WYSIWYG NEWS - 14 July, 2007

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 14 July, 2007 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer. 

Greetings for Bastille Day to any readers in France. 
The phrase "weather bomb" is overused by NZ media, yet perhaps 
it was appropriate this week. Early in the week, I was on the 
phone to my brother who lives in Whangaparaoa, North of 
Auckland, and he was talking about the rising wind. I 
suggested to him that a Wellingtonian would just add some 
extra weight to the corners of his picnic blanket and get on 
with it. And over the years, I have been astonished at the 
damage that occurs in the North when a breeze comes up. Yachts 
break loose, trees fall and roofs lift. This week they had 
something to complain about for once, with storm force winds 
and very heavy rain. No lives lost as far as I know, but road 
and property damage was extensive, and essential services were 
cut. Communities were and in some cases still are isolated. 
The storm seems to have tracked across the Northland, 
Auckland, Coromandel and East Cape regions. The rest of us 
merely suffered the cold and sullen weather that often seems 
to surround such systems. This morning in Wellington, 
the sky is blue, the wind is still, and clearly and sharply
visible through 65 km of clear cold air to the North East, 
Mitre and the other peaks of the Tararuas have a clean crisp 
blanket of snow. Despite the sun, I decided that the laundry 
would not dry on the clothesline in the damp air of today, so 
the dryer is humming away upstairs. Looking down on the 
valley, I can see that the weekly producers' market on the 
riverbank carpark is doing a roaring trade. The weekly trek 
from Otaki and other gardening regions seems to pay off for 
the forty or fifty traders who turn up each week. There are 
bargains to be had, and more importantly, genuinely fresh 
fruit and vegetables, though they also sell bulk imported 
products. This must be the first time in several weeks that 
they have had a bright clear day to entice the customers out 
in such numbers. A bit to the South, I see that the soccer 
pitches on Sladden Park are deserted. I guess the extent of 
the rainfall in the last week must have rendered the grounds 
unsuitable for play. All in all, it is a day that is lovely to 
look at, but I shall probably admire it from the warmth of 
home. 
---- 
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 Chip Chenoweth, President 
of Praters Foods in Lubbock, Texas. Many thanks Chip.
----  
On with the News.  
 
Monday, 9 July 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TARANAKI TO GET GOVT SUPPORT
----------------------------

Tornado-hit Taranaki residents will get Government support. 
Initial estimates put the damages bill from last week's swathe 
of destruction at around $7 million. Prime Minister Helen 
Clark says the Government will help where local authorities 
have incurred emergency response expenses. She says the 
Government will pick up costs for those who had to be 
accommodated, and welfare costs for those who have lost homes 
and have to make a fresh start. The advice is most of the 
damage to people's homes in the region will be covered by 
insurance.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT CHINESE SEAFOOD - FSA
---------------------------------------

New Zealanders are being told not to worry about eating 
seafood that's come from China. The Green Party wants tougher 
checks following a tighter regime being imposed in the United 
States, after unsafe levels of chemical residues and bacteria 
were found in imported products. The Food Safety Authority's 
deputy chief executive Sandra Daly says the only seafood we 
import from China is prawns and shrimp. But she says there is 
no cause for concern as the levels of contamination found in 
the US were actually quite low. She says from time to time 
these things are found in food - and sometimes naturally. She 
thinks the authority will probably look into Chinese seafood 
sold here as a precaution.

YOUTH MPS START TO SHINE
------------------------

Youth Parliament is in full swing, with some of the nation's 
best young minds providing food for thought for our MPs. 121 
teenagers from across the country are attending select 
committees, question time and general debate, duplicating as 
realistically as possible the actual workings of Parliament. 
Youth MP Brendan McDonald has told the House he wants to see a 
flat tax introduced. He says the current tax regime is 
discriminatory and the Government clearly doesn't believe New 
Zealanders are entitled to keep the fruits of their labour. He 
says the current travesty can be held responsible for the 
brain drain, New Zealand's slumping OECD ranking and a nation 
that's become reliant on state handouts.

MAJORITY OF REFUGEES FROM AFGHANISTAN
-------------------------------------

Afghanistan has provided the lion's share of refugees into New 
Zealand over the past seven years. Immigration Minister David 
Cunliffe has released a breakdown of refugees admitted to the 
country under a quota programme. Of the more than 5,000 
refugees allowed into New Zealand over the period, around 30 
percent were Afghani. Myanmar is the next on the list with 
more than 930 admitted, Iraq comes in third with almost 800 
and Somalia is fourth with more than 400. Since 2000 the 
Government has set the refugee quota at 750 people each year.

SUCCESSFUL OIL TENDERS ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY
---------------------------------------------

The next big step is about to be taken in possible oil 
exploration in the Great South Basin off the southern coast of 
the South Island. Energy Minister David Parker and his 
Associate Minister Harry Duynhoven will announce the 
successful tenders for oil and gas exploration permits on 
Wednesday morning. The announcement marks the beginning of the 
first intensive exploration of the vast area, described by oil 
experts as one of the most exciting petroleum frontiers in the 
world. A statement from both ministers says the data indicates 
the potential for major commercially viable finds.

IRRIGATION CALCULATOR DEVELOPED
-------------------------------

AgResearch and Crop and Food have developed a new calculator 
to help dairy farmers with irrigation scheduling. The 
computer-based software programme provides information 
enabling farmers to decide when to irrigate and how much water 
to use. Phil Urlich from Dairy InSight, says efficient water 
use is an important investment which offers both 
sustainability and profitability gains. The calculator has 
been developed and tested in Canterbury, where water scarcity 
and irrigation are significant issues for farmers. Mr Urlich 
says if predictions for even drier conditions in eastern parts 
of the country are right, the calculator will make life easier 
for farmers.

FEASIBILITY STUDY INTO HARBOUR TUNNEL
-------------------------------------

A tunnel connecting Auckland's central business district and 
the North Shore is looking more likely. Transit New Zealand 
and the Auckland Regional Council have agreed to carry out a 
study for the second harbour crossing, to provide an 
alternative to the Harbour Bridge. One proposal would see 
motorists enter the tunnel under the Waitemata Harbour beneath 
Wynyard Point, next to Westhaven Marina at the CBD end. 
Transit Regional Manager Peter Spies says it is too early to 
say how much the project would cost but it could be around $3 
billion. It would incorporate a state highway link, connection 
to Auckland's CBD and the capacity for public transport. He 
says bringing such a major project to fruition would require 
total cooperation from the region's councils. The feasibility 
study is expected to be completed by March. 
 
(And as usual, when TV cameras took to the streets of 
Auckland, all the "shallow Hals" up there wanted the rest of 
the country to pay for it. Phooey. - BH)

HOUSE PRICES HOLDING UP
-----------------------

The latest survey of the real estate sector from state valuing 
agency Quotable Value shows there are fewer house listings and 
fewer buyers but the prices are holding up. Property values 
rose 12.2 percent for the year to June. QV says the feedback 
indicates a slowdown in activity, but spokesman Blue Hancock 
says prices are still firm with solid growth in the lower-
priced housing market. The average national sale price was 
$378,672. Property values in Auckland rose 11.2 percent in the 
year to June, with an average sale price of $492,857. 
Hamilton's property values increased by 13.3 percent for the 
period, with an average sale price of $354,461; Tauranga rose 
6.6 percent with a sale price of $419,556; Wellington shot up 
15.8 percent with an average price of $422,568. Christchurch 
saw annual growth of 13.4 percent with an average sale price 
of $354,490 while Dunedin rose 11.4 percent, with houses worth 
$268,719. Provincial cities were still the strong performers, 
with the Invercargill market up 28.2 percent and an average 
price of $180,652 and Gisborne rising 20.7 percent with prices 
averaging $280,214. Mr Hancock says the market appears to be 
returning to the traditional pattern of a slowdown over the 
winter months in contrast with last winter, where the market 
"boxed on regardless." He says sellers' price expectations 
remain high, while buyers are exercising a degree of caution.

TB THREATS TO NZ MAY ESCALATE
-----------------------------

Hutt Valley District Health Board is warning tuberculosis 
rates in New Zealand could escalate due to outside issues 
beyond the government's control. Communicable diseases nurse, 
Owen Ashwell, says the impact of problems such Pacific 
Islanders fleeing their countries because of internal conflict 
or global warming could be problematic. He says an 
immunisation scheme in New Zealand and the Pacific is one way 
to deal with the problem, along with TB control strategies, 
developmental aid and moves to alleviate poverty. Mr Ashwell 
says at the moment New Zealand's TB rate is 10 per every 
100,000 people and while that is a good statistic, health 
authorities need to be prepared.

Tuesday, 10 July 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

POWER CUTS HIT 90,000 IN AUCKLAND
---------------------------------

90,000 households in the Auckland region are without power 
tonight - 65,000 of those on the North Shore. Vector says a 
significant number will have to wait until morning to be 
reconnected. The storm which soaked and buffeted the Far North 
all day is now sinking its claws into Auckland and the 
Coromandel Peninsula. Inspector Gary Hill from the Police 
Northern Communications Centre says it was one of their 
busiest afternoons ever. Extra staff have been called into the 
call centre, to handle an overflow of calls to police, the 
fire service and council emergency centres. MetService says 
marine conditions on eastern coasts will be very dangerous for 
small vessels, and driving conditions are hazardous tonight, 
especially in Auckland. The Auckland Harbour Bridge is open 
but police say motorcyclists should stay off it, after two 
bikers were blown off their machines. Winds have brought down 
trees and power lines, and there is surface flooding on many 
roads. Gusts are expected to reach 150 km/h tonight in the 
Hauraki Gulf and on ridge tops on the Coromandel Peninsula. 
Winds could reach 140 km/h in other parts of Auckland and the 
Coromandel. Coastguard says people concerned about their boats 
should wait until morning to check the moorings. There are 
trees down and power outages on the Coromandel Peninsula. 
State Highway 25 - the Thames Coast Road - is closed to all 
traffic north of Thames due to flooding. 25A north of Kopu 
Road is also closed. In the Far North District, 450 people are 
seeking shelter and food at welfare centres in Kerikeri, 
Kawakawa, Paihia, Kaikohe and at the Opononi Fire Station. A 
Civil Defence Emergency is in place, and an estimated 3,500 
customers are without power. State Highway One is closed 
between the Brynderwyns and Whangarei. A detour is available 
via State Highway 16 to Dargaville and then SH16 to Whangarei. 
Many Far North roads are blocked, and much of the area north 
and south of Hokianga is cut off. Anyone needing help in the 
Far North can ring 0800 920 029.

FOOD AND DRINK EXPORT REVAMP UNVEILED
-------------------------------------

A new export programme for the food and beverage industry has 
been unveiled by the Government. $19 million in extra funding 
is to go to the sector, to help firms develop new markets. 
Support is also to be given to aid product development, and an 
audit and mentoring programme is to be established to increase 
the business capability of exporters. The Government is 
marketing the push as part of its Export Year initiative

WELLINGTON NETWORK TO GET $500M
-------------------------------

$500 million will be pumped into the Wellington region's rail 
network over the next five years. The regional council has 
come up with a medium-term rail plan, which provides an 
overview of the improvements planned for the entire Wellington 
network. The plan includes existing projects like introducing 
a fleet of 70 new trains which are due in 2010, as well as 
platform upgrades and short-term capacity solutions like 
introducing new English electric train units. Greater 
Wellington chairman Ian Buchanan says the investment means the 
council can plan a whole rail upgrade rather than doing it in 
an ad hoc way.

MAIZE FARMERS WANT MORE
-----------------------

Federated Farmers says maize growers will need a minimum of 
$400 a tonne for their produce. Growers are about to start 
negotiating prices for next season. Colin MacKinnon from the 
Maize Growers section says producers need to know they will 
get a decent return, otherwise the land will be lost to other 
uses. He says growers are already under pressure from low 
prices and high costs with fertiliser costs rising 70 percent 
in the last month and other costs such as a rise in compliance 
charges and council rates. Mr MacKinnon says growers are still 
receiving the same prices for their maize as they were in the 
1980s. 
 
(I would have thought that the natural turn of events is that 
if the market will bear $400 they will get their price, but if 
it won't then they should put their land to more  profitable 
use. The resultant shortage of maize will inevitably cause 
prices to rise. Isn't that how it works? - BH)

BUSINESS CONFIDENCE FALLS
-------------------------

The latest survey shows businesses are less optimistic 
following three interest rate increases and the relentless 
rise of the New Zealand dollar. The New Zealand Institute of 
Economic Research's (NZIER) quarterly survey shows business 
confidence has dropped to a one-year low with a net 37 percent 
of firms expecting business conditions to deteriorate in the 
next six months compared with a net 15 percent in the previous 
quarter. The survey also shows fewer firms expect to raise 
prices and a seasonally adjusted 13 percent of firms expect 
their own activity to improve in the next quarter compared 
with a net 17 percent in the previous three months. The survey 
also shows the job market remains tight. The key indicators of 
inflation fell, pointing to lower inflation pressures in the 
pipeline. NZIER says the Reserve Bank will take some comfort 
that, which will allow it to assess the impact of its interest 
rate rises.

(Sensemaking theory tells me that people read a report like 
this, and lose confidence. - BH)

WEATHER CRISIS MEASURES ACTIVATED
---------------------------------

The National Crisis Management Centre in Wellington has been 
activated because of the worsening weather situation in the 
upper North Island. The Ministry of Civil Defence says the 
centre is monitoring the situation in Northland, Auckland, 
Coromandel, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Meanwhile a house has 
been knocked from its foundations and into a parked car in a 
landslide in the Far North community of Totara North. There 
are no reports of injuries in the slip. Northland is being 
battered by heavy rain, and the strong winds and rough 
conditions are expected to get worse as the day progresses. 
MetService is predicting up to 250 millimetres of rain for the 
region before tomorrow morning, which is more than a month's 
worth of downpours. It is believed the resulting floods have 
the potential to be a lot worse than the severe flooding which 
hit Northland in March. Civil Defence says farmers in low-
lying areas should already have moved stock to higher ground 
and the boat owners should have checked their vessels are 
moored safely and securely.

NEW DUTY FREE ON WAY TO AUCKLAND AIRPORT
----------------------------------------

Regency Duty Free has lost out in the battle to become the 
sole duty free outlet at Auckland Airport. The airport company 
has awarded the exclusive rights to DFS New Zealand. The 7 
year deal runs begins in April of next year. Auckland Airport 
says DFS will stock a much wider variety of goods than 
currently available. It is also promising to keep a close eye 
on DFS to make sure it keeps its prices competitive. Regency 
Duty Free will wrap up its operations in August 2009. It says 
it is disappointed by Auckland Airport's decision. 
 
(I lament the privatisation of our airports. There was a time 
when they were run for the benefit of the travelling public. 
They are now run to maximise the profits to their 
shareholders. I cannot see any good coming out of a purchased 
monopoly, and wonder if there is a case for Commerce 
Commission intervention. - BH)

HOUSING WARNING CAUSES DOLLAR DIP
---------------------------------

A slight reprieve for exporters, with the New Zealand dollar 
dropping back. It is now worth 78 US cents following a warning 
from ratings agency Moody's about the New Zealand housing 
market. Moody's says there is a risk of an abrupt downturn, as 
interest rate hikes filter through to fixed-term mortgages. 
 
(To be honest, I think whatever happens to our dollar value 
has more to do with the prolonged slide of the USD relative to 
other major currencies than with anything happening here. - 
BH)

KIWISAVER AN ISSUE IF REFINANCING
---------------------------------

A mortgage broker is advising people with home loans to seek 
advice before joining the KiwiSaver scheme, as it may effect 
the amount they can borrow. Jeff Staniland, CEO of Mike Pero 
Mortgages believes many homeowners may not have thought about 
the impact of their retirement nest egg contributions on their 
home loan. He says a contribution of four percent may not seem 
like much, but it is $167 a month for someone on $50,000 a 
year. For someone electing to pay eight percent, they face 
finding more than $300 a month. Mr Staniland says that could 
have an effect on a home loan application or refinancing if 
someone's finances are reasonably tight, particularly in the 
recent high-interest rate environment. He says some lenders 
look at an applicant's gross income and may treat KiwiSaver 
contributions as an expense while others look at net income 
after the contribution. Mr Staniland says a lot of people will 
be coming of fixed-term rates over the coming months and face 
a significant hike in interest rates. He believes they need to 
talk to a broker to get advice on whether KiwiSaver is right 
for them.

FOUR DECADES OF DECIMAL CURRENCY
--------------------------------

It is 40 years since dollars and cents pushed aside pounds, 
shillings and pence. Decimal currency was introduced on July 
10 1967, when 27 million bank notes and 165 million coins were 
issued in decimal currency. Coin collector Peter Eccles says 
some of the old coins they replaced, can be worth a pretty 
penny nowadays. The 1935 threepence seldom sells for less than 
$200 dollars. He believes the now defunct five cent pieces are 
also likely to eventually be valuable. 
 
(My memory tells me that a referendum the same year saw an end 
to mandatory six o'clock closing for liquor outlets ... they 
went all the way to 10 pm, and eventually in some places to 24 
hour licensing. - BH) 

ICE IN SOUTHLAND, STORM IN NORTHLAND
------------------------------------

Sub-zero conditions in the deep south have been causing chaos 
not only for motorists, but also for pedestrians. Southland 
Hospital had to cancel some elective surgery yesterday to care 
for more than 60 patients suffering injuries after ice formed 
on roads and paths overnight. Sheet ice is expected on the 
roads again this morning. Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt says 
he also had problems and fell on a slippery pavement as he got 
out of his car to go to a dairy. Police are advising 
Southlanders to keep travel to a minimum this morning, at 
least until things warm up. Poor weather conditions are also 
expected in Northland today. MetService is predicting 200 
millimetres of rain could fall over the next 24 hours. 
Forecaster Bob McDavitt says it will also be very windy with 
gusts of up to 120 kilometres an hour in exposed places.

Wednesday, 11 July 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LABOUR, NATIONAL SUPPORT DIPS
-----------------------------

Support for both Labour and National has dipped in the latest 
Roy Morgan poll, although National still retains a healthy 
lead. The poll has support for Labour down 2 percent to 34 
percent, but still higher than its record low result of 32 
percent in mid-May. Support for National has dropped 1 percent 
to 48.5 percent. The Greens are up 2 percent to 8.5 percent, 
while support for New Zealand First is down point 5 percent to 
2.5 percent. Among the other minor parties, ACT is down 0.5 
percent to 1 percent; the Maori Party has gained 0.5 of a 
percent taking it to 2 percent and United Future is up 1 
percent to 1.5 percent.

GANG PROBLEM AN INTERNATIONAL RISK
----------------------------------

The Police Association says New Zealand's growing gang problem 
is putting our international reputation at risk. Time 
Magazine's latest South Pacific edition focuses on New 
Zealand's gang culture and highlights the drive-by shooting of 
Wanganui toddler Jhia Te Tua as an example. Police Association 
president Greg O'Connor says he has been warning about the 
burgeoning gang culture for many years now. He says the Time 
article clearly shows New Zealand as a whole is now suffering, 
and our reputation as a safe place to live, work and invest is 
at risk. He is renewing calls for a Commission of Inquiry into 
gangs.

AUCKLAND POPULATION GROWS FASTEST IN COUNTRY
--------------------------------------------

Auckland's population has grown faster than any other region 
in the country, and there are no signs it is slowing down. 
Department of Labour figures show Auckland's work force also 
grew faster than the national average between 2001 and 2006. 
Spokesman Grant Power says with one of the most buoyant 
housing markets in New Zealand, it is not surprising 
Auckland's employment growth has been mainly in the property 
and business services industry. He says the region is expected 
to continue to grow faster than the national average.

ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE BEGINS
---------------------------

Authorities are roaming the Thames-Coromandel District, 
surveying the damage left behind by last night's weather. 
Heavy winds ripped the region apart last night, leaving many 
areas without essential services. Local mayor Philippa 
Barriball says the damage there is extensive. She says the 
back of a hangar at Thames Airfield blew in, damaging a number 
of planes. It is thought it could be 24-hours before power is 
restored on the Coromandel Peninsula. Meanwhile a water tanker 
has been sent to Kawakawa to provide emergency supplies while 
repairs are being carried out on the local reticulation 
system. Residents are being urged to boil the tanker water 
before drinking it. Power is being progressively restored 
across the Far North. The number of properties still blacked 
out has been reduced to 1800 and Top Energy anticipates all 
those should be reconnected be reconnected by the end of the 
day. People in Waipu and Langs Beach, south of Whangarei, are 
being urged to conserve water. The supply is running 
critically low as power cuts mean pumps cannot run to 
replenish the reservoir. The icy weather that struck Southland 
last week means residents in Nightcaps and Wairio will be 
without water tonight. The supply is being turned off from 
eight tonight until eight tomorrow morning, to allow emergency 
water storage stocks to be replenished. Southland District 
Council says the shut down is necessary because the supply is 
struggling to recover from high demand and the damage caused 
by the extreme weather.

CANCER SUFFERERS LOSING FAITH?
------------------------------

National MP Jackie Blue claims more and more prostate and 
breast cancer sufferers are losing faith in the public health 
system. She says the latest figures available show the number 
of women with breast cancer treated at private hospitals has 
increased by almost 25 percent. She says that compares with a 
7 percent increase in the number of women treated at public 
hospitals. The number of men with prostate cancer opting for 
private treatment has increased by 42 percent, in stark 
contrast with the 2 percent increase in the number of men 
treated publicly. Jackie Blue says cancer sufferers are 
sending a clear message to Labour that they are fed up with 
the public health system.

OIL HOPES FOR THE SOUTHLAND REGION
----------------------------------

It is not gold, but oil that could in future be paving the 
streets of Invercargill. The Government is predicting a huge 
boost for Southland and Otago, with international oil 
companies preparing to spend more than $1billion over the next 
five years exploring the Great South Basin. But it will not be 
without high risk. NZ Petroleum Exploration and Production 
Association Executive Officer, John Pfahlert says the Great 
South Basin is regarded as a wildcat drilling frontier. He 
says water depths vary between 100 and 1,250 metres, and the 
weather and sea conditions are challenging. It is believed 
there is potential for huge rewards, with earlier exploration 
suggesting deposits of more than 100,000,000 barrels of oil or 
one trillion cubic feet of gas.

QUEENSTOWN CELEBRATES TRAVEL AWARD
----------------------------------

Queenstown has been named the South Pacific's third favourite 
city in a poll of travellers. The popular South Island 
destination trails behind Sydney and Melbourne in the Travel 
and Leisure Magazine survey. Christchurch and Wellington are 
ranked fourth and fifth favourite cities - while Florence was 
voted the world's best. Huka Lodge is named the South 
Pacific's best hotel. Air New Zealand did not rank in the list 
of top ten international airlines, which is led by Singapore 
Airlines.

GREENS HOPE FUNDING WILL IMPROVE RAIL SERVICE
---------------------------------------------

The Greens hope a $500 million boost for Wellington's rail 
system will restore passengers' faith and encourage more 
people to use public transport. Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons 
says the funding is a major step forward after decades of 
neglect and comes only just in time. She says a recent survey 
shows public transport use around the capital has dropped and 
people have a loss of confidence in it. Ms Fitzsimons is 
pleased Finance Minister Michael Cullen has finally realised 
that to help cut carbon emissions, better public transport is 
needed. She says when she first raised the issue in 
Parliament, Dr Cullen responded with a list of excuses.

SOLAR WATER INSTALLATION CONCERN
--------------------------------

The Minister of Energy plans to address the poor state of 
solar hot water installations in many homes. Parliament's 
Commerce Select Committee is concerned about growing evidence 
many system installations are substandard. Minister David 
Parker has told the committee that bout 80 percent of 
installations are done without building permits because 
consent fees are too high. He says the Government will rectify 
the situation by standardising the consent process which will 
encourage councils to lower their fees. Mr Parker says a cash 
grant scheme will also be available for solar water heating 
suppliers who meet quality standards.

Thursday, 12 July 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1000 NZERS SUFFER ON PACIFIC STAR
---------------------------------

It has been a holiday from hell for many kiwis sailing around 
the Pacific. The Pacific Star encountered horrendous 
conditions after leaving from Auckland on Tuesday afternoon, 
with close to 1,000 New Zealanders onboard. P&O cruises 
spokeswoman Sandy Olsen says the conditions have been so bad 
they have had to cancel tomorrow's stop-over in Lifou and head 
straight for Vila. There are reports from people onboard of 
passengers being sick everywhere and extensive damage to the 
boat. Strong winds of up to 65 knots-an-hour and seas of up to 
10-metres have been battering the boat. Despite the storms and 
hurricanes, Sandy Olsen says she is keen to see the people 
onboard get the trip they paid for. Each cabin will get $100 
to spend how they wish and they will waive doctor's charges. 
The boat is expected back in Auckland mid next week.

CONCERN OVER FOREIGN HOME INVESTORS
-----------------------------------

A New Zealand First MP is upset foreigners are continuing to 
snap up residential housing throughout the country. Pita 
Paraone says the cheapest house in the country, a handyman's 
dream in Mataura, was purchased by an overseas buyer just two 
days after being listed. He says if foreigners are prepared to 
buy our cheapest properties, it makes a mockery of the 
Government's assertions they have no effect on our market. He 
is also concerned that a large number of Marlborough 
properties are deliberately sized under the 2,000 square metre 
threshold, to allow non-New Zealand buyers to sidestep 
scrutiny by the Overseas Investment Commission.

GOVERNMENT CLOSER TO REDRESSING NGATI APA
-----------------------------------------

The Government is one step closer to settling historical 
Treaty of Waitangi claims from lower North Island iwi Ngati 
Apa. An agreement in principle has been signed which contains 
redress designed to assist the tribe reach its objective of 
revitalising its tikanga and te reo. The redress also includes 
an agreed historical account, a formal apology from the Crown 
and the transfer of 13 sites of traditional, cultural, 
spiritual and historical significance to Ngati Apa. It 
addition, the settlement gives Ngati Apa financial and 
commercial redress totaling 14 million dollars including the 
return of licensed Crown forest land.

WORRIES OVER NZ AIR QUALITY
---------------------------

There are grim findings from fresh research into the country's 
air quality. The study, Health and Air Pollution in New 
Zealand, has found pollution from domestic heating, vehicles, 
and industry are causing almost 1100 premature deaths every 
year. Results suggest 1 in 20 people are dying earlier because 
of air pollution. In Christchurch, a city notorious for its 
smog problem, the figures are even worse at 1 in 9. 
 
(I am very sceptical about these numbers. The implication from 
the media coverage is that 1100 people died as a direct result 
of exposure to pollution. As I understand it from the 
statistician at one of the regional councils, the actual claim 
is more like, based on a whole lot of complex assumptions, 
1100 people were less healthy than they might have been and 
with some level of statistical probability, may have died some 
indeterminate amount of time earlier than they would have if 
they had enjoyed good clean air. In other words, in most 
cases, the linkage between premature death and air pollution 
is very indirect. - BH)

MORE FUNDING TO AID FAR NORTH CLEAN UP
--------------------------------------

Additional Taskforce Green funding has being allocated by the 
Government to help the clean up in flood-stricken Northland. 
Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope says funding 
will cover the employment of workers and supervisors. He says 
workers will be recruited from the unemployment register, 
students, and people displaced from their regular jobs because 
of the floods. He says the funding package also includes help 
for local authorities, such as light equipment and safety 
gear.

GOVERMENT HAS MORE CASH ON BOOKS THAN EXPECTED
----------------------------------------------

Once again the Government has more cash on its books than it 
expected. Treasury has released the Government's financial 
statements for the 11-months ending in May. Residual cash 
stands at almost $2.3 billion which is $265 million ahead of 
predictions. The Government's operating balance is almost $7.2 
billion, which is a whopping $600 million ahead of 
expectations. Reasons for the higher than expected figures 
include better than expected investment returns from the super 
fund, and a higher tax take.

POLICE RECRUITS HAVE CONVICTIONS
--------------------------------

National has released data on the number of recruits with 
convictions being accepted to the Police College. Last year 3 
recruits had criminal convictions, and another 25 had been 
apprehended for minor offences at some stage in the past. The 
numbers are higher than those recorded in 2004 and 2005 and 
National's police spokesman Chester Borrows believes it shows 
a disturbing pattern. He says the Government is allowing the 
quality of police recruits to drop. He says police recruiting 
is not about numbers, it is about quality, and that is where 
Labour is failing the public.

LABOUR WAS WITHIN THE RULES
---------------------------

The Auditor-General has ruled a recent advertising blitz by 
the Labour Party was within the rules. Five complaints were 
laid over Labour's multi-media promotion of its 20 hour free 
child scare scheme, Kiwisaver, and other policy announcements 
at the beginning of the month. Complainants argued the 
advertising was electioneering. Auditor-General Kevin Brady 
has ruled the publicity complies with the rules and was 
appropriately paid for by the Parliamentary Service. The 
advertising was assessed against new rules implemented last 
year after the Government passed validating legislation on 
election spending.

COUNCIL INCREASES LITTER FINE
-----------------------------

An Auckland council is hiking the fine for littering from $100 
to $400. It is the first increase in 20 years for the 
Waitakere City Council and spokeswoman Vanessa Neeson hopes it 
will send a strong message. Littering includes dropping 
cigarette butts so the council is installing additional 
ashtrays throughout its main town centres. The Manukau City 
Council also plans to raise penalties for dropping rubbish in 
public places. 
 
(It will be interesting to see what tariffs the judges 
actually impose if and when the first prosecution is brought. 
- BH)

CHEAPER OIL AND GAS PRICES UNLIKELY
-----------------------------------

Plans for oil and gas exploration in the Great South Basin 
will not necessarily mean fuel in the future will become 
cheaper for New Zealanders. Exxon Mobil and OMV New Zealand 
have been awarded permits to explore four sections of the 
Basin, which lies southeast of Invercargill. Energy lawyer 
with Kensington Swan, Bryan Gundersen, says the company will 
be looking to sell it for a good price if the exploration is a 
success. He says that will also apply if they want to bring it 
to shore for use in plants in the South Island. Mr Gundersen 
says the exploration does not mean an easing of concern about 
the declining Maui gas field in Taranaki.

Friday, 13 July 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NATIONAL EXAMINES 90 DAY PROBATION
----------------------------------

Another push of its 90-day probationary periods for new 
employees remain an option for the National Party. A Private 
Members Bill to that effect was proposed by National MP Wayne 
Mapp last year. It would have seen employers free from 
official personal grievance resolutions for new workers in the 
first 3 months of their employment. It was voted down last 
November, but National Party Industrial Relations spokeswoman 
Kate Wilkinson says they are still actively considering it, 
adding they want to make sure it is fair and not used to 
exploit people.

HOUSING NZ REPAIR BILLS TO "COST MILLIONS"
------------------------------------------

Repair bills for Housing New Zealand properties affected by 
leaky building syndrome are to cost millions. The corporation 
has identified around 140 homes that need repairs. More than 
6,000 houses built during the period where leaky homes issues 
arose, had to be checked. Housing New Zealand says the cost of 
the fix up work is estimated at being between $10 and $12 
million and some residents in the affected homes will have to 
be relocated while they are repaired. At this stage Housing 
Minister Chris Carter indicates no decision has been made on 
whether to take any of the cases to the Weathertight Homes 
Tribunal. 
 
(My recollection is that Housing New Zealand does not insure 
with any third party, but carries its own risk. I hope that 
they choose not to take their claims to the tribunal. The 
people from whom compensation is being obtained have finite 
capacity to pay, and I think individual citizens should have 
first priority. - BH)

DROP IN KIWI FLU JAB NUMBERS
----------------------------

There has been a drop in the number of Kiwis being vaccinated 
for the flu. Just over 745,000 New Zealanders got the jab this 
year - nearly a two percent decrease on last year. National 
Influenza Strategy spokesman Dr Lance Jennings says last year 
was a record high. He says with the number of people rolling 
up their sleeves this year, the nation has recognised the 
seriousness of the flu and its complications. He says the mild 
start to the winter may have meant people were a bit slow to 
get immunised.

(I was immunised and then promptly fell victim to some 
prolonged winter ailment that may or may not have been flu. - 
BH)

RETAIL FIGURES FOR MAY INCREASE
-------------------------------

We are out shopping again. Statistics New Zealand says retail 
sales figures for May were are back up to what they were 
before a dip in April. The increase was mainly due to rises in 
the two largest retail industries, supermarket and grocery 
stores, and motor vehicles. Most of the other 24 retail 
industries measured had relatively small movements, but the 
overall trend is a rise in total sales.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL UNDERWAY
---------------------------------------------

The Auckland leg of the International Film Festival kicks off 
today with hundreds of movies and short films on show over the 
next 16 days. There are offerings from actress Angelina Jolie, 
directors Michael Winterbottom and David Lynch but festival 
programmer Richard King says it is also worth going to see 
some of the short films which are playing. He says often some 
of the best simple ideas come from the short films - and often 
their lack of budget encourages their creativity. The festival 
runs in Auckland until the end of July before heading off to 
Wellington and around the rest of the country.

LOCKOUT CONTINUES FOR HOSPITAL WORKERS
--------------------------------------

There is no end in sight to the hospital workers' strike. 
Around 1,000 cleaners, orderlies and kitchen staff working at 
12 hospitals have been locked out by their employer Spotless 
Services, after members from the Service and Food Workers 
Union went on strike earlier this week. Spotless Services 
spokesman Mark Russell says the company is prepared to 
negotiate, but the union is playing hard to get. He says 
Spotless has been trying to reach a settlement for some time 
but was forced to lock staff out because of concerns for 
patient safety. The SFWU fought the lockout in the Employment 
Court but did not win its case. Union spokesman Alastair 
Duncan says the strike can be lifted at any stage and he is 
accusing Spotless of responding to the dispute by using a 
single blunt instrument in the form of a 14 day lockout 
notice. He says workers will continue to picket and raise 
public awareness about a multinational corporation paying the 
minimum wage. The hospitals affected are Northland, Whangarei, 
North Shore, Waitakere, Middlemore, Whangarei, Rotorua, 
Tauranga, Wanganui, Hastings, Palmerston North and 
Invercargill.

THOUSANDS STILL IN DARK AFTER STORM
-----------------------------------

Around eight thousand people in the upper North Island were 
still without power after Tuesday's storm. Many are angry that 
they cannot get through to their power company to get an 
indication of when supplies will be restored. Civil Defence 
Ministry director John Hamilton says he understands how they 
feel, but the damage has been so widespread, particularly 
around Auckland, that repairs are going to take time. He says 
people will have to rely on their own resilience to cope and 
the power companies will get to all customers eventually. Mr 
Hamilton is urging people in areas without power and phones to 
check on their neighbours. At the height of the storm 180,000 
homes were without power. 
 
(As of this morning - Saturday 14th, many thousands are still 
without electricity, hot water or phones. - BH)






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