WYSIWYG NEWS - 25 March, 2007

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 25 March, 2007 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer. 
 
Hectic times and personal disorganizations are to blame. Sorry 
for another two weeks in one edition. 

Mary and I have enjoyed a quiet drink together in the bar of 
the Cobb and Co restaurant on Petone's Esplanade this week. 
There is something about Wellington Harbour at sunset that I 
find deeply moving. The water was flat calm, almost viscous, 
with tiny wavelets barely mustering enough energy to lap on 
the beach. Vehicular traffic on the Esplanade is especially 
heavy at that time of night with a lot of heavy vehicles going 
to and from the premises of various consolidation depots, oil 
terminals, and factories. Commuters moving in the direction of 
Eastbourne or Wainuiomata, or the suburbs on the Eastern side 
of the valley were far more numerous than conservationists 
would wish, but I was taken by the class and state of the 
cars. It is clear that many have a real relationship with 
their car, judging by the high polish and obvious expenditure 
on aftermarket accessories. Meanwhile, out on the water, there 
were boats. A jet ski absolutely rocketed past, probably doing 
something in excess of 90 km/h well inside the 100 metres 
where 5 km/h is legally required. A pair paddling a 
competition class outrigger canoe appeared from the direction 
of Matiu/Somes Island, visible at first only as the 
characteristic flashing of water on their blades, and 
gradually emerging as the canoe and its occupants.  The two 
Eastbourne ferries skimmed across the water behind the island 
one in each direction. The distinctive wake of a jet powered 
catamaran hull gives them away every time, and they would 
definitely not sneak up on anybody. The green hills of the 
city gradually have all the colour sucked out of them by the 
setting sun, and soon they are just a black profile against 
the rosy gold of the sunset sky.  Detail is clear and sharp 
and even in stark silhouette it is possible to see that the 
blades on the turbine at the top of Brooklyn hill are still. A 
Boeing climbing out of Wellington Airport bursts out of the 
shadow into the sunset higher up, and sets its course for 
Auckland with its beacons flashing. A few minutes later, 
another climbs out and swings glinting to the South, bound for 
Christchurch or Dunedin. Far in the distance, a ladder of 
inbound landing lights hover above the Southern horizon on a 
seemingly endless descent into the airport. They look almost 
like flares hanging from a parachute, but in due course they 
disappear behind the hills on the Miramar Peninsula. As the 
evening darkens, the black hills are suddenly adorned with the 
sparkle of street and house lights. At sea level, the inner 
city is lit up, and the glare of lights at the container 
terminal is very bright. The delightful evening is magically 
transformed into a glorious night, enhanced by the glitter of 
the evening star against the after glow of a beautiful day. 

---- 
Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in 
parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the 
personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, 
or occasionally "GS" will indicate an opinion from our 
editorial assistant. In all cases they are honest expressions 
of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.  
 
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced 
by kind permission of copyright owner, Newstalk ZB News. All 
copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of 
The Radio Network Limited.  
 
This edition of the news is sponsored by long time reader, Joe 
Mack in NC. Thanks Joe.  
----  
On with the News.  
 

Monday, 12 March 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

HOUSING MARKET EXPECTED TO WEAKEN EVENTUALLY
--------------------------------------------

The residential housing market continues to defy the Reserve 
Bank Governor, but experts are predicting it will level-off 
before too long. The latest Quotable Value figures show growth 
of more than nine percent in residential property values in 
the three months to February, compared with the same period 12 
months earlier. Real Estate Institute vice-president Mike 
Elford says a number of economic factors are keeping the 
market buoyant and fixed interest rates mean the recent 
increases have not yet been felt. He says the market will 
probably level off, but that could be as soon as this winter 
or as late as next year. Mr Elford says it will take some time 
before the country sees the impact of the latest interest rate 
rises. 
 
(I think the market continues to defy all attempts at analysis 
or prediction - BH)

JAIL TERMS INCREASING FOR LIFE SENTENCES
----------------------------------------

Jail terms for those sentenced to life imprisonment are 
increasing. The Ministry of Justice has released an overview 
of sentencing and conviction patterns between 1996 and 2005. 
It shows the average non-parole period imposed on offenders in 
2005 was 14 years, around three years longer than the average 
before new sentencing laws were introduced in 2002. The 
figures also found sentences for rape convictions have 
increased, in 1996 the average jail term was just under 88 
months, in 2005 it was 99 months. There has been a decreasing 
trend for convictions for violent offences between 1996 and 
2005, with just 49 percent of prosecutions resulting in guilty 
verdicts in 2005. Violent sex offence convictions have fallen 
from a peak of more than 2,000 in 1996 and now average around 
1,500 a year. In 2005 there were more than 1,800 convictions 
for violent sex crimes with more than three quarters of the 
victims aged 16-years-old or less. Cannabis is continuing to 
make up the bulk of all the drug convictions. The report 
reveals on average there are over 12,500 drug convictions 
recorded every year, around six percent of all convictions. 
Conviction for possession or use of cannabis makes up 75 
percent of all those convictions for drug offences. However 
the Justice Ministry reports the number of cannabis offences 
have been showing a downward trend with recorded numbers in 
2005 the lowest in a decade. Convictions for traffic offences 
are falling - but are still the bulk of the work before the 
courts. The Justice Ministry report shows traffic offence 
matters have made up almost a third of all convictions 
annually over the past decade. The most alarming rise has been 
convictions for reckless or dangerous driving which have 
increased 83 percent between 1996 and 2005. However the total 
number of convictions has dropped, falling from more than 
63,000 in 1996 to more than 54,000 in 2002. 
 
(One of the problems that we face is that our already large 
corrections system is crowded now. I have mentioned previously 
that we are often told that we have the second highest 
incarceration rate in the world. My correspondent, James Lawry 
put me right on that. We have 164 prisoners per 100,000 of 
population and that is certainly at the high end of the scale. 
The UK has just 124 per 100,000, while the US has 740. But to 
return to the point, prisons are already bursting at the 
seams, and expensive to maintain now. The Sensible Sentencing 
Trust notwithstanding, I suggest that this country cannot 
support a significant increase in its prison population such 
as would arise from a significant lengthening of average 
sentences. I have no easy answers to this. - BH)

ALARM AT CALL FOR OVERSEAS MANUFACTURING
----------------------------------------

The Green Party is up in arms over a call for local businesses 
to set up manufacturing operations offshore. The suggestion is 
being made by business think-tank the New Zealand Institute. 
It believes it will help cut down on transport costs and 
respond to concerns about sustainability and climate change. 
But Green MP Sue Bradford is alarmed by the suggestion. She 
says New Zealand can not afford to neglect the local 
manufacturing base. Ms Bradford says local markets serve as 
both a springboard and a safety net for New Zealand exporters 
which is why local manufacturing should be nurtured, not 
sacrificed. 
 
(I guess it's a logical extension of the nation state that 
each country wants to privilege its own citizens ahead of the 
workers in another country. Unless the workers in this country 
want to compete with those in Viet Nam and Myanmar by dropping 
their wages to comparable levels, completely unliveable 
levels, this pressure will continue. Lower your wages or lose 
your jobs. Is the solution to shut our borders? I don't know. 
- BH)  

HIP AND COOL BUS DRIVERS SOUGHT
-------------------------------

The Bus and Coach Association is working to make the industry 
seem hip and cool to attract new drivers. The industry has 
launched a campaign to find up to 500 drivers, as the national 
shortage reaches crisis point. Executive Director John Collyns 
says at the moment 80 percent of drivers are men, and most are 
aged between 45 and 64. He says they want to change the 
perception that most bus drivers are grumpy old men. Mr 
Collyns says they are keen to bring in younger people and more 
women. 
 
(Hey, there are some grumpy old women on the local buses too - 
BH)

APPLES CHEAPER BUT POULTRY TAKES FLIGHT
---------------------------------------

Food prices were largely unchanged last month. Statistics New 
Zealand's food price index rose just 0.1 percent in February. 
Poultry prices took flight, rising more than seven percent. 
Restaurant meals and ready to eat food prices went up 0.4 
percent and grocery food was up 0.2 percent, while non-
alcoholic beverages rose 0.4 percent. Apples prices fell 
nearly 27 percent, with the price of all fruit and vegetables 
falling 2.6 percent. For the year to February 2007, food 
prices rose 4.5 percent. Prices were up for all subgroups, 
with fruit and vegetables seeing the biggest rise of 18.5 
percent.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED WOOING AUSSIES TO NZ
--------------------------------------

A joint attempt is being made to woo Australians to New 
Zealand for work and pleasure. New Zealand Tourism and the 
Labour Department have joined forces in a marketing campaign 
being run out of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Immigration 
Minister David Cunliffe says it is a way to talk to 
Australians, and expat Kiwis, about the benefits and 
opportunities available in New Zealand. He says it makes sense 
to tap into the potential Australia offers as a labour source. 
David Cunliffe says with the common labour market our 
employers potentially have access to 24 million people who can 
freely move to New Zealand.

GOVERNMENT BUYS MORE TAMIFLU
----------------------------

The Government has upped its storage of antiviral medication 
Tamiflu, but is still short of the amount needed to treat the 
entire country should a viral pandemic strike. More than 36 
million dollars worth of the drug has just been purchased, 
which will be stored in five separate secure facilities around 
the country. In total health authorities have over one point 
two million Tamiflu treatment courses in store - enough to 
treat 30 percent of the population. It is estimated another 
350 to 400 thousand doses are in private or corporate hands. 
 
(As far as I know, there is still no evidence that the stuff 
will work on H5N1 - BH)

DEMAND FOR PORTALOOS AT AUCKLAND RAIL STATIONS
----------------------------------------------

As Auckland rail commuters face more delays today, a call has 
gone out for portaloos at some of the stations. Leading the 
charge is rail enthusiast and former broadcaster Merv Smith. 
He says there are no toilets on the trains, nor at any of the 
stations between Henderson and Britomart on the Western Line. 
Mr Smith says it is not only old trains that have feeble 
equipment, and the lengthy delays are causing a wee problem 
for him and other older passengers. He says having a weak 
bladder makes sitting at the station waiting for the next 
train, very uncomfortable. Mr Smith suggests some portaloos at 
Newmarket could help relieve the problem. This morning's 
delays on the western line are being blamed on problems with 
signalling circuits.

PM BACKS EXTENSION TO DAYLIGHT SAVING
-------------------------------------

The prime minister has come out in favour of extending 
daylight saving. The issue is the subject of a petition backed 
by United Future leader Peter Dunne. A report is being looked 
at by the Department of Internal Affairs. Helen Clark thinks 
the idea has some merit. She says there is definitely room for 
some movement at this end of the summer, with warmer 
temperatures lasting further into March. Ms Clark says the 
beginning of daylight saving could also be looked at with the 
good weather seeming to arrive later than it did in the past. 
Meanwhile the United States has just started daylight savings, 
three weeks early. It is part of an effort to save power. 
 
(For me, any daylight before coffee at 10:30 is wasted, and I 
could happily live with year round daylight saving. I realise 
that there are misguided people with different views, but I 
heard of a study that reports a general improvement in the 
national sense of well-being if the evenings are light for 
longer. :-) - BH)

RESERVE BANK TIPPED TO REACT TO RISING HOUSE PRICES
---------------------------------------------------

Trends in the residential property market are again under 
close scrutiny. Quotable Value figures show growth of more 
than nine percent in residential property values in the three 
months to February, compared with the same period 12 months 
earlier. Business correspondent Roger Kerr says the root cause 
of inflation according to the Reserve Bank is rising house 
prices and spending, as people increase their mortgages on the 
increased values. He says wide scale job losses may be the 
only thing that could slow the rate of increase. The average 
New Zealand house price has reached 363 thousand dollars. The 
prices in Auckland continue to rise unabated, with Pt 
Chevalier, Western Springs and Glen Innes the boom suburbs 
over the summer months. Quotable Value figures show 
residential property values grew by 6.9 percent in the region 
over the three months to February in comparison with the same 
period last year. The average Auckland sale price is just over 
$469,000. QV spokesman Blue Hancock says outer-central suburbs 
like Pt Chevalier, Western Springs and Glen Innes have skipped 
ahead. He says the Auckland region has had a strong run for 
quite sometime so it will be interesting to see where it goes 
from here. Analysts say the continued increase in prices is 
likely to heighten Reserve Bank concerns. Reserve Bank 
Governor Dr Alan Bollard last week warned of further rate 
increases unless there is a significant cooling in the housing 
market.

STUDY REVEALS IMMOBILITY AT WORK RAISES RISK OF DVT
---------------------------------------------------

Managers and taxi drivers are among those being urged to get 
up and take a stretch during the work day to offset the threat 
of developing blood clots. A study from the Medical Research 
Institute in Wellington has found prolonged immobility at work 
creates a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis than 
long haul flights. One in three people attending an outpatient 
clinic reported sitting for eight hours or longer before 
suffering a clot, while only one in five had travelled on a 
long-haul flight. Institute director Richard Beasley says 
workers who sit down all day need to keep their blood flowing 
by getting up and about whenever they can. 
 
(Shhhh! Don't tell Mary! I get enough "encouragement" already. 
- BH)

NITROUS OXIDE SALE ON TRADEME TO BE INVESTIGATED
------------------------------------------------

The Associate Health Minister will today report the sale of 
Nitrous Oxide on TradeMe to the Health Ministry. The online 
auction site has pulled the ad and banned the user after being 
contacted by our newsroom. It says it has taken steps to 
ensure NOS is not sold on the site again. The government made 
Nitrous Oxide a prescription medicine in 2005. Associate 
Health Minister Jim Anderton says he will ask the Health 
Ministry to investigate the case and contact TradeMe and the 
seller today. He says officials are more into education and 
prevention than prosecution, but says if people persist in 
selling NOS they will be prosecuted.

Tuesday, 13 March 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

MORE HELP FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY SUICIDE
---------------------------------------

A new range of support services is being established to help 
those affected by suicide. Suicide bereavement support 
services will be set up in Christchurch, Auckland and the East 
Coast of the North Island. The details have been announced by 
Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton, whose family has had 
personal experience with suicide. Mr Anderton says there will 
also be more funding for community support and response 
services, as well as new programmes to support people caring 
for those who survive a suicide attempt. Funding is also being 
set aside for initiatives aiming to reduce suicide risks.

MAORI PARTY TO SUPPORT ANTI-SMACKING BILL
-----------------------------------------

The Maori Party's MPs have agreed to support Greens MP Sue 
Bradford's anti-smacking bill. Newstalk ZB political editor 
Barry Soper says the support means the bill will pass, as long 
as no Labour MPs break ranks, which there is no indication 
they will. Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says the 
decision to support the bill was made because in Maori culture 
children are seen as treasures, so a hit is a hit regardless 
of the circumstances in which it is administered. He says the 
Maori Party's stand might not be popular with everyone, but 
neither is hitting children. National MP Chester Borrows spoke 
with the Maori Party this morning but did not persuade its MPs 
to support his amendment that would stipulate an acceptable 
level of force against children. The amendment is to be 
debated tomorrow but is now unlikely to pass. The Maori 
Party's four MPs became the power brokers for Sue Bradford's 
legislation, with most National MPs against it. United Future 
and NZ First MPs are divided. Labour says it will support the 
bill and the Prime Minister has said today she would like it 
to become law because of New Zealand's child abuse record, 
which she says is embarrassing. Helen Clark says fortunately 
she was not beaten as a child, as many of her generation were. 
She says she may have been smacked once and remembers being 
resentful and feeling it was unfair.

NO PERISHABLES FOR COURIER ON THE KAPITI COAST
----------------------------------------------

A courier company is restricting the goods it will carry to 
the Kapiti Coast after days of traffic jams. There have been 
delays for the past five days, with peak hour traffic held up 
for as long as three and a half hours because of a Transit re-
surfacing project. Fastway Couriers spokesman Lance Moretto 
says his company has had to start steering clear of perishable 
deliveries like fish and flowers because of the problems. He 
says his drivers are having to wait in traffic for up to two 
hours at peak times.

NZQA TO CONDUCT STUDY TO CHECK INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
--------------------------------------------------

The Qualifications Authority is to conduct a pilot study into 
the use of random sampling, to check its moderation system of 
secondary school students' internal assessment. Currently 
secondary school teachers send in work that is on the 
borderline of a grade, for example between excellence and 
merit, to receive advice and feedback. Now the NZQA is to 
trial random testing to make sure the system is working. 
Deputy Chief Executive of the Qualifications Division Bali 
Haque says it is about improving the marking of internal 
assessments. He expects they will receive better information 
about teachers' ability to mark to national standards. Bali 
Haque says the trial will be carried out over September.

NATIONAL SAYS DIGITAL TV TOO EXPENSIVE
--------------------------------------

The digital revolution may end up being a pricey one. National 
claims the government is being less than upfront on the costs 
of switching to digital TV. Broadcasting spokesman Jonathan 
Coleman reckons the cost of setting yourself up to receive 
digital free to air has doubled from around 350 dollars to 
700. He claims a set-top box will cost 300 dollars rather than 
the original 200 dollars and a satellite dish will cost around 
400 dollars. Dr Coleman thinks that is too much. He says 700 
dollars is a lot of money for the average household to pull 
together when it is already struggling to make ends meet. 
Jonathan Coleman also doubts people will go for FreeView 
because there are few details on what will be shown on it. He 
says he suspects many of the channels which will be available 
can already be viewed for free under the current system.

DELAYED RAIL PASSENGERS ASKED TO BE PATIENT
-------------------------------------------

Sympathy and a call to be patient from the Auckland Regional 
Council to the city's rail passengers. Commuters on the 
Western Line have faced some pretty lengthy delays in the past 
couple of weeks. ARC transport committee chairman Joel Cayford 
says they want the work finished as quickly as possible. But 
he says the upgrade has to be done safely and it has to be 
done right. Dr Cayford says while some delays can be 
anticipated, the fragile track means there are often 
compounding problems which extend the hold-ups. He says if 
there is any risk of a train accident then the service will be 
delayed, to ensure public safety. Joel Cayford says the 
government-funded organisation ONTRACK is handling the track 
upgrades. He understands the Western Line is due to be 
finished later this year. 
 
(And as per the article on Monday, keep your legs crossed if 
the train is delayed! - BH)

Wednesday, 14 March 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COUNCIL MOCKED FOR TAKING ITSELF TO COURT
-----------------------------------------

Waitakere City Council has prosecuted itself for not getting 
consents to move six houses it bought for Project Twin 
Streams. Judge Paul Barber has fined the council $800 plus 
$130 court costs on each of six charges brought by the council 
against itself in the Waitakere District Court. Two 
contractors have yet to be sentenced for their removal of the 
houses without consent. Planning and Regulatory Committee 
Chair Vanessa Neeson says the council feels vindicated by the 
decision. "We have been mocked for prosecuting ourselves but 
it is a very important principle of democracy, justice and 
common fairness that if we are prepared to prosecute ordinary 
citizens and contractors for such things, we must be seen to 
be prosecuting ourselves too. We are not above the law," she 
says.

DHB DEFENDS DEATHS OF MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS
--------------------------------------------

The Auckland District Health Board is defending itself against 
criticism over the deaths of 20 of its mental health patients 
last year. National's Associate Health spokesman Dr Jonathan 
Coleman says it is unacceptable when the DHB had over $7 
million of unallocated mental health money. The board 
describes the figure as clinically acceptable. Chairman Wayne 
Brown supports comments from his senior staff that one death 
is not good but it has to be put into perspective. He says 
although it sounds terrible - 380 people died on the roads 
last year and that was not good either. Mr Brown says the 
Auckland DHB has increased its mental health spending to a 
greater degree than any other DHB. 
 
(In my opinion, if all the energy that was put into defending 
themselves went instead into the health system proper, there 
would be better outcomes. I see this with students explaining 
why they need an extension to due dates for assignments. I 
tell them, you have told me you will be late, now waste no 
more energy on the excuses. Deliver as soon as possible and we 
will all have a better outcome - BH)

PARLIAMENT'S SECURITY BILL ON THE INCREASE
------------------------------------------

Security is tighter than ever before at Parliament. 
Parliamentary Services has released information about the size 
of its security budget and the number of security officers it 
employs. General manager Joel George says the numbers of 
security personnel have risen over the past seven years from 
40 in 2000 to about 80 this year. He says the increases are 
due to a review undertaken after September 11. Mr George adds 
the annual costs of Parliamentary security have risen from two 
point three million dollars in 2001 to three and a half 
million dollars in the last financial year. Joel George 
signals more is on the way with additional scanning and 
screening equipment to be introduced at all entrances to the 
complex. Currently public entering the Beehive are scanned, 
however no such measures are in place for those visiting 
Parliamentary offices across the road at Bowen House.

(There's an old saying about how sad it is to see someone 
guarding a jewel that no one wants to steal - BH)

CAUSE OF WELLINGTON POWER CUT STILL NOT CLEAR
---------------------------------------------

Transpower says it is still not clear what caused last night's 
power cut around the Wellington region. Thousands of homes in 
Wellington's northern suburbs, Hutt Valley and Kapiti were 
without power from around 11pm until 1am because of an outage 
at the Haywards sub-station, which also took out the Takapu 
Road station. Supplies have since been restored. There was 
thunder and lightning along with heavy rain throughout much of 
the region, but Transpower spokeswoman Rebecca Collerton says 
they are not yet sure if the lightning strike was the cause of 
the outage. More bad weather is expected today with a severe 
weather warning for the lower half of the North Island. Very 
heavy rain is expected in the Tararua Ranges from late morning 
and there are severe wind warnings for both Wellington and 
Wairarapa, where north easterly gales are expected to get up 
to around 130kmph.

CORRECTIONS BACKS PRISON OFFICERS' INTEGRITY
--------------------------------------------

The Corrections Association is confident a wider investigation 
into corruption amongst prison officers would not turn up too 
many abusing the system. Two officers have been suspended at 
Rimutaka Prison and two more face the possibility of 
suspension. Association president Beven Hanlon says there are 
only a few officers who are willing to buck the system. He 
believes there would be fewer than 10 corrupt officers out of 
a staff of around three and a half thousand.

(As of the end of this week, the numbers are up to 11 
suspensions at Rimutaka Prison in Upper Hutt - BH)

POLICE CHALLENGED TO TAKE ACTION OVER BOY RACERS
------------------------------------------------

A Christchurch woman who says she has been sleep deprived for 
months is demanding police take action over boy racers on one 
of the city's four main avenues. Heather Giles has lived on 
Fitzgerald Avenue for 18 years and says in the past five 
months the noise has been driving her and other residents 
crazy. She has complained to the police area commander and is 
challenging police to effectively enforce the area. Heather 
Giles says the noise starts on Thursday nights and goes 
through until the early hours of Sunday.

AVIATION EXPERT SAYS AIR MARSHALLS UNNECESSARY
----------------------------------------------

The possibility of armed air marshals on flights coming into 
New Zealand is seen by some as inevitable. The Aviation 
Security Legislation Bill introduced into Parliament yesterday 
paves the way for guns onboard flights. The Greens have 
already voiced their opposition to the proposal. But aviation 
expert Peter Clark believes the idea generally is a dead duck. 
He does not know how one sky marshal would work on some of the 
larger crafts which are now in service. Peter Clark says they 
have been operating for many years without any incidents in 
the US so it should not be a worry about flights into the 
country.

RAIL TRAVEL TO BECOME EASIER IN AUCKLAND
----------------------------------------

Significant announcements regarding Auckland rail transport 
are expected to make travelling by train easier. ONTRACK is to 
resurrect the dormant Onehunga branch line and expects it to 
be running between Onehunga and Britomart by 2009. Also 
announced is a decision by the Auckland Regional Council to 
build a modern concourse with multiple platforms in Newmarket. 
Chairman Mike Lee says it means trains will be able to run 
every 10 minutes once the double tracking of the Western Line 
is complete. He says it also means new stations at Parnell and 
Park Road in Newmarket. Mr Lee says the developments will give 
access to a whole new catchment of public transport users. 
 
(Wow! The last time I saw a  train on that line, it was hauled 
by a WAb class steam locomotive, and I was in school uniform!  
- BH)

DHB'S DELAY HERCEPTIN DECISION YET AGAIN
----------------------------------------

An announcement on Herceptin funding has again been held up. A 
statement was expected from DHBs today on whether they will 
fund the drug for women with early stage breast cancer. The 
Government's drug funding agency PHARMAC has doubts over the 
much publicised 12 month treatment plan and is instead 
throwing its weight behind a nine week alternative. DHBs have 
been considering whether to fund this alternative. The 
compacted plan has been criticised by some who say it is 
cheap, nasty and unethical. A decision on whether DHBs have 
the cash for the course was originally due to be made last 
week, that was postponed until today and now next week. 
Spokesman David Meates says it is a matter of dotting "i"s and 
crossing "t"s.

Thursday, 15 March 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MEETING AIMS TO DEVELOP MAORI WORKFORCE
---------------------------------------

A hui is underway in Wellington to develop the Maori 
workforce. The Council of Trade Unions is hosting the "Leave 
No One Behind" conference, which is discussing projects around 
workplace productivity, mentoring and career guidance. 
Business Zealand CEO Phil O'Reilly says in the future New 
Zealand will become increasingly dependent on the Maori 
workforce, as the proportion of Maori workers increases. Mr 
O'Reilly says the Government needs to work to up-skill young 
Maori at school and in the workforce to ensure a good future 
for New Zealand business.

ANOTHER BLOW FOR BEEKEEPERS
---------------------------

A virus causing deformed wings in bees has been found on 
properties in Northland and the Waikato. Biosecurity New 
Zealand is now trying to establish how widespread the virus is 
and how long it has been in the country. The deformed wing 
virus is widespread overseas and is most often noticed in 
hives already affected by Varroa mite, which has decimated 
many North Island hives since its accidental introduction in 
2000.

GOVERNMENT AIMS TO CRACK DOWN ON DRUG HARM
------------------------------------------

The government has launched its second national drug policy. 
It is aimed at preventing and reducing drug-related harm 
throughout the country over the next five years. Associate 
Health Minister Jim Anderton is reiterating his intention to 
legislate against party pills. He says he is also keen to step 
up measures which will reduce the demand for and supply of 
drugs. Mr Anderton says it is no secret that New Zealand has a 
drug and an alcohol problem. He says that is why it is 
critical we develop an attitudinal change around the culture 
of drugs.

MEDIA URGED TO BE GOOD CITIZENS
-------------------------------

Media outlets are being urged to make better news judgements 
when trying to get the story first. TVNZ is defending its 
dealings with rapist John Clarke, who it interviewed before he 
turned himself in to Greymouth police yesterday. Police are 
unhappy TVNZ did not tell them it knew where Clarke was. 
University of Canterbury head of journalism Jim Tully says 
TVNZ should have at least given police a heads up. He says at 
a certain point a media outlet can go beyond the reasonable 
business of getting the story and keeping police in the loop, 
to move into the realms of perhaps aiding and abetting a 
criminal or obstructing the course of justice. Mr Tully says 
although police acknowledge it did not get that far, there has 
to be a balance between getting the story first and being a 
good citizen.

HOSPITALS NOT MEETING FAMILY VIOLENCE REQUIREMENTS
--------------------------------------------------

There is concern the majority of the country's hospitals are 
failing to act quickly enough on Government advice to help 
victims of family violence. A Ministry of Health guideline 
established in 2002 invites all DHBs to work towards routine 
screening for signs of family violence. Bay of Plenty DHB is 
the latest to approve funding for the screening which involves 
every woman over 16 being questioned on abuse, regardless of 
why they are at the hospital. But Dr Russell Wills of Hawke's 
Bay DHB says only around one third of the country's hospitals 
have made the mandatory step of training staff to deal with 
family violence. He suggests the other two thirds are putting 
patients at risk. Dr Wills says since his DHB started 
screening in 2002, there has been a seven-fold increase in 
annual referrals to CYF, while referrals to organisations like 
women's refuge have almost tripled. He says when women who 
look like they have been abused are not questioned about it, 
they feel more disempowered.

DELAY TACTICS STALL THE ANTI-SMACKING BILL
------------------------------------------

Emotion over the anti-smacking bill has reached almost 
unprecedented heights in Parliament. MPs spent last night 
debating the bill but failed to get to National MP Chester 
Borrows' amendment after a raft of delay tactics from 
opponents, who offered up a raft of amendments to allow 
further debate. That means Chester Borrows' amendment to allow 
light smacking will not be debated for another fortnight. A 
disciplined set of Labour MPs refused to waver from their 
support for the anti-smacking bill. The party's MPs have been 
whipped into backing Sue Bradford's bill. Labour MP Charles 
Chauvell says it is an historic bill which is long-overdue. He 
says it could be called The Sending a Very Clear Public 
Message That Violence Against Children is Unacceptable Bill. 
One who is aghast the bill may pass, is National's deputy 
leader Bill English. He resents his relationship with his 
children being legally and fundamentally altered to prove a 
symbolic point. United Future MP Gordon Copeland calls Sue 
Bradford's plan a dangerous piece of legislation and warned 
against going down that path. Mr Copeland says Parliament is 
bringing actions like light smacking and taking children to 
time out, into the orbit of assault under the Crimes Act. 
National MP Maurice Williamson agrees, calling the bill a 
nonsense. He says it criminalises parents, and as a parent he 
finds that offensive. Mr Williamson says the State has no part 
in telling parents how to bring up their children. And former 
Labour MP Taito Phillip Field has told the House it is 
insanity and believes many MPs will regret supporting the bill 
because it will backfire. He doubts law enforcement agencies 
are going to be able to cope. But Labour MP Lynne Pillay has 
yelled across Parliament at opponents, saying those against 
the bill have got it wrong and have been aided and abetted by 
the media. She says the bill is about people hitting their 
children with riding crops and getting off. Ms Pillay is 
chairwoman of the committee which agreed to amend current 
legislation to support Sue Bradford's bill. Earlier in the 
week, she denied Labour had been whipped to vote in favour of 
it, only to be contradicted by the Prime Minister.

(Being "whipped" in this context means that members are 
required to vote in accordance with the decision of the 
caucus. I think this one should be a conscience vote - BH)

BNZ TO BECOME CARBON NEUTRAL IN NEXT 3 YEARS
--------------------------------------------

The Bank of New Zealand has vowed to become carbon neutral in 
the next three years. BNZ and the National Australia Bank have 
announced they will reach their targets by the end of 
September 2010. The banks, which are part of the National 
Australia Bank Group, aim to reduce the greenhouse gas impacts 
of their operations to zero. Bank of New Zealand Managing 
Director, Cameron Clyne, says they will be taking steps to 
reduce the environmental impacts of their operations. He says 
these include improving the energy efficiency of buildings and 
encouraging staff to turn off computer screens and lights and 
use public transport.

TEENS INDULGING IN SELF HARM ON THE RISE
----------------------------------------

Youth counselling groups are raising concerns about the number 
of teenagers who are self harming. Anecdotal evidence shows 
more young people than ever before are phoning Youthline for 
help after cutting themselves. Youthline Director Stephen Bell 
says part of the reason for the increase is people making it 
seem glamorous. Mr Bell says there is even online support for 
kids to engage in cutting themselves. He says anyone who feels 
they need help or advice about self harm should call Youthline 
on 0800 37 66 33. The youth subculture emo has been blamed by 
various media and websites for encouraging young people to cut 
themselves, but one high school principal doubts that is the 
case. Hamilton's Fraser High School principal Martin Elliott 
says self harm was a problem long before emos were around. He 
says emo is the culture of the moment and he is sure next year 
something new will take over. Mr Elliott says youths who self 
harm usually have deep emotional issues and do not just do it 
to fit in with a group.

Friday, 16 March 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HUI SUGGESTS MAORI NEED TO BE UPSKILLED
---------------------------------------

A hui held in Wellington has seen a number of issues thrashed 
out with regards to the future Maori workforce. Business New 
Zealand CEO, Phil O'Reilly, says Maori will make up an 
increasing portion of our population and therefore workforce 
in years to come. However, he says many Maori struggle with 
numeracy and literacy. Mr O'Reilly says work is needed to make 
sure Maori workers have the right skills. He says ideally 
systems will be constructed to allow everyone to succeed 
without having to make special provision for Maori or other 
disadvantaged groups. 
 
(A purely personal opinion is that it is damaging to Maori  
that so much effort must be put into remedial activities with 
regard to workplace achievements. There is only so much that 
can be done on the basis of personal entrepreneurship, and 
some emphasis needs to be placed on fundamental educational 
achievement. There needs to be more emphasis on the value to 
Maori as a people, of education in general. I suppose I could 
be accused of paternalism, but it pains me to see school 
leavers if they are at work at all, standing at either end of 
road works with a stop/go sign. - BH) 

CONTACT ENERGY PLANS MAJOR CUT IN CARBON EMISSIONS
--------------------------------------------------

Contact Energy has announced plans to try to cut carbon 
emissions by one million tonnes within the next seven years. 
The company's decided it will help more than 580-thousand 
electricity and gas users to do this by announcing plans which 
will be sent to homeowners. Those will detail how best to save 
energy within the house as winter draws in as well as how to 
calculate what each home's carbon footprint is on the 
environment. Contact Energy bosses have said they've already 
set themselves a target of 50-thousand tonnes of carbon 
emission reductions in the financial year ahead.

BOOK SAYS RACE-BASED INITIATIVES NEED A RE-THINK
------------------------------------------------

Calls for New Zealand institutions to think twice about race-
based initiatives. Debate raged over race-based funding after 
Don Brash's 2004 Orewa Speech which sparked a review of such 
measures. Now a book, to be launched today, examines the 
effectiveness of special funding. The author of the book 
titled " Special Measures to Reduce Ethnic Disadvantage in New 
Zealand" is Dr Paul Callister of the Institute of Policy 
Studies at Victoria University. He says only a few race-based 
initiatives remain, including health funds and ethnic based 
tertiary scholarships. Dr Callister suggests work needs to 
start at primary level so students naturally progress to 
university rather than having to be offered incentives. He 
says any funding also needs to be tailored to attract at risk 
groups, but not isolate individuals from other ethnicities.

AIR NZ ADDS NEW FLIGHT TO RAROTONGA IN PEAK MONTHS
--------------------------------------------------

Air New Zealand is cashing in on the growing number of people 
seeking a little sun and relaxation in the Cook Islands during 
the Northern Hemisphere winter. The national carrier is 
planning to add a second weekly flight between Auckland, 
Rarotonga and Los Angeles during the period of peak demand 
between December and March. Air New Zealand Pacific Islands 
Manager, Peter Walsh, says the extra flight will cater to the 
increasing number of Americans and Europeans looking for a 
warmer climate during their winter. It will also meet the 
growing demand for New Zealanders travelling to Rarotonga.

JUSTICE SYSTEM GOES HIGH-TECH
-----------------------------

One million pieces of paper a year will be saved, thanks to a 
time-saving move to electronic filing by the courts. Councils 
and police will now be able to file infringement notices to 
district courts online. The electronic system has been in 
place since the beginning of this month, and will be 
compulsory from September. Already the police and Auckland 
City Council, who were responsible for 75 percent of 
infringement notices filed last year, have taken on the 
system. That means 66-thousand pieces of paper a month will 
not be gathering dust in a rack somewhere. 
 
(I am astonished that this is news. I know that Justice has 
been working on this for years, and it must be a matter for 
embarrassment that such an obvious application is being 
delivered so late in time - BH)

GOVERNMENT URGED TO TAKE CONTROL OF AUCKLAND ROADS
--------------------------------------------------

The government is being asked to take control of Auckland's 
roading issues. The Council for Infrastructure Development 
says in-house fighting between public agencies is delaying 
decisions on major projects, such as Manukau's transport 
corridor. The council is a lobby group concerned with the 
quality of infrastructure in this country. Chief executive 
Stephen Selwood says Transit, Treasury and Auckland councils 
are all at odds over timing and format. He says their complex 
administrative processes are making it impossible to form 
effective decisions. The council feels it is time for the 
Government to take a leadership role and set up a taskforce to 
manage the process. 
 
(Why limit it to Auckland? - BH)

NZ SCIENTISTS DISCOVER VITAMIN C A MUST IN CELLS
------------------------------------------------

New Zealand scientists are working on whether something as 
simple as vitamin C can be used to limit the impact of cancer. 
The research has been carried out by Margret Visser from the 
Christchurch School of Medicine and shows the vitamin has a 
far more important role in the body than previously thought. 
Dr Visser says Vitamin C is fundamental in controlling many 
cell activities, cell death and even the growth of cancer 
cells in tumours. She says the regulation of cell life and 
death is what underlies a lot of disease mechanisms and in 
particular the cancer disease. Margret Visser says this is not 
a cure for cancer but she and her team will now focus their 
research on the vitamin C levels within cancer cells to try to 
establish a connection.

Monday, 19 March 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BIRDS POISONED IN AKLD'S WESTERN SPRINGS
----------------------------------------

Around 100 birds and waterfowl have been found dead or dying 
at Western Springs in West Auckland. 40 birds have died and 
another 60 are sick from eating poison laced grain. The birds 
include ducks, swans, geese, pukekos, seabirds and pigeons. 
Auckland City Council says a four kilogram box of grain laced 
with what appears to be alpha-chloralose poison was found at 
Western Springs. It appears the contents were scattered from 
the lake in Western Springs to Great North Road. Any sick 
birds are being taken into the care of a bird rescuer. The 
poison is not harmful to humans, other large mammals or fish. 
 
(The perpetrator of this vile act is utterly contemptible. 
Western Springs is a very nice place where generations of 
Auckland kids - including mine - have been taken to feed the 
ducks and swans on the lake. - BH)

REFERENDUM CALLS FOR ANTI SMACKING BILL
---------------------------------------

New Zealand First's deputy leader is backing calls for a 
public referendum on Sue Bradford's anti-smacking bill. Peter 
Brown says it is absolutely disgraceful the bill's sponsor is 
denying any form of public say on an issue which has polarised 
the country. He says a referendum is the only way to ensure 
the voice of the public is heard. He says a huge amount of New 
Zealanders are opposed to the bill and many would be more 
comfortable if the Chester Borrows amendment gets through. The 
bill will not be debated again until another fortnight. It is 
likely to pass its third and final reading at the beginning of 
May.

DOC SCIENTISTS TO CHECK MT RUAPEHU LAHAR TODAY
----------------------------------------------

DOC scientists are expected to fly to Mount Ruapehu crater 
around seven this morning. Bad weather prevented them from 
assessing the crater lake after the lahar burst its banks 
yesterday. DOC scientist Harry Keys feels there is little 
chance of another overflow of the crater lake. He says until 
they get up there and see what the situation is they will not 
know for sure, but their assessment is that the lahar is 
mostly gone. It is expected to flow under the State Highway 
Three bridge between Wanganui and Bulls around midday before 
heading out to sea. Harry Keys says it is not expected to 
damage the bridge. However, Mr Keys says the lahar flow will 
affect marine life in the lower tidal reaches of the Whangaehu 
River. Harry Keys says it is a natural outflow of the crater 
lake which means there is always acid in the river. He says 
eels and whitebait that are in the way will be affected but a 
lot of the fish life have probably left the river because of 
the increasing acidity over the past six months. Meanwhile, 
the Minister of Civil Defence believes the measures put in 
place for yesterday's lahar will be valuable for future 
episodes. The mud and sludge which spewed from Mt Ruapehu was 
only slightly less in scale than the Tangiwai disaster in 1953 
which claimed 151 lives. Rick Barker says preparations put in 
place for yesterday's event include alarm systems and 
strengthening the road and rail bridges at Tangiwai. He 
believes they worked well and provide solutions for the 
future. However, one local says it was sheer luck the lahar 
did not injure or kill anyone. DOC says the mountain dam 
collapsed over a period of 45 minutes late yesterday morning 
releasing the lahar as a series of pulses rather than a large 
volume single release. Andy Harland of the Discovery Lodge 
near Mt Ruapehu had been advocating for the lahar to be 
drained slowly to avoid a huge lahar flow. He says there could 
have been kids playing in the river down stream who never 
heard the siren. 
 
(On the whole, I think it was well managed. It was spectacular 
on TV - BH)

WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL GOING MOBILE
------------------------------------

It seems more businesses are giving up their land lines in 
favour of cell phones. The Wellington City Council is the 
latest to join Vodafone's mobile vision. It is in the process 
of implementing a scheme to get rid of about a third of its 
land lines in favour of cell phones. Vodafone spokesman Paul 
Breslyn says the concept is working for businesses of all 
sizes and even individual home owners are embracing the move 
to wireless connections. He says it is a financially viable 
alternative to paying both land line rental and cell phone 
bills. Paul Breslyn says issuing all staff with mobile phones 
makes sense as they are constantly accessible while out and 
about doing their jobs. 
 
(And if you can hear the sound of cutlery or the chatter of 
bar patrons, you might start wondering where your staff really 
are. Not that WCC staff would do such things of course. - BH)

CONGESTION A MAJOR CONCERN FOR CHRISTCHURCH
-------------------------------------------

Christchurch people will be going nowhere fast if traffic 
congestion continues to rise at predicted rates. Environment 
Canterbury has just released statistics over predicted traffic 
growth and accompanying congestion. It says Christchurch has 
the highest car ownership rate in New Zealand, with 77 percent 
of residents travelling to work by car. Passenger portfolio 
chairwoman Nicky Wagner says they are expecting a 20 percent 
increase in traffic volume over the next 15 years. She says 
that increase in volume means a massive increase in 
congestion, something in the order of 160 percent. Nicky 
Wagner says the simple answer is re-educating people to use 
public transport.

CYF'S YOUTH JUSTICE SYSTEM UNDER FIRE
-------------------------------------

Child Youth and Family's youth justice system is under fire. 
Principal Youth Court judge Andrew Becroft has slammed CYF 
after a teen offender committed serious crimes while 
supposedly being monitored by a social worker he had never 
met. National's associate welfare spokeswoman Anne Tolley says 
the Youth Justice Capability Review released last year had 
highlighted a lack of focus on youth justice and promised a 
raft of changes. She says changes were expected to have been 
made within six months. Anne Tolley says more resources need 
to be dedicated to Youth Justice.

Tuesday, 20 March 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PHARMAC AND DHBS ACCUSED OF CYNICAL PLOY
----------------------------------------

A breast cancer patient has described today's Herceptin 
decision as a cynical ploy by PHARMAC and the DHBs to make it 
look like they are meeting the needs of early breast cancer 
sufferers. District Health Boards have provisionally approved 
funding for a nine week course of the breast cancer drug, 
subject to public approval. Anne Hayden says the government 
needs to take our pharmaceutical budget out of the doldrums. 
Ms Hayden says New Zealand only spends six percent of its 
health budgets on Pharmaceuticals, while Australia spends 
about 12, so we are down there with third world countries. 
However, having a little bit is better than having none at all 
according to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Research shows a 
12-month course is more effective than the nine week version 
PHARMAC and the DHBs have opted for. However, Breast Cancer 
Foundation spokesman Vernan Harvey says this is clearly a 
compromise. Dr Harvey says there is some evidence which 
supports its use for shorter periods of time, although that 
research is reasonably unreliable. Opposition MPs are being 
somewhat less charitable. National MP Dr Jackie Blue believes 
it is a dollars not sense decision, and maintains not enough 
information has been provided about how clinical trials will 
work. ACT MP Heather Roy describes it as a cost cutting 
approach and is demanding explanations as to why a full 12 
month course, as is offered in Australia, is still not 
available here.

O'CONNOR DODGING QUERIES OVER CORRECTIONS' FUTURE
-------------------------------------------------

There is a bit of duck and weave from the Minister of 
Corrections to queries about the future of the Department. 
National is accusing Labour of pulling a u-turn after the 
Prime Minister said the Department will be reviewed, and 
indicated it might be re-merged with the Department of 
Corrections. Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor is not 
answering direct questions about why the Government has had a 
change of heart. He had earlier dismissed a National Party 
call for the move as policy on the hoof. All he will say is 
the Government is looking to make changes in the Corrections 
Department wherever mistakes or problems are exposed.

TVNZ MAKES VIDEOS AVAILABLE ONLINE
----------------------------------

Keeping up with the digital age, about 300 videos from 100 
Television New Zealand shows are available online from today. 
TVNZ Ondemand users can catch up on news and current affairs, 
or opt for programmes ranging from Shortland Street and 
Treasure Island to classics from the TVNZ archives. There is a 
mix of streamed clips and downloadable shows - some are free 
while others need to be paid for. Over the next four months 
the website will incorporate more features. One of them will 
be a recommended viewing feature which will select programmes 
of interest based on what users have chosen in the past. 
 
(What they didn't say up front, is that those you pay for are 
time limited , and your ability to watch the programme will 
expire in 7 days. - BH)

GREENS SLAM GOVERNMENT'S ROAD FUNDING SYSTEM
--------------------------------------------

The Greens are accusing the Government of breaking the rules 
on road funding. Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons has obtained 
official documents on the Government's one and a half billion 
dollar road funding package announced at last year's budget. 
She says the Government has created a new funding system for 
roading construction that is of dubious legality and gives 
priority to state highways over other land transport spending. 
Ms Fitzsimons says the statutory independence of Land 
Transport New Zealand has been compromised with roading 
projects now likely to be able to come back carte blanche for 
additional funding to cover cost blow outs. Jeanette 
Fitzsimons says the result is we will end up building roads 
faster that we can maintain them. She says it is a recipe for 
acres of potholed state highways, traffic jams, and nowhere 
for cyclists, as well as a paucity of support for public 
transport. However, Minister of Finance Dr Michael Cullen says 
the Greens have got it wrong. He says the road funding system 
allows Land Transport New Zealand to develop a plan for 
intended works and for the Government to guarantee the work 
will be done. Dr Cullen says the guarantee also applies to 
matters such as walking, cycling, and public transport, not 
just to roads.

AUCKLAND'S LAB WORK TO BE RE-TENDERED
-------------------------------------

The verdict in the high profile Auckland labs dispute has just 
been released. Justice Raynor Asher has ruled the contract 
used to reassign Auckland's community lab contract to Labtests 
Auckland is void. The controversial court case played out in 
the High Court at Auckland for two weeks in February. It 
followed last year's decision by Auckland's three DHBs to 
reassign the community lab contract from Diagnostic Medlab to 
Labtests Auckland. DML argued that the contract process was 
flawed in various ways including through a lack of 
consultation and a conflict of interest. The boards countered 
with the statement that they did not need to consult, on the 
grounds that the service to the public would not change under 
the much cheaper Labtests. However, Justice Asher's decision 
means the tendering process will now have to be re-opened. 
 
(I have to say that I have no insight into the relative merits 
of the two business cases, though my sympathies lie with the 
incumbent. - BH)

HASTINGS CRACKING DOWN ON ALCOHOL RELATED VIOLENCE
--------------------------------------------------

A concerted effort is underway in Hastings to curb alcohol 
related violence. Hastings Police have previously expressed 
their concerns at the increasing number of crimes being 
committed by youths with weapons and the general amount of 
violence. The Police, along with Hastings District Council and 
the Ministry of Justice are starting a pilot programme aimed 
at reducing alcohol related violence. They are looking at 
three main areas - family violence, violence in public places 
and violence at private parties and clubs.

THE END IS NIGH FOR 025 MOBILE PHONES
-------------------------------------

Telecom is warning it's remaining 025 customers that their 
days are numbered. The 025 network will be closed down on 
March the 31st at 6pm. The company announced back in 2004 that 
it would be encouraging people to sign up to 027 phones. So 
far more than 200 thousand people have switched over. Those 
who fail to make the change by the deadline are being told 
they will not be guaranteed the same number if they do change 
to the 027 network at a later date and they will also miss out 
on the free re-direct service from the 025 network. 
 
(The cheapest deal offered by Telecom is a new phone of very 
limited functionality for $79 to join the 027 system - BH)

PROVISIONAL SHORT COURSE HERCEPTIN APPROVED
-------------------------------------------

District health boards have provisionally approved the cancer 
drug Herceptin for nine week courses subject to public 
consultation. The Government's drug funding agency Pharmac 
says a final decision will be made by the end of next month 
but if approved, it will be available for women with HER2-
positive early breast cancer from June 1. The move is expected 
to cost $6 million and involves a nine week course of the drug 
used in combination with taxane chemotherapy and wider access 
to the breast cancer drug docetaxel (Taxotere) so that it can 
be used in conjunction with Herceptin. Dr Dilky Rasiah, 
Pharmac's Deputy Medical Director, says Herceptin has been a 
challenging issue for Pharmac and DHBs and today's proposal 
provides a practical way forward. He says in combination with 
a taxane, Herceptin is proven to reduce the chances of breast 
cancer returning. He says the shorter treatment time may cause 
less damage to the heart than 12 month treatments. He says 
another plus is that it can be provided to DHBs without delay. 
Dr Rasiah says 50 more women each year will be able to be 
treated with the drug for the nine-week combination than with 
the 12 month option. He says the shorter course is no less 
effective and is less disruptive for patients. David Meates, 
CEO of Wairarapa DHB says one of DHBs' key concerns with the 
12 month Herceptin treatment was that its $25 million per year 
price tag would curb the ability to fund other drugs and 
deliver existing hospital services to other patients. "The 
proposal being consulted on today is far more affordable and 
practical for DHBs and patients and we are delighted at the 
work Pharmac has put in, which will mean New Zealand women 
would be able to have affordable access to this new drug." The 
deadline for Pharmac to receive feedback on the proposal is 
April 12.

ANTI-CONTRABAND MEASURES LIKELY
-------------------------------

The government is exploring ways to crack down on contraband 
in prisons after controversy at Rimutaka Prison. The issue was 
sparked by complaints from former guard, Ingrid Rijniers, 
about the management of the prison. Two Corrections officers 
have been suspended on suspicion of smuggling banned items to 
inmates. Several other staff members have been suspended for 
issues including alleged corruption and breaching the code of 
conduct. Prime Minister Helen Clark says contraband clearly 
needs to be addressed and the government is looking at 
possible amendments to the Corrections Act to strengthen the 
hand of the Corrections Department. Policy decisions are 
expected to be made next month. She has also fleshed out 
proposed changes to the Criminal Justice Reform Bill which 
include measures to ensure that parole is a privilege not a 
right. The move follows the murder of Wainuiomata man Karl 
Kuchenbecker at the hands of Graeme Burton in Lower Hutt's 
eastern hills in January. Burton had breached his parole 
conditions.

FARMERS LIKELY TO APPEAL COUNCIL'S DECISION
-------------------------------------------

Federated Farmers is expected to appeal a decision by 
Environment Waikato to control pastoral farming around Taupo. 
Gifford McFadden, President of Rotorua and Taupo Federated 
Farmers branch, says the organisation backs efforts to protect 
Lake Taupo, but wants to keep pastoral farming as a permitted 
activity with performance standards. He says controlling 
pastoral farming means farmers will need resource consent to 
carry on normal operations. Mr McFadden says performance 
standards such as nutrient management systems and keeping 
stock out of water ways are more effective and positive 
approaches.

WARNING ABOUT COMPANY SEEKING FINANCE
-------------------------------------

The Securities Commission has banned a finance company's 
prospectus. Classic Capital is seeking to raise $15 million by 
issuing secured debenture stocks. The Commission's Director 
Primary Markets, Kathryn Rogers says Classic Capital's sole 
director, Keith McCoy is bankrupt and is banned from 
management positions. He faces charges of forgery and 
dishonesty in Australia.

PASSENGERS HAVE RIGHTS WHEN BUMPED OFF
--------------------------------------

Air New Zealand and Qantas are being accused of using out-of-
date legislation in their terms and conditions of travel. 
Consumer Affairs Minister Judith Tizard says domestic 
passengers who are bumped off flights or whose journeys have 
been delayed may think there is nothing they can do about it, 
but she believes airlines are liable to pay compensation of 10 
times the price of a passenger's ticket, or meet the actual 
cost of the delay. Ms Tizard claims Air New Zealand and Qantas 
need to update their policies in regard to the issue. 
 
(Wahoo! So they should have. - BH)

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

$10,000 FINE SEEN AS STRONG ENOUGH DETERRENT
--------------------------------------------

The Commerce Commission says it is confident a ten thousand 
dollar fine to a trader who sold substandard baby walkers is a 
strong enough message. Christchurch based Insight Infotech 
Limited trading as Azaks was the subject of a complaint after 
a baby walker collapsed with a toddler in it. The prosecution 
was the first of its kind under new legislation and could have 
seen fines of up to 60 thousand for an individual. Commerce 
Commission Director of Fair Trading Deborah Battell says the 
majority of companies selling baby walkers will be small 
businesses and they will find it hard to scrape together 
thousands of dollars to pay off a fine.

NATIONAL WANTS ANSWERS OVER HOUSING RORTS
-----------------------------------------

There are accusations, the rorts of Housing New Zealand 
properties are continuing. The National Party says there have 
been over 20 proven cases in recent months of tenants sub-
letting properties in breach of the organisation's guidelines. 
Housing spokesman Phil Heatley is demanding answers over one 
South Auckland case where a tenant rented out a property for 
four years without being detected. Cabinet Minister Steve 
Maharey says he is not aware of the case quoted but maintains 
sub-letting of state houses is not tolerated by Housing New 
Zealand. 
 
(Apparently there are some 30 identified cases out of 66,000 
tenancies. That is to say, the problem is with .045% of the 
housing stock. - BH)

MAORI PARTY BEMOANS LATEST EDUCATION FIGURES
--------------------------------------------

Maori education figures are raising the hackles of the Maori 
Party. While the number of Maori leaving school with no 
qualification has fallen when compared with 2001, the figure 
is still almost 40 percent. Maori Party Co-Leader Pita 
Sharples says for 40 years Maori have been trying to get the 
Government to improve the system but the disparities still 
exist. He says two years ago over half of Maori boys in school 
left without level one NCEA and that is terrible. Dr Sharples 
says the Government seems unprepared to go out beyond the 
existing playing field to help produce better education 
options for Maori.

(Is the problem really one of improving the system? Or is it 
that too many simply do not value education? - BH)

TE REO MAORI DEPENDENT ON FUNDING
---------------------------------

The teaching of the Maori language in schools across New 
Zealand could come down to funding. Today has seen the launch 
of a draft document for Te Reo Maori in the New Zealand 
Curriculum, which will be trialled for three months before a 
final version is released next year. Race Relations 
Commissioner Joris de Bres says money will be needed to ensure 
the Maori language is taught by more teachers. He says that is 
true of all areas of the curriculum and needs to be a 
progressive process which will need planning if this is to be 
delivered properly over time. Mr de Bres says they are keen to 
get it right when they institute Te Reo Maori in the New 
Zealand Curriculum. He says it is meant to be very flexible so 
it can be used in primary schools for kids who already have 
knowledge from Kohanga Reo and also kids who are learning from 
scratch. He says it is sensible to test these things out.

ECONOMY ON SHAKY GROUNDS SAYS FORECASTER
----------------------------------------

Independent think tank Berl says New Zealand's economic growth 
scenario has moved from a sound outlook to one where the 
foundations are looking increasingly insecure. The group has 
released its latest forecast. Chief Economist Ganesh Nana says 
the cycle of business investment appears to have peaked and 
growth now relies on the two shaky pillars of exports and 
public sector investment. He says the high exchange rate and 
cost inflation in the construction sector blowing the budgets 
of some projects are also problems. Dr Nana says there is 
concern business investment has fallen away and is unlikely to 
recover in the foreseeable future given the outlook for 
interest rates signalled by the Reserve Bank. He says it would 
be unwise to depend on any government remaining committed to 
its investment programme in such a situation.

MORE POWER TO SEIZE CRIMINALS' ASSETS
-------------------------------------

A new bill giving the Serious Fraud Office increased powers to 
seize the assets of people benefiting from crime has passed 
its first reading in Parliament. The Criminal Proceeds 
Recovery Bill is aimed at gangs and organised crime by 
allowing the SFO to seek a High Court order to freeze a 
person's assets if it can show there are reasonable grounds to 
believe that person benefited from serious criminal activity. 
Existing legislation allows the Crown to confiscate the 
profits made from crime, only after the person is convicted of 
that crime. Justice Minister Mark Burton says the new law will 
allow the Crown to target other criminals along the chain, 
particularly those who live lavishly and direct criminals 
further down the line. 
 
(This is a worrying development. You don't have to be 
convicted to lose your assets, just be suspected. The 
presumption of innocence was never more important, and I 
really think there needs to be safeguards here. - BH)

DIABETES NZ WARNS ABOUT EASTER TREAT
------------------------------------

Easter is approaching and the food police are already on the 
prowl. Diabetes New Zealand is warning people to watch out for 
hot cross buns. President Murray Dear says the buns are very 
nice, but a problem for people with diabetes as they have a 
glycemic index similar to white bread, turning carbohydrate 
into glucose very quickly and pushing blood-sugar levels up. 
Mr Dear says he is not lecturing people about what they should 
and should not eat and believes that while people should not 
starve themselves at Easter, they should be careful not to 
over-indulge.

(Food police is of course a figure of speech to refer to those 
who disapprove of anything containing fat, sugar or food 
colouring at any level above zero. My own shape is my own 
fault. I don't welcome interference from these busybodies. - 
BH)

POOR COUNTRIES SUFFERING AS NZ TAKES HEALTH STAFF
-------------------------------------------------

The Nurses Organisation claims New Zealand is relying too much 
on overseas-trained nurses and is draining the supply of staff 
for poorer countries. Chief executive Geoff Annals says about 
20 percent of the nursing workforce comes from overseas, 
mostly from Britain and the situation is contributing to a 
healthcare crisis in developing countries by drawing on 
resources that ultimately flow out of those struggling 
nations. Mr Annals says New Zealand must do more to ensure it 
supplies as many healthcare professionals to the worldwide 
talent pool as it takes from it. He says New Zealand agreed at 
a World Health Organisation meeting to strengthen the global 
nursing and midwifery workforce.

BANK LAUNCHES POOLED BANK ACCOUNTS
----------------------------------

The Bank of New Zealand has launched a new scheme allowing 
people to pool their bank accounts to take advantage of higher 
interest rates on savings and off set home loan interest. 
Spokeswoman Shona Bishop says under the online TotalMoney 
programme customers including individuals, parents and their 
children, family trusts and non-trading companies can form 
groups and combine up to ten accounts. At the end of the month 
the bank pays the maximum interest on the combined saving or 
customers can offset their mortgages to reduce the amount of 
interest paid on the loan. Ms Bishop says the scheme gives 
customers greater control of their money and research shows 
there are more than 1.5 million customers who will be better 
off. She believes the account could be a world first.

Thursday, 22 March 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SCHOOLS ACCUSED OF UNDERMINING NCEA
-----------------------------------

Auckland schools jockeying for position are being blamed for 
much of the criticism heaped on the NCEA. The Secondary 
Principals' Council says the NCEA system provides for the 
needs of the full range of New Zealand students. Chairman 
Arthur Graves says while it could do with a few tweaks, it is 
far superior to the Cambridge system, touted by several 
prestigious Auckland schools. He says the schools are 
undermining the NCEA by using Cambridge as a marketing 
gimmick. As a result it has created demand amongst parents who 
now associate Cambridge with status. Less than a week ago, St 
Cuthbert's College in Auckland revealed it was considering 
offering the Cambridge Exams or the International 
Baccalaureate as well as the NCEA. St Cuthbert's has been 
considered a poster-school for the NCEA because of its 
academic success and staunch defence of the qualification. It 
has supported the NCEA since its introduction and is one of 
the top performing schools under the system.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS HOURS LOOK SET TO BE EXTENDED
----------------------------------------------

Things are looking good for those wanting an extension to 
daylight savings hours. A 42,000 signature petition was 
delivered to Parliament today. United Future Leader Peter 
Dunne is seeking confirmation positive comments made by Helen 
Clark recently means an extension will happen. Deputy Prime 
Minister Dr Michael Cullen says a statement of Prime 
Ministerial preference is often a good indicator of likely 
policy. He indicates an extension to daylight savings is 
likely to be approved in time for next summer.

DISABLED WORKERS GET EQUAL RIGHTS
---------------------------------

Disabled workers now have the same rights as their fully able 
colleagues. Parliament has passed the Disabled Persons 
Employment Promotion Bill. Disability Issues Minister Ruth 
Dyson says the law means disabled workers will now be valued 
for what they can do, rather than being defined by the place 
in which they work. She says it means all sheltered workshops 
will have to pay everyone they employ at least the minimum 
wage, and employees will have access to holiday and sick leave 
entitlements. However, the law does provide exemptions in 
cases of workers who are significantly and demonstrably 
limited in their work.

HONESTY BOX THIEF LIKELY TO FACE JAIL
-------------------------------------

A Hokitika man is likely to face jail after stealing up to 
three thousand dollars worth of donations from honesty boxes 
at camping sites. The Department of Conservation installed 
security cameras near the honesty boxes in Westland, after 
special donation envelopes handed out to campers did not add 
up with the number returned to the boxes. It was not long 
before the hidden camera caught Ronald Preston red handed 
lifting envelopes out of a box with a piece of wire. The 33-
year-old admitted the stealing in the Greymouth District Court 
and has been remanded in custody. He will be sentenced next 
month.

ACCESS TO LEGAL AID LAWYERS A COMPLEX ISSUE
-------------------------------------------

Access to legal aid lawyers is a complex matter according to 
the agency responsible for paying them. National access to 
legal aid has been a key issue at a Parliamentary Select 
Committee this morning. Legal Services Agency chief executive 
Tim Bannatyne says the availability of lawyers who work for 
legal aid is a difficult issue to give answers on. He says it 
varies from place to place. Mr Bannatyne says in some 
locations there are minimal providers whilst in others there 
is adequate coverage. He says in other cases there are 
sufficient providers but the numbers are such that clients 
need to look hard for service.

FISHERIES MINISTRY RETHINKING QUOTAS
------------------------------------

It is back to the drawing board for the Ministry of Fisheries 
over quotas relating to kahawai stocks. The High Court has 
ruled Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton must reconsider the 
catch limits and allocations after the Recreational Fishing 
Council and Big Game Fishing Council took the ministry to 
court over the issue. The groups argued all New Zealanders 
have the right to fish for food and fun and this should be 
considered before setting the quota for commercial fishing. Mr 
Anderton says he will take advice from his advisors at the 
ministry and Crown Law on how best to proceed. He says the 
consultation process will have to be analysed and further 
talks with stakeholders are likely. He says in the meantime 
the decisions that were made in 2005 stand.

JUNIOR DOCTORS AROUND THE TABLE AGAIN
-------------------------------------

Junior doctors are about to enter a round of pay negotiations. 
After months of high profile negotiation and disruptive 
industrial action, a collective agreement was reached in 
November which gave 2,500 junior doctors a six percent pay 
rise. However, the deal expires at the end of June. Today 50 
junior doctor representatives from around the country will 
begin a four-day meeting in Auckland to prepare for the next 
round of bargaining. They will discuss the level of increase 
they will be asking for when negotiations resume shortly.

GOOGLE MENTORING SCHEME CHOOSES NZ COMPANY
------------------------------------------

A Wellington business has become the first in New Zealand to 
receive a grant from internet giant Google to mentor up-and-
coming computer programmers. Google is spending $6.5 million 
on 800 of the world's brightest programming students and has 
chosen Wellington web development business Silver Stripe to 
mentor up to 10 candidates. Silverstripe spokesman Siggy 
Magnusson says the opportunity is a huge coup for his business 
and the New Zealand IT industry in general. He has received 
applications from students as far afield as Sri Lanka, but 
none from New Zealand.

INFO PACKS TO EDUCATE PARENTS
-----------------------------

A council has produced information packs to educate parents 
about youth culture and suggests anyone who does not know what 
eccy, bang, burn, go-eey or Texas shoeshine is should pick up 
a copy. Paul Green, the Rodney District Council's Safer 
Community Co-ordinator, says the district north of Auckland 
may be idyllic, but its young people face the same drug, 
alcohol, behavioural and bullying problems as anywhere else. 
He says many parents are not familiar with current culture and 
he is hoping the information packs will open their eyes to 
what is going on in their son's or daughter's world.

(Eccy is apparently a slang name for the drug ecstasy - I 
assume the rest follow a similar pattern - BH)

Friday, 23 March 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OPPONENTS OF THERAPEUTIC MEDICINES BILL TO MARCH
------------------------------------------------

Opponents of the Therapeutic Medicines Bill will be taking to 
the streets in Auckland tomorrow. The proposed legislation 
aims to establish a Trans-Tasman regulatory body over 
supplementary medicines such as vitamins and other health 
products. Green MPs Sue Kedgley and Keith Locke will be taking 
part in the morning march through Queen Street. Ms Kedgley 
says the Bill will result in access to available remedies 
being restricted, and will force consumers to use a narrow 
range of products made by multinational corporations.

TELECOM GIVEN GO-AHEAD TO BUY POWERTEL
--------------------------------------

Telecom has been given the go ahead to buy 100 percent of 
Australian telecommunications company PowerTel. One of the 
conditions of the acquisition was that there was no objection 
under the Australian Government's foreign investment policy. 
The Australian Treasurer gave the nod today. Telecom launched 
a 357 million dollar takeover bid in January, in a bid to 
strengthen its Australian presence. Telecom already owns 
Australia's third largest phone company AAPT.

BEEKEEPERS VOW TO CONTINUE FIGHT AGAINST IMPORTS
------------------------------------------------

The beekeeping world is buzzing about a High Court decision to 
reject an application to stop the importation of honey and 
other bee products from Australia. The National Beekeepers 
Association says it will now take that decision to the Court 
of Appeal. Association President Jane Lorimer says they are 
worried the products will bring in a fatal disease like 
Paenabacilus alvei. She says they are trying to eliminate 
American foul brood out of the country at the moment anyway 
and by bringing in another pest, it could jeopardise that. 
Jane Lorimer says they are not sure exactly when they will be 
filing their application but it will be soon.

MAORI PARTY TO FIGHT FOR OWNERSHIP OF WATERWAYS
-----------------------------------------------

The Maori Party has no faith in the Government being the 
steward of the country's water resources. A battle is brewing 
with the Government with the Maori party saying Tangata Whenua 
have customary rights to water and waterways. Maori Party MP 
Te Ururoa Flavell says the Crown is assuming ownership without 
due consultation and their concerns centre on how that will be 
exercised. He says right now areas of the foreshore and seabed 
are being sold to mining interests and their concern is, the 
same could happen with privatisation of water. However, United 
Future leader Peter Dunne says it is a step too far by the 
Maori Party. Mr Dunne says the Maori Party is trying to assert 
Maori rights to all of the country's natural resources, the 
things we have in common. He says natural resources like air 
and water belong to all New Zealanders and it is the Crown's 
responsibility to exercise that ownership equally and fairly 
on our behalf. 
 
(Cynics suggest that air is obviously a taonga or treasure. 
This claim may stretch to breaking point the tolerance of the 
public, and undermine the credibility of legitimate claims - 
BH)

NAC FLIES AGAIN
---------------

Air New Zealand's pre-cursor takes to the skies again today. 
The National Airways Corporation (NAC) began flying domestic 
routes 60 years ago and to commemorate the occasion a special 
flying tour has been organised. A DC3 is touring the regions. 
Beginning in Christchurch today, the flight is stopping off in 
Ashburton and is due to arrive in Timaru around 4pm. The plane 
will make its way to Auckland by March 30. The DC3 and a 
Dominie will also take part in a one day tour of Northland. 
Former staff, including hostesses and pilots will be on board. 
Aviation historian and tour organiser Reverend Richard Waugh 
says NAC was synonymous with commercial aviation in New 
Zealand from the 1940s to the 70s. From 1947 to 1978 the 
airline moved 30 million passengers using DC3s, Viscounts and 
later Boeing 737s and ushered New Zealanders into the age of 
mass travel. Rev. Waugh says the company was a national icon. 
 
(If you get there in the next day or so, there is a picture on 
the Stuff website of three cabin crew in the uniforms of 
various eras standing in front of the handsome Vickers 
Viscount at Ferrymead Museum in Christchurch. 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4003474a11.html Did we lose all sense 
of aesthetics in the seventies? That green pastel thing is 
nauseating, especially the hat! - BH) 

FARMERS FAILING GREEN TEST
--------------------------

Dairy farmers are being taken to task for failing to meet 
environmental targets preventing the pollution of waterways. A 
Clean Streams Accord was due to be fully functional by this 
year but only a third of surveyed farmers have the required 
systems in place to deal with effluent run-off into waterways. 
Environment Minister David Benson-Pope says a significant 
number of Fonterra dairy farmers are putting the environment 
at risk by ignoring effluent disposal rules. He says Taranaki, 
where he released an update report on the accord, is doing 
well but other areas including the Far North, Wellington, 
Waikato, Southland and Canterbury are failing to meet the 
grade. Mr Benson-Pope is reminding farmers the target is 100 
percent compliance, effective immediately and he is urging 
farmers to lift their game.

ENERGY EXPERT SAYS NUCLEAR POWER A MUST FOR NZ
----------------------------------------------

An energy expert says New Zealand must consider nuclear power 
in the future if it wants to maintain its clean green image. 
Terry Wynn, who is also a former member of the European 
Parliament, is presenting a lecture in Auckland on the need 
for the world to go nuclear to secure the future of the 
planet. He says global warming will not be solved unless 
nuclear power is in the mix. Mr Wynn says the rest of the 
world is moving towards nuclear energy and New Zealand cannot 
discount it for the future when oil prices rise phenomenally. 
He says the country's reliance on hydro and geothermal energy 
could also be short-sighted in the face of climate change. Mr 
Wynn argues that nuclear energy is clean, green and the 
cheapest source of power. 
 
(Clean? And where and how do we safely store the residue? - 
BH)

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