follows 
through on an energy efficient building initiative. The 
Government is about to begin consultation on how moves can be 
made to improve energy use, insulation and introduce solar 
heating options for homes. Building Issues Minister Clayton 
Cosgrove accepts introducing such measures would bring huge 
costs for new homes but says there is a balance to be 
considered. He says there is a need to focus the public mind 
on the fact that introducing energy efficient measures in a 
new home now could substantially reduce gas and electricity 
costs in the long term.

(It seems to me that this is a very long term strategy, since 
the great bulk of any nation's housing stock is not made up of 
new houses. - BH)

NEW DIABETES DRUG SOME TIME AWAY
--------------------------------

Auckland University researchers have unravelled part of the 
mystery of diabetes. Researchers at the Wilkins Centre for 
Molecular Biodiscovery have decoded the structure of an enzyme 
that could lead to new type of drug to treat the condition. 
Centre Director Professor Ted Baker says diabetics usually 
have raised levels of the enzyme MIOX which breaks down sugar. 
He says scientists can now design drugs which will 
specifically target the enzyme and block its activity. 
Professor Baker says it is likely to be a few years before a 
drug is developed.

Thursday, 5 October 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

STUDENT VIOLENCE AFFECTS TEACHER RECRUITMENT
--------------------------------------------

Violence against teachers is being pinpointed as one of the 
key barriers to quality education. PPTA president Debbie Te 
Whaiti is commenting on World Teachers Day, which is 
celebrated in over 100 countries. She says New Zealand 
teachers are fortunate compared to neighbours in the Pacific 
some of whom battle large class sizes, while others are 
subject to violence. However Ms Te Whaiti says deteriorating 
student behaviour here is impinging on effective teaching, as 
well as recruitment and retention of teachers.

WOMEN EARN FASTER BUT LESS THAN MEN
-----------------------------------

Incomes are on the rise - and they're growing faster for women 
than for men. Women still, on average, earn less, but the 
gender gap is closing. The Income Survey released today shows 
average hourly earnings across the board have risen four 
percent in the past year - taking the average weekly income to 
$610. Break that down into gender - and men take home on 
average $754 a week - and women $473. That is a 13 percent gap 
- but a year ago the gap was three percent higher, at 16 
percent.

NZ FIRST WELCOMES TELECOM DECISION
----------------------------------

A great decision but one that should have been made much 
earlier is one political leader's verdict on Telecom's 
announcement it will cease making donations to political 
parties. Chairman Wayne Boyd has made the call at the 
Telecom's annual meeting today. New Zealand First Leader 
Winston Peters says the decision is a welcome one though he 
questions why it has taken Telecom so long to reach this 
point. He says they have long argued foreign corporates, like 
Telecom, should stay out of politics and believes the 
company's decision is 12 years too late.

NZMA WANTS REVIEW OVER LABS DECISION
------------------------------------

The Medical Association says it is time to review the 
decisions being made over laboratory services. The Association 
is concerned there are growing risks to the long term future 
of laboratory services. A requested meeting with the Health 
Minister has gone unanswered for two months. Association 
chairman Dr Ross Boswell says one of the decisions they are 
concerned about is the Auckland Diagnostic Medlab controversy. 
He feels the current provider may not be able to provide a 
level of service until the end of their contract. 
 
(The unavailability of the health minister is one of those 
pointers that indicate that a sitting government has lost 
sight of who they serve and may need to be reminded of it at 
the ballot box. - BH)

RISE IN AVERAGE INCOMES
-----------------------

Average incomes are rising. Statistics New Zealand has 
released its data for the June 2006 quarter showing the 
average weekly income is $610, a four percent increase on the 
same time last year. The increase is mainly due to rises in 
average weekly income from wages and salaries, coupled with a 
rise in the numbers of people in paid employment. The average 
weekly income for men is $754 while that for women is $473. 
Average hourly earnings for wage and salary earners increased 
by 3.9 percent to $20.04 from the same time last year.

NZ WORTH THE 12 HOUR FLIGHT
---------------------------

A unique new advertising campaign promoting New Zealand is 
being launched in southern California. Tourism New Zealand and 
Air New Zealand are pushing the message that it is just a 12 
hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. But the task will 
not be easy, given LA is already saturated with billboards 
advertising almost anything. Air New Zealand's Marketing 
Director for the Americas, Rebecca Nicol, says they are having 
to think of something different to catch the eye of the Los 
Angeles locals. One idea used successfully in San Francisco 
was having a full scale kayaker on top of the billboard with a 
shot of a New Zealand waterfall below. America is New 
Zealand's third largest visitor market, adding around $600 
million a year to the economy.

FACELIFT FOR HUMBLE PIE
-----------------------

That New Zealand delicacy, the meat pie, could be in for a 
facelift. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has decided to 
further investigate whether meat pies should contain at least 
25 percent meat flesh. The existing rules do not include the 
word "flesh" so piemakers can include ears, snouts, tongue 
roots, and other body parts. A manufacturer made the request 
in 2003 and following consultation with other piemakers. Food 
Standards says there is strong support for making the change. 
It is now consulting further before making a final decision. 
One report into Australian pies earlier this year found they 
were stuffed with nothing but "unappetising gristle." 
 
(It's odd as I write this in Australia, that on this side of 
the Tasman, the pie is regarded as the quintessential Aussie 
fast food. My experience to date is that their pies are mostly 
gravy in a pastry case. I hope New Zealand never agree to 
lower their food standards to this level. -BH)

YOUNG PEOPLE GATHERING DEBT
---------------------------

A report by a debt collection agency reveals New Zealanders 
are getting into more debt over relatively small amounts, 
which is hurting businesses. Dun and Bradstreet says New 
Zealanders says almost two thirds of consumer debt referred to 
agencies is less than $400. More than half of all debtors 
referred to collection services are aged 32 or younger. 
General manager John Scott believes there are a number of 
reasons the younger age group is getting into trouble 
including their ability to get extensions on credit when they 
do not have the income to pay it back. He says that is putting 
additional cash flow pressures on firms, at a time when it is 
taking an average of a month and a half for businesses to pay 
their creditors. He says the cost of collections is an 
increasing overhead which comes as business trends slow.

Friday, 6 October 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NATIONAL LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENT PAPER
-----------------------------------

National is proposing to cap emissions from the electricity 
sector in a bid to take better care of the environment. It is 
part of its environment policy discussion paper released 
today. Leader Don Brash says the paper also includes a billion 
dollar Sustainability Investment Fund to help reduce pollution 
and save New Zealand's unique flora and fauna. He adds that 
National also wants to give hunters and fishers more say in 
managing their recreation, saying they have a vital stake in 
the environment and how it is managed.

ELECTION SPENDING REPORT DELAYED
--------------------------------

The Auditor General is playing hard ball with the Government 
using his powers as controller to direct Parliament to 
consider his report on election spending when it resumes next 
week. Our political editor says the report has been delayed by 
two days and will go before the house on Thursday but Kevin 
Brady is forcing the Government's hand in the way he is 
dealing with it. The Prime Minister has publicly said it would 
be helpful if Mr Brady presented his report simply as auditor 
general which would give Labour a face saving solution. It 
would allow him to express his views and misgivings but could 
stop short of saying the spending was unlawful. But Mr Brady 
is practically forcing the Speaker to either say she does not 
believe there was a spending breach or announce plans for 
legislation.

WARNING TO FARMERS OVER POWER LINES
-----------------------------------

Farmers from South Auckland and the Waikato may be pursuing a 
fruitless quest for compensation from Transpower. A meeting is 
scheduled for next Tuesday as the row over access to farm land 
to upgrade the transmission lines grows increasingly bitter. 
Last night Waikato farmers voted to bar the workers entry. 
Chris Roberts of Transpower says they have historic agreements 
with the farmers over pay and access. He says they are simply 
following the law and he is sure farmers know they do not have 
any legal right to demand compensation. He is hoping they will 
be able to work their way through this issue as best they can.

(If a law change is needed, then parliament is surely the 
place to make it happen. Making life difficult for people 
operating under the present law seems unproductive- BH)

PARTNERSHIP OVER CLIMATE CHANGE
-------------------------------

Engineers are welcoming a government move to work more closely 
with them on preparing for climate change. The Government has 
announced it will seek partnerships with engineers and other 
groups. The Institution of Professional Engineers says it is 
imperative to prepare now for the unpredictable events climate 
change may bring, saying engineers can help prevent natural 
hazards from becoming disasters.

GROWTH FOR NZ BUSINESS
----------------------

There is a continuing growth for New Zealand businesses. The 
Annual Enterprise Survey has found the level of sales and 
goods has reached $362.7 billion for the 2005 financial year. 
That is up nearly $20 billion on 2004. Sales play a major part 
in that total. Salaries and wages paid to employees also went 
up by 7.8 percent to $62.8 billion. Purchases and other 
operating expenses increased by 6.3 percent to $270 billion - 
that is an increase of $16 billion. Net additions to fixed 
assets increased by 12.3 percent to $38.6 billion following a 
34.5 percent increase in 2004. The increase follows a rising 
trend over the past two years.

TELECOM'S FUNDING AXE WELCOMED
------------------------------

The only party not to receive donations from Telecom is 
welcoming the company's decision to stop funding political 
parties. At the last election, Telecom donated $50,000 each to 
Labour and National and $10,000 each to the Greens, 
Progressive, United Future and the Maori Party. It claims its 
decision to stop donating has nothing to do with the 
Government's move to open the telecommunications network to 
other companies, but was done in response to shareholders' 
wishes. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says it is a 
great decision, but is 12 years too late. He says Telecom's 
involvement in politics has been most unusual, and it should 
never have happened. Mr Peters believes it is no coincidence 
his party was the only one that did not receive money, as he 
says New Zealand First is a principled party. He thinks 
Telecom should now get on with unbundling the local loop and 
providing fair and competitive prices to businesses and 
households. Mr Peters says New Zealand First has long argued 
that large foreign-owned corporates such as Telecom should 
stay out of politics.

PLAN FOR AUCKLAND'S ECONOMY BEING UNVEILED
------------------------------------------

Details on a plan to revolutionise Auckland's economy will be 
unveiled this afternoon. Prime Minister Helen Clark and 
Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard will attend the 
announcement about the much-touted Metro Project. The plan was 
developed by a wide range of groups and overseas experts with 
experience in city regeneration. Released in July, it confirms 
that Auckland plays the key role in New Zealand's future 
economic success as the major commercial centre, hub and 
gateway to the world. One of its key recommendations are that 
transport, energy and wireless connectivity must be advanced. 
This afternoon's media conference at the Aotea Centre is 
expected to set priorities, timeframes and responsibilities 
for putting the plan into action.

REPORT FINDS RACISM A PROBLEM IN MARLBOROUGH
--------------------------------------------

The Marlborough community is being urged to do more to make 
foreigners welcome. A report called Settling in Marlborough 
was initiated by the region's mayor Alistair Sowman and has 
been produced by a working group from the community as well as 
local and central government agencies, supported the Ministry 
of Social Development. It has found that racial discrimination 
is a big problem for migrant workers in the region. Race 
Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres says it is sad but a fact 
of life. He says in some cases police have been called in, 
with at least one person being prosecuted for abusing a Muslim 
woman. Joris de Bres says racism is a problem which needs to 
be addressed as Marlborough relies heavily on migrant workers. 
The report calls for more flexibility in providing English 
language, the recognition of overseas qualifications, the need 
for more research on transient migrant workers particularly in 
relation to anecdotal reports of unsatisfactory conditions in 
housing and employment, and for cultural events and festivals 
to be celebrated.

LITTLE IMPROVEMENT TO WOMEN'S PAY
---------------------------------

Despite high profile businesswomen such as Telecom's Theresa 
Gattung, Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron and Slingshot's Annette 
Presley, most New Zealand women still earn nearly $300 a week 
less than men. Statistics New Zealand figures for the June 
quarter show men earn an average of $754 a week while women 
are making $473. The Public Service Association says the pay 
gap only decreased one percent over the past year. Spokeswoman 
Nanette Cormack says one of the reasons the gap is so 
persistent is women still tend to be employed in a narrow 
range of low paid occupations. She says several reviews are 
underway aiming to address the gap.

OVERLANDER PACKED ON FIRST OF NEW SCHEDULE
------------------------------------------
New Zealanders are so far supporting the train service they 
fought to save. The Overlander makes the first trip of its new 
timetable today, after rail operator Toll decided not to 
discontinue the service, but to reduce its frequency during 
most of the year. Trains running on the new three-day-a-week 
timetable leave Auckland and Wellington 7.25am. Lisa Gibbison 
from Tranz Scenic says the trains are fully booked ways and 
future bookings look good. She says the company is delighted 
with the support being shown for the Overlander and hopes it 
continues. 
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