----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------- Copyright, Brian Harmer
More or less at 5 pm on Friday, a two day spell of very good weather came to an abrupt end with rain, and wind predicted to reach 80 km/h. Since I am focussing on my research except for short breaks like this, and have no teaching obligations this trimester, the boundary between weekend and weekdays is purely notional one. Many with more regular working hours, however, are beginning to despair of ever seeing summer. A Canadian subscriber called by on Wednesday and kindly bought me lunch, after which I attempted to give him a brief tour of Wellington (regrettably time-constrained to a circuit of the Miramar Peninsula and up to the Wind Turbine at Brooklyn). I found my self saying far too often, "on a clear day you could see such and such from here." I am not entirely sure he believed me. It was in any event, a great pleasure to share an hour or two with a reader. I am always glad to meet readers, and the provision of food and drink is not at all necessary! ------ All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, IRN Ltd. 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 "HH" will indicate an opinion from Helen. In all cases they are honest expressions of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact. ---- This week's formatting is sponsored by Bruce Hamilton. Many thanks, Bruce. On with the news: Monday, 18 February ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEACHERS GIVE FAIL MARK TO PAY RISE ----------------------------------- Secondary teachers have refused to accept a proposed pay settlement. Fifty six per cent of teachers turned down the offer, which included a 3.5 per cent salary increase over two years. The package also included less time spent teaching. The Post Primary Teachers' Association has been conducting secret ballots around the country over the last fortnight. PPTA president Jen McCutcheon says teachers were supportive of the workload relief in the package, but saw the pay offer as inadequate recognition for a demanding and complex job. She says it is too early to speculate on any industrial action, but an immediate ban has been imposed on day relief. (I suspect that this campaign, like that of university staff will founder on the rocks of public indifference. Neither group is vital to life as the nurses are, nor do they have that "angels of mercy" aura. Let me not take anything away from the nurses. As I have observed before, I am married to one, and some of the others I know could beat me up! Yet I think in the long run, the steady salary erosion of both groups is causing massive leaking which is in no way compensated for by the cosmetic expenditure up front. - BH) ANDERTON FIRES WARNING SHOT AT PARTY COUNCIL -------------------------------------------- Alliance leader Jim Anderton is firing a warning shot to his party about the behaviour of its ruling council. At a meeting in Auckland over the weekend, the council refused to nominate Corrections Minister Matt Robson as an Alliance candidate. The council has been unhappy with Mr Robson since he and seven Alliance MPs redirected the money during a power struggle between leader Jim Anderton and president Matt McCarten last year. If the situation remains as it is, Mr Robson will be unable to stand at the next election. Mr Anderton says the council should be celebrating the success of the party over the launch of Kiwibank and its victory over paid parental leave, not fighting amongst itself. He says, if MPs cannot make up their minds about whether they want to be in Government, the public will make it up for them. Mr Anderton also says the council should take note of the latest opinion poll. The One News-Colmar Brunton poll gives the Alliance a dismal one per cent rating with Labour soaring to 51 per cent. Matt Robson is the Alliance's third-ranked MP and spokesman for courts, corrections and disarmament. (I listened with interest to Radio New Zealand's political editor suggesting that the Alliance has already split, ad is now Jim's mob versus the rest. I don't know if Jim can hold Wigram, but I would predict an arctic future for the rest of them. - BH) HOTEL VENUE FOR WALLACE HEARING ------------------------------- The depositions hearing in the fatal shooting of Steven Wallace continues in a hotel today as all the courtrooms at the New Plymouth District Court are full. The private prosecution is entering its fifth week and moves to the 'Plymouth' Hotel. The defence counsel is calling Steven Wallace's mother Raewyn and sister Helen to the stand. High ranking police personnel will also be giving evidence. Dr Ian Miller is expected to discuss the concept of 'suicide by police', describing how Steven Wallace may have purposely placed himself in a confrontational situation with the police. The case is expected to continue until the end of the week. BLAKIE JURY VIEWS KEY SITES --------------------------- The jury in the murder trial of the man accused of killing hitchhiker Lisa Blakie will travel to parts of inland Canterbury today. The Crown is arguing that 32-year-old Timothy Taylor picked up Lisa Blakie on February 2, 2000, strangled her to death and then left her body in a Porter River lay-by, where she was found about four days later. The trial started at the High Court in Christchurch on Friday. The jury is being taken to a number of sites significant to the investigation, including the location where the body was found, the service station where Ms Blakie was picked up and the places where her belongings were discovered. The trial is expected to take three months. PM QUIET ON POSSIBLE JUDGE SACKING ---------------------------------- Prime Minister Helen Clark will not be drawn on whether a High Court judge should be sacked for surfing pornographic internet sites on his Justice Department computer. Cabinet will consider an urgent Crown Law Office report on the actions of Justice Robert Fisher, who admits looking at pornographic websites at work. The matter has already been addressed by the Chief Justice. The Prime Minister says there are two issues at stake: judicial independence and judicial credibility, both of which are important. Miss Clark says it is obvious no employer tolerates the viewing of porn on a work computer . She will not be drawn on whether it is a sacking offence. She says the question concerning the Government now is how people will view a judge who has looked at porn. (A more important question for me is how do I view a government that defends triple dipping consultants, and that is contemplating legalising prostitution while at the same time pursing their lips over the judge's admittedly foolish actions. And yes, I know he used a work computer in work time, but where are the people who get prissy about work time when the judge works past the knock off whistle. The concepts of "work time" versus "private time" tend to get a bit blurred for many salaried workers - BH) RSA VICTIM'S BROTHER CALLS FOR TOUGHER SENTENCES ------------------------------------------------ The brother of the only survivor of the Auckland RSA killings has joined those lobbying for tougher prison sentences. Two men have been charged with attempting to murder Susan Couch at the Mt Wellington-Panmure RSA in December. They are also charged with the murders of William Absolum, Mary Hobson and Wayne Johnson. At a pre-election strategy meeting of the Sensible Sentencing Trust this weekend, Ms Couch's brother Steve said he is seeking justice for victims. Mr Couch says his sister is now on the mend but, as she struggled for her life in the first few weeks, his family was forced to relive the tragedy every day. He says major changes are needed in the sentencing of violent offenders. TUGS POINT JODY IN RIGHT DIRECTION ---------------------------------- Attempts will be made in Gisborne today to point the stranded log carrier Jody F Millennium back out to sea as a prelude to refloating her later in the week. A third heavy haul tug is being connected to the ship this morning to control the bow. Seatow 25 will be attached to the stern to control sideways movement. Once the tugs are in position the ship will be pointed out to sea. The salvors hope the Jody could then refloat herself, but are planning to make another attempt tomorrow. The oil has been stripped from the ship's bottom tanks and the risk of further oil spills is now minimal. More logs may be taken off the ship by helicopter today. Local crayfishers say there are several rock reefs between Jody and the open sea, which is causing some concern. (As of Friday night, Jody F is still firmly on the sand bank. - BH) EMPLOYERS HAVE INTERNET BROWSING RIGHTS --------------------------------------- Business New Zealand says employers have the right to monitor what their staff are looking at on the Internet. The comment follows the revelation High Court judge Robert Fisher has admitted viewing pornographic material over a period of several weeks on his work computer. Business New Zealand Executive Director Anne Knowles says most employers would have strict guidelines covering what workers can access on their office computer. She says employees should realise that their bosses have the right to check up on what they are downloading on their office computer. Ms Knowles says if they find inappropriate material is being looked at the ultimate action a company could take against an employee is dismissal. LABOUR, CLARK CLEAR FAVOURITES - POLITICAL POLL ----------------------------------------------- The Labour Party can seemingly do no wrong, while National and The Alliance both slip off the pace early in election year. A One News/Colmar Brunton poll has found that economic optimism has risen by 3% since mid-December, and with it, has risen Labour's popularity in the Party Vote. It is at 51%, up by six since December, and Helen Clark's popularity as Prime Minister continues its upward momentum - by 4% to 45. National slips by 4% to 35, and Bill English is at 14%, sliding by three as preferred Prime Minister. And the popularity of the Alliance has dived by two-thirds, to 1%. (Polls always seem to favour an incumbent, no matter what the party. Nevertheless, there is a baffling Teflon quality to this Prime Minister. - BH) GANGS GUARANTEE END TO INITIMIDATION ------------------------------------ Palmerston North's MP believes gang leaders are prepared to stop intimidation in the city. Leaders of the Mongrel Mob and Black Power faced around 400 locals today with police, the city's mayor and MP Steve Maharey. Family of murdered 16-year-old Wallace Whatuira were also there. Mr Maharey says residents sent a strong message to the gang members, who spoke openly at the meeting. He says they gave a guarantee to try to stop their associates behaving in a threatening way. Steve Maharey says the meeting was positive, and a clear indication that everyone in the community is ready to resolve the issue. ATTEMPT TO STOP PIG HORMONE FAILED ---------------------------------- The Pork Industry Board says it tried to stop the introduction of a genetically-engineered hormone, used to fatten up pigs in the last month of their lives. The use of porcine somatotropin was approved by the Animal Remedies Board last October. Pork Industry Board Chief Angus Davidson says the board was kept in the dark about the product. He says the board tried to stop the drug being registered, but it was too late. Mr Davidson refused to say when pork containing the growth hormone will be on supermarket shelves. He says pork produced using the hormones will not carry the Board's seal of approval. (If the Board is sincere, I wonder how they will know which pork actually has the hormones. The bovine equivalent was always firmly rejected by the Dairy Board for fear of precisely this kind of backlash - BH) DAIRY SALE HITS WORLD WIDE WEB ------------------------------ Long established rural supply company Wrightson has geared itself up for the information superhighway. The company's new website boasts 52,000 dairy cows and heifers on offer on line. The firm says farmers can browse through herds for sale, check out the latest sales results from saleyards, look at velvet prices and view stud animals. Managing Director Dr Allan Freeth says Wrightson will continue to offer more traditional livestock services. POSSIBLE SHOWDOWN LOOMING FOR ALLIANCE -------------------------------------- The Alliance council appears to be prepared for a walk-out of some of its MPs. Tensions between leader Jim Anderton's camp and president Matt McCarten's loyalists are intensifying, after staunch Anderton ally, Matt Robson's candidacy was rejected by the Alliance council at the weekend. The council failed to endorse the MP after he refused to reinstate his tithing of part of his salary to the party coffers. Seven MPs including leader Jim Anderton re-directed their payments last year after a row between the leader and president. Mr Robson says the council's resolution is symptomatic of "other issues" being resolved within the party. He says he is concentrating on building support for the election and representing the views of Alliance members who are excited about various projects, like Kiwibank and paid parental leave. Party leader Jim Anderton says if Matt Robson goes, he will go too. Canterbury University political scientist, John Henderson, says Mr Anderton has the power to make good that threat by walking away to form a new party. Dr Henderson predicts Jim Anderton will probably be re-elected in Wigram, but any party formed by what is left of the ruling council will not have a show of getting in. (Which is pretty much as I suggested earlier - BH) LAWYERS PRESENT VERY DIFFERENT SCENARIOS ---------------------------------------- Two very different stories are being heard in the High Court in Christchurch, at the murder trial of Kevin Harmer. The Crown alleges the death of Harmer's wife Jillian Thomas in a vehicle fire on their farm in October of 1999 was no accident. Crown prosecutor Phil Shammy says they will present evidence which shows Jillian Thomas was either dead or deeply unconscious before the fire started, and that it was deliberately lit by Harmer. However, defence counsel Nigel Hampton QC says the Crown will have trouble proving its case, as he claims it is based purely on opinion and speculation over what will be proved to be an innocent accident. (To the best of my knowledge, this gentleman is not related to me. The disclaimer makes no assumptions about guilt or innocence. - BH) (I hope not - HH) TEACHERS TURN DOWN 3. 5% RISE ----------------------------- Secondary school teachers are not ruling out strike action, after turning down a settlement offer. Fifty-six per cent have voted not to ratify the deal, which included a 3. 5 per cent salary rise over two years. The secondary school teachers' union conducted secret ballots around the country over the last few weeks. PPTA president Jen McCutcheon says the union must now look at how it can get an acceptable offer. She says there will be an executive meeting later this week followed by a seminar of activists. Ms McCutcheon says an immediate ban has been imposed on day relief teaching. Tuesday, 19 February ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HOUSE PRICES DOWN, SALES UP ---------------------------- House prices fell slightly in January, but the number of sales has surged ahead. Nearly 6,800 properties changed hands last month. That is $2,000 up on January 2001. The median price last month was $175,000 dollars, down $3,000 on December. But overall the Real Estate Institute thinks the residential property market is pretty buoyant. Institute President Rex Hadley says low interest rates and competition from mortgage lenders are contributing factors. ALLIANCE BURIES HATCHET (NOT IN EACH OTHER) ------------------------------------------- A change of tune in the Alliance Party today. IRN political editor Barry Soper says Alliance members have emerged from their caucus meeting at Parliament all singing from the same song sheet. He says Mr McCarten sounded like a relationship counsellor, saying it is unhelpful when people make public comments that are not the common consensus. Barry Soper says it was a bit like 'Groundhog Day' as the leadership repeated their pledges to work together, just as they did after the showdown between Party president Matt McCarten and leader Jim Anderton late last year. Mr McCarten, whose leadership was questioned by Mr Anderton yesterday, says everything is 'hunky dory'. He says they have all pledged to work together, promoting Alliance policies. He is now going to approach each MP who has redirected their weekly tithing into a campaign account, to restore it to the party coffers. (Like most songs, once the echoes have died away, only the memory remains. - BH) MICROSOFT PIRACY CAMPAIGN SUCCESSFUL ------------------------------------ Software giant Microsoft's anti-piracy programme is so successful it is being extended. The "Five plus Five" campaign encourages people to report cases of software piracy by offering a $5,000 reward, together with another $5,000 for charity. It was originally intended to finish in December but will now run through until March. Microsoft New Zealand Intellectual Property Manager Anna Lundon says 254 cases of piracy are currently under review. She says it is vital to New Zealand's industries that the innovators who develop software are able to benefit from their creations without others effectively stealing it. Ms Lundon says this country invests a significant amount of money in research and development, and it makes sense to protect that investment. She says the problem of piracy affects the music and movie industries as well as computer software. According to a survey, pirated software accounts for around 28 per cent of ALL software in New Zealand, and costs the industry 40 million dollars a year. Microsoft's anti-piracy campaign can be contacted on 0800 747229 COURT HEARS EVENTS OF NIGHT OF LUNDY MURDER ------------------------------------------- Events at the Lundy house in Palmerston North on the night of 29th August 2000 are still being pieced together at the High Court trial of Mark Lundy. Lundy has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering his wife and daughter. Safka Bennett, who knew the Lundy family through the local Operatic Society, and who lived in the same street says she was accustomed to seeing the Lundy house lights on when she went past just before 10 o'clock after finishing her night shift at New Zealand Post. However, on the night of the murders, she noticed the Lundy house was unusually dark. A neighbour says the security lights, plus the kitchen and toilet lights, were on and the conservatory door wide open at 11 o'clock. PM SAYS JUDGE PORN ISSUE HANDLED BADLY -------------------------------------- The Prime Minister is miffed she was not told earlier about the High Court Judge Internet sex scandal. Helen Clark's making it clear she does not want to be left in the dark again, after being informed 15 months after the event. She says the Chief Justice, Dame Sian Elias did not believe the issue needed to be brought up with the Government, because she had already sorted it out with the man at the centre of the row, Justice Robert Fisher. Helen Clark says, in her view, that should not have happened. She says, once there is a suggestion such a matter could become public, the Government needs to be advised. The Government's now considering establishing a judicial commission to deal with matters like the Justice Fisher case. LISA WAS 'CARING' SAYS MUM -------------------------- Murdered Timaru woman Lisa Blakie has been described as a caring and free spirited girl who was on the run. That from the 20-year-old's mother Philippa Dee, who has been testifying in the high court trial of Timothy Taylor. The 32-year-old is accused of strangling Ms Blakie, after picking up the hitch hiker in February 2000. His trial in Christchurch started yesterday. Philippa Dee says she spoke with her daughter the day before the Crown claims Taylor killed her. She said her daughter was scared, anxious and on the run. She says someone had threatened to smash up her Timaru flat. HEALTH BOARD SUED OVER FAILED VASECTOMY --------------------------------------- The lawyer representing a couple suing over a failed vasectomy is describing the case as "complex". A High Court has given the go-ahead for a couple to sue a district health board for $250,000. The couple claim they were not told about the risk of failure before having the sterilisation procedure. The woman became pregnant after the vasectomy. The couple's lawyer, Roger Chapman, says there is conflicting evidence between the two parties. They disagree on just how much information was disclosed before the operation. All details about the couple, the location and the Health Board concerned have been suppressed. (The very prospect of such a suit means that some poor child is branded as an unwanted accident. This is a heck of a burden to carry - BH) DISTRICT COURT JUDGES CLEARED OF PORN VIEWING --------------------------------------------- The five District Court judges being investigated for accessing pornographic websites during work hours have been cleared. Attorney-General Margaret Wilson has met with the Chief District Court Judge, David Carruthers to discuss the matter. Ms Wilson says Judge Carruthers has sought an explanation from each of the judges. She says in four cases, the access was work-related and in the other case, the access was of extremely short duration and accidental. Margaret Wilson says on that basis, no further action will be taken. However, she says a court official is still being questioned over access to internet porn sites. Meanwhile, the government is still taking advice on the case of High Court judge, Justice Robert Fisher, who admitted accessing internet sex sites. HARBOUR MASTER NOT AT FAULT SAYS COUNCIL ---------------------------------------- The Gisborne District Council is denying that the harbour master made the decision to put to sea on the night the Jody F Millennium grounded. The stricken log carrier's Japanese owners are reported to have alleged that the harbour master made the call to sail on Waitangi Day during rough weather. The local council has navigational and harbour master responsibilities through the Local Government Act. District Council CEO Bob Elliott says the harbour master took no part in the decision to leave port. Mr Elliott says the master was not aware of the situation and was not informed until 2.15 the following morning, when the log carrier was already aground. Meanwhile, hundreds of people have gathered on Waikanae Beach as moves to reposition the ship reach crunch point with high tide. Three tugs are pulling and pushing the log carrier in a controlled effort to reposition the ship's bow out to sea. However there are no noticeable signs the Jody F Millennium is about to refloat. AWARD SCHEME FOR TERTIARY TEACHERS ---------------------------------- Tertiary teachers are to be given official recognition for their work for the first time. There will be up to nine awards for excellence across three categories as well as a supreme Prime Minister's award. The prize money awarded for excellence will be $20,000 dollars per award, and the winner of the Prime Minister's award will receive $30,000. Associate education minister Steve Maharey says it is time tertiary teachers received the recognition they have lacked for so long. Steve Maharey says the awards are a way of the government encouraging clear direction, and will improve quality teaching and research. Recipients will be announced at a ceremony in June. (Don't praise them! Pay them! - BH) JUDGE PORN ROW "FEMINIST WITCH-HUNT" - ACT ------------------------------------------- The Act Party claims more information is needed before any consideration is given to sacking the judge at the centre of the internet pornography controversy. High Court judge Robert Fisher has admitted logging on to explicit adult sex sites on his work computer. It has been revealed that at least three District Court judges have also been looking up porn at work. Stephen Franks says, unless the web sites Justice Robert Fisher visited are vicious or illegal, the whole row looks like a feminist witch-hunt. He is accusing Attorney-General Margaret Wilson of stirring up the issue of sacking judges because of her own pet project to restructure the Courts and make space for "politically correct" appointments. ("Feminist witch hunt" is not a phrase which would come easily to my lips, nor on the other hand am I an apologist for porn. However, I have found it hard to swallow the outrage of Women's Refuge over this. Correct me if I am wrong, but was it not their CEO, now a Christian Heritage Party Candidate who not only saw nothing wrong in strip joints, but actually patronised one? I have nothing but admiration for the work of Women's refuge, but the indignation of one of their spokespersons is just off the wall in this case. However the real sting in the tail in this story is that Mr Franks was apparently unaware that the person who gave the story to the media was his ACT colleague, Rodney Hide. - BH) Wednesday, 20 February ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NZ TRIP RELIEF FROM CRISIS -------------------------- The Australian Governor-General's trip to New Zealand today is going ahead, despite his being embroiled in a career- threatening controversy at home. Dr Peter Hollingworth has been accused of covering up child sex abuse claims during his tenure as Archbishop of Brisbane. Dr Hollingworth is coming to Wellington to open an exhibition of Ned Kelly paintings and will be greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton at the airport. The visit could be a welcome relief for Dr Hollingworth, who is being hounded by the Australian press. Dr Hollingworth has denied the allegations and says he will not resign. But he may be asked to take part in an independent investigation by the Anglican Church into the past handling of child abuse cases. OUR BOOKS ARE FINE - TELECOM ----------------------------- Telecom maintains there is nothing wrong with its books. The company's accounts are under review by the Securities Commission. Analysts are questioning Telecom's better-than- expected December quarter result of $161 million. In particular they have zeroed in on Telecom's upfront recognition of revenue from long-term contracts. Some experts think that revenue should be spread over the life of the contracts. However, Telecom says its accounting is consistent with New Zealand standards. There is heightened interest worldwide in company accounts, in the wake of accounting issues at collapsed US energy company Enron. DETAILS ON PREMIUM INCREASES STILL NOT KNOWN -------------------------------------------- Southern Cross clients will have to wait a while longer to find out just how much their premiums are going to go up by. It is still unknown exactly how much extra Southern Cross clients will have to pay, but it is thought some services could go up by 20 per cent. Board spokesman Bryan Kensington says they are still working out the exact increase in what will be the second premium rise in a year. He says it will differ between products but will bring them in line with their competitors. Mr Kensington says premiums are going up because the number of claims are rising as well. He says the public sector is doing less elective surgery than it has in the past, and advances in health technology mean there are more surgery options available. KYOTO COULD BENEFIT NZ - WORLD AUTHORITY ---------------------------------------- A world climate authority believes New Zealand can benefit from the Kyoto Protocol. United Nations' climate expert Robert Watson has been addressing the Kyoto Protocol Business Summit in Auckland. The summit aims to measure the economic implications of the protocol. Dr Watson says New Zealand can trade its carbon dioxide credits with other nations, resulting in a slight economic profit. He says the Government must implement a clear stimulating policy for industry. Dr Watson believes the Government is capable of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, and pleasing big business at the same time. FINDING A WAY TO PROVIDE RURAL BROADBAND ---------------------------------------- Telecom says it is keen to work with regional councils and rural communities to find commercially viable ways to bring broadband internet access to remote parts of the country. Telecom has today announced 12 exchanges will be upgraded to bring the total number of high speed exchanges to 146. Broadband access enables Internet users to download data more quickly, which is particularly important for people who want to access audio and video files on the world wide web. Telecom Chief Operating Officer Simon Moutter says broadband access is available from exchanges where it is likely to be commercially viable, based on factors including the cost of upgrading an exchange and likely customer demand. He says there is low demand for fast Internet access in rural areas, which makes it necessary to work with communities to pool customer demand before Telecom actually spends money on the technology. Mr Moutter says Telecom is pleased with the success of a pilot scheme in Otago where the Community Trust of Otago made it possible to introduce broadband in 13 Otago towns Â" and to every secondary school in the region. He is keen to see similar schemes in other remote parts of the country where Telecom cannot immediately see a business case that justifies investment in exchange upgrades. (I wouldn't mind some affordable bandwidth in suburban Lower Hutt! - BH) HARMER CASE: MORE WITNESS STATEMENTS ------------------------------------ A High Court jury in Christchurch has heard witness statements regarding murder-accused Kevin Harmer's behaviour at the time of his wife's death, on the third day of his trial. According to Alistair Harvey, the first person on the scene of Jillian Thomas' death, Harmer was yelling and screaming at the vehicle as the fire consumed it. The Crown alleges Harmer set the fire and murdered his wife. Alistair Harvey says Harmer was visibly upset, as he was himself, on learning Ms Thomas was in the fire. He noticed no trace of petrol or accelerant around the vehicle and he also testified the doors of the vehicle were closed, But he couldn't say how secure they were. NZ FIRST PRESS SECRETARY TO FACE SEX CHARGES -------------------------------------------- Parliament is abuzz following revelations a former press secretary to New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is in jail. His remand follows allegations he had sex with a 14- year-old Australian girl he made contact with over the Internet. Thirty-nine-year-old Rex Widerstrom, a father of four, has appeared in the Wellington District Court today where he consented to being extradited to Australia to face the sex charge. Widerstrom lost a bid for name suppression. He has been remanded to Rimutaka Prison and a detective will accompany him to Perth on Friday. Widerstrom was a former radio talk-back host in Hamilton before coming to Wellington to join Mr Peters. (Mr Widerstrom was a sometime poster to soc.culture.new- zealand - BH) KAKAPO CHICK HOPED FIRST OF MANY -------------------------------- It is hoped a breakthrough in the Kakapo recovery programme this morning will be the first of many. The first chick of this year's breeding season hatched overnight on Codfish Island, northwest of Stewart Island. Kakapo recovery team leader Paul Jansen says they still have 52 eggs left to hatch. He reckons half of those eggs will produce chicks which will survive. This will result in about 25 to 30 chicks this season which will increase the Kakapo population by 50 per cent. WAITARA CASE DISMISSED ---------------------- The private murder prosecution against Constable A over the death of Steven Wallace has been dismissed. The decision was announced in the New Plymouth District Court a few minutes after midday. The court has been hearing depositions for the past five weeks. The decision, made by two Justices of the Peace, goes against the hopes of both the Prosecution and the Defence, who all wanted the case to go to trial in the High Court. The Defence claims an acquittal is the only way to clear Constable A's name. (If you have read my earlier opinions on this case, you will not be surprised that I am delighted. - BH) WALLACE FAMILY WANT DECISION OVERTURNED --------------------------------------- The counsel representing the family of Steven Wallace is calling for today's District Court decision to be overturned - but police say they are delighted. The Wallace family's private murder prosecution against Constable A over the shooting of the Waitara man has been dismissed by the New Plymouth District Court. On day 23 of the depositions hearing, the two Justices of the Peace who have been presiding have decided the case will not go before a High Court jury. Both prosecution and defence were in agreement when they made their final submissions yesterday that sending the matter to the High Court would have been a final solution to the argument. The two JPs concluded Constable A shot Steven Wallace in self defence, and that the evidence suggested excessive force had not been used. John Rowan QC is to advise the Wallace family to seek an administrative review of the decision at the High Court. He says he is confident the review will result in an indictment in due course. Meanwhile, Police Association president Greg O'Connor says it is a pity the case did not get as far as a High Court acquittal, which would have protected Constable A from further action. But Mr O'Connor says that is a small down-side to what is a positive decision, not only for the constable's family, but for middle New Zealand which can now know the police are able to do their job. Greg O'Connor says Constable Abbott was called out of bed at four o'clock in the morning, became caught up in a set of circumstances, and took the only option available to him. RARE HATCHING EXCITES CONSERVATIONISTS -------------------------------------- The first kakapo chick in three years has hatched. Mum, Flossie, has been nurturing the egg on Codfish Island off the Southland coast. The chick has been temporarily named F-One. The hatching raises the world population of the endangered species to 63 birds. DoC staff are hoping it is just the start of the best kakapo chick season ever. Flossie is sitting on another two eggs which are expected to hatch within the next six days. In total, there are 18 birds sitting on 53 eggs. NO THREAT, JUST CONCERN FROM JACKSON ------------------------------------ An outspoken Alliance MP has denied issuing an ultimatum to his leader. Newspaper reports say Willie Jackson has given Jim Anderton until the end of the week to say if he still wants the Mana Motuhake leader in the party. But this morning Mr Jackson says that is not true, but he does want things to be worked out before the end of the week. Willie Jackson says the party needs to sort out its problems for the good of the country. He says Mr Anderton thinks Alliance president Matt McCarten is trying to undermine his leadership, when that is not the case. Mr Jackson believes the current infighting means the Alliance is going down the tubes. Thursday, 21 February ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AUSTRALIAN GOVERNOR-GENERAL ARRIVES IN NZ ----------------------------------------- The embattled Australian Governor-General is now at Government House in Wellington, which given the events in Australia over the past few days may be a welcome bolt-hole for him. Peter Hollingworth has been accused of turning a blind eye when he was Archbishop of Brisbane, to the sexual abuse of a 14 year old girl by one of his priests. IRN political editor Barry Soper says Dr Hollingworth will be pleased to be out of the limelight. He says it seems appropriate the Governor-General was greeted by a Maori war dance when he arrived, although he says the challenge laid down here is nothing compared with the challenge facing him back home. LUNDY'S MOVEMENTS OUTLINED TO COURT ----------------------------------- Murder-accused Mark Lundy told an interviewing detective he had been a naughty boy, as he retraced the 24 hours before the killings of his wife and daughter. Mark Lundy's written statement took more than two hours to be read to the jury, at the High Court in Palmerston North. In the statement, Lundy recalled the people he saw, the contacts he had with his wife, petrol he bought, and the motel in which he stayed. He purchased a bottle of rum, some food and a soft drink, and checked into his motel unit. Taking a book, he drove to the foreshore and read until it was dark. He then returned to his motel unit to watch TV, until a prostitute arrived just before midnight. He said he had used an escort eight to 10 times over the past six years and that his sex life with his wife was not particularly active. TEENAGER TO BE SENTENCED FOR KILLING FATHER ------------------------------------------- A teenager accused of shooting his father has been convicted of manslaughter in the High Court at Whangarei this afternoon. Fifteen year old, Tikiahi Erstich has been remanded on bail for sentencing on the 8th of March. He had been facing charges of murdering his father, Walter Erstich at Awanui, just north of Whangarei in July last year. NZ HAS GROWING SENSE OF NATIONHOOD ---------------------------------- Republican sentiment appears to be alive and well in Parliament, on the eve of the Queen's visit to New Zealand. IRN political editor Barry Soper says the leaders of the political parties have spoken fondly of the Monarchy, but most have mentioned the growing sense of nationhood in this country. It was 50 years ago last Waitangi Day that Queen Elizabeth was crowned. Labour's acting leader Michael Cullen told Parliament a year ago there was very little republican sentiment in this country but that appears not to be so today. (Oddly a poll released the same day seemed to indicate just 33% in favour of abolition, 58% firmly in favour of retention, and the rest undecided. I don't think the change will happen while Her Majesty is here this trip? - BH) SEX ABUSE CLAIMS IMPACT ACC STAFFING ------------------------------------ A rising number of sexual abuse claims has ACC needing more staff. The government agency is receiving around 500 claims a week, since it was revealed last month victims could receive lump-sum payments of up to $100 thousand. Chief Executive Garry Wilson says the extra workload is manageable, without blowing out the budget. He says they are taking on a couple of extra administrative staff, as well as about seven case managers to deal with the claims. STUDENTS BACK ALLIANCE DESPITE SQUABBLES ----------------------------------------- The Alliance will not lose student votes, just as long as their squabbling does not affect their education policies, according to University Students Association co-president, Andrew Campbell. He says the Alliance is the best advocate for student issues and for promoting change. Mr Campbell believes if the Alliance maintains the free education policy, students will vote for the party. He says students rely on the Alliance to maintain a commitment to reduce student debt. He says it is important for student debt to be a key focus with the election coming up. KEEP US SHUT SAY RETAILERS -------------------------- Some retailers in the country's big shopping malls are pleading for new legislation not to force them to open on the few remaining holidays they have left. Parliament is to debate Rodney Hide's bill seeking to allow shops to open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. He says that is what retailers want. But Debbie, who runs a shop in a big Auckland Mall told IRN that it was a crime to rob her and her staff of their only three remaining holidays. Debbie says, if the bill goes through, she will be forced to open. She says the fine for not opening imposed by the Mall owners is one thousand dollars for the first hour, and a hundred dollars for every hour after that. NATIONAL SAYS MORATORIUM STIFLES AGRICULTURE -------------------------------------------- The National Party's Agriculture spokesman, Gavan Herlihy says the Government should call off the proposed moratorium on genetic modification. He says the impending ban has already seen top researchers - such as Phil l'Hullier who led AgResearch's calf cloning research - head offshore to join overseas companies. He says the Government should back this country's talented agricultural researchers, otherwise the Prime Minister's claimed support for innovation is just weasel words. Mr Herlihy says he agrees with AgResearch's science general manager Dr Paul Atkinson, who says the moratorium goes against the major conclusion of the Royal Commission on Genetic Research, which ruled that this country should keep its options open. He says Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton is sitting on his hands by not speaking up in support of the agriculture sector. PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE WON'T GET TAX BREAK --------------------------------------------- The Government is ruling out tax breaks for people with health insurance, who are now being burdened with higher premiums. The Private Hospitals Association is concerned people will turn away from health insurance following the announcement from Southern Cross of a premium rise. The Association says the public health system would not be able to cope with an influx of people who are currently being treated privately, and may even collapse. However, Finance Minister Michael Cullen says there is no chance of any tax relief in these circumstances. He says the government would just be shifting resources from the public to the private health sector, if it were to offer a tax break FISHING VESSEL FINE WELCOMED ---------------------------- The Ministry of Fisheries is welcoming a US Government decision to fine the operators of an American fishing vessel which fished illegally in New Zealand waters. The operators of the Fetu have been fined more than $US11,000 for violating the South Pacific Tuna Treaty. The Fisheries Ministry says the purse seiner drifted into a prohibited area and unlawfully used a spotter plane, while fishing for skipjack tuna off North Cape. Compliance manager Dave Wood says the breaches were reported to US authorities. He says it is the first example of the Ministry being able to get such a result and it is a good sign of things to come. POLICE CRITICISE WALLACE FAMILY LAWYER -------------------------------------- Frontline police believe the lawyer for Steven Wallace's family is unnecessarily raising the family's expectations. John Rowan QC is unhappy with the decision not to send Constable Keith Abbott to trial. He believes there are grounds for a judicial review of the decision not to send the private murder prosecution to the High Court. But Greg O'Connor, of the Police Association, says it is time to let the matter rest. He believes the family's expectations are being raised and will only be dashed. But John Rowan believes a High Court judge reviewing the case will have no hesitation in overturning the JPs' decision. He says they clearly went beyond their brief and set out to decide the case, when that was really a matter for the High Court. Mr Rowan will not comment on how much the private prosecution has cost the Wallace family. RULES CLEAR SAY JPS ------------------- The association which represents Justices of the Peace says their rules are quite clear about how a decision is made over whether a case gets sent on for trial. Their comment follows the ruling by JPs at New Plymouth District Court that Constable Keith Abbott should not face trial for fatally shooting Steven Wallace. Ken Little from the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices says all JPs serving in courts go through special polytechnic training. He says the role of the JPs is to determine whether there is enough evidence to put the accused on trial and possibly find them guilty. GRASS SKIRT MAN RELEASED FROM PRISON ------------------------------------ The man convicted of causing the death of a workmate by setting fire to his grass skirt costume at a party has been released from prison. Matthew Schofield served ten months of a two year sentence for manslaughter. He was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to a woman, at their staff Christmas party in Auckland in December 2000. Friday, 22 February ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AUST GOV-GEN TOURS NZ AS CONTROVERSY RAGES ------------------------------------------ Australia's Governor-General continues his visit to New Zealand today, after surviving a concerted effort back home to have him sacked. Prime Minister John Howard has again rejected calls to dismiss Peter Hollingworth over claims he ignored child sex allegations against members of the Anglican clergy while Archbishop of Brisbane. Dr Hollingworth's visit to New Zealand is his first international trip. He is due to return to Australia in time for the Queen's visit next week. DRUG BUYING STREAMLINED ----------------------- The Government has moved to streamline the way in which the country's hospitals buy their drugs. A new National Pharmaceutical Purchasing Strategy will see the Government's drug-buying agency Pharmac, become the sole agent for the country's hospitals. Currently most District Health Boards negotiate separately with pharmaceutical companies for the drugs they need. Health Minister Annette King says Pharmac's negotiation skills mean there will be consistency in purchasing drugs and the opportunity for savings. She says Pharmac will be able eliminate much of the variation in prices individual DHBs currently pay for drugs. COLLISION COURSE FOR DAIRY FARMERS ---------------------------------- A showdown over land use on the Canterbury plains. Environmentalists and dairy farmers are on a collision course over the farmers' use of water from rivers such as the Rakaia and Rangitata. Business correspondent Roger Kerr says there is a test case coming up, with Ngai Tahu and Fish and Game both appealing a 10-year water right granted to a 2400 cow dairy operation He says the Canterbury Regional Council is starting to exclude dairying in some areas and has made it a conditional use, which means people can appeal it on emotional rather than purely economic grounds. Roger Kerr says it is the age old argument between economic development and jobs on one hand, and environmental concerns on the other. HEAVY RAIN WARNING FOR SOUTH ISLAND ----------------------------------- A heavy rain warning has been issued for much of the South. Forecasters expect a band of heavy rain over southern Fiordland will move north as far as Otira with some heavy falls spilling into the headwaters of Lake Wakatipu. Trampers in the Southern Alps and motorists travelling the Haast Pass are being warned to take care. Kayakers, fishermen and runholders on main rivers in Otago and Canterbury are also being warned to expect rivers to rise. MIDCENTRAL HEALTH $6 MILLION IN RED ----------------------------------- MidCentral Health Board met for the first time this week - and members were told of a $5. 7 million deficit. Chairman Ian Wilson says the coming year will be a period of consolidation with a major effort by the Board to reduce costs and recruit and maintain staff levels, while working with the community. He says the $5. 7 million deficit, incurred over the six months to December 2001, reflects the increasing costs of healthcare delivery. Mr Wilson says the Crown has agreed to a cash injection so creditors and government charges can be paid. He says the Government is currently considering the Board's district annual plan, which plots a course to bring finances back to break even over the next three years. 20-YEAR-OLD IN CUSTODY AFTER AOS CALL-OUT ----------------------------------------- A 20-year-old man is in police custody after sparking an Armed Offenders' Squad standoff in central Wellington last night. The rear window of a police car was smashed just before 6 pm. Police initially thought a gun had been fired. Reports were received of a man seen nearby with a firearm. Commuters were delayed on their journey home as part of Webb Street was blocked off for more than two hours and surrounding buildings were evacuated. However, police now say it appears the missile which hit the police car was fired from a slingshot. (It was a fairly powerful looking slingshot as illustrated in the Evening Post - BH) MOBILE PHONE MARKET ALIVE & WELL -------------------------------- A telecommunications expert believes the mobile phone market is nowhere near slowing down despite the number of cellphones exceeding the number of fixed lines. The International Telecommunications Union says growth rates are beginning to slow and some markets are reaching saturation point. However Ernie Newman, from the Telecommunications Users Association, says that is not the case in New Zealand. He says there is plenty of scope for growth with new services and technology continuing to come on stream. LINCOLN UNI PAY TALKS UNRESOLVED -------------------------------- Industrial relations at Lincoln University look to be heading for a stormy period after the latest round of pay talks between staff and management. The groups are at loggerheads over contract negotiations and appear no closer to a resolution. Staff Association spokesman Jim McAloon says the university has come back to them with a two stage offer of 3. 3 percent. He says the offer is disappointing and not likely to be accepted by staff; however further talks are scheduled for next Tuesday. (The headline is modest, and should apply equally to Otago, Canterbury, Victoria, Massey and Waikato - BH) THE FINANCIAL PAGE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date: 21 February 2002 Brian Dooley Wellington New Zealand CURRENCIES ~~~~~~~~~~ The currency codes given below conform to ISO 4217, which can be found at http://www.xe.net/currency/iso_4217.htm. The rates given are for telegraphic transfer and are as given in the Wellington Evening Post today. To Buy NZD 1.00 USD 0.4247 AUD 0.8179 GBP 0.2975 JPY 56.99 CAD 0.6758 EUR 0.4888 HKD 3.3209 SGD 0.7788 ZAR 4.8411 CHF 0.7323 INTEREST RATES (%) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Call : 4.75 90 Day: 4.98 HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian Harmer does NOT administer the mailing list. 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