Neu: 2001-10-04 Contents of this issue:
1. Route Cuts 2. Cup Winner 3. Commission Stalled 4. Founders Day 5. Minister Waits 6. Census Totals 7. Hiring Decisions Challenged ======================================================================== October 4th, 2001 1. Route Cuts: Air New Zealand plans to cut jobs, routes, and aircraft to stay viable as it begins a new life under Government ownership. Planned job losses are estimated at between 1000 and 1500. The national carrier came full circle yesterday, announcing a return to majority public ownership after 12 years as a private company. The taxpayer will soon own up to 80 per cent of Air New Zealand, shovelling in up to $885 million to keep it airborne. Acting chairman Jim Farmer yesterday indicated the changes were just the beginning of major restructuring at the airline. He confirmed the board had been briefed on a management plan to reduce international and domestic schedules. "These changes to frequency, routes, and aircraft type reflect the reduction in trans-Tasman feed as a result of the closure of Ansett and the consequences ... of the terrorist attacks in America," Dr Farmer said. He said the changes management planned would include "significant cost reductions" to reflect the reduction in the airline's capacity. However he would not comment on the level of redundancies planned. Air New Zealand flies Niue passengers Auckland to Tonga under a code sharing arrangement with Royal Tongan Airlines. RTA services Niue two times a week using a Shorts 360 turbo prop 30 seater. 2. Cup Winner: TVNZ says it has secured the rights to broadcast live the Melbourne Cup on November 6. TV Niue hopes to broadcast the famous horse race live to sports mad residents on the island. 3. Commission Stalled: A commission of inquiry into Niue's country code top level domain dot NU has been postponed. The inquiry headed by NZ Judge David Ongley was expected to start in October. However government officials say the inquiry will commence in November due to "logistic technicalities." The Internet Users Society has been the sole manager of dot NU since 1997 and provides internet and e mail services free to all Niue residents. The Society representatives on Niue say they have still not been formally told of the inquiry. The Niue Information Technology Committee formed by Premier Sani Lakatani in 1999 was set up primarily to gain control of the dot NU which was assigned to the Society by IANA through the United States Department of Commerce. 4. Founders Day: Niue's Boys Brigade members meet today to celebrate Founders Day. The Boys Brigade was formed on Niue October 4 1946 and most of the 14 villages have a company of boys affiliated to the Ekalesia Church. Modern day activities include camping, first aid and community service. 5. Minister Waits: Niue's Minister of Police Matua Rex says he has not had a formal request for a commission of inquiry into the island's police and justice departments called for by former Cabinet Minister O'Love Jacobsen. Mrs Jacobsen has criticised the police handling of an investigation in a recent homicide on the island and the administration of the jail. New Zealand Judge Heta Hingston threw out a murder charge against a 41 year old Tongan last week due to a lack of forensic evidence. The accused later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was jailed for 11 years. Mr Rex said he was not at the trial and would not comment on the case. When asked on TV Niue News if he would be considering the position of the current chief of police, Mr Rex said the Niue Public Service Commission was responsible for employing government personnel and had an obligation to ensure those recruited were carrying out their duties in a professional manner. and those matters should be addressed to that authority. Niue police say gathering of specialist evidence was hampered by the lack of funds although they admitted an offer to provide homicide detectives from New Zealand to investigate the killing had been turned down. Earlier today MP Terry Coe said he supported an inquiry into the Niue Public Service Commission rather than the police and justice departments. "The public service commission are responsible for employing government staff and people in the country have a right to make sure we are getting the best personnel possible for top jobs in government departments," said Mr Coe. "Those appointments should be made based upon experience not upon political affiliations or friendships," said Mr Coe. 6. Census Totals: Niue's population has decreased by 276 since the last official census in 1997. Figures released by the Economic Planning, Development and Statistics Department from a census held on September 8 2001 reveal a steady downturn in population which has resulted in one village recording only 18 residents. The latest census included residents and visitors. The number of Niueans counted was 1489 with 363 non Niueans. While all villages had dramatic resident downturns one village Vaiea recorded an increase of 17 since 1997 due to a settlement of Tuvaluans. The statistics Department says private households in the latest census numbered 509 a decrease of 34 households from 1997. Population figures are important to Niue - the world's smallest self governing state. Overseas aid and support from international organisations such as WHO, UNESCO and UNDP is largely based upon the number of residents. Past efforts by Niue to encourage re-settlement of Niueans resident overseas have been unsuccessful as statistics indicate and government efforts are now centered on trying to maintain a living viable community. This month the island celebrates 100 years political association. In 1901 Niue had a population of 4000 with about 30 Europeans, mainly missionaries and administrators. 7. Hiring Decisions Challenged: Former Cabinet Minister Terry Coe wants an inquiry into the Niue Public Service Commission - the employing authority of the island's government. He said today that many problems in the police and justice department rest with the commission. Last week Opposition MP Veve Jacobsen called for a commission of inquiry into the Niue police and justice department after a murder charge was dropped in the High Court because of the lack of evidence.After her call Niue police admitted they had turned down an offer of specialist assistance to investigate the homicide by the NZ Police. Mrs Jacobsen also made claims that prisoners charged with serious offences were wandering around unescorted in paddocks adjacent to the jail which is administered by the justice department. In the wake of Mrs Jacobsen's call for a commission of inquiry new information has emerged that a man charged with two counts of raping a 13 year old girl was granted a stay of proceedings by the Niue Peoples Party dominated Cabinet in 1999. No reason was given for the stay. The man was originally arrested in 1999 and held in prison for several weeks before being released. Last week he appeared before New Zealand Judge Heta Hingston on the lesser two counts of having sexual intercourse with a girl aged between 12 and 15. The man pleaded guilty and the Judge was told by the accused's advocate that reconciliation with the family of the young girl had been completed and they wished the matter to go no further. The Judge convicted and discharged the man. No details of the charges were submitted by the Police in open Court. Cabinet has the power to direct a stay of proceedings under section 283 of the Niue Act 1966. __END__
