WYSIWYG NEWS - 28 April, 2008

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 28 April, 2008 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer.

In the cold pre-dawn blackness, the Southern Cross glittered 
in the cloudless sky above us. Around us the crowd of several 
hundred young and old was talking quietly, in little clusters 
around the cenotaph at the Lower Hutt War Memorial Library. A 
band from the Wellington South Citadel of the Salvation army 
stood nearby, and at the base of the cenotaph were a team of 
air cadets heads, bowed with their hands on reversed rifles in 
the traditional posture of mourning and homage paid by the 
military to the fallen. It wasn't quite the advertised time of 
6 am when parade approached along Queens Drive. Perhaps the 
veterans moved faster than the organizers expected. Truth to 
tell, the rhythm of their marching wasn't quite as crisp as it 
was when these old gentlemen went off to their respective wars 
in 1939, or in subsequent conflicts in Korea, Malaya and Viet 
Nam. Their backs weren't as straight either, but no force of 
nature short of death itself was going to prevent them turning 
out to honour their fallen comrades. Behind them stepping more 
precisely came the resplendent representatives of the modern 
defence establishment, and a well turned out contingent of 
police in their dress uniform. When the parade came to a halt 
and after it had carried out the ancient ritual manoeuvres to 
align themselves properly, it was called to attention by the 
parade commander, an army officer wearing the distinctive 
"lemon squeezer" hat which has been the headgear of the NZ 
army throughout most of its history since it was first adopted 
by the Wellington Regiment in 1912. It was too dark to make 
out his rank insignia, so I have no idea who he was. The ANZAC 
Dedication was recited: "At this hour, upon this day, ANZAC 
received its baptism of fire, and became one of the immortal 
names in history ..." The Salvation Army band played "Oh God Our 
Help In Ages Past". After a brief eulogy (longer ones are 
reserved for the full civic ceremony later in the day) silence 
was kept as wreaths were laid. The eerie notes of The Last 
Post echoed back from the civic buildings as the flags of New 
Zealand and Australia were lowered. After a minute's silence, 
Reveille was played, and Binyon's "Ode to the Fallen" recited. 
I can never recite that without choking a little. I suppose 
that the ceremonies taking place in Lower Hutt and in many 
other small towns and villages were similar, less grand than 
in the main centres. 
The old gentlemen braced as the national anthem was played. I 
say "played" because hardly anyone sang. Perhaps because it 
was dark, they couldn't read the words. Can you imagine a 
crowd in Britain not knowing the words to "God Save the 
Queen", or Americans "the Star Spangled Banner", or even 
across the Tasman "Advance Australia Fair"?  It was a cringe-
making moment. However the ceremony moved on. A chaplain read 
a lengthy and to my mind excessively sectarian benediction, 
and suddenly, as the sky lightened in the East, the parade was 
over. In time with the beating drum, the old warriors marched 
off with a spring in their step on their way to a hot 
breakfast, and a nip of something to dispel the chill of the 
morning. 

On a much lighter note, later in the weekend, I went down to 
the Hutt River at the Melling Bridge from where a duck race 
was to be held. Fear not, no innocent birds were harmed in the 
production of this spectacle. Instead, as a fund raiser for 
the local hospice, 1,000 numbered yellow plastic ducks were to 
be released on the river with a prize of $500 for the holder 
of the ticket with the number of the first duck to reach the 
Ewen Bridge, about a kilometre downstream. Several hundred 
enthusiastic supporters gathered around the launch point, most 
of them standing on the shingle banks that characterise the 
river at this point, with a few wading into its depths which 
seemed to be about knee high on most. A couple of kayakers 
were on hand, one with a dog on board, to act as shepherds 
(duckherds?) for any ducks that ran aground or got tangled in 
the willows on the banks. After a period of organizational 
chaos during which the ducks were contained behind a net 
barrier, and after some speeches which nobody downstream 
heard, the barrier was lifted. At the release point, the river 
is narrow and swift, and the flock quickly set out on their 
journey like a vast yellow stain spearing out into the 
translucent brown of the river. Unwilling to risk broken limbs 
or twisted ankles on the slippery rocks of the river, I went 
back to my car and drove down to the finish line where another 
few hundred people waited with excitement for the arrival of 
the flock. It seems that the river broadens and slows after 
that tumbling start, so for the next forty minutes or 
thereabouts, the previously calm surface of these lower 
reaches were marred by a thousand skipping stones as 
youngsters and the occasional parent attempted to skip across 
the river. None managed it, but it filled in the time. The 
flock of black-backed gulls that habitually basks in the 
shallows above the Ewen bridge were scared off by people 
wading through their gathering place. Some young folks had put 
a lot into this race, and were waving little home made paper 
flags emblazoned with duck pictures and their hopefully lucky 
number. After a very long wait, the first little duck appeared 
around the bend, and like time-lapse photography in a field of 
daffodils, the river was suddenly blooming with a thousand 
bright yellow ducks. To their great credit, no one in the 
crowd attempted to influence or impede progress (perhaps 
because the numbers were on the bottom of the ducks, and so 
could not be seen). Suffice it to say that my duck did not win. 
The hospice benefitted by $6,200 which was pretty good for 
some low cost fun. Have a great week. 
----  
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. 
Sponsorship this week is courtesy of Andrew Hobern in Sydney 
Australia. Many thanks Andrew.
----  
On with the News. 

Monday, 21 April 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUCKLAND LINES WORKERS TO STRIKE
--------------------------------

Industrial action is expected to put huge strain on Auckland's 
electrical infrastructure. Energex lines-workers are 
threatening to refuse to be on standby, work overtime or go on 
call outs. They are responsible for the maintenance work of 
the Vector-owned electrical network. EPMU electrical industry 
organiser Joe Gallagher says Vector has failed to invest in 
proper infrastructure, and is not investing in the workforce 
needed to bring it up to scratch. He says the industrial 
action will run indefinitely from May 1 until Vector makes a 
reasonable pay offer.

NZERS FLOCK ACROSS THE TASMAN
-----------------------------

The number of New Zealanders leaving for Australia has hit a 
seven year high. Latest Statistics New Zealand figures reveal 
the number of permanent and long term departures to Australia 
for the year ending in March was 29,900. That is the highest 
number recorded since July 2001 when a figure of 30,000 was 
recorded. However, overall New Zealand has gained more people 
over the period than it has lost, with a net inflow of 4,700.

FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS PLEDGED
-------------------------------------------------

Free public transport and more hearing aids are on the way for 
senior citizens. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says 
more benefits will be added to the superannuitants SuperGold 
Card in next month's budget. He says it will contain funding 
which will ensure card holders will be able to travel free 
during off-peak times. He says there will also be provisions 
to ensure senior citizens get greater access to hearing aids. 
Mr Peters adds he wants to see changes in the way 
superannuitants pay tax on extra income. He says both current 
options are bad; extra income is either taxed at the top tax 
rate of 39 percent, or superannuation payments are taxed at 
the same rate. He wants tax rules changed so superannuitants 
are taxed at lower rates, and are only taxed at the top rate 
should they regularly earn over $60,000 a year. 
 
(Must be an election this year. - BH)

SENTINEL LAYS OFF SALES STAFF
-----------------------------

Sentinel has laid off the majority of its sales staff. 
Sentinel offers lifetime loans through equity release on 
properties. Chief executive Vaughan Underwood says the company 
is not in financial trouble. He says it is just repositioning 
itself, with the tight financial market pushing up the costs 
of funds and an anticipated increased competition from banks. 
Mr Underwood says Sentinel is not a finance company and does 
not suffer the same funding issues as other finance companies. 
He says it sources it funds from the largest Australasian 
banks.

MORE INFO DEMANDED FROM LISTED FINANCE COMPANIES
------------------------------------------------

All listed finance companies and businesses with finance 
company subsidiaries are being reminded they are obliged to 
ensure they are keeping the market fully informed of their 
financial position. Following the collapse of a raft of 
finance companies, the New Zealand Stock Exchange has written 
to listed finance companies, giving them until tomorrow to 
explain why they should be exempt from disclosing information 
on a monthly basis. The NZX says given the current 
environment, the move will promote confidence in the sector. 
Among the information requested is reinvestment rates, debt 
serving for the month, anticipated income for the following 
month and top five borrowers. The NZX says companies failing 
to provide the information will be disclosed to the market. 
Seventeen finance companies have gone under in the past two 
years. New Plymouth-based Kiwi Finance is the latest to be 
placed into receivership.

CAMPAIGN WILL LURE MORE CHINESE HOLIDAYMAKERS
---------------------------------------------

Tourism New Zealand is targeting the growing number of middle 
class Chinese who like the finer things in life and who are 
travelling overseas independently. CEO George Hickton says 
China has become New Zealand's fourth largest tourism market 
surpassing Japan. More than 122,000 visited New Zealand last 
year. But Mr Hickton says the Chinese do not know much about 
New Zealand as a holiday destination and the challenge will be 
to tell them what is on offer. He says Chinese tourists are 
not keen on high adrenalin activities and prefer to enjoy the 
landscape and New Zealand's lifestyle including the higher end 
hotels and lodges. Disposable incomes in China are increasing 
in tandem with Chinese awareness of the world. New Zealand 
needs to be up there now, while the market is still in its 
growth stages, to ensure we grab the attention of these kinds 
of travellers. Adverts will appear on Chinese TV, focusing on 
landscape and less on adrenalin activities. Outdoor billboards 
and the internet will also showcase the New Zealand holiday 
experience.

SOME PARENTS NOT TEACHING KIDS VALUES
-------------------------------------

There are concerns that a growing number of New Zealand kids 
are not being taught core values such as self-discipline and 
honesty at home. The organisers of a Lions Club programme that 
teaches life skills, say many parents are doing a great job 
teaching self-discipline, honesty, accountability and respect 
for others but a growing number are not. Wellington programme 
co-ordinator Mary Snook says some parents are just too busy 
and only see their children for a few hours a day around 
daycare and after-school care. She says there is also a 
growing number of very young parents who have not learnt those 
values themselves. Ms Snook supports a suggestion by Principal 
Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft that values may have to be 
taught in schools in the future. 
 
(I wonder whose values would be taught in schools. - BH)

TOMORROW'S JUNIOR DOCTOR'S STRIKE GOING AHEAD
---------------------------------------------

Junior doctors are gearing up to begin strike action starting 
tomorrow. About 2,000 resident doctors will walk off the job 
for 48 hours from 7am tomorrow. An estimated 8,000 elective 
surgeries and outpatient appointments will have to be 
cancelled. The District Health Boards say they have been told 
by the junior doctors that if their claim for a 30 percent pay 
rise in three years is not accepted, it will be withdrawn at 
midday and increased to 40 percent. Health Minister David 
Cunliffe has told the doctors their demand is unrealistic.

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

REVERSE MORTGAGES GAIN IN POPULARITY
------------------------------------

A new study has found the number of reverse mortgages exploded 
by more than 60 percent from 2006 to 2007. The research was 
undertaken by Deloitte. It shows that at the end of 2007 the 
reverse mortgage market was up by $138 million to $365 
million, on the same time a year earlier. The average loan 
size went from just over $46,000 in 2005 to over $55,000 in 
2007. Safer Home Equity Release Plans Association says the 
yield is smaller than expected because of the global credit 
crunch. Executive director Rob Dowler believes the outstanding 
balance could exceed $500 million dollars by the end of this 
year.

GREENS WANT COAL INDUSTRY CLOSED DOWN
-------------------------------------

"Keep coal in the hole" is the new catchphrase from the Green 
Party, which says it want the coal industry closed down in New 
Zealand. Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says if the Government 
can legislate to ban new thermal power generation it can do 
the same for coal mines, while leaving exemptions to allow the 
country's steel industry to operate. Ms Fitzsimons says the 
Huntly Power Station must eventually close and not be replaced 
by another coal-fired facility. She says Huntly is old and 
inefficient, emits a lot of CO2 for the electricity it 
generates, and has no pollution control. She says there are 
many renewable alternatives for electricity generation which 
have no carbon emissions.

ANOTHER FUEL PRICE RISE
-----------------------

BP has hiked petrol prices by three cents, tipping 98 over the 
$2 mark. 91 has moved from $1.86 to $1.89 and 98 is now $2.03. 
Diesel has jumped five cents from $1.52 to $1.57. 
 
(BP is almost always the first mover when it comes to price 
hikes. The others never take much encouragement to follow. - 
BH)

NATIONAL TARGETS BROADBAND
--------------------------

National is promising to spend up to $1.5 billion on a 
nationwide fibre-optic network. It says its Fibre to the Home 
policy will be worth $2.7 to $4.4 billion a year to New 
Zealand. Leader John Key says the initial goal is to roll out 
the fibre to 75 percent of New Zealand homes. However in the 
first six years the priority will be given to business 
premises, schools and health facilities. Mr Key says it will 
see download and uploads speeds many times faster than most 
New Zealanders have ever experienced.

DHBS FRUSTRATED AT FRESH STRIKE THREAT
--------------------------------------

District Health Boards say the threat of further strike action 
by junior doctors beggars belief. Around 2,000 resident 
doctors walked off the job for 48-hours this morning to 
support their pay demands. Their union is currently discussing 
with its members whether it will hold further strikes. 
Resident Doctors Association general secretary Deborah Powell 
says further strikes are looking "highly likely" at this 
stage. She says if another strike goes ahead, the details will 
be nutted out later today. DHB spokesman David Meates says the 
union should be more concerned with finding a way to resolve 
the dispute, rather than trying to prolong it. He says DHBs 
have suggested sitting down to talk about ways to invest more 
in junior doctors but the union's response is to threaten 
further strike action.

GLOOMY PICTURE FOR LOMBARD INVESTORS
------------------------------------

The parent company of Lombard Finance and Investment is unable 
to tell investors how much of their money will be recovered. 
Around $127 million was owed when the company went into 
receivership earlier this month. Parent company Lombard Group 
says it is preparing its own accounts on the basis that the 
company will not be getting any of the money it invested in 
the finance company. Lombard Group has sold its online 
insurance and mortgage broking business, Maestro, to the 
general manager of the business, Nick Bryant.

WORK STOPPAGES COST $1.9 MILLION IN 2007
----------------------------------------

Work stoppages last year saw $1.9 million in wages and 
salaries lost. Figures from Statistics New Zealand released 
today show there were 29 work stoppages in the year to 
December. There were 42 stoppages in 2006. The statistics show 
almost 4,000 employees were involved in stoppages made up of 
24 strikes, three partial strikes and two lockouts last year. 
 
(Such interesting statistics never mention the underlying 
causes for such stoppages, and somehow assumes benign 
innocence on the part of the industries against which action 
was taken. - BH)

GOVERNMENT TO AUCTION 47 FM LICENCES
------------------------------------

The Government will auction off 47 new FM radio licences next 
month. Of them, 31 will be for local commercial use and 16 
will be for non-commercial use. Broadcasting Minister David 
Cunliffe says the focus of the new allocation will be on 
making licences available for locally-owned and operated radio 
stations. He says it is an attempt to strengthen regional and 
community broadcasting. One of the conditions is that bidders 
reside within the coverage area and target the needs and 
expectations of their local audience.

JUNIOR DOCTORS' STRIKE UNDERWAY
-------------------------------

District Health Boards are trying to treat as many patients as 
possible over the next two days despite the junior doctors' 
strike. About 2,000 resident doctors walked off the job this 
morning for 48 hours, impacting on the treatment of thousands 
of patients throughout the country. Chief Medical Officer of 
the Counties Manukau District Health Board Don Mackie says a 
rigorous assessment has been done to ensure elective surgery 
and outpatient appointments are not completely eliminated. 
"We're making some significant demands of both senior medical 
staff and also of the nursing staff to help maintain the 
safety of the hospital during the strike period." Hutt 
Hospital has rostered on extra staff. Spokeswoman Jill Lane 
says the strike will put huge pressure on other staff, but she 
is confident the DHB will cope and be able to keep up urgent 
and acute services. In Christchurch, 250 of the DHB's 380 
junior doctors are striking and elective surgery for 200 
patients and 2,200 outpatient appointments have been 
postponed. Chief Medical Officer at the Canterbury District 
Health Board, Dr Nigel Millar, is reassuring the public the 
DHB has enough staff to provide a normal emergency department 
service and operations and appointments will be rescheduled. 
The Resident Doctors Association is demanding three pay rises 
of 10 percent over three years while the DHBs are offering two 
rises of four percent for a two year deal.

KEY SAYS TAX CUT DELAY UNACCEPTABLE
-----------------------------------

The National Party says it would be simply unacceptable if the 
government delayed tax cuts until April of next year. There 
has been speculation that Labour might announce tax cuts in 
the Budget which would take effect as early as October, in 
order to close the gap in the polls. But Finance Minister 
Michael Cullen has appeared to suggest that tax cuts would 
raise interest rates and cause more problems for struggling 
families, raising the thought they may be delayed until next 
April. National Party leader John Key says people are already 
struggling with high interest rates, fuel and food prices and 
yet the Government continues to sit on its hands. He says tax 
cuts are not a quick fix solution, but they could help to ease 
the financial burden for many people. Mr Key says no finance 
minister has had more opportunity to cut personal taxes than 
Dr Cullen and any further delays will not go down well with 
hard working New Zealanders.

Wednesday, 23 April 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CROWN MONITORS TO OVERSEE WHANGANUI DHB
---------------------------------------

The Health Minister has appointed two Crown monitors to 
oversee the Whanganui District Health Board. Phillip Meyer and 
Dr Robert Logan will report to David Cunliffe on the board's 
progress. Their appointments follow scathing reports on the 
DHB's performance, in particular the hiring of disgraced 
obstetrician Roman Hasil. Chief executive of the Whanganui DHB 
Memo Musa resigned last month.

AIRPORT WANTS AUCKLAND GOVERNANCE MERGED
----------------------------------------

Auckland International Airport wants the creation of a new 
elected body as a voice for all of Auckland. It has made the 
submission to the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance. 
Auckland Airport says the new entity should have a new name, 
functions and powers and the leadership should not be built on 
existing governance structure. It says at the moment there is 
no single body able to liaise effectively and work with 
central government to promote Auckland as a world-class city. 
The airport says without a body with strong leadership focused 
on generating real outcomes for the city as a whole, Auckland 
will continue to struggle to be heard internationally and by 
central government. 
 
(Who gives a royal toss what an airport wants? When did an 
airport, or any other business, get to be a natural citizen of 
this country, and entitled to express a view on our politics? 
Shut up, Airport! People vote, airports don't. - BH)

NO TAX RELIEF FOR FUEL
----------------------

Finance Minister Michael Cullen admits petrol prices are 
putting significant pressure on households, but is ruling out 
making tax changes. The AA has called on the Government to 
intervene in the soaring cost at the pumps, where the latest 
rise has sent petrol over $2 a litre for the first time. One 
suggestion is for the Government to remove the GST on excise 
tax, which could cut 5c off a litre of fuel. But Dr Cullen 
says any changes to the GST rules in the past 12 months would 
not have been noticed, given the cost of oil has risen 80 
percent. He says changing the system now would add extra 
compliance costs to businesses, which would then be passed on 
to consumers.

AA CALLS FOR ANSWERS OVER FUEL PRICE HIKES
------------------------------------------

The Automobile Association wants fuel companies to be more 
open about what is causing their fuel price hikes. Petrol has 
crossed the $2 mark, with BP increasing its high octane 98 
fuel to $2.03 yesterday. The company lifted 91 octane from 
$1.86 to $1.89 a litre and 95 to $1.94. BP also lifted its 
diesel price from $1.52 a litre to $1.57. AA spokesman Mark 
Stockdale says the last time prices shot up was following 
Hurricane Katrina which knocked out a number of oil 
refineries. He says there has not been any crisis to explain 
the current prices and petrol companies need to provide more 
information about the causes behind the increases. Mr 
Stockdale says the increases are a worrying trend and the 
Government needs to step in. He says it should remove the GST 
on the excise because at the moment, people are paying a tax 
on a tax.

NATIONAL HANDING TELECOM MONOPOLY CLAIMS GOVT
---------------------------------------------

The Government is accusing National of handing a monopoly back 
to Telecom with its broadband plan. If it wins the election, 
National is proposing to spend $1.5 billion over six years on 
extending ultrafast broadband in partnership with private 
sector investment. Communications Minister David Cunliffe says 
the weakness of National's approach is that it is a capital-
driven plan which requires matching capital from another 
party. He says that can only be Telecom, therefore it hands 
them a monopoly on broadband. However, the proposal is being 
supported by the Telecommunications Users Association. 
Spokesman Ernie Newman says the industry is in desperate need 
of a hands-up from government to make the massive investment 
which is required. Mr Newman says it is widely believed that 
the Government should come to the party and cough up the cash. 
Mr Newman says higher-speed broadband is about better 
education for children and freedom for an aging population. 
National leader John Key has had to bring his deputy leader 
into line with the party's broadband policy after Bill English 
ruled out supporting widespread Government investment in 
broadband infrastructure a year ago. Mr Key says Mr English is 
now totally convinced of the need to invest in infrastructure 
to make it work to lift productivity. He hopes many service 
providers, not just Telecom, will be able to put forward 
proposals on how the broadband roll-out should occur.

STRIKE DECISION NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY
---------------------------------

The union representing junior doctors says it was a tough 
decision issuing another strike notice. More than 2,000 
doctors are on strike for a second day and have announced 
plans for another two day strike in a fortnight. Marcia 
Walker, from the Resident Doctors Association, says because 
the union has had no contact with the District Health Boards, 
further strike action was the only option. Ms Walker hopes the 
DHBs will want to get back around the table before the next 
strike. She says doctors do not want to see more surgery and 
outpatient appointments cancelled and hopes people can 
understand doctors are not striking to punish patients. She 
says they just want to send a message to the government that 
it should step in. Ms Walker says DHBs should put the money 
they spend during strikes, towards the doctors' settlement. 
However, the DHBs' lead negotiator says it is becoming 
increasingly difficult to negotiate with the union because of 
the demands it is placing on boards. David Meates says the 
doctors are using patients to support an outrageous pay claim 
which he describes as incomprehensible. He will try to meet 
union representatives tomorrow. Junior doctors are demanding 
three 10 percent pay rises over three years.

CREDIT CARD DEBT SOARING
------------------------

Tomorrow's review of the official cash rate is not likely to 
bring any relief to people with mounting credit card debt. 
Analysts expect the OCR to remain unchanged at 8.25 percent. 
But Bernard Hickey from interest.co.nz says dramatic new data 
from the Reserve Bank shows more than 71 percent of people 
accumulated interest payments on their credit card in 
February, a jump from 68 percent the previous month. He says 
that is the highest percentage of interest bearing credit debt 
since 2005 and a record increase for any month. Mr Hickey says 
people are under pressure because of higher food bills, petrol 
prices and mortgage repayments and have not been able to pay 
off their credit cards on time each month. Mr Hickey says that 
is costly as debt is bearing interest at a record high rate of 
around 19.9 percent.

Thursday, 24 April 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GOVT CLOSES SLICE OF OCEAN TO FISHING VESSELS
---------------------------------------------

Fishing opportunities are expected to be severely restricted 
in New Zealand waters. The Ministry of Fisheries is 
implementing interim measures to better manage the 
environmental impact of bottom trawling, by closing 112,000 
square kilometres of previously fished sea. All fishing 
vessels will also be required to carry at least one Ministry 
of Fisheries observer. Seafood Industry Council chief 
executive Owen Symmans says it will have a huge impact on 
where people can go fishing. He says some vulnerable areas 
need to be protected, but it is harsh limiting all fishing 
when the target is bottom trawling. Mr Symmans says having 
Fisheries Ministry observers onboard will cost at least $500 a 
day. He says the industry will be angry if others who fish in 
New Zealand waters do not have to meet similar restrictions.

AGENTS NOT SURPRISED RATES UNCHANGED
------------------------------------

The real estate industry is not surprised there has been no 
movement in interest rates as it says the Reserve Bank wanted 
to cool off the housing market. The Reserve Bank has reviewed 
the official cash rate and left it unchanged at 8.25 percent, 
to keep inflation in check. It acknowledged there has been a 
further decline in the housing market but said pressures on 
inflation included the high New Zealand dollar and the 
possibility of demands for wage rises due to increasing costs 
for fuel and food. Real Estate Institute President Murray 
Cleland says the Reserve Bank has been trying to slow down the 
real estate market and a high interest rate has done that. He 
believes the Reserve Bank's decision will have little or no 
impact on the market. "Of course, we're always looking for 
interest rates to drop and that would effect our market but at 
the moment what we've got is what we've got and we've got to 
deal with it." Mr Cleland says a lot of people are waiting and 
watching on the sideline, but he is encouraged the median 
house price is holding up despite a fall in sales.

ONLY 13 PERCENT OF POLICE 'LOYAL AND COMMITED'
----------------------------------------------

Only 13 percent of police staff are loyal and committed to the 
job, according to a Gallup Employee Engagement Survey. It has 
also found 22 percent of police are so unhappy they are 
classed as psychologically absent when at work. The sentiments 
were echoed in the CIB, where around two thirds are disengaged 
from their work. On top of that another 30 percent are so 
unhappy they are passing it onto their colleagues. However, 
only one percent of police staff say they are extremely 
dissatisfied. The things that rated best about the job were 
camaraderie with colleagues, helping communities and catching 
criminals as well as career opportunities. Heavy workloads and 
a lack of staff and resources were the main complaints. The 
$187,500 study was recommended by last year's Commission of 
Inquiry into Police Conduct. Deputy Police Commissioner Rob 
Pope says the police are seeking to improve the way they do 
things and the survey gives them a benchmark against which to 
measure their progress. 
 
(I can imagine a similar survey of almost any other aspect of 
public service might yield similar outcomes. Any institution 
which has experienced a massive growth of head office 
bureaucracy, and excessively complex compliance requirements 
might find a similar outcome. I would love to see such a 
survey in hospitals, schools, Universities, and most 
government departments. - BH)

LAW TO ALLOW PETROL TAX FOR TRANSPORT PROJECTS
----------------------------------------------

Transport Minister Annette King is squashing suggestions 
motorists could be slugged with a 10c a litre regional petrol 
tax from July. New legislation is expected to come into effect 
shortly allowing regional authorities to introduce the new tax 
to fund roading projects. However, any such move would need 
the approval of the Government and that would only be given on 
a case-by-case basis. Mrs King says it is a tool councils 
could use if they get an agreement after consultation in the 
community, and is a project that would not be funded under the 
national land transport programme. Mrs King says any idea that 
there will be a 10c a litre tax immediately is mischief-
making. She says there will be some regions that might 
consider it, but there are many that will not. The Transport 
Minister says it is more likely that places like Auckland and 
Wellington will request the new regional petrol tax, than 
smaller centres.

NO RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS
------------------------

Interest rates are not likely to fall any time soon. The 
Reserve Bank has reviewed the official cash rate and has 
decided to leave it unchanged at 8.25 percent. It says the 
economy has weakened more markedly than it had expected but 
factors such as the high New Zealand dollar and the drought 
continue to put pressure on inflation and growth prospects. 
Governor Alan Bollard says the turmoil on global financial 
markets has led to an uncertain economic environment. He says 
tighter credit conditions, a further decline in the housing 
market and weaker prospects for world growth have led to sharp 
falls in consumer and business sentiment. Dr Bollard says the 
labour market is still strong and New Zealand's key 
international commodity prices remain high. Government 
spending plans and the possibility of personal tax cuts are 
also expected to limit the economic slowdown. Dr Bollard says 
over time, the weaker economy will ease pressure on resources 
and inflation but short term inflation is likely to remain 
high, partly due to increases in food and fuel prices. He says 
there is a risk that workers demanding pay rises to cope with 
higher prices could also put pressure on inflation. Dr Bollard 
says while the high dollar helps moderate headline CPI 
inflation, it remains a drag on export growth. He says given 
the outlook, the bank does not expect to adjust interest rates 
for some time yet, in order to keep inflation within its 
target of one to three percent.

DHBS PLANNING FOR NEXT STRIKE
-----------------------------

Planning is already under way for the next junior doctors' 
strike. Resident doctors have headed back to work this morning 
after more than 2,000 walked off the job for 48 hours in 
support of a pay rise. Unless a pay settlement is reached with 
District Health Boards over the next two weeks, they will 
strike again. Counties Manukau DHB Chief Medical Officer Dr 
Don Mackie says hospital emergency departments were not as 
busy as expected with a good response from the public and 
primary health care sector resulting in patient numbers down 
40 percent. He says his board is already reviewing what it 
will do differently next time but the strike action was 
disheartening and DHBs would prefer not to be in such a 
situation. Dr Mackie says there is concern about the roll-on 
effect of cancelling elective surgeries and outpatient 
appointments. He says patient care was the board's top 
priority throughout the strike. Junior doctors are seeking 
three pay rises of 10 percent in a three year deal with 
includes other improvements to conditions.

GLACIER MELTING RAPIDLY
-----------------------

Global warming is being blamed for melting the Tasman Glacier 
in the Southern Alps. New research from Massey University 
shows the glacier is retreating faster than ever and is 
ultimately expected to disappear. Dr Martin Brook says in 1973 
there was no lake in front of the glacier but the one that has 
formed is now 7km long, 2km wide and 245 metres deep. He says 
it is now too warm for the glacier to be sustained at such a 
low altitude and it is expected to melt at a rate of up to 822 
metres a year.

EFTPOS COMPANIES MERGING
------------------------

Shareholders in payments technology companies Provenco and 
Cadmus have voted in favour of a merger. Rick Christie, 
chairman of both Provenco and the merged company, says the 
result is a significant milestone in the journey towards 
creating a large global technology company based in New 
Zealand. He says combined, the companies will have increased 
scale and there will be quick cost savings of $7.6 million. 
Cadmus director Jim Doyle has been appointed at CEO of the new 
company. The merger was agreed to by 99.98 percent of Provenco 
shareholders and 93.46 percent of Cadmus shareholders. The 
merger will come into force on May 8, 2008. The companies have 
already gained approval from the Commerce Commission.

RETHINK WANTED ON FUEL LEVY TIMING
----------------------------------

National wants a rethink on the timing of new fuel levies as 
motorists face record prices at the pumps. The price of high-
octane petrol surpassed $2 a litre for the first time ever 
this week, but the Government is ruling out removing the GST 
on excise tax from petrol sales. National agrees that would 
have little effect but the party's deputy leader Bill English, 
is concerned that the planned new regional fuel taxes, 
combined with biofuel and carbon levies, will hurt motorists 
even further. "With these three new levies coming on top of 
rising prices it's going to put a lot of pressure on motorists 
so we'll have to be convinced that the timing of these levies 
is right and that motorists can bear the costs now." Mr 
English believes the issue needs to be a high priority for the 
Government.

Friday, 25 April 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PM HELEN CLARK WITH ANZAC DAY MESSAGE
-------------------------------------

The Prime Minister has delivered her ANZAC Day message. Helen 
Clark spent the day attending school and RSA services in her 
Auckland electorate of Mt Albert. She says ANZAC day is a time 
for everyone to pay tribute to those who died in the service 
of our country, and for those who came home after horrific 
experiences overseas. Thousands of people attended dawn 
services around the country this morning. A wreath-laying 
ceremony has been held at the National War Memorial in 
Wellington to honour the soldiers who fought at Gallipoli and 
in subsequent wars. The ceremony is mainly for invited guests, 
but hundreds of members of the public took the opportunity to 
pay their respects as it went on. Service Associations from 
all branches of the Defence Force, along with those formed 
from men who have fought in conflicts since Gallipoli, also 
paid tribute to the fallen. Defence Force personnel are 
providing a dawn to dusk vigil over the Tomb of the Unknown 
Warrior. RSAs are busy as people mark Anzac day. National 
president Robin Klitscher says it is a rare chance for 
veterans to catch up with old friends and mark the occasion 
with their families. He says without question it will be one 
of their busiest days of the year. Thousands of New Zealanders 
and Australians have attended the dawn service at the place 
where the Anzac tradition began 93 years ago It has become a 
rite of passage for young people on their OEs to get to Anzac 
Cove on Gallipoli Peninsula for April 25. Foreign Minister 
Winston Peters is laying a wreath on behalf of the Government.

WARNING ABOUT SEX DRUGS
-----------------------

There is a warning against buying sexual performance drugs 
online. Dodgy erectile-dysfunction drugs have been linked to 
the death of one person overseas while 90 others have ended up 
seriously ill. Director General of Health Stephen McKernan 
says pills marketed in Singapore are being labelled as 
'Cialis' but testing has found them to be fake. He says the 
product actually contains a prescription medicine used to 
treat diabetes. It lowers blood sugar levels and can be deadly 
for people who do not have diabetes. Stephen McKernan is 
urging internet shoppers to be wary.

OFFICERS FEEL UNDERMINED BY CRITICISM
-------------------------------------

Police rank and file say so many officers are unhappy at work 
because of the criticism the force has been under in the past 
few years. The Employment Engagement Survey says 22 percent of 
staff are so unhappy, they are psychologically absent. Only 13 
percent are loyal and fully committed to the job. Police 
Association President Greg O'Connor says the string of recent 
sex allegations and an inquiry into police conduct have been 
symptoms of negativity towards police. He says the danger is 
that officers will shrug their shoulders and ask "what's the 
point?" Mr O'Connor says there is a perception that perhaps 
police chiefs have not been standing up for staff. He says 
police have also become more heavily politicised, leading to a 
growing amount of bureaucracy, which does not seem 
particularly relevant or make the service more efficient. Mr 
O'Connor says now the problems have been recognised, something 
can be done.

NEW RULES FOR DIY BUILDERS
--------------------------

Certified builders are welcoming the clarification of building 
guidelines. New rules allow DIY builders to construct their 
own homes, provided they own the land and they sign a 
declaration saying they will live in the house once it is 
built. The new rules also mean a DIY tag is added to records 
if the house is on-sold, and do-it-yourselfers become subject 
to the same liabilities as licensed builders. Certified 
Builders Association chief Derek Baxter says it is important 
to protect the right and tradition of building our own homes, 
but there must also be some kind of assurance on quality. He 
says a lot of people are making a living out of throwing up 
homes without any qualifications or expertise.

SOCIETY WANTS CIGARETTES HIDDEN FROM VIEW
-----------------------------------------

The Cancer Society says it is incomprehensible that tobacco 
can be sold in the same way as bread and milk. The New South 
Wales State Government is proposing to remove tobacco products 
from open display and keep them behind counters and the 
society's tobacco control adviser Belinda Hughes says the idea 
should be adopted in New Zealand. Ms Hughes says positive 
anti-smoking initiatives include images on cigarette packages 
showing the consequences of smoking but shops have been used 
as a selling vehicle since other forms of advertising were 
banned in 1990. She says children should have the right to 
grow up without being influenced by tobacco marketing and it 
is society's responsibility to protect them from smoking.

REMOVE FOOD GST TO HELP POOR - EXPORTERS
----------------------------------------

Exporters are the latest group to demand GST to be taken off 
food. Statistics New Zealand figures show grocery prices 
increased by 3.6 percent in the March quarter. Manufacturers 
and Exporters Association Chief John Walley says people are 
under pressure with the housing market slowing down, petrol at 
record highs and groceries costing more. He believes taking 
GST off key food items would be a sensible alternative to 
giving personal tax cuts, because it targets the basics of 
life, which account for a larger part of the budgets of people 
who are less well off. Mr Walley says removing GST would cost 
about $1 billion a year.

VICTIMS UNDER TOO MUCH PRESSURE
-------------------------------

The release of New Zealand's youngest killer is being 
described as a good example of why the Parole Board should be 
scrapped. Bailey Kurariki will be released next month under a 
24-hour monitoring regime and will undergo ongoing counselling 
and mentoring. Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth 
McVicar says the Parole Board puts victims through too much 
stress and trauma as the onus is on them to convince the Board 
the offender should not be allowed out. Mr McVicar says the 
sentencing judge is the best person to decide what should 
happen to the offender, once they are ready for release. He 
says Michael Choy's family fought tooth and nail to try to 
ensure Kurariki would not be a threat to others on his 
release. 
 
(Bailey Kuariki will complete his sentence in September after 
which time he will be released into the community without 
further restriction. The parole process at least provides some 
kind of transition. - BH)

SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
Brian Harmer does NOT administer the mailing list. Please do 
not send subscription related messages to him. Instead, visit 
the website listed below, where you can make changes as 
required. If you want to send a personal message to Brian, 
change the country code to nz and send a message 
brian.harmer at vuw.ac.xx If you do choose to comment on 
something in these posts, please don't send the whole 
newsletter with your message. Just trim it back to the 
relevant bits. Thanks. Brian.