WYSIWYG NEWS - 28 September, 2006

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 25 September, 2006 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer.  

Somehow, life has been confined to a routine commuting cycle 
between Lower Hutt and the university in Kelburn. I just don't 
seem to have been anywhere else since my return from Malaysia 
a little over two months ago. With the variety of conditions 
that's not necessarily a bad thing. After all, for the last 
two issues, I have extolled the colourful joys of spring. 
However, the most exotic location I have been to in recent 
weeks is the North End of Lambton Quay (for lunch with a long-
time friend and former colleague). My first surprise in the 
area was the transformation of Pastoral House, formerly the 
headquarters of my old employer, the New Zealand Dairy Board. 
After refurbishment, it now has a whole bunch of new tenants, 
with 14 of its 18 floors taken by the Ministry of Agriculture 
and Forestry. I know that there are a number of lesser 
tenancies including various government departments. It was a 
handsome building when it first appeared in the mid seventies, 
and featured in David Kernohan's (1989) book, "Wellington's 
New Buildings", and well placed for quick access to the 
"golden mile" shopping precinct as well as the various 
transport hubs. The building holds memories of some good times 
for me. Across the road, the little park where the old high 
court once stood is under threat as it seems that a new 
Supreme Court building will be built on the spot. Though  any 
loss of open space is regrettable, I don't particularly lament 
this park. On a fine day, it's nice to have a grassy area to 
sit and eat lunch. When any kind of breeze was blowing, it had 
all the ambience of being on the Siberian Steppes in Autumn. 
The Old Government Building, occupied by Victoria University's 
School of Law looks as handsome as ever, and at this time of 
year, the springtime greenery in the parliamentary grounds 
tend to hide the buildings themselves.   
 
---- 
Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in 
parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the 
personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, 
or occasionally "GS" will indicate an opinion from our 
editorial assistant. In all cases they are honest expressions 
of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.  
 
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced 
by kind permission (renewed this week) of copyright owner, 
Newstalk ZB News. All copyright in the news items reproduced 
remains the property of The Radio Network Limited.  
 
This edition of the news is sponsored by Roger Clark at Rutgers
University.
Thanks Roger

----  
On with the News.  
 
Monday, 18 September 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VICTORIA FEES GO UP
-------------------

Victoria University has voted to increase its undergraduate 
fees by the full five percent allowed under the Government's 
fees maxima regime. Postgraduate fees are also going up by the 
maximum allowed - a total of $500. University Chancellor Tim 
Beaglehole says the fees have gone up with the greatest 
reluctance. A further motion to apply for an exemption to 
increase some course fees by a further five percent was 
deferred for future consideration.

(Naturally this move is not popular with students, though the 
physical occupation of the university's administration areas 
has not occurred as it has on several occasions past. - BH)

AUCKLAND NEEDS $20 BILLION
--------------------------

Twenty billion dollars is needed over the next 20 years for 
Auckland's struggling infrastructure. The Case for Auckland 
has been launched today with a series of reports highlighting 
the national contribution the city makes to the country's GDP. 
The reports say Auckland contributes 31 percent of the total 
Government expenditure, but its productivity could be boosted 
if more money was ploughed into developing the broadband, 
transport and energy infrastructure. Auckland mayor Dick 
Hubbard says the city has been neglected for the past 20 years 
and as a result it is in "catch-up mode". Mr Hubbard says now 
is the time for the divide between Auckland and the rest of 
New Zealand to be removed once and for all. 
 
(People outside Auckland tend to regard such reports as self-
serving at best. Ending the divide? Most of us believe 
Auckland is already over-provisioned. - BH)

KEEPING NZ CLEAN AND GREEN
--------------------------

A week aimed at cleaning up the country's beaches, roadsides 
and parks is hoping to encourage people to dispose of their 
rubbish thoughtfully. This is Keep New Zealand Beautiful week, 
which has the aim of raising awareness of the amount of 
rubbish dumped around the country each year. Sandy Beath-Croft 
of the Hutt City Council believes people have lost their sense 
of responsibility towards the environment. She says watching 
people throw things out of car windows reinforces how lazy 
they have become about keeping the country in good shape. 
Sandy Beath-Croft says in order for attitudes to change, 
people need to feel a sense of ownership towards their area, 
and be proactive in keeping it clean. 
 
(I much admired the idea of certain groups taking ownership of 
the cleanliness issue for a given stretch of highway. It 
hasn't really taken off here. - BH)

TEENAGED PARENTS TARGETED
-------------------------

The Government has announced a new package of early 
intervention services for children aimed at preventing some 
cases from falling through the cracks. The Early Years package 
is targeted at teenaged parents. Social Development Minister 
David Benson-Pope says it builds on existing services and 
makes them more effective by improving their co-ordination. He 
says the seven hubs involved in the project will be 
established in high-need areas. Mr Benson-Pope says teenage 
parent service coordinators will be introduced in areas with 
high rates of teenage births. Another programme involves a 
parent bringing their baby into the classroom so children can 
learn about a baby's developmental stages.

BOOK MONTH LAUNCHED TODAY
-------------------------

The first-ever Book Month is being launched in Auckland, 
Wellington and Christchurch today. Project director Phil 
Twyford says people are being asked to bring their favourite 
New Zealand book to three huge bookcases at each venue. The 
books will be donated to the Books in Homes programme, which 
will distribute them to needy children. Mr Twyford says the 
aim of Book Month is to showcase the diversity of New Zealand 
books and to turn more people onto the delights of writing. He 
says a lot has changed since the only good kiwi books were the 
Edmonds Cookery Book or Barry Crump's work. Mr Twyford 
believes books have life-transforming powers. He says 
activities are planned in virtually every town and city.

ECO-TOURISM PLANNED FOR GREAT BARRIER
-------------------------------------

The Auckland City Council wants low level economic development 
on Great Barrier Island. It is one of the changes proposed in 
the revamp of planning rules for the Hauraki Gulf islands in 
Auckland City's District Plan. Environment, Heritage and Urban 
Form Committee chairwoman Christine Caughey believes there is 
room for eco-tourism development on Great Barrier. She says 
the island seems to be a draw card for a lot of backpackers 
and people who come to New Zealand for the green experience it 
can offer. Ms Caughey says the gulf is not only for tourists, 
but for Aucklanders to escape urban life and enjoy the natural 
environment. People have until mid-December to lodge 
submissions on the proposed district plan. 
 
(Oh dear. Everywhere you go, wherever there is unspoiled 
paradise, some tomfool plan is hatched to spoil it by 
developing it so that people can come and look in vain for the 
unspoiled paradise that just got wiped out! I regard 
Wellington's waterfront development plans in this light. - BH)

DHBS PREPARE FOR MORE STRIKE ACTION
-----------------------------------

District Health Boards are preparing for another two day 
strike by radiographers. Two-hundred-and-60 radiographers from 
seven DHBs walked off the job for three days last week in 
pursuit of pay parity with radiographers at other boards. More 
strike action will be taken on Tuesday and Thursday. Jock Muir 
from the Canterbury DHB says people with minor injuries are 
being asked to visit the after hours surgery, but anyone with 
a potentially life threatening condition will have access to 
x-ray or scan services. The other DHBs affected are Southland, 
Otago, Hutt, Tairawhiti (Gisborne), Lakes (Rotorua), and Bay 
of Plenty.

STOPPING FOREIGNERS BUYING COASTLINE DIFFICULT
----------------------------------------------

The Green Party wants tighter controls over foreign ownership 
of coastal land to preserve camping grounds, as more areas are 
sold off to developers. A Department of Conservation study 
shows a dramatic decline in camping sites, especially in the 
upper North Island. On the Coromandel Peninsula alone, there 
has been a 33 percent decline. The Government is considering 
opening up Department of Conservation land to be used as 
campsites. Conservation Minister Chris Carter says sports 
grounds where there are toilet facilities could also be used 
as temporary campsites during holiday periods. Russell Norman, 
Greens co-leader, says one of the big pressures to develop 
coastal land comes from non -residents wanting a slice of New 
Zealand paradise resulting in camping grounds being carved up 
for subdivisions. But Mr Carter says it would be difficult to 
stop foreigners buying coastal property. He says there are 
already strict criteria preventing unique coastal land falling 
into foreign hands, but he is not interested in putting up 
barriers but creating opportunities.

VALERIE VILI WINS IN ATHENS
---------------------------

Gold for Valerie Vili in the women's shot put at the IAAF 
World Cup of Athletics in Athens. The New Zealand champion has 
thrown 19.87 metres to edge out Russia's Olga Ryabinkina and 
take gold for Oceania. Belarussian Natallia Khoroneko who 
pipped Vili for gold in the IAAF Grand Prix final last week, 
could only manage fourth. As for the other New Zealanders, 
Kimberly Smith has run a creditable fourth in the women's 5000 
metres. Stuart Farquhar finished sixth in the javelin, while 
Jason Stewart was eighth in the 800 metres and James Mortimer 
seventh in the 110 metres hurdles.

Tuesday, 19 September 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TONGA FAREWELLS ITS KING
------------------------

King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV has been laid to rest in front of 
thousands of mourners. Military groups, schools, royalty and 
commoners have all played a part in the four-hour-long funeral 
service. After a moving procession to the royal tomb, the 
King's casket was displayed, draped in the royal flag. As 
thousands of restless locals and visitors braved the heat, the 
King was honoured with hymns, prayers and sermons. Few of the 
foreign dignitaries present would have understood what was 
said at the funeral as it was all in Tongan. After he was 
lowered into his tomb a statue was unveiled before Prime 
Minister Helen Clark joined others mourners in laying a wreath 
to end the ceremony. Miss Clark will dine with the new King, 
George V, before heading back to Auckland.

TALKS CONTINUE IN SUPERMARKET DISPUTE
-------------------------------------

Talks between unions and Progressive Enterprises are 
continuing tonight. The Employment Court case between the two 
sides has once again been adjourned today. Both sides say they 
are committed to trying to end the dispute which has been 
going on for a month. National Distribution Union national 
secretary Laila Harre will not be drawn on the details of what 
has been tabled. She says they are hopeful they might be able 
to reach a settlement as a result of what has been discussed 
today.

STILL DISPARITY BETWEEN THE SEXES
---------------------------------

There still appears to be a battle of the sexes when it comes 
to men and women's pay. A survey has been released today which 
shows for every dollar men make in the workplace, women only 
earn 86 cents. The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission 
has released concerns about the pay disparity as part of the 
Suffrage Day celebrations. Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor says 
113 years after women first got the vote, she is still deeply 
concerned about the pay issue. 
 
(At the risk of provoking my colleagues, I have seen no sign 
of this in academic life. - BH)

MILLIONS TO FUND GANG YOUTH PROBLEMS
------------------------------------

The Government is spending $10 million on tackling youth gang 
problems in South Auckland. The four-year action plan involves 
a number of ministries and aims to help improve outcomes for 
young people and reduce youth offending in Counties Manukau 
and Otahuhu. Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope 
says research shows that a range of factors is driving youth 
gang membership in South Auckland, including economic, 
parenting, and peer pressure. The plan includes providing case 
management for 100 youngsters and their families and linking 
Police Youth Action Teams with Maori Wardens. He says it is 
important that intervention in these areas comes early to 
prevent young people getting into trouble, adding that 
Counties Manukau has the country's highest proportion of youth 
and is also one of the lowest-income regions. Mr Benson-Pope 
says the plan also includes other hot-spots in the Auckland 
region.

NUTRITION FUND FOR SCHOOLS
--------------------------

Schools are being given fresh options to fund their canteens 
and tuck shops. A four-year, $12 million Nutrition fund, part 
of a post-election agreement between Labour and the Green 
Party, has been launched in Wellington today. Schools will be 
able to apply to the fund to help pay for healthy eating 
alternatives in foods sold to students. It will be 
administered by District Health Boards. Green MP Sue Kedgley 
indicates it is a way of countering the lucrative funding 
options offered by fizzy drink and fast food companies. She 
says Coca Cola has revealed schools can raise $5,000 - 50,000 
by selling its products in vending machines in schools. 
 
(Moral panic is a phrase that comes to mind - BH)

MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY RESULTS
----------------------------

New Zealanders are just as depressed as people in most other 
countries in the developed world, according to a new survey on 
mental health. Health Minister Pete Hodgson says the survey 
confirms that in any 12 month period, one in five New 
Zealanders has a mental disorder. The percentage is slightly 
higher among Maori and Pacific people. The survey reveals 46.6 
percent of the population are predicted to experience a 
disorder at some time in their lives, with 39.5 percent having 
already done so. Females have a higher prevalence of anxiety 
disorder, major depression and eating disorders than males, 
whereas males have a substantially higher prevalence for 
substance use disorders than females. Nearly sixteen percent 
of those surveyed reported having thought seriously about 
suicide at some stage in their lives, 5.5% had actually made a 
suicide plan and 4.5% had made an attempt at some stage. In 
the past 12 months, 3.2 percent had thought about suicide, one 
percent made a plan and 0.4 of a percent made an attempt. Mr 
Hodgson says that of any mental disorder, mood disorders such 
as depression and bipolar disorder impact most on New 
Zealanders' lives. The full survey can be downloaded from the 
Ministry of Health website at 
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/5166/$File/mental-
health-survey-summary.pdf

WELLINGTON OBJECTS TO MORE FUNDING FOR AUCK
-------------------------------------------

The mayor of Wellington says Auckland should not be getting 
more Government funding at the expense of other cities. Two 
reports, The Case for Auckland and Auckland's Contribution to 
the Government's Surplus in 2005, examine the city's economy 
and social factors. They state Auckland contributes $3.8 
billion more to the economy than it gets back in government 
spending. The capital's mayor, Kerry Prendergast concedes 
there is no doubt Auckland is important to the rest of New 
Zealand and is the country's economic heart . But she says 
while it has to do well for the rest of New Zealand to 
prosper, it should be competing internationally rather than 
with other New Zealand cities. Ms Prendergast doubts the rest 
of New Zealand will agree that Auckland should be supported at 
the expense of other regions. But Sir Ron Carter of the 
Committee for Auckland, says it is time to set the record 
straight on what exactly the city does. He says Auckland 
contributes 31 percent of the country's GDP. He says the 
committee's study is not intended to be defensive and a lot of 
the report talks about how the city could do things better. 
Sir Ron says it is vital the productivity of Auckland is 
improved for the good of the country, not just the region. The 
reports were prepared by the Auckland Council and a charitable 
trust, the Committee for Auckland.

RADIOGRAPHERS ON STRIKE AGAIN
-----------------------------

There is no sign of the radiographers' dispute being settled, 
as hundreds of staff at six District Health Boards walk off 
the job again today. The radiographers want pay parity with 
their colleagues working for the other 14 health boards. The 
DHBs claim the radiographers' union has been using the media 
to spread misinformation and is unwilling to come back and 
negotiate. Spokesman Dwayne Crombie says they have offered a 
compromise, which involves a pay rise over two-and-a-half 
years, but that has fallen on deaf ears. He believes the DHBs 
have moved from the original position but he says there is 
very little sign the union has done the same. Dr Crombie says 
the board is willing to negotiate, but only once the threat of 
strike action has been lifted. Radiographers from the Hutt 
Valley, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Canterbury, Otago and 
Southland district health boards are also striking on 
Thursday. Gisborne radiographers, who took part in last week's 
strike, will not be involved in the latest action. They are 
already paid the higher rate but want to be included in the 
collective agreement.

Wednesday, 20 September 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

YOUTH PROGRAMME FAILS DISMALLY, SAYS NATIONAL
---------------------------------------------

A youth crime prevention programme is being pilloried for 
failing to reduce offending. The National Party has obtained 
an evaluation report showing the Government's Reducing Youth 
Offending Programme had a 72 percent recidivism rate and no 
credible evidence it is achieving its aims. Law and Order 
spokesman Simon Power is amazed that, while the Corrections 
Department has withdrawn from the programme, CYF is still 
involved to the tune of more than $4 million dollars. 
 
(Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at 
all? - BH)

CYF REMOVE MORE BABIES FROM FAMILIES
------------------------------------

The number of babies removed from their families into the care 
of Child Youth and Family is on the rise. Official data shows 
255 infants, under a year old, were taken from their parents 
last year - that is double the number recorded in 2004. 
National Party Associate Welfare spokeswoman, Anne Tolley, 
says the figures are in line with the rapidly increasing 
numbers of abused children CYF are caring for, and the 
escalation in abuse notifications. She believes more needs to 
be done to monitor the effectiveness of programmes designed to 
deal with violent families.

SURVEY SHOWS NEEDS STILL HAVE TO BE MET
---------------------------------------

New Zealanders are being called to action over disturbingly 
high mental health statistics. A survey of 13,000 New 
Zealanders shows one in five had a disorder in the past year 
and nearly half will have a mental disorder at some time in 
their life. Females have a higher prevalence of anxiety 
disorder, major depression and eating disorders than males, 
whereas males have a substantially higher prevalence for 
substance use disorders than females. The first national 
survey of the prevalence of mental illness took eight years to 
complete at a cost of $8 million. Mental Health Foundation CEO 
Judi Clements says the study shows there is a great deal of 
need, some of which is not being met, but she suggests the 
solutions can be simple, such as asking questions and not 
being afraid to talk about things. Health Minister Pete 
Hodgson says the study used a fairly wide definition of mental 
health and says a lot of the mood or anxiety disorders are 
what most people would call the blues. However, Mr Hodgson 
told Newstalk ZB's Paul Holmes some of the statistics are 
concerning, particularly those around suicide. Nearly sixteen 
percent of those surveyed reported having thought seriously 
about suicide at some stage in their lives, 5.5% had actually 
made a suicide plan and 4.5% had made an attempt at some 
stage.

OZONE LEVELS ARE LOW
--------------------

Details about Antarctic ozone levels have been released after 
the end of the winter season. NIWA scientists started testing 
this week at a ground site near Scott Base. Ozone researcher 
Stephen Wood says so far the level of ozone in the atmosphere 
is low, but not as bad as it has been. He says the level at 
the moment is about 160 Dobson units. Anything below 220 
Dobson units is considered part of an ozone hole. The ozone 
layer in the atmosphere blocks UVB ultraviolet light from the 
Sun, so depletion of the layer is expected to increase the 
levels of UV light at the surface, which could lead to damage, 
including increases in skin cancer. An increase in the amount 
of UV radiation reaching the surface could damage a number of 
economically important crops including rice.

ANOTHER EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMME
------------------------------------

The Government has announced another programme aimed at 
providing needy families with early intervention services. 
Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope says the Kaikohe 
Family Start Programme will provide intensive home visits to 
112 families with very young children. He says a Family Start 
worker will help families set and achieve their own goals and 
act as a service advocate if necessary. Mr Benson-Pope says 
the staffer will also ensure that services are targeted and 
well coordinated. The Government has unveiled several 
programmes this week as part of its anti-family violence and 
child abuse campaign.

OIL PRICES CONTINUE TO DROP
---------------------------

Oil prices appear to be defying predictions, dropping more 
than three percent today. It is part of the steepest slide in 
more than a decade. Light crude is down to $US61.66 a barrel, 
the lowest it has been in six months. Yesterday, fuel dropped 
a further four cents a litre at New Zealand pumps.

WATERFRONT HILTON HOTEL GETS GREEN LIGHT
----------------------------------------

Resource consent has been granted to build a $45 million, five 
star Hilton Hotel on Queen's Wharf in Wellington. The decision 
by the Greater Wellington Regional Council comes after months 
of debate. Protestors are dismayed. Waterfront Watch spokesman 
John McAlister says one of the main concerns is the length of 
the lease the Hilton developers have been granted. He says the 
99-year lease could prove to be a disaster, especially if the 
hotel proves not to be viable. It will cost millions of 
dollars to strengthen the wharf to support the five storey 
building which will have more than 140 rooms. 
 
(Aaaghhh! Idiots! The whole ill-conceived plan will benefit a 
view at the cost of many. As one letter in this morning's 
Dominion Post suggested, the impression is of something 
created in "Sim-City" - BH)

BREAKTHROUGH IN SUPERMARKET DISPUTE
-----------------------------------

There are positive signs that the stand-off between 
Progressive Enterprises and its distribution workers has come 
to an end. Just short of the lock out going into its fifth 
week, the sides went back into talks yesterday. Discussions 
were held throughout the night and the supermarket operator 
says there was solid progress. The National Distribution Union 
is now taking a deal back to its members. Progressive 
Enterprises hopes to be able to make an announcement later 
today.

EMAIL SCAM TARGETS ANZ CUSTOMERS
--------------------------------

ANZ Bank customers are the target of the latest internet scam. 
ANZ spokesman Craig Howie says a hoax email tries to extract 
customers' personal bank details by asking them to click on a 
link which brings up a false banking log-on page. Mr Howie say 
the bank would never approach customers in this way and is 
advising customers to ignore the email and delete it.

Thursday, 21 September 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SUPERMARKET DISPUTE IS OVER
---------------------------

The Progressive Enterprises dispute is over. The unions are 
claiming victory and say they have got agreements for 
company's Christchurch, Auckland and Palmerston North 
distribution centres. National Distribution Union spokeswoman 
Laila Harre is happy with the three-year deal which features 
pay parity and a pay rise. She says it is a phenomenal result 
and they have got what they wanted. She says it has been 
achieved with an unbelievable level of national unity. Laila 
Harre says staff will be going back to work tomorrow morning 
at eight to reclaim their workplaces.

GOVT TARGETS OBESITY EPIDEMIC
-----------------------------

New Zealand's children will die sooner, unless the obesity 
epidemic is stopped. Prime Minister Helen Clark has issued the 
stark warning as she launched the Government's new $67 million 
"Mission-On" package, aimed at making youngsters healthier. 
She says this is the first generation of children that may 
experience a drop in life-expectancy unless people get on top 
of the issues. Initiatives in the package include a 
requirement for school boards to develop policies that promote 
healthy nutrition in schools, youth-focussed promotions for 
healthy life-styles and changes in the advertising of fast 
foods. However, National is concerned the Government is trying 
to turn schools into food police. Tony Ryall says that will 
not reduce the nation's collective waistline if the Government 
ignores the role families play. He says what is needed is a 
coherent plan of action, based around families. Mr Ryall says 
there is little point in making schools the food police if 
nothing changes at home.

CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT WIDER THAN EXPECTED
-------------------------------------------

The country has recorded a wider-than-expected current account 
deficit for the June quarter. The annual figure has ballooned 
out to a record high as well. The deficit hit $3,524 million 
dollars for the June quarter and for the year to June it was 
$15.2 billion. Although the quarterly figure is wider than 
expected, it is smaller than the previous quarter due to an 
increase in the value of goods exported, combined with an 
increase in expenditure by visitors to New Zealand. These 
factors were partly offset by an increase in income earned 
from foreign investment in New Zealand. The yearly figure is 
$3.1 billion wider than for the year ended June 2005. This 
widening is mostly due to a $1.9 billion rise in the 
investment income deficit, resulting from a fall in income 
earned from New Zealand investment abroad, combined with an 
increase in income earned by foreign investors from their New 
Zealand investment. The dollar has fallen on the back of the 
figures and by lunchtime was down about half a cent against 
the Australian and American currencies.

TELECOM REASSURES WHOLESALERS
-----------------------------

Telecom is denying it is being anti-competitive. The Telecom 
Users Association claims wholesalers are being undercut by 
charges the company will be offering for broadband. But 
Telecom spokesman John Goulter says Telecom will be launching 
new plans and prices next month and wholesalers will still be 
able to make money. Mr Goulter says ISPs will be offered a 
discount on the rate available to Telecom's retail customers, 
which will give wholesalers a margin. He says the broadband 
wholesale rate is set by the Telecommunications Commissioner 
and Telecom has no control over it.

WARNING FOR DOG OWNERS
----------------------

Dog owners are being warned they must keep their pets under 
control, even on their own properties, after an elderly man 
was attacked. Paul Kelly was savaged by two greyhounds when he 
arrived at Helen Mackenzie's home in the Auckland suburb of 
Glendowie for a pre-arranged business appointment a year ago. 
The dogs tore skin on his left hand and his right wrist was 
bitten through to the bone. His thighs and arms were also 
injured. He spent nine days in Middlemore Hospital. Mackenzie 
was prosecuted and has been granted leave to apply for home 
detention. Auckland City Councillor Glenda Fryer says the 
sentence should be taken as a warning. She says an owner with 
dangerous dogs must make sure they are contained in such a way 
that anyone coming on to the property is not under fear of 
attack. Mackenzie's dogs were destroyed on the day of the 
attack. Mr Kelly, now 75-years-old, has moved to Christchurch 
to live with his son.

FUNDING FOR HERITAGE BUILDINGS
------------------------------

The Palmerston North City Council is making funds available 
for the owners of heritage buildings which need protection or 
strengthening. The Cultural Heritage Incentive Fund provides 
help for people wanting to repair or improve listed heritage 
buildings or promote heritage resources. Environment Policy 
Planner David Murphy says the council must protect important 
buildings and the fund complements and offsets the necessary 
regulatory provisions.

NURSE MAUDE NURSES CONSIDER ACTION
----------------------------------

Twenty-three senior Nurse Maude association nurses will 
consider industrial action if talks with their employer fail 
tomorrow. Nursing organisation delegate Kay Squires says Nurse 
Maude management asked to meet with the union tomorrow. The 
senior nurses carry out specialised duties such as palliative 
care and IV nursing and want pay parity with their colleagues 
around the country. Ms Squires says the nurses have written a 
letter to management indicating it is now "crunch time" and 
saying they will not be fobbed off anymore. He says she is 
concerned the employer has not indicated they have further 
funding, and says it will be the end of the road for nurses if 
there is no resolution.

(The Nurse Maude Association is a charitable trust set up in 
honour of Nurse Sybilla Maude 
http://library.christchurch.org.nz/heritage/earlychristchurch/
nursemaude.asp - BH)

Friday, 22 September 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE HELP FOR VULNERABLE FAMILIES
---------------------------------

Vulnerable families are being targeted with a new Government-
initiative. The Vulnerable Families package will involve 50 
families across the country. Social Development Minister David 
Benson-Pope says a vulnerable family is a family with multiple 
risk factors like substance abuse, alcohol abuse, family 
violence and inter-generational benefit use. He says those 
families will be helped by a Work and Income staffer who will 
be assigned to provide intensive case management. Mr Benson-
Pope says prominent community leaders will also be involved, 
encouraging and supporting families who may be reluctant to 
take up the help offered.

RELIEF FOR BEEF, SHEEP FARMERS
------------------------------

Good news is on the horizon for the sheep and beef sector 
after a grim year. According to Ministry of Agriculture and 
Forestry's 2006 Sheep and Beef Monitoring Report, export lamb 
prices dropped by close to $10 a head in the 2005/06 year. 
Beef and wool revenue also declined. The drop in prices saw 
the cash farm revenue on the national sheep and beef model 
fall eight percent to $320,800, despite a record high lambing 
percentage. The author of the report, John Greer, says farmers 
were unable to slow their operating or capital spending in the 
face of the decline in product prices and revenue from 
December 2005. However the report predicts the export lamb 
price to rise by $4 - $5 a head for the 2006/07 year. The MAF 
report did not take into account the financial effects of the 
heavy snows in Canterbury this winter. Mr Greer anticipates 
that farm profitability will be reduced through the cost of 
feed purchases and reduced stock performance.

BUTTER TRADE SET TO RESUME
--------------------------

New Zealand's butter trade to the European Union is set to 
resume. Trade Negotiations Minister Phil Goff says New Zealand 
will accept a transitional proposal from the European 
Commission, which deals with the balance of New Zealand butter 
exports to the EU under the 2006 quota. Mr Goff expects the 
proposal to be put to the European Commissioners in the middle 
of next week for their approval and that the Commission will 
then move quickly to implement it. However, he is concerned 
that despite intensive consultations, progress still has not 
been made on finding a solution to next year's butter imports. 
New Zealand's butter exports were suspended earlier this year 
after a German company complained the existing import quota 
system contravened EU law.

CONSERVATION PARK COULD DRAW TOURISTS
-------------------------------------

The Department of Conservation believes the development of a 
large conservation park in mid-Canterbury could draw tourists 
to the area. DOC proposes to combine 59,000 hectares of public 
conservation land to be named Hakatere Conservation Park. The 
park would stretch from Rangitata to Rakaia with Ashburton 
Lakes at the centre. Spokesman Dave Forrester says the park 
will be attractive to tourists because there is the potential 
for many different outdoor activities. He says if the results 
of public consultation are positive, the park could be ready 
by early November.

ATTITUDE CHANGE NEEDED TO REDUCE WAISTLINES
-------------------------------------------

The National Heart Foundation believes it will take a while 
for attitudes on health to change, as the Government launches 
a four-year $67 million programme designed to stop a growing 
obesity problem. Unhealthy food will be banned from school 
tuck shops and children will be encouraged to do more exercise 
and spend less time in front of the television or computer. 
Heart Foundation medical director Professor Norman Sharpe 
predicts it will take substantially longer than four years, 
possibly decades, before waistlines begin to reduce. He says 
the message has been repeated many times and there is a danger 
the public may stop listening, however he thinks it could 
succeed if the community is convinced to buy in to the 
changes. Professor Sharpe says as long as the programme is set 
up and starts strongly, the commitment will be there. He says 
it is now time to influence the long term behaviour of the 
next generation.

MIXED REACTION TO SUPERMARKET DEAL
----------------------------------

Progressive Enterprises' distribution centre workers have 
mixed emotions about the settlement which has been reached 
with their employer. More than 500 workers who were locked out 
a month ago return to work this morning. Although they failed 
to gain the single national collective agreement originally 
claimed, their union negotiated pay increases of four to seven 
percent a year over the next three years with pay parity 
between the centres in Christchurch, Palmerston North and 
Auckland by 2008. South Island regional secretary for the 
Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union Ged O'Connell 
says all sorts of emotions were on display at yesterday's 
meeting with workers. Some were bitter and angry about the 
four week lock-out, while others were pleased with the deal. 
The Australian supermarket operator says it has been concerned 
with the hardship felt by staff and is offering a short term 
interest-free loan, repayable in small weekly instalments. It 
says customers should expect to see Foodtown, Woolworths and 
Countdown supermarkets return to normal over the next few 
days.

1 IN 8 MELANOMA DEATHS ARE PREVENTABLE
--------------------------------------

A new study shows more than 12 percent of melanoma deaths 
could be prevented by early detection. The Otago University 
research shows New Zealand has more than 1800 new cases and 
nearly 250 deaths each year from skin cancers such as 
melanoma. Medical Association chairman Dr Ross Boswell says 
early diagnosis relies on people noticing change in a skin 
lesion and getting it assessed by a doctor. He says the 
research suggests catching melanoma early could save nearly 30 
deaths a year. Dr Boswell says the cause of melanoma is 
believed to be severe sunburn, especially at an early age. He 
says the important thing is the depth of the melanoma tumour 
within the skin. He says if the depth is less than a 
millimetre, then simply cutting it out will provide a cure in 
about 95 percent of cases.

(So many warnings, I sometimes wryly contemplate the 
suggestion that life is a sexually transmitted terminal 
illness. Or "none of us are getting out of this thing alive! - 
BH) 

MP ATTACKS OBESITY PLAN "HYPOCRISY"
-----------------------------------

National is hitting out at the Health Minister saying he is 
hypocritical on the obesity issue. The attack follows the 
announcement of a $67 million scheme aimed at trying to cut 
obesity in children. MP Jackie Blue says that will effectively 
ban foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt from schools. 
However, she says that is ironic because the nation's 
hospitals are full of vending machines selling exactly these 
sorts of drinks and foods. She says Auckland has 50 of the 
machines from which it collects $144,000 dollars in profit 
from each year. Dr Blue says Pete Hodgson's plan will only 
work if there is support and buy-in from the community.

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