WYSIWYG NEWS - 15 April, 2007

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 15 April, 2007 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer. 
 
Just two of us in the house again, and all is now quiet and 
still. Except the weather maybe, which changes day by day. On 
Friday, the morning opened its eyes to a steady and thoroughly 
wetting downpour. This was a nuisance to me, since I had a 
"signature required" parcel to collect from the offices of 
Courier Post at the foot of the Ngaio Gorge. This illustrates 
two important principles of modern commerce: (a) any courier 
package will tend to be delivered at the time most likely that 
there will be no one home to receive it; and (b)the courier 
office to which undelivered parcels will be returned is most 
likely to be on the opposite side of the city to its intended 
recipient. And thus it was. In the dull light of a rainy 
winter-like day, at 08:25 I stood outside the automatic front 
door of Courier Post. There is no shelter from the weather 
outside this building, and in compliance with some other 
malign business principle, the company's computer system did 
not free the automated doors until precisely 08:30, and I was 
wearing no coat. Happily, a supervisor inside saw two 
similarly jinxed would-be customers soaking up the atmosphere 
outside, and after wresting with the forces of techno-evil, 
was able to manually open the doors to allow us in from the 
rain. Courtesy of e-bay and a camera shop in Tokyo, I now had 
an extension tube for my digital camera, to facilitate extreme 
close up photography, and all for about half the local retail 
cost. I can't wait to try it out, but I had to carry on to 
work, so I braved the weather once more to get back to the 
car, and gently steaming from my re-exposure to the rain, I 
drove on to Kelburn via Tinakori Rd. This weekend, with no 
out-of-town family members in the house, and no parcels for me 
to collect, the perverse weather suddenly took a benign turn. 
Someone in a position of authority obviously knew this, 
because during a quick visit to Anthony and Sarah's home on 
Saturday morning, I observed a large fleet of small yachts 
engaged in some sort of racing at various places around the 
harbour. A fleet race adds instant life to the view, as the 
distant white triangles alter direction and the angle of their 
tilt in unison, rather like a slow flock of seagulls, turning 
and wheeling in unison. Very pretty and restful to watch. 
Rain? What rain?  
---- 
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.  
 
Formatting this week is sponsored by long-time reader, Pamela 
R in Switzerland. Thanks Pam.   
----  
On with the News.  
 
Monday, 9 April 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CORRECTIONS DENIES CLAIMS BY PRISON GUARDS
------------------------------------------

The Department of Corrections is denying it told staff not to 
step in and break up fights because of media coverage of the 
Rimutaka Prison corruption scandal. Guards at the prison north 
of Wellington are claiming that prospects from Black Power and 
the Mongrel Mob attacked each other with pool cues and chairs 
at the Rimutaka youth facility last Tuesday, causing tens of 
thousands of dollars of damage. They claim they were told not 
to intervene as it could cause more bad publicity, when the 
prison is currently under scrutiny for alleged corruption by 
several prison guards. Corrections spokeswoman Leanne Field 
says reports of the fight were blown out of proportion and it 
was only a minor incident between a few youths which was 
quickly dealt with. She says staff were told to watch the 
prisoners while they got back-up and safety equipment, which 
she believes was the commonsense approach to take. Ms Field 
says there has always been a policy that using force to 
control situations should be the last resort. 
 
(This is bizarre. It seems that prison guards are represented 
by two different unions. One stoutly asserts that the events 
happened as described, and the other denies that any such 
thing occurred. What the ... ? - BH)

VIOLENCE STEMS FROM HOLIDAY PARTYING
------------------------------------

There is shock among youth support groups after a violent 
holiday weekend with three stabbings and two rapes, all 
involving victims aged under 20. Two men were stabbed in 
Christchurch, while a man was stabbed in Arrowtown on Saturday 
night. A young woman was raped in Wellington and another in 
Christchurch. Youthline spokesman Stephen Bell says young 
people are often partying on long weekends, which can lead to 
excess drinking and things getting out of control. He says 
nothing is more saddening than when families are shattered by 
violence. Mr Bell says Youthline is often very busy after 
holiday weekends, dealing with young people needing help and 
support. 
 
(Apparently, an intruder was disturbed in a nearby house in 
the early hours of Friday. Though I may have complained in my 
opening  about the weather, the police offers pounding on 
doors in the dismal conditions at dawn on that day looking for 
anyone who had seen or heard anything really deserved my 
sympathy and admiration.  With a young granddaughter in the 
house, I took more than usual care with locking up that night 
- BH)

Tuesday, 10 April 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LAB STRIKES TO GO AHEAD
-----------------------

An 11th hour attempt to prevent tomorrow's strike by medical 
laboratory workers has failed. District Health Boards were in 
mediation with the Medical Laboratory Workers? Union in 
Auckland today but have been unable to find a solution to have 
the strike called off. DHB Spokesman Gordon Davies says 
mediation will never be able to overcome an unrealistic claim 
when the union is not prepared to make a meaningful shift in 
its position to find some common ground. He says DHBs have 
made a very good offer that remains on the table and urges the 
union to stop using patients as pawns and find a way through 
this.

FRESH NZ CONTINGENT HEADING TO AFGHANISTAN
------------------------------------------

A fresh contingent of New Zealand troops is being sent to 
Afghanistan to assist with security and reconstruction efforts 
in Bamyan Province. The main body of the 122-strong contingent 
will depart from Ohakea Air Force Base on Thursday. A smaller 
party departed last Thursday. The contingent will serve in 
Afghanistan for six months carrying out regular security 
patrols, liaising with local government and helping to 
distribute aid and improve infrastructure. The new contingent 
will replace the 108 New Zealand troops who formed the New 
Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team over the Afghan winter. 
 
(TV News showed the RNZAF 757 leaving Ohakea in a huge shower 
of spray. It will come as something of a shock for the young 
military personnel to switch from this wet windy weather to 
the reported heat of Afghanistan at this time of year. - BH)

NZ GETS CLIMATE CHANGE OUTLOOK
------------------------------

International climate scientists have set out what is likely 
to be in store for New Zealand. The Intergovernmental Panel on 
Climate Change warns water security, natural ecosystems and 
coastal communities are the three sectors most vulnerable to 
climate change in New Zealand. It says changes already 
observed since 1950 include a warming in mean temperature for 
New Zealand of 0.4 degrees, a decrease in cold nights and 
frosts by 10?20 days per year and a sea level rise of about 
70mm. It says there has also been loss of at least a quarter 
of alpine ice mass and increased seed production in beech 
forest. The reports says drought is expected to hit the 
northern and eastern parts of the country within the next 20 
years. Jim Salinger, of NIWA, the National Institute of Water 
and Atmospheric Research, was a lead author of the chapter in 
the report referring to Australia and New Zealand. He says 
eastern New Zealand will also be facing increased risk of 
fire, eventually sparking a decline in agriculture and 
forestry. Mr Salinger says exactly the opposite problems are 
expected on the western side of the country, with increased 
floods and landslides forecast. He says many ecosystems are 
not expected to survive, with up to 300 native plants expected 
to become extinct by 2080. "The potential impacts of climate 
change for New Zealand are likely to be substantial without 
further adaptation." Referring to New Zealand, the report's 
findings include: - As a result of reduced precipitation and 
increased evaporation, water security problems are projected 
to intensify by 2030 in Northland and some eastern regions. - 
Sites at risk of loss of bio-diversity include the alpine 
areas and sub Antarctic Islands. - Ongoing coastal development 
and population growth in areas such as Northland to Bay of 
Plenty are projected to exacerbate risks from sea-level rise 
and increases in the severity and frequency of storms and 
coastal flooding by 2050. - Production from agriculture and 
forestry is projected to decline by 2030 over parts of eastern 
New Zealand due to increased drought and fire. However, 
initial benefits to agriculture and forestry are projected in 
western and southern areas and close to major rivers due to a 
longer growing season, less frost and increased rainfall. A 
southward shift in agricultural pests and diseases is likely 
with New Zealand becoming more susceptible to the 
establishment of new horticultural pests.

BUSINESSES HAVE SHORT-TERM CONFIDENCE
-------------------------------------

Business confidence has increased again, but it may be short 
lived. The latest Institute of Economic Research survey 
reveals a net 18 percent of firms expect to improve their 
trading situation over the next three months. The figure is 
five percent higher than in the December survey. However, 
firms are more gloomy about the general business situation 
longer-term with a net three percent of firms expecting the 
general business situation to decrease over the next six 
months. The Institute says the survey results suggest the 
Reserve Bank may have difficulty constraining inflation with 
just one interest rate rise this year. The survey also shows a 
net 12 percent of firms intend to increase staff over the next 
three months compared with a net three percent of firms that 
actually took on staff in the past three months. The 
difficulty of finding skilled labour, which was easing since 
early 2005, once again increased in the December and March 
quarters. The survey was conducted in the two weeks following 
the Reserve Bank's decision to raise the official cash rate to 
7.5 percent which the NZIER believes may have adversely 
affected the general sentiment of respondents about the 
overall economic outlook.

CHRISTCHURCH WANTS ROADING MONEY
--------------------------------

The Christchurch City Council is putting its hand up for some 
of the roading money going to Wellington and Auckland. The 
council is urging Transit New Zealand to ensure the needs of 
Christchurch are not over-looked in the rush to solve traffic 
woes further north. It is lobbying for greater urgency to be 
given to the city's roading projects in its submission to 
Transit's 2007/8 Land Transport programme. In particular, the 
council wants Transit to look at keeping the southern motorway 
as a number one priority. It believes Christchurch is facing 
an infrastructure deficit.

(Yes, them and every other city except Auckland, apparently. - 
BH)

ROADRAGE WEBSITE EXPANDS
------------------------

A new website set up for Wellingtonians to vent their anger 
about transport problems has been expanded to include 
Aucklanders. Kapiti Coast resident Brian Jones started 
roadragenz.com earlier this year and it has been getting 
hundreds of hits each day, not just from Wellingtonians. Mr 
Jones says some Aucklanders have suggested that residents of 
the capital do not know what real road rage and traffic chaos 
is, and believe they have even more reason to complain, so, he 
has set up a new category dedicated to Aucklanders and their 
complaints. 
 
(I had a look, and was disappointed at the tone set. It seems 
to be a venue for the perpetually discontented to sound off 
about any aspect of transport. - BH)

PROTECTION FOR NZ'S TREASURES
-----------------------------

A discussion paper has been released about New Zealand's 
ratification of an international treaty set up to protect 
cultural treasures in times of war. Prime Minister Helen Clark 
says the paper was prompted by the Iraq war and the loss of so 
many artefacts. The document sets out to define what New 
Zealand cultural property will qualify for protection under 
the international Hague Convention second protocol, signed in 
1999. The consultation period will run until June 15.

HARDER TO CRITICISE GOVT WITH FUNDING PLAN SAY NATS
---------------------------------------------------

Interest groups such as Business New Zealand or Greenpeace 
will find it harder to criticise the Government if political 
parties are funded by the taxpayer, according to National. It 
is believed National and Labour will get more than $1 million 
if the go ahead is given for state funding. The smaller 
parties will receive funding based on the number of votes they 
received in the previous election but National's Deputy Bill 
English says plans to limit private donations will result in 
interest groups finding it more difficult to run campaigns 
criticising Labour while unions will still have a free hand to 
back the current government. Mr English describes the state 
funding plan as an attempt to dig Labour out of the hole it 
dug over its over-spending at the last election and give the 
party an unfair advantage in the next election. National will 
be contacting the smaller parties to push for fair rules.

PARENTS URGED TO BRUSH UP ON CPR
--------------------------------

St John Ambulance is reminding parents it only takes six 
minutes for a child to choke to death and they should to brush 
up on their CPR skills. On Saturday, a three-year-old boy died 
when a lolly became lodged in his windpipe during his birthday 
party in the Napier suburb of Greenmeadows. His parents tried 
in vain to shift the sweet and rang 111 but ambulance staff 
were not able to revive him. Education spokesman for St John 
Ambulance Paul Davies says parents need to practice CPR 
regularly. He says when a child begins choking and cannot 
talk, cough or breathe, start CPR immediately and call 111. Mr 
Davies says it takes only four to six minutes without oxygen 
for brain injuries to start occurring, so immediate action is 
critical. Mr Davies says if a small amount of air can pass 
into the lungs it can be enough to escape death. In another 
tragedy in the Hawke's Bay over the weekend, an 11-month-old 
Hastings girl who had just started to walk, made her way 
through the garage of her family's home and into the swimming 
pool area. Her parents found her drowned half an hour later.

Wednesday, 11 April 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NZ'S OLDEST WOMAN DIES
----------------------

New Zealand's oldest person has died. Florence Finch passed 
away last night in Hastings at the age of 113. She had been a 
patient of GP Peter Foley and his father Tony for about 40 
years. Dr Foley says she had always been in good health and 
needed very little medical attention until recently. He says 
her eye-sight and hearing failed towards the end. He says in 
her last few weeks, she had become more bed-ridden and frail 
and eventually the time came for her to pass on. Dr Foley says 
she was a very strong-willed and independent woman.

BLOOD DONATIONS DROP IN FACE OF STRIKE
--------------------------------------

Blood donors are failing to turn up to appointments around the 
country because they mistakenly think today's strike means no 
one will be able to take it. Medical laboratory workers from 
the Blood Service are involved in a two-day strike today along 
with counterparts in District Health Boards and two private 
lab providers, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of 
operations. Paul Hayes from the Blood Service says the strike 
does not mean there is no staff to take donations. He says 
most collections points around the country are open except for 
Tauranga and Hamilton. Mr Hayes says it is vital people who 
want to give blood do so, as the Easter break has depleted 
stocks. He says stocks of O negative blood are especially low. 
Full hospitals are feeling the pressure as medical laboratory 
scientists begin a two day strike. District Health Board 
contingency planner Anne Aitcheson says contingency plans are 
working well but the pressure is still on staff, and that is 
likely to intensify as the strike progresses.

FOOD POISONING STUDY AWARDED $735K
----------------------------------

New Zealand researchers have been granted $735,000 to study a 
leading cause of food poisoning. Campylobacter is behind about 
60 percent of New Zealand's reported notifiable diseases and 
is a leading cause of food-borne illness. The Ministry of 
Research, Science and Technology is funding a Food Safety 
Authority and Environment Ministry investigation into how the 
bacteria behaves in the food chain and how the disease 
spreads. At the moment it is believed poultry is behind half 
of the country's cases of campylobacteriosis, while animal 
contact and human to human transmission also play a role. 
Recent estimates put the annual cost to the economy from the 
disease at $75 million a year. Food Safety Authority spokesman 
Andrew Pavitt says the project will help develop management 
strategies to fight the disease. 
 
(Campylobacter, by any other name would be much easier to 
spell - BH)

NZ EFFECTIVELY DEBT FREE
------------------------

The Government's operating surplus has come in nearly 30 
percent ahead of forecasts. The Crown's books are in the black 
to the tune of $6.514 billion for the eight months to the end 
of February. The figure is $1.42 billion or 28 percent above 
forecast due to gains from investments, including the 
Government's pension fund. The Government's net cash position 
was a surplus of $1.24 billion from a forecast deficit of $107 
million. Debt stood at $5.417 billion or 3.4 percent of GDP. 
New Zealand is effectively debt free when the Government's 
Superannuation Fund is taken into account.

RESERVE BANK URGED TO THINK AGAIN
---------------------------------

Exporters are calling on the Reserve Bank to think again about 
its approach to interest rates as the New Zealand dollar 
surges, despite last month's rise in interest rates. The 
dollar hit a 23 month high of 73 cents against the US 
greenback overnight, which will eat into exporters' profits 
and could prompt more companies to consider moving off-shore. 
Export New Zealand Chief Executive Bob Walters says the dollar 
is being driven partly by overseas speculators cashing in on 
New Zealand's high interest rates, which are meant to dampen 
the housing market. He says the Reserve Bank needs to look at 
other options. "They have had one cursory look at other levers 
that could be used but came away thinking they were all a 
little bit too hard. But they really need a do lot more work 
on those." Mr Walters is worried about suggestions the Reserve 
Bank may hike rates again. 
 
(The Reserve Bank is the perennial target of special interest 
groups, all of which are forever "urging" in a wide range of 
mutually contradictory directions - BH)

WORTHINESS OF TEACHNZ QUESTIONED
--------------------------------

National is questioning the effectiveness of scholarships 
aimed at training more Maori and early childhood teachers. The 
party says the TeachNZ scheme has only a 60 percent completion 
rate. It is also unimpressed that more than $300,000 is yet to 
be repaid by students who failed to finish their scholarship 
programmes. National's Education spokeswoman Katherine Rich 
believes more effort needs to go into checking applicants. She 
fears the scholarships are being handed out willy-nilly, when 
they should only be granted to people with a high chance of 
successfully finishing their training. Ms Rich believes the 40 
percent attrition rate should be a lot lower and students who 
pull out should be under greater pressure to repay the 
scholarship money.

NATS WANT GLOBAL WARMING ACTION NOW
-----------------------------------

National believes there is enough scientific evidence to show 
New Zealand needs to take action now to prevent global 
warming. A UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report 
says global warming will bring increased risk of drought to 
northern and eastern parts of the country, while the west can 
expect more floods and landslides. MP Nick Smith says the 
sensible way forward is to cap emissions and introduce a 
tradable emissions payment system. He says action needs to be 
taken now to constrain New Zealand's emissions and reverse 
deforestation. Dr Smith says foresters should get credit when 
they plant trees to halt the record rates of tree felling. He 
says the best way to change the habits of households and 
businesses is to provide an economic incentive for people to 
do the right thing. 
 
(If only all this "urging" could be harnessed, we could 
probably achieve a carbon neutral way of generating 
electricity. - BH)

PRICE RISES LIKELY
------------------

An increasing number of businesses are planning to hike their 
prices according to the New Zealand Institute of Economic 
Research. The independent economic forecast group says 40 
percent of firms surveyed during the last quarter say they 
will put up prices, compared with 28 percent in the December 
survey. A net 27 percent of firms have already increased 
selling prices during the past three months. The Quarterly 
Survey of Business Opinion also showed that a net balance of 
firms are positive about their own outlook and business 
prospects over the next three months but are more gloomy about 
the general business situation over the next six months. The 
NZIER says the trend will not give the Reserve Bank any 
comfort that inflationary pressures are abating.

Thursday, 12 April 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TVNZ CUTS EXPECTED TO HIT HOME
------------------------------

Unions claim TVNZ is ripping the heart out of its news and 
current affairs division. Almost 60 positions have been axed 
at the state broadcaster today and the changes include the 
closure of the Sunday programme's office in Wellington, the 
closure of the Wanganui, Rotorua and Queenstown offices and 
cuts in journalism and production roles around the country. 
PSA secretary Richard Wagstaff says TVNZ is gradually becoming 
an Auckland broadcaster and this poses a threat to TVNZ's 
ability to deliver on its charter obligation. He says it will 
change the way New Zealand gets to see itself on television. 
Mr Wagstaff says the PSA and the EPMU are still in talks with 
TVNZ. TVNZ spokeswoman Megan Richards says TVNZ will not make 
a formal statement today as the proposal is open for 
discussion over the next fortnight. She says as it is dealing 
with people's livelihoods, TVNZ is trying to handle the 
process as tactfully as possible. 
 
(I share the concern over the "Aucklandification" of the 
broadcaster, especially since the other major player is also 
based there. - BH)

DEATH BLAME SHIFTED FROM MEDICAL TO ADMIN STAFF
-----------------------------------------------

A Wellington-based surgeon is angry frontline staff are being 
blamed for the death of a patient at Wellington Hospital just 
over two years ago. A Health and Disability Commissioner's 
report into the death of a 50-year-old man has revealed the 
man was largely ignored and left to his own devices. The man 
went to hospital in September 2004 with a chest infection and 
died of pneumonia 40 hours later. The report says doctors and 
nurses failed to properly observe him and didn't assess x-rays 
and blood tests fast enough. A Wellington surgeon, who does 
not want to be identified for fear of repercussions, claims 
the tragedy is indicative of a much bigger problem with the 
entire health system. He says the real issue is the obscene 
amount of money that is put into administrating health rather 
than providing care. The surgeon says frontline staff are paid 
a pittance while a huge amount of money is swallowed up by 
bureaucratic nonsense, and that has bred huge resentment in 
the health sector. Medical Association Chairman Ross Boswell 
says the patient's death is a situation which should not 
happen and is a tragedy. However, he says the medical staff 
cannot be blamed alone, as the real problems are over-worked 
staff, high demand and systems that do not support good 
practice. He says for these reasons, the report does not 
surprise him. The Nurses Organisation (NZNO) says the report 
should serve as a wake-up call for all DHBs. CEO Geoff Annals 
suggests many lessons can be learnt, as the risks of such 
systemic failure exist in all DHBs.

PETROL DROPS 5C IN MINI PRICE WAR
---------------------------------

A mini fuel price war is underway, with motorists the big 
winners. Shell has matched Gull in a one-day drop in prices. 
Both have taken five cents a litre off petrol and diesel. The 
offer lasts until 7pm.

(Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war! Service stations were 
showing $1.579 on their billboards at the break of day, and by 
the end of the day, all were at $1.519. Thank you Gull, even 
though you are not here in Wellington - BH)

GPS UNDER PRESSURE OVER SICKNESS BENEFITS
-----------------------------------------

A GP says doctors are being put under pressure to sign healthy 
people onto sickness benefits. The latest figures show there 
has been a 35 percent decline in the number of people on the 
unemployment benefit in the year to March with 28,845 now 
claiming the dole. Meanwhile, sickness benefit numbers have 
increased by 46 percent since 1999 and the invalid's benefit 
is 47 percent higher. Christchurch doctor Alisdair Webb says 
he sees a patient every couple of months sent from Work and 
Income, but is often abused when he refuses to sign them onto 
the sickness benefit. He knows of other GPs who have come 
across the same problem and believes something must be done to 
stop doctors being put under such pressure.

COASTAL PROPERTIES MAY BE UNINSURABLE
-------------------------------------

The insurance industry is warning that some exclusive coastal 
properties may end up being uninsurable because of climate 
change. The UN's report into global warming has warned that 
New Zealand will be hit by more severe floods and storms, 
rising sea levels and coastal erosion in the coming years. 
Chris Ryan of the Insurance Council says people need to be 
aware of the risks, before buying in areas prone to flooding. 
He says they may not be able to get insurance on such 
properties or owners may face higher premiums. Mr Ryan says 
people need to talk to their insurers or local authorities 
about the risks before making significant property 
investments. Insurance companies are already refusing to 
insure some properties in the Coromandel Peninsula and other 
areas because of the flood risk.

LAB WORKERS ANNOUNCE ANOTHER STRIKE
-----------------------------------

District health boards are predicting a drawn-out campaign of 
strikes, as laboratory workers announce plans for more 
industrial action. Twelve hundred laboratory and Blood Service 
workers across the country are into the second day of a 48 
hour stoppage. Another one-day strike is planned for April 24 
and last night their union gave notice of a further strike on 
April 26. Gordon Davies, spokesman for the DHBs, claims the 
Medical Laboratory Workers' Union is trying to pressure the 
boards into an unworkable situation. He says the strikes are 
costly for boards, patients and the elective surgery lists. Mr 
Davies says the more strike action taken, the greater the risk 
to patient safety. He believes it is worth everyone trying to 
come to the table with compromises to ensure the mounting 
costs of the strike do not escalate further. The union is 
seeking a five percent pay rise with a starting salary of 
$45,000.

Friday, 13 April 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NZ FIRST WILL NOT BACK STATE-FUNDING
------------------------------------

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says his party will 
not budge over its opposition to state-funding for political 
parties. That is despite talk within Labour that New Zealand 
First is set to back the controversial proposal. Mr Peters 
says his party's position has always been to oppose state 
funding of political parties, particularly in the context of 
how it is being envisaged now. He says those deep-rooted 
principles do not change overnight. Mr Peters says it is a 
fundamental principle the party truly believes in and that 
will not change.

PRISON GUARDS LEFT VIRTUALLY POWERLESS
--------------------------------------

The union for prison guards says morale at Rimutaka Prison is 
at an all-time low. The comment follows reports convicted 
murderer Graeme Burton is threatening to "play up" unless 
prison bosses agree to his demands. Burton was allegedly at 
the centre of a nine-hour riot at the prison last month. Now 
there are claims he is threatening similar action if he is not 
transferred back to Auckland Prison at Paremoremo. That is 
despite the fact he is due back in a Wellington court later 
this month. Corrections Association president Beven Hanlon 
says it is not unusual for Corrections bosses to give into 
prisoners' demands. He claims the Corrections Department is 
bowing to pressure from prisoners because it does not want to 
stir up negative media coverage. Mr Hanlon says the Burton 
case is not unusual, claiming the youth prisoners who rioted 
last week were given tobacco and extra rations afterwards. 
Rimutaka guards have become virtually powerless, and it is 
creating the potential for further riots. He says there are 
certainly some problems if prisoners think this is the way 
things work and management do not let guards do their jobs. Mr 
Hanlon says the guards fear for their jobs every time 
something happens at the jail.

MANY MEN SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
---------------------------------------

The Ministry of Health has outlined the state of the country's 
forensic mental health services. According to its 2005 census 
there has been a 15 percent drop in the number of patients 
using facilities since 1999. However there have been regional 
variations, with demand for care increasing in Auckland and 
Waikato and falling in Canterbury. Of the 450 patients 
receiving care, 86 percent were men. Schizophrenia is the most 
common diagnosis accounting for almost three quarters of 
patients. More than half of patients are subject to compulsory 
treatment orders with threat of violence offences accounting 
for almost 60 percent of mental health inpatients.

NATIONAL MUSEUM HUSH ABOUT HIGH LEGAL BILLS
-------------------------------------------

Te Papa is being asked to explain its high legal bills. The 
national museum has spent $876,000 over the past five years on 
legal fees. Te Papa says privacy laws prevent it from saying 
too much about the costs, but acknowledges a long-running 
employment case has contributed. However, National MP Kate 
Wilkinson says taxpayers are entitled to know where their 
money is being spent. She says it is quite possible for Te 
Papa to give more details without identifying those involved. 
She says the Crown has an obligation to be transparent in its 
spending of taxpayer money. The Film Commission has also paid 
out legal fees totalling almost $760 million and the Historic 
Places Trust $630,000.

PIZZA COMPETITION REDUCES PROFITS
---------------------------------

The operator of Pizza Hut, KFC and Starbucks says its profits 
are down 47 percent. Restaurant Brands has announced an 
unaudited net profit after tax of $6.5 million for the year to 
February. The company says the figure reflects reduced 
profitability at Pizza Hut, which faces tough competition from 
Domino's and Hell Pizza. Directors say several buyers are 
interested in buying Restaurant Brands but no formal offer has 
been made at this stage.

MORE HASSLES FOR RAIL COMMUTERS
-------------------------------

The Government's track maintenance company, OnTrack admits 
there are likely to be more problems ahead for Wellington's 
rail commuters. There were major disruptions to services on 
the Upper Hutt and Melling lines yesterday after a five-
decades-old rotting power line fell into the path of a train 
at Kaiwharawhara, which then dragged down hundreds of metres 
of wiring. No trains ran for eight hours and only a limited 
number of buses were available at short notice, leaving 
thousands of frustrated commuters stranded on platforms. 
Although the line was repaired for the afternoon peak, 
travellers faced further delays as Tranz Metro train services 
could only run every half hour and buses were brought in 
again. Kevin Ramshaw from OnTrack says the company does its 
best in terms of having maintenance staff available and fixing 
faults as quickly as possible but it is likely to be another 
four or five years before the infrastructure of Wellington's 
rail network improves significantly. Ontrack will need to 
spend $200 million to update the network.

(We should be clear that it was not the power line that was 
rotting, but rather that a retaining bolt pulled free of the 
rotting wooden pole that supported the catenary system near 
Kaiwharawhara. The resultant day-long commuter chaos was 
significant  - BH)


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the website listed below, where you can make changes as 
required. If you want to send a personal message to Brian, 
change the country code to nz and send a message 
brian.harmer at vuw.ac.xx If you do choose to comment on 
something in these posts, please don't send the whole 
newsletter with your message. Just trim it back to the 
relevant bits. Thanks. Brian.