Subject: 25 September, 2006 ----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ Copyright, Brian Harmer.
Somehow, life has been confined to a routine commuting cycle between Lower Hutt and the university in Kelburn. I just don't seem to have been anywhere else since my return from Malaysia a little over two months ago. With the variety of conditions that's not necessarily a bad thing. After all, for the last two issues, I have extolled the colourful joys of spring. However, the most exotic location I have been to in recent weeks is the North End of Lambton Quay (for lunch with a long- time friend and former colleague). My first surprise in the area was the transformation of Pastoral House, formerly the headquarters of my old employer, the New Zealand Dairy Board. After refurbishment, it now has a whole bunch of new tenants, with 14 of its 18 floors taken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. I know that there are a number of lesser tenancies including various government departments. It was a handsome building when it first appeared in the mid seventies, and featured in David Kernohan's (1989) book, "Wellington's New Buildings", and well placed for quick access to the "golden mile" shopping precinct as well as the various transport hubs. The building holds memories of some good times for me. Across the road, the little park where the old high court once stood is under threat as it seems that a new Supreme Court building will be built on the spot. Though any loss of open space is regrettable, I don't particularly lament this park. On a fine day, it's nice to have a grassy area to sit and eat lunch. When any kind of breeze was blowing, it had all the ambience of being on the Siberian Steppes in Autumn. The Old Government Building, occupied by Victoria University's School of Law looks as handsome as ever, and at this time of year, the springtime greenery in the parliamentary grounds tend to hide the buildings themselves. ---- Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, or occasionally "GS" will indicate an opinion from our editorial assistant. In all cases they are honest expressions of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact. All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission (renewed this week) of copyright owner, Newstalk ZB News. All copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of The Radio Network Limited. This edition of the news is sponsored by Roger Clark at Rutgers University. Thanks Roger ---- On with the News. Monday, 18 September 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ VICTORIA FEES GO UP ------------------- Victoria University has voted to increase its undergraduate fees by the full five percent allowed under the Government's fees maxima regime. Postgraduate fees are also going up by the maximum allowed - a total of $500. University Chancellor Tim Beaglehole says the fees have gone up with the greatest reluctance. A further motion to apply for an exemption to increase some course fees by a further five percent was deferred for future consideration. (Naturally this move is not popular with students, though the physical occupation of the university's administration areas has not occurred as it has on several occasions past. - BH) AUCKLAND NEEDS $20 BILLION -------------------------- Twenty billion dollars is needed over the next 20 years for Auckland's struggling infrastructure. The Case for Auckland has been launched today with a series of reports highlighting the national contribution the city makes to the country's GDP. The reports say Auckland contributes 31 percent of the total Government expenditure, but its productivity could be boosted if more money was ploughed into developing the broadband, transport and energy infrastructure. Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard says the city has been neglected for the past 20 years and as a result it is in "catch-up mode". Mr Hubbard says now is the time for the divide between Auckland and the rest of New Zealand to be removed once and for all. (People outside Auckland tend to regard such reports as self- serving at best. Ending the divide? Most of us believe Auckland is already over-provisioned. - BH) KEEPING NZ CLEAN AND GREEN -------------------------- A week aimed at cleaning up the country's beaches, roadsides and parks is hoping to encourage people to dispose of their rubbish thoughtfully. This is Keep New Zealand Beautiful week, which has the aim of raising awareness of the amount of rubbish dumped around the country each year. Sandy Beath-Croft of the Hutt City Council believes people have lost their sense of responsibility towards the environment. She says watching people throw things out of car windows reinforces how lazy they have become about keeping the country in good shape. Sandy Beath-Croft says in order for attitudes to change, people need to feel a sense of ownership towards their area, and be proactive in keeping it clean. (I much admired the idea of certain groups taking ownership of the cleanliness issue for a given stretch of highway. It hasn't really taken off here. - BH) TEENAGED PARENTS TARGETED ------------------------- The Government has announced a new package of early intervention services for children aimed at preventing some cases from falling through the cracks. The Early Years package is targeted at teenaged parents. Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope says it builds on existing services and makes them more effective by improving their co-ordination. He says the seven hubs involved in the project will be established in high-need areas. Mr Benson-Pope says teenage parent service coordinators will be introduced in areas with high rates of teenage births. Another programme involves a parent bringing their baby into the classroom so children can learn about a baby's developmental stages. BOOK MONTH LAUNCHED TODAY ------------------------- The first-ever Book Month is being launched in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch today. Project director Phil Twyford says people are being asked to bring their favourite New Zealand book to three huge bookcases at each venue. The books will be donated to the Books in Homes programme, which will distribute them to needy children. Mr Twyford says the aim of Book Month is to showcase the diversity of New Zealand books and to turn more people onto the delights of writing. He says a lot has changed since the only good kiwi books were the Edmonds Cookery Book or Barry Crump's work. Mr Twyford believes books have life-transforming powers. He says activities are planned in virtually every town and city. ECO-TOURISM PLANNED FOR GREAT BARRIER ------------------------------------- The Auckland City Council wants low level economic development on Great Barrier Island. It is one of the changes proposed in the revamp of planning rules for the Hauraki Gulf islands in Auckland City's District Plan. Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee chairwoman Christine Caughey believes there is room for eco-tourism development on Great Barrier. She says the island seems to be a draw card for a lot of backpackers and people who come to New Zealand for the green experience it can offer. Ms Caughey says the gulf is not only for tourists, but for Aucklanders to escape urban life and enjoy the natural environment. People have until mid-December to lodge submissions on the proposed district plan. (Oh dear. Everywhere you go, wherever there is unspoiled paradise, some tomfool plan is hatched to spoil it by developing it so that people can come and look in vain for the unspoiled paradise that just got wiped out! I regard Wellington's waterfront development plans in this light. - BH) DHBS PREPARE FOR MORE STRIKE ACTION ----------------------------------- District Health Boards are preparing for another two day strike by radiographers. Two-hundred-and-60 radiographers from seven DHBs walked off the job for three days last week in pursuit of pay parity with radiographers at other boards. More strike action will be taken on Tuesday and Thursday. Jock Muir from the Canterbury DHB says people with minor injuries are being asked to visit the after hours surgery, but anyone with a potentially life threatening condition will have access to x-ray or scan services. The other DHBs affected are Southland, Otago, Hutt, Tairawhiti (Gisborne), Lakes (Rotorua), and Bay of Plenty. STOPPING FOREIGNERS BUYING COASTLINE DIFFICULT ---------------------------------------------- The Green Party wants tighter controls over foreign ownership of coastal land to preserve camping grounds, as more areas are sold off to developers. A Department of Conservation study shows a dramatic decline in camping sites, especially in the upper North Island. On the Coromandel Peninsula alone, there has been a 33 percent decline. The Government is considering opening up Department of Conservation land to be used as campsites. Conservation Minister Chris Carter says sports grounds where there are toilet facilities could also be used as temporary campsites during holiday periods. Russell Norman, Greens co-leader, says one of the big pressures to develop coastal land comes from non -residents wanting a slice of New Zealand paradise resulting in camping grounds being carved up for subdivisions. But Mr Carter says it would be difficult to stop foreigners buying coastal property. He says there are already strict criteria preventing unique coastal land falling into foreign hands, but he is not interested in putting up barriers but creating opportunities. VALERIE VILI WINS IN ATHENS --------------------------- Gold for Valerie Vili in the women's shot put at the IAAF World Cup of Athletics in Athens. The New Zealand champion has thrown 19.87 metres to edge out Russia's Olga Ryabinkina and take gold for Oceania. Belarussian Natallia Khoroneko who pipped Vili for gold in the IAAF Grand Prix final last week, could only manage fourth. As for the other New Zealanders, Kimberly Smith has run a creditable fourth in the women's 5000 metres. Stuart Farquhar finished sixth in the javelin, while Jason Stewart was eighth in the 800 metres and James Mortimer seventh in the 110 metres hurdles. Tuesday, 19 September 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TONGA FAREWELLS ITS KING ------------------------ King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV has been laid to rest in front of thousands of mourners. Military groups, schools, royalty and commoners have all played a part in the four-hour-long funeral service. After a moving procession to the royal tomb, the King's casket was displayed, draped in the royal flag. As thousands of restless locals and visitors braved the heat, the King was honoured with hymns, prayers and sermons. Few of the foreign dignitaries present would have understood what was said at the funeral as it was all in Tongan. After he was lowered into his tomb a statue was unveiled before Prime Minister Helen Clark joined others mourners in laying a wreath to end the ceremony. Miss Clark will dine with the new King, George V, before heading back to Auckland. TALKS CONTINUE IN SUPERMARKET DISPUTE ------------------------------------- Talks between unions and Progressive Enterprises are continuing tonight. The Employment Court case between the two sides has once again been adjourned today. Both sides say they are committed to trying to end the dispute which has been going on for a month. National Distribution Union national secretary Laila Harre will not be drawn on the details of what has been tabled. She says they are hopeful they might be able to reach a settlement as a result of what has been discussed today. STILL DISPARITY BETWEEN THE SEXES --------------------------------- There still appears to be a battle of the sexes when it comes to men and women's pay. A survey has been released today which shows for every dollar men make in the workplace, women only earn 86 cents. The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission has released concerns about the pay disparity as part of the Suffrage Day celebrations. Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor says 113 years after women first got the vote, she is still deeply concerned about the pay issue. (At the risk of provoking my colleagues, I have seen no sign of this in academic life. - BH) MILLIONS TO FUND GANG YOUTH PROBLEMS ------------------------------------ The Government is spending $10 million on tackling youth gang problems in South Auckland. The four-year action plan involves a number of ministries and aims to help improve outcomes for young people and reduce youth offending in Counties Manukau and Otahuhu. Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope says research shows that a range of factors is driving youth gang membership in South Auckland, including economic, parenting, and peer pressure. The plan includes providing case management for 100 youngsters and their families and linking Police Youth Action Teams with Maori Wardens. He says it is important that intervention in these areas comes early to prevent young people getting into trouble, adding that Counties Manukau has the country's highest proportion of youth and is also one of the lowest-income regions. Mr Benson-Pope says the plan also includes other hot-spots in the Auckland region. NUTRITION FUND FOR SCHOOLS -------------------------- Schools are being given fresh options to fund their canteens and tuck shops. A four-year, $12 million Nutrition fund, part of a post-election agreement between Labour and the Green Party, has been launched in Wellington today. Schools will be able to apply to the fund to help pay for healthy eating alternatives in foods sold to students. It will be administered by District Health Boards. Green MP Sue Kedgley indicates it is a way of countering the lucrative funding options offered by fizzy drink and fast food companies. She says Coca Cola has revealed schools can raise $5,000 - 50,000 by selling its products in vending machines in schools. (Moral panic is a phrase that comes to mind - BH) MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY RESULTS ---------------------------- New Zealanders are just as depressed as people in most other countries in the developed world, according to a new survey on mental health. Health Minister Pete Hodgson says the survey confirms that in any 12 month period, one in five New Zealanders has a mental disorder. The percentage is slightly higher among Maori and Pacific people. The survey reveals 46.6 percent of the population are predicted to experience a disorder at some time in their lives, with 39.5 percent having already done so. Females have a higher prevalence of anxiety disorder, major depression and eating disorders than males, whereas males have a substantially higher prevalence for substance use disorders than females. Nearly sixteen percent of those surveyed reported having thought seriously about suicide at some stage in their lives, 5.5% had actually made a suicide plan and 4.5% had made an attempt at some stage. In the past 12 months, 3.2 percent had thought about suicide, one percent made a plan and 0.4 of a percent made an attempt. Mr Hodgson says that of any mental disorder, mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder impact most on New Zealanders' lives. The full survey can be downloaded from the Ministry of Health website at http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/5166/$File/mental- health-survey-summary.pdf WELLINGTON OBJECTS TO MORE FUNDING FOR AUCK ------------------------------------------- The mayor of Wellington says Auckland should not be getting more Government funding at the expense of other cities. Two reports, The Case for Auckland and Auckland's Contribution to the Government's Surplus in 2005, examine the city's economy and social factors. They state Auckland contributes $3.8 billion more to the economy than it gets back in government spending. The capital's mayor, Kerry Prendergast concedes there is no doubt Auckland is important to the rest of New Zealand and is the country's economic heart . But she says while it has to do well for the rest of New Zealand to prosper, it should be competing internationally rather than with other New Zealand cities. Ms Prendergast doubts the rest of New Zealand will agree that Auckland should be supported at the expense of other regions. But Sir Ron Carter of the Committee for Auckland, says it is time to set the record straight on what exactly the city does. He says Auckland contributes 31 percent of the country's GDP. He says the committee's study is not intended to be defensive and a lot of the report talks about how the city could do things better. Sir Ron says it is vital the productivity of Auckland is improved for the good of the country, not just the region. The reports were prepared by the Auckland Council and a charitable trust, the Committee for Auckland. RADIOGRAPHERS ON STRIKE AGAIN ----------------------------- There is no sign of the radiographers' dispute being settled, as hundreds of staff at six District Health Boards walk off the job again today. The radiographers want pay parity with their colleagues working for the other 14 health boards. The DHBs claim the radiographers' union has been using the media to spread misinformation and is unwilling to come back and negotiate. Spokesman Dwayne Crombie says they have offered a compromise, which involves a pay rise over two-and-a-half years, but that has fallen on deaf ears. He believes the DHBs have moved from the original position but he says there is very little sign the union has done the same. Dr Crombie says the board is willing to negotiate, but only once the threat of strike action has been lifted. Radiographers from the Hutt Valley, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Canterbury, Otago and Southland district health boards are also striking on Thursday. Gisborne radiographers, who took part in last week's strike, will not be involved in the latest action. They are already paid the higher rate but want to be included in the collective agreement. Wednesday, 20 September 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ YOUTH PROGRAMME FAILS DISMALLY, SAYS NATIONAL --------------------------------------------- A youth crime prevention programme is being pilloried for failing to reduce offending. The National Party has obtained an evaluation report showing the Government's Reducing Youth Offending Programme had a 72 percent recidivism rate and no credible evidence it is achieving its aims. Law and Order spokesman Simon Power is amazed that, while the Corrections Department has withdrawn from the programme, CYF is still involved to the tune of more than $4 million dollars. (Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all? - BH) CYF REMOVE MORE BABIES FROM FAMILIES ------------------------------------ The number of babies removed from their families into the care of Child Youth and Family is on the rise. Official data shows 255 infants, under a year old, were taken from their parents last year - that is double the number recorded in 2004. National Party Associate Welfare spokeswoman, Anne Tolley, says the figures are in line with the rapidly increasing numbers of abused children CYF are caring for, and the escalation in abuse notifications. She believes more needs to be done to monitor the effectiveness of programmes designed to deal with violent families. SURVEY SHOWS NEEDS STILL HAVE TO BE MET --------------------------------------- New Zealanders are being called to action over disturbingly high mental health statistics. A survey of 13,000 New Zealanders shows one in five had a disorder in the past year and nearly half will have a mental disorder at some time in their life. Females have a higher prevalence of anxiety disorder, major depression and eating disorders than males, whereas males have a substantially higher prevalence for substance use disorders than females. The first national survey of the prevalence of mental illness took eight years to complete at a cost of $8 million. Mental Health Foundation CEO Judi Clements says the study shows there is a great deal of need, some of which is not being met, but she suggests the solutions can be simple, such as asking questions and not being afraid to talk about things. Health Minister Pete Hodgson says the study used a fairly wide definition of mental health and says a lot of the mood or anxiety disorders are what most people would call the blues. However, Mr Hodgson told Newstalk ZB's Paul Holmes some of the statistics are concerning, particularly those around suicide. Nearly sixteen percent of those surveyed reported having thought seriously about suicide at some stage in their lives, 5.5% had actually made a suicide plan and 4.5% had made an attempt at some stage. OZONE LEVELS ARE LOW -------------------- Details about Antarctic ozone levels have been released after the end of the winter season. NIWA scientists started testing this week at a ground site near Scott Base. Ozone researcher Stephen Wood says so far the level of ozone in the atmosphere is low, but not as bad as it has been. He says the level at the moment is about 160 Dobson units. Anything below 220 Dobson units is considered part of an ozone hole. The ozone layer in the atmosphere blocks UVB ultraviolet light from the Sun, so depletion of the layer is expected to increase the levels of UV light at the surface, which could lead to damage, including increases in skin cancer. An increase in the amount of UV radiation reaching the surface could damage a number of economically important crops including rice. ANOTHER EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMME ------------------------------------ The Government has announced another programme aimed at providing needy families with early intervention services. Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope says the Kaikohe Family Start Programme will provide intensive home visits to 112 families with very young children. He says a Family Start worker will help families set and achieve their own goals and act as a service advocate if necessary. Mr Benson-Pope says the staffer will also ensure that services are targeted and well coordinated. The Government has unveiled several programmes this week as part of its anti-family violence and child abuse campaign. OIL PRICES CONTINUE TO DROP --------------------------- Oil prices appear to be defying predictions, dropping more than three percent today. It is part of the steepest slide in more than a decade. Light crude is down to $US61.66 a barrel, the lowest it has been in six months. Yesterday, fuel dropped a further four cents a litre at New Zealand pumps. WATERFRONT HILTON HOTEL GETS GREEN LIGHT ---------------------------------------- Resource consent has been granted to build a $45 million, five star Hilton Hotel on Queen's Wharf in Wellington. The decision by the Greater Wellington Regional Council comes after months of debate. Protestors are dismayed. Waterfront Watch spokesman John McAlister says one of the main concerns is the length of the lease the Hilton developers have been granted. He says the 99-year lease could prove to be a disaster, especially if the hotel proves not to be viable. It will cost millions of dollars to strengthen the wharf to support the five storey building which will have more than 140 rooms. (Aaaghhh! Idiots! The whole ill-conceived plan will benefit a view at the cost of many. As one letter in this morning's Dominion Post suggested, the impression is of something created in "Sim-City" - BH) BREAKTHROUGH IN SUPERMARKET DISPUTE ----------------------------------- There are positive signs that the stand-off between Progressive Enterprises and its distribution workers has come to an end. Just short of the lock out going into its fifth week, the sides went back into talks yesterday. Discussions were held throughout the night and the supermarket operator says there was solid progress. The National Distribution Union is now taking a deal back to its members. Progressive Enterprises hopes to be able to make an announcement later today. EMAIL SCAM TARGETS ANZ CUSTOMERS -------------------------------- ANZ Bank customers are the target of the latest internet scam. ANZ spokesman Craig Howie says a hoax email tries to extract customers' personal bank details by asking them to click on a link which brings up a false banking log-on page. Mr Howie say the bank would never approach customers in this way and is advising customers to ignore the email and delete it. Thursday, 21 September 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SUPERMARKET DISPUTE IS OVER --------------------------- The Progressive Enterprises dispute is over. The unions are claiming victory and say they have got agreements for company's Christchurch, Auckland and Palmerston North distribution centres. National Distribution Union spokeswoman Laila Harre is happy with the three-year deal which features pay parity and a pay rise. She says it is a phenomenal result and they have got what they wanted. She says it has been achieved with an unbelievable level of national unity. Laila Harre says staff will be going back to work tomorrow morning at eight to reclaim their workplaces. GOVT TARGETS OBESITY EPIDEMIC ----------------------------- New Zealand's children will die sooner, unless the obesity epidemic is stopped. Prime Minister Helen Clark has issued the stark warning as she launched the Government's new $67 million "Mission-On" package, aimed at making youngsters healthier. She says this is the first generation of children that may experience a drop in life-expectancy unless people get on top of the issues. Initiatives in the package include a requirement for school boards to develop policies that promote healthy nutrition in schools, youth-focussed promotions for healthy life-styles and changes in the advertising of fast foods. However, National is concerned the Government is trying to turn schools into food police. Tony Ryall says that will not reduce the nation's collective waistline if the Government ignores the role families play. He says what is needed is a coherent plan of action, based around families. Mr Ryall says there is little point in making schools the food police if nothing changes at home. CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT WIDER THAN EXPECTED ------------------------------------------- The country has recorded a wider-than-expected current account deficit for the June quarter. The annual figure has ballooned out to a record high as well. The deficit hit $3,524 million dollars for the June quarter and for the year to June it was $15.2 billion. Although the quarterly figure is wider than expected, it is smaller than the previous quarter due to an increase in the value of goods exported, combined with an increase in expenditure by visitors to New Zealand. These factors were partly offset by an increase in income earned from foreign investment in New Zealand. The yearly figure is $3.1 billion wider than for the year ended June 2005. This widening is mostly due to a $1.9 billion rise in the investment income deficit, resulting from a fall in income earned from New Zealand investment abroad, combined with an increase in income earned by foreign investors from their New Zealand investment. The dollar has fallen on the back of the figures and by lunchtime was down about half a cent against the Australian and American currencies. TELECOM REASSURES WHOLESALERS ----------------------------- Telecom is denying it is being anti-competitive. The Telecom Users Association claims wholesalers are being undercut by charges the company will be offering for broadband. But Telecom spokesman John Goulter says Telecom will be launching new plans and prices next month and wholesalers will still be able to make money. Mr Goulter says ISPs will be offered a discount on the rate available to Telecom's retail customers, which will give wholesalers a margin. He says the broadband wholesale rate is set by the Telecommunications Commissioner and Telecom has no control over it. WARNING FOR DOG OWNERS ---------------------- Dog owners are being warned they must keep their pets under control, even on their own properties, after an elderly man was attacked. Paul Kelly was savaged by two greyhounds when he arrived at Helen Mackenzie's home in the Auckland suburb of Glendowie for a pre-arranged business appointment a year ago. The dogs tore skin on his left hand and his right wrist was bitten through to the bone. His thighs and arms were also injured. He spent nine days in Middlemore Hospital. Mackenzie was prosecuted and has been granted leave to apply for home detention. Auckland City Councillor Glenda Fryer says the sentence should be taken as a warning. She says an owner with dangerous dogs must make sure they are contained in such a way that anyone coming on to the property is not under fear of attack. Mackenzie's dogs were destroyed on the day of the attack. Mr Kelly, now 75-years-old, has moved to Christchurch to live with his son. FUNDING FOR HERITAGE BUILDINGS ------------------------------ The Palmerston North City Council is making funds available for the owners of heritage buildings which need protection or strengthening. The Cultural Heritage Incentive Fund provides help for people wanting to repair or improve listed heritage buildings or promote heritage resources. Environment Policy Planner David Murphy says the council must protect important buildings and the fund complements and offsets the necessary regulatory provisions. NURSE MAUDE NURSES CONSIDER ACTION ---------------------------------- Twenty-three senior Nurse Maude association nurses will consider industrial action if talks with their employer fail tomorrow. Nursing organisation delegate Kay Squires says Nurse Maude management asked to meet with the union tomorrow. The senior nurses carry out specialised duties such as palliative care and IV nursing and want pay parity with their colleagues around the country. Ms Squires says the nurses have written a letter to management indicating it is now "crunch time" and saying they will not be fobbed off anymore. He says she is concerned the employer has not indicated they have further funding, and says it will be the end of the road for nurses if there is no resolution. (The Nurse Maude Association is a charitable trust set up in honour of Nurse Sybilla Maude http://library.christchurch.org.nz/heritage/earlychristchurch/ nursemaude.asp - BH) Friday, 22 September 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE HELP FOR VULNERABLE FAMILIES --------------------------------- Vulnerable families are being targeted with a new Government- initiative. The Vulnerable Families package will involve 50 families across the country. Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope says a vulnerable family is a family with multiple risk factors like substance abuse, alcohol abuse, family violence and inter-generational benefit use. He says those families will be helped by a Work and Income staffer who will be assigned to provide intensive case management. Mr Benson- Pope says prominent community leaders will also be involved, encouraging and supporting families who may be reluctant to take up the help offered. RELIEF FOR BEEF, SHEEP FARMERS ------------------------------ Good news is on the horizon for the sheep and beef sector after a grim year. According to Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's 2006 Sheep and Beef Monitoring Report, export lamb prices dropped by close to $10 a head in the 2005/06 year. Beef and wool revenue also declined. The drop in prices saw the cash farm revenue on the national sheep and beef model fall eight percent to $320,800, despite a record high lambing percentage. The author of the report, John Greer, says farmers were unable to slow their operating or capital spending in the face of the decline in product prices and revenue from December 2005. However the report predicts the export lamb price to rise by $4 - $5 a head for the 2006/07 year. The MAF report did not take into account the financial effects of the heavy snows in Canterbury this winter. Mr Greer anticipates that farm profitability will be reduced through the cost of feed purchases and reduced stock performance. BUTTER TRADE SET TO RESUME -------------------------- New Zealand's butter trade to the European Union is set to resume. Trade Negotiations Minister Phil Goff says New Zealand will accept a transitional proposal from the European Commission, which deals with the balance of New Zealand butter exports to the EU under the 2006 quota. Mr Goff expects the proposal to be put to the European Commissioners in the middle of next week for their approval and that the Commission will then move quickly to implement it. However, he is concerned that despite intensive consultations, progress still has not been made on finding a solution to next year's butter imports. New Zealand's butter exports were suspended earlier this year after a German company complained the existing import quota system contravened EU law. CONSERVATION PARK COULD DRAW TOURISTS ------------------------------------- The Department of Conservation believes the development of a large conservation park in mid-Canterbury could draw tourists to the area. DOC proposes to combine 59,000 hectares of public conservation land to be named Hakatere Conservation Park. The park would stretch from Rangitata to Rakaia with Ashburton Lakes at the centre. Spokesman Dave Forrester says the park will be attractive to tourists because there is the potential for many different outdoor activities. He says if the results of public consultation are positive, the park could be ready by early November. ATTITUDE CHANGE NEEDED TO REDUCE WAISTLINES ------------------------------------------- The National Heart Foundation believes it will take a while for attitudes on health to change, as the Government launches a four-year $67 million programme designed to stop a growing obesity problem. Unhealthy food will be banned from school tuck shops and children will be encouraged to do more exercise and spend less time in front of the television or computer. Heart Foundation medical director Professor Norman Sharpe predicts it will take substantially longer than four years, possibly decades, before waistlines begin to reduce. He says the message has been repeated many times and there is a danger the public may stop listening, however he thinks it could succeed if the community is convinced to buy in to the changes. Professor Sharpe says as long as the programme is set up and starts strongly, the commitment will be there. He says it is now time to influence the long term behaviour of the next generation. MIXED REACTION TO SUPERMARKET DEAL ---------------------------------- Progressive Enterprises' distribution centre workers have mixed emotions about the settlement which has been reached with their employer. More than 500 workers who were locked out a month ago return to work this morning. Although they failed to gain the single national collective agreement originally claimed, their union negotiated pay increases of four to seven percent a year over the next three years with pay parity between the centres in Christchurch, Palmerston North and Auckland by 2008. South Island regional secretary for the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union Ged O'Connell says all sorts of emotions were on display at yesterday's meeting with workers. Some were bitter and angry about the four week lock-out, while others were pleased with the deal. The Australian supermarket operator says it has been concerned with the hardship felt by staff and is offering a short term interest-free loan, repayable in small weekly instalments. It says customers should expect to see Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown supermarkets return to normal over the next few days. 1 IN 8 MELANOMA DEATHS ARE PREVENTABLE -------------------------------------- A new study shows more than 12 percent of melanoma deaths could be prevented by early detection. The Otago University research shows New Zealand has more than 1800 new cases and nearly 250 deaths each year from skin cancers such as melanoma. Medical Association chairman Dr Ross Boswell says early diagnosis relies on people noticing change in a skin lesion and getting it assessed by a doctor. He says the research suggests catching melanoma early could save nearly 30 deaths a year. Dr Boswell says the cause of melanoma is believed to be severe sunburn, especially at an early age. He says the important thing is the depth of the melanoma tumour within the skin. He says if the depth is less than a millimetre, then simply cutting it out will provide a cure in about 95 percent of cases. (So many warnings, I sometimes wryly contemplate the suggestion that life is a sexually transmitted terminal illness. Or "none of us are getting out of this thing alive! - BH) MP ATTACKS OBESITY PLAN "HYPOCRISY" ----------------------------------- National is hitting out at the Health Minister saying he is hypocritical on the obesity issue. The attack follows the announcement of a $67 million scheme aimed at trying to cut obesity in children. MP Jackie Blue says that will effectively ban foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt from schools. However, she says that is ironic because the nation's hospitals are full of vending machines selling exactly these sorts of drinks and foods. She says Auckland has 50 of the machines from which it collects $144,000 dollars in profit from each year. Dr Blue says Pete Hodgson's plan will only work if there is support and buy-in from the community. 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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. 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