NZNews
Thu, 18 Apr 2002 21:44:39 -0700
Copyright, Brian Harmer First, thank you to all those readers who took the time to express condolences over the death of my father last week. Your thoughtfulness was a great comfort. On Petone's Jackson Street, I was looking for something or other, when I encountered an old fashioned fruiterer who had some Omega plums for sale. I don't know how they managed it in mid-April, because they were a good month later than the last Omegas I saw. They were just short of being overripe, but how wonderful it was to enjoy one last dripping purple juicy taste of the summer we might have had. Around the corner and down to the foreshore, where the Esplanade runs Eastward to the foot of the hills. A bridge carries traffic and a huge waste pipe across the muddy estuary where the Hutt River enters the harbour. No matter the weather or the state of the river, there always seems to be someone fishing from that bridge. Frankly, given the state of the lower reaches of the Hutt river and its notoriously polluted tributaries which meander through industrial areas, I wouldn't eat any fish caught within five miles of that river. However, the road carries on around the big roundabout at Hutt Park Raceway, and up the side street past the camping grounds where many a campervan has waited overnight for the next morning's ferry to the South Island. Around a few corners and suddenly, you are on the entrance road to the Wainuiomata Hill. Past the imposing looking buildings which were once the DSIR, and around to the right, through the underpass and you emerge on the hill road proper. The road has a fearsome reputation for accidents. It has a steep grade and winds around the face of the hill, with two and in places three lanes on either side of the central barrier. Perhaps the Armco barrier conveys a false sense of security, or perhaps the odd-feeling cambers cause it, but there are a phenomenal number of accidents on these few short kilometres of road. At the summit, you can tell that if it were safe to look, there would be a magnificent view over the valley and harbour, but there is a truck on your tail and a bus is overtaking you so, you carry on down the two lane road which snakes into Wainuiomata itself. The valley floor is much closer to the summit than is the floor of the Hutt Valley. If you haven't been to Wainuiomata for some period, perhaps twenty five years, the first surprise that awaits is the mature and settled feel the place now has. When I first saw it, it was raw and new. Householders planted trees, which have now matured, and softened the awareness of tract housing. The houses are still, for the most part, basic working class dwellings with few showing any real individuality or architectural interest. On the other hand, the gardens are mostly well tended, and this is no Otara or Cannon's Creek. There is a strong village feel to the place, as evidenced by the marvellous murals on the bus stops, and the billboards advertising forthcoming community events. A former colleague came to Wellington, but left after a few short years because he felt oppressed by the hills which reminded him of the slag heaps in the mining towns of his native Britain. Being surrounded by the hills with no view of the sea, as is the case in Wainuiomata, does not instantly appeal to me, though I find a beauty in the bush and the steep folds of the valley. Down in the town centre, the little strip of shops has grown up and become a small to moderate mall, with a supermarket, and a branch of "The Warehouse". Around the corner to Holmdale near the entrance to Moore's valley, the Anglican church which was built of concrete blocks, is now smartly painted in white, and looks as if it has been there forever. Moore's Valley Rd soon leaves suburbia behind, and becomes a mix of so called "life-style" blocks and small farms. The road follows the twists of the river from side to side and eventually peters out at the end of the valley. The only reason for non-residents to come up this road is to attend a function at the scout camp (Brookfield) or to buy some of the cheapest, healthiest garden plants from the recently opened nursery in the area. Mary has made a bit of a switch from miniature roses to native grasses, and here they have a superb collection. Enough. Next week, we might wander down to the Rimutaka State Forest Park, and the coast beyond. ------ 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 Ian Grant who took enormous trouble to get his support into the bank for me. Thank you so much. On with the news: Tuesday, 16 April ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PRICE RISES CONFIRMED --------------------- Prices rose by just over half a percent in the March quarter. Statistics New Zealand says the Consumers Price Index went up 0.6 percent in the first three months of the year. Food prices rose 1.2 percent, driven by a 3.2 percent increase in the costs of fruit and vegetables. Overall prices are up 2.6 percent on the same time last year. LOWER HUTT VICTIM WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED ----------------------------------------- Police investigating the brutal killing of a Lower Hutt woman believe she was sexually assaulted. Thirty-six year old Kate Alkema's body was found partially buried on the banks of the Hutt River on Saturday. Police say she was found strangled with a piece of material tied in a knot around her neck. Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam says Ms Alkema's clothes were torn from her body, indicating she had been sexually assaulted. He says forensic examinations will continue to determine exactly what happened. Police would like to speak to anyone who saw Kate Alkema at any time on Saturday. Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam says more than 140 police officers and recruits have been involved in scanning the riverbank and speaking to potential witnesses. (We have often walked on the path where Kate Alkema was murdered, and in August 1999, I described a walk along that very walkway. I would have thought it a safe area. – BH) EMOTIONAL PLEA FOR INFORMATION ------------------------------- The husband of a Lower Hutt woman killed at the weekend has made an emotional plea for her killer to come forward. Thirty-six-year-old Kate Alkema's body was found on the banks of the Hutt River on Saturday afternoon. She had been strangled. Peter-John Alkema says his wife was a loving, friendly lady who would always be seen with a smile. He appealed for anyone with information on the killing to come forward. Police say it appears Kate Alkema had been sexually assaulted, as some of her clothes had been torn off. Mr Alkema, broke down as he pleaded for information on his wife's killer. He says it would have been their tenth wedding anniversary tomorrow. KIDNAPPERS QUIET DESPITE MOTHER'S PLEA -------------------------------------- Police do not care how trivial it is, they want to hear from the public about anything that could help them find baby Kahu. The eight-month-old daughter of Justice Eddie Durie and Donna Hall was abducted at gunpoint almost three days ago in Lower Hutt. Ms Hall has made a public plea for the kidnapper to keep her safe and to drop her off at a place where she can be found and returned to her parents. However police are concerned that the public appeal has not prompted the abductor to make contact yet. A press conference, Ms Hall revealed that she had received threats over a major case she is involved in. Ms Hall is heading a multi-tribe claim for much of the central North Island. She has also made controversial statements a tribe's use of fishing quotas. She says she was warned last year that she should consider tighter security measures. Detectives are following up more than 300 calls of information from the public. A police spokesman Russell Pilcher says people should contact the police about anything unusual such as hearing a baby cry where they have not heard one before. He says police are exploring a number of scenarios including whether the gunman may have been a middleman acting for someone else. Kahu's abductor is believed to have driven off in a two-tone silver and blue Mitsubishi, with the registration number UL3802. Police are also following up an unconfirmed sighting of the vehicle at the base of Wainuiomata hill. (As I write, a full week after the event, there is still no trace of Kahurautete Durie. – BH) ATTEMPTS TO TRACE CALLER ------------------------ A caller to an 0800 number set up to find Kahu Durie claims the baby might be dead. The eight-month-old was abducted at gunpoint in a Lower Hutt street, on Saturday afternoon. Police are still trying to determine whether the call, made by a woman, is genuine or a hoax. The call was made to the 0800 number just before midnight last night. The caller claimed to have killed and disposed of a baby in central Wellington, but a search of a city street has failed to find any sign of Kahu Durie. Police say the audio is not very clear and they have experts trying to analyse it today. Meanwhile, they say they are following up more than 400 calls to the 0800 number, and have made a list of around 25 potential suspects. (A lot of time was spent investigating the matters in this call, but in the end, it was concluded that it was a hoax call. I wonder if the police have considered broadcasting the call to see if anyone recognises the voice. – BH) ACTIVIST GETS PROBATION ------------------------ A New Zealand Greenpeace activist has been given three years probation by a United States court. Henk Haazen was one of 17 international protestors arrested last July while trespassing at Vandenberg Air Force base in California. They were protesting the US-led space missile programme known as Star Wars. Greenpeace spokesman Brendan Lynch says initial felony charges were reduced to misdemeanours. He says protestors pleaded guilty to those charges. Brendan Lynch says he is pleased the case is over, but he says the Star Wars threat continues. MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW -------------------- The Mental Health Commission has been asked to review the care provided to sufferers of mental illness in the Auckland metropolitan area. Health Minister Annette King says it will look at a range of care from primary and community interventions, to in-patient services and long- term care. She says the review will focus on developing medium and long-term actions. Annette King says she has also asked the Health Ministry to work with district health boards to find immediate solutions to the pressure in Auckland over acute care. PHONE IDEA GETS BACKING ----------------------- The Deaf Association is commending the people pushing for better phone services for those whose speech and hearing is impaired. After a series of complaints, the Human Rights Commission has released a report to the Prime Minister. It urges the Government to provide a voice/text relay service, where deaf people type in their message and it is translated into speech. Deaf Association spokeswoman Tracy Mulholland says it is a positive step towards getting the phone services deaf people deserve. She says without the voice/text relay service, deaf people are unable to have real-time conversations over the phone. CLARK WILL COUGH UP ------------------- The Prime Minister has offered to pay anyone back who has bought a Helen Clark unoriginal. Miss Clark's embroiled in a political storm after signing a painting which was sold as her work when it was done by someone else. She has admitted putting her signature on around six art works that were drawn or painted by others. Miss Clark claims it is all part of an orchestrated campaign against her. She says she is expecting this year to be full of smear, personal innuendo and anything National and ACT can drag up. Miss Clark says if someone is unsure about an art work signed by her she is willing to match the cost they paid for it. (This was silly stuff, perpetrated with good intent and bad judgement, several years ago. One thing that puzzles me, is that if the purchaser has been reimbursed, why does he still own the painting, and why is he now able to put it up for auction? – BH) DETAILS OF ALLIANCE SPLIT ------------------------- The two warring factions of the Alliance have reached an agreement on how to work with each other up until the next election. Under the agreement, all Alliance MPs will stay in Parliament under the Alliance banner. But Jim Anderton's camp will leave the party some time in the lead-up to the election and run as a different party. Both factions have committed to managing their differences and supporting the Coalition agreement and its obligations. It does not appear there will be an official Alliance Caucus, although there will be a weekly meeting of all Alliance MPs to work through administration issues. They have agreed to split the annual Parliamentary funding for the Alliance of around $900,000, on a 60-40 basis in favour of Mr Anderton's camp. Alliance loyalist Laila Harre says they are not interested in challenging Jim Anderton's right to claim leadership and speaking rights. She says they just want to concentrate on the election. ANOTHER LOWER HUTT ABDUCTION ---------------------------- A 73-year-old woman has been kidnapped from her Lower Hutt home by a man demanding money. Police say the man broke into the woman's house around 5.30 this morning, demanding the woman's PIN number for her EFTPOS cards. Detective Sergeant Grant Atkin says the man then took the woman to a money machine in Waterloo, withdrew $600, and then returned the woman home. He says the man warned the woman not to contact anyone for two days, or he would return and kill her. Detective Sergeant Atkin says the man is Polynesian, in his 20s, and was wearing a black jacket and knitted grey hat. LOWER HUTT POLICE RESOURCES STRETCHED -------------------------------------- Police resources in Lower Hutt are being stretched by the abduction of eight-month-old Kahurautete Durie and with the murder inquiry into Kate Alkema. The 36-year-old was strangled on Saturday. More than 200 officers are working on the two inquiries. Police district commander Superintendent John Kelly says, despite the long hours, staff remain focussed on their enquiries and morale is high. Officers have been brought in from Gisborne, Palmerston North and Christchurch to join the inquiries. Police have set up a freephone number for information from the public about the murder of Ms Alkema. It is 0800 666 995. DOCTORS' COURSE MAY CURE SHORTAGE --------------------------------- A nationwide shortage of junior doctors could improve following a course aimed at making it easier for overseas doctors to work here. Thirty-nine foreign doctors have gone through a programme run by the Auckland District Health Board and the Ministry of Health. The first sit their licensing examinations this weekend. Previously many doctors moving to New Zealand have found themselves in menial, low-paid jobs because they were not allowed to practise here. Auckland District Health Board director of clinical training Dr Stephen Child says the course sets out to ease their situation. He says the Auckland region alone is short of about 15 house officers. Dr Child says the board is expecting some of the foreign doctors to apply for those jobs. ONE PARTY, TWO CAUCUSES FOR ALLIANCE ------------------------------------ The bickering Alliance factions held separate caucus meetings today. However they say an agreement has been reached over what happens to the taxpayer-supplied leader's fund, which is worth around $250,000 a year. Alliance leader-in-waiting Laila Harre says the MPs will continue supporting Labour in Government. Ms Harre says she will remain in Cabinet for the duration. She is expected to be named as interim Alliance leader when the ruling council meets over the weekend. REASSURANCE OF SUPREME COURT'S INDEPENDENCE ------------------------------------------- The Attorney-General is confident the homegrown replacement for the Privy Council will be independent. A Supreme Court will replace the London-based council as New Zealand's court of final appeal. The Government says the move will give more New Zealanders access to justice and at a lower cost. Margaret Wilson concedes the Privy Council is seen as being a place far away from New Zealand, capable of delivering objective opinions. But she believes it can be duplicated in New Zealand. However, National is demanding the public be given a say about dropping the Privy Council. Justice spokesman Wayne Mapp says the decision works against those who use the system most - businesses, commercial councils and Maori. He claims the Government is telling people what it wants to do without asking what the people want. Dr Mapp says the Privy Council is the best court in the world. MAYORS "UNDERVALUED" AS PAY RISE LOOMS -------------------------------------- Pay rises for mayors and councillors are long overdue, according to the man who oversees them. A Higher Salaries Commission report outlines the sort of pay rises most local body officials might expect, under new remuneration guidelines. A third of all mayors would get pay rises of between 15 and 50 percent. The rise will bring the salary of Auckland mayor John Banks to just over $146,000. Local Government New Zealand's Chief Executive Peter Winder says mayors are currently undervalued. He says they have a 24 hour, seven day a week job, and substantial responsibilities in terms of community leadership. (Given the widespread acknowledgement that there are lots of worthy calls on the public purse, and not enough in the purse, I would have thought there were more urgent recipients for council funds than pay rises for mayors – BH) PRIVY COUNCIL ABOLITION CRITICISED ----------------------------------- The Bar Association wants New Zealand to keep ties with the Privy Council. Appeals to the Privy Council will be abolished some time after 2004, in favour of a New Zealand- based Supreme Court. Bar Association President Stuart Grieve believes the majority of members are opposed to the move. He says the Privy Council costs taxpayers nothing and provides them with the highest calibre of legal expertise. He says it gives the perception of complete independence. Mr Grieve says New Zealand has some superb legal minds but, even on a per capita basis, the UK will produce more than us. He says, while many lawyers would support overseas judges sitting on a Supreme Court, he wonders how practical that would be. Wednesday, 17 April 2002 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HIDE CRITICISED ---------------- ACT's Rodney Hide is being accused of sabotaging New Zealand Post's overseas business interests. New Zealand Post executives have today appeared again before a parliamentary select committee. One of them is the former boss of NZ Post's overseas management subsidiary, Transend. Drew Stein resigned recently, but is being brought back as a consultant to work 60 days over the next year for $80,000. Mr Stein told the committee the activities of some MPs has made overseas operations difficult, particularly in Malta where Mr Hide has featured in the local news media. NEW INFO IN ALKEMA INQUIRY -------------------------- There have been two further sightings of a woman matching the description of Kate Alkema, before she was killed. Police say the 36-year-old mother of two was strangled and possibly sexually assaulted. Her body was found on the banks of the Hutt River at the weekend. Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam says there have been two more sightings of a woman - one was near her home, and the other on the banks of the Hutt River. He says both sightings are important, as they were made just after the victim left her home that morning. The latest sightings have allowed police to draw up several scenarios about where the victim was killed. PLEA FOR WARNING ON ACNE DRUG ----------------------------- An Auckland couple is asking the Health Ministry to put a warning label on the acne drug, Roaccutane. John and Henrietta Wilkinson believe the drug contributed to the mental health of their 19-year-old son Hugo, who committed suicide in June 2000. Henrietta Wilkinson wants the Ministry of Health to ban the drug or strengthen warnings about possible side effects. Roche, the pharmaceutical company which makes Roaccutane, says there is no link between the drug and psychiatric behaviour. But spokesman Stuart Knight says patients with a history of depression are warned to take care. He says Roche has worked with the Ministry of Health to ensure doctors and patients know how to use Roaccutane safely. SEARCH REVEALS NO CLUES TO BABY KAHU ------------------------------------ Police are fairly sure items found during a search in the Wellington suburb of Berhampore, are not linked to the abduction of Kahu Durie. Eight month old Kahu has been missing for four days after being taken from her mother by a gun-wielding man in a Lower Hutt street. They expect to show the items, which include clothing, to the baby's parents some time today, to confirm that view. Inquiry spokeswoman Kaye Calder says they have already consulted with Eddie Durie and Donna Hall about the items. She says at this stage they do not believe they are significant to the inquiry. The search in Berhampore started yesterday, after a call to the police 0800 number claimed the baby had been killed and her body disposed of in the Wellington suburb. A police spokeswoman says audio experts are now trying to improve the quality of the recording of the call to try to obtain more information. Meanwhile an American specialist on child abduction, says the fact the man who abducted her has not contacted police may be good news. Gerald Nance from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children says it is unlikely Kahu has been harmed. He says in these cases, no news is good news. Mr Nance says gunpoint child abductions are very rare and he knows of only two such incidents. And a Victoria University criminologist says the absence of a ransom demand in the baby Kahu abduction makes it unusual. Gabrielle Maxwell heads Victoria's Crime and Justice Research Centre and says the abductor may be confused or they may believe that they have more to gain by waiting to make contact. However she does not believe the case will spur others to commit similar crimes as she says generally there are triggers in people's backgrounds that lead them to commit such a crime. BUSHLAND SCOURED FOR KAHU ------------------------- Police are once again scouring bushland in the Wellington suburb of Berhampore as the hunt for Kahu Durie continues. The eight-month-old has been missing for almost four days. She was taken from her mother, prominent lawyer Donna Hall, by a gun-wielding man in Lower Hutt on Saturday. A search in Berhampore started yesterday, after a woman phoned police claiming Kahu had been killed and her body disposed of. Items of baby clothing were found in an area of Mt Albert Road, but police believe they are not related to the case. Police say Kahu's family has not yet identified any of the items found as belonging to Kahu. Detectives are trying to get more information from the phone call. Inquiry spokeswoman Kaye Calder says the quality of the call is not good and computer experts are trying to make it more audible. (I visited family in Berhampore, and it was somewhat unnerving to have the police helicopter with its heat detection equipment circling overhead. – BH) INTEREST RATES UP AGAIN ------------------------ The Reserve Bank has decided to increase interest rates again. Governor Don Brash has hiked the official cash rate by quarter of a percent to 5. 25 percent. Today's move comes one day after the release of figures showing inflation is now running at an annual rate of 2. 6 percent. HEALTH BOARD ACCEPTS CORONER'S CRITICISMS ----------------------------------------- The Southland District Health Board says it accepts the failings in its treatment of Mark Burton identified in a coroner's report into the killing of his mother Patricia. Mark Burton stabbed his mother to death the day after his discharge from Kew Hospital's mental health unit last year. He was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. The coroner has made a number of recommendations to improve the unit's performance. Health board chief executive Mary Bonner says the report confirms issues identified in Dr Bridget Taumoepeau's independent review. She says they are being worked through and progress is being monitored. Ms Bonner says the board wants to restore the confidence of Southland people in its services. The report recommends mental health staff receive extra training and that psychiatrists play a greater part in assessing the risk of every patient. However, Queenstown police sergeant Trevor Burton says the coroner's report into the death of his wife does not go far enough. Mr Burton says, although coroner Alan MacAlister's report is full of adverse comment, there is no mention about individual responsibility. He had been hoping for some accountability to be laid at the door of Southland hospital doctors. (I suspect that nothing short of a sacking and possibly even criminal prosecution against the physicians who got it wrong will satisfy sergeant Burton. His anger is entirely understandable, but I doubt that either of those courses would serve the interests of justice. My belief is that the fundamental cause was that the Hospital Board was underfunded and was unable to afford or attract appropriately qualified psychiatric staff. The doctors who did see Mark Burton almost certainly acted in all good faith, probably knowing that even if their best was not good enough, there was no other resource to whom he could have been referred. It was a desperate situation all round. – BH) MAJOR MEDIA SHAKE UP LOOMING ---------------------------- A major shakeup of television and radio ownership could be looming. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that CanWest is preparing to call for expressions of interest in its New Zealand television and radio holdings. CanWest owns include TV3, Radioworks and the More FM network. The sale would help reduce CanWest's $6.8 billion debt. The paper says the assets have been unofficially for sale for some time. It lists Australian media mogul Kerry Packer and Sky TV as possible buyers. FORMER NZ POST BOSS IN FOR GRILLING ----------------------------------- The former boss of New Zealand Post's beleaguered international arm Transend, will make a much-awaited appearance at a Parliamentary inquiry today. Opposition MPs have been itching to put Drew Stein on the spot, ever since claims of gross financial mismanagement at Transend. Drew Stein quit his job suddenly last month, citing a pneumonia- type illness. He was immediately re-employed as a contractor and is due to get $80,000 for two months' work. Following Mr Stein's retirement, New Zealand Post announced that he was too unwell to front up to a select committee inquiry. However, Post's position changed after Mr Stein was photographed doing manual work on his Wairarapa farm. National MP Murray McCully and Act's Rodney Hide say Parliament might now begin to understand what has gone wrong at Transend. Mr Stein will be questioned about Transend's activities in Spain and South Africa. POSTHUMOUS MEDALS FOR NZ SAS OFFICER ------------------------------------ The parents of the New Zealand SAS officer who died in Kuwait, have been presented with two medals. Major John McNutt and five American soldiers were killed in March last year, when a US fighter pilot mistakenly dropped a bomb near their observation base. Major McNutt was posthumously awarded the New Zealand Memorial Cross and the New Zealand General Service Medal. The Prime Minister today presented the medals to his parents. Helen Clark said that Major McNutt died doing his duty and the job he loved. SOLDIER DIES IN EAST TIMOR --------------------------- Defence Minister Mark Burton has extended his sympathy to the family of an Irish soldier who died while serving as part of the New Zealand Battalion in East Timor. Twenty- one-year-old Private Peader Flaherty was accidentally shot by an Irish colleague while on patrol. He is the second United Nations peacekeeper killed by accidental gun fire in East Timor. Peadar Flaherty, from County Galway, was killed near a village on the West Timor border. His Irish platoon, which operates in the New Zealand battalion's sector, had been setting up camp for the night. It is understood a shot, discharged from another soldier's Steyr rifle, struck him in the head. An Australian corporal is the only other peacekeeper killed by accidental gun fire. Four New Zealand soldiers and a Nepalese soldier attached to the New Zealand Battalion Group have died in East Timor since the peacekeeping operation began in September 1999. The Irishman is the 17th peacekeeper to die in East Timor since the UN peacekeeping operation began in March 2000. "ANDERTON AIDED CORRUPT BUSINESSMAN" - HIDE ------------------------------------------- Jim Anderton is being accused of backing a corrupt businessman. The Deputy Prime Minister is under attack for his role in the establishment of a super-yacht construction site in West Auckland. Mr Anderton helped Sovereign Yachts to set up shop, by cutting through resource consent red tape. ACT MP Rodney Hide says at the time, Sovereign boss Bill Lloyd was a banned director in Canada, and still faces legal action there. He says Jim Anderton did not do his homework, and could have checked out Mr Lloyd in 24 hours by ringing or e-mailing authorities in Canada to check what the businessman was up to there. When Sovereign Yachts set up shop in New Zealand, the government touted it as en economic success story. It was the flagship of Jim Anderton's Economic Development Ministry, offering about 300 jobs, of which 40 have been created so far. HEART ATTACKS FOCUS OF CAMPAIGN ------------------------------- A warning has been issued today to those over the age of 40 about the country's biggest killer. PHARMAC is trying to cut the number of deaths from heart attacks. It is "Take Control of Your Cholesterol" campaign launched today aims to get us to adopt healthier lifestyles by watching what we eat and exercising more. But it is also trying to make us aware of the role statins drugs can play in preventing heart disease by lowering cholesterol. PHARMAC estimates 300,000 New Zealanders are eligible for statins. But latest figures show only 67,000 - just 40 percent of those eligible - are taking them. SIGHTINGS OF ALLEGED KILLER'S CAR --------------------------------- There have been more sightings of the car belonging to the man who is suspected of fatally stabbing Faletoi Kei at a park southeast of Auckland. Mr Kei was attacked while picnicking with his family at Omana Regional Park on Sunday. His wife told a media conference yesterday she did not see the actual attack, but that the attacker had been speaking to her husband beforehand. Police say the killer is Maori, aged between 30 and 40, of solid build and around six feet tall. He was seen leaving the park in a light blue early-nineties model Holden Commodore. Detective Senior Sergeant Geoff Jago says there have been more calls about the car since the release of the attacker's Identikit picture. "UNREASONABLE" LUNDY VERDICT LEADS TO APPEAL -------------------------------------------- Mark Lundy has officially lodged an appeal against his double murder conviction. Last month, the salesman was found guilty of murdering his wife Christine and daughter Amber at their Palmerston North home in August. Last week, a High Court judge increased Lundy's minimum non-parole from 13 to 17 years. His lawyer, Mike Behrens QC has lodged an application with the Court of Appeal to overturn the convictions. He says the grounds of the appeal are that the verdicts were unreasonable and are not supported by the evidence. Mr Behrens says there was also a miscarriage of justice because of the unavailability of evidence. A date for the hearing is yet to be set. REAL ESTATE AGENTS FAIL TO UPSKILL ---------------------------------- Research by Massey University into on-the-job training in real estate has exposed an industry crisis of decreasing skill levels. The survey by senior real estate lecturer Graham Crews, shows that in 1994, 13 percent of salespeople continued to gain further real estate qualifications. However, that figure dropped to 5. 4 per cent last year. Mr Crews says it is an unwelcome trend. He says the industry needs to upskill to stay ahead of the buyers and sellers who are becoming better educated, better informed and more sophisticated. ORGANIC FEEL TO FIELD DAYS -------------------------- National Field days this year will have a more natural feel. Due to the growth in organic farming in the Waikato region, Field Days will dedicate a pavilion to showcase the market. There are more than 3000 organic products in New Zealand, compared to virtually none 20 years ago. Visitors to Field Days will be able to talk to organic growers and find out more about the natural produce. Field Days begins on June 12th at Mystery Creek. Thursday, 18 April ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HERALD CARTOON UNDER FIRE ------------------------- A Harvard professor believes New Zealand's largest newspaper abuses the right of freedom of speech. It follows the publication of a cartoon in the New Zealand Herald depicting aspects of the Middle East conflict. Professor Harold Bursztajn says the cartoon showed Jews with hook- noses, skull caps and hunch-backs. He says it breeds anti- Semitism and is contrary to tolerance and respect. He says the publication is an abuse of freedom of speech. Professor Bursztajn says the Herald has the right to take issue with Israel, but does not have the right to publish a vicious, anti-Semitic cartoon. (Often, recently, I have been distinctly uncomfortable with political cartoonists, believing that several of them have occasionally lost sight of the boundary between funny and tacky. I want a cartoon to make me laugh, not cringe with embarrassment – BH) OVERSEAS RESEARCH PROVIDES HOPE ------------------------------- Police investigating the abduction of baby Kahu Durie say the experience of other abduction cases suggest detectives can expect to receive a call from the offender soon. Eight- month old Kahu has not been seen since she was taken at gunpoint on Saturday. Police say overseas research shows the offender usually makes contact several days after the crime takes place. They say despite not hearing from him, they still believe baby Kahu is alive. Police say while their main interest is finding Kahu, there is an urgent need for more sightings of the attacker's car. There is a possibility police will offer a reward in an attempt to get more information on the car. NEW BOUNDARIES RELEASED ----------------------- The new electorate boundaries to be used for the next two elections have been published. The old Karapiro electorate becomes Piako and encompasses Huntly, Taupiri and Ngaruawahia. The Representation Commission accepted arguments against the East Coast electorate being renamed Waioeka. The most significant change to the proposed boundaries for Maori electorates was a redrawing of the Te Tai Hauautu electorate, which resulted in subsequent changes to other Maori electorates, in particular to the proposed Pare Hauraki-Pare Waikato and Tamaki Makautau electorates. The changes mean that most of the Tainui tribal areas are now located in one electorate. As a result, the proposed Pare Hauraki-Pare Waikato electorate is now called Tainui. Smaller adjustments were made to a number of Auckland and Christchurch electorates. Changes were also made to the Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Napier and Tukituki electorates. Most objections were accepted by the commission, those that were not concerned population issues and the requirement that each electorate contain approximately the same number of people. The new boundaries take effect from today. Maps and details of the boundaries are available at www.elections.org.nz. The information can also be viewed at the Land Information offices, Te Puni Kokiri Regional Development offices and Registrar of Electors' offices. TRIBE LAUNCHES LANGUAGE BID --------------------------- New plans are being launched by Ngai Tahu in a bid to increase the number of Maori speakers as well as improve education opportunities for the iwi. The Ngai Tahu Reo strategy was launched last night by the tribe's Kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon. He says education and language are the two highest priorities for the iwi and the strategies are designed to meet those needs. He says they aim to increase the pool of native speakers, raise the language's profile and protect it for the future. Ngai Tahu aims to have at least 1000 Ngai Tahu homes speaking te reo Maori by 2025. HIGH RATE OF FEMALE HOMICIDE IN NZ ---------------------------------- New Zealand is in the top five countries in the industrialised world when it comes to the rate of female homicide. The Harvard University study looked at the top 25 industrialised nations. It lists the United States in the top spot, with New Zealand not far behind at number five. The study's author Professor David Hemenway is at a loss to explain New Zealand's position, as the other top four nations have liberal gun laws. But he says in all the countries, women are more likely to be murdered by ex- boyfriends, jilted lovers or husbands. According to the study, Finland had the second-highest rate of female homicides, followed by Switzerland and Belgium. Israel has the lowest rate. KILLER MAY HAVE BEEN MENTALLY ILL --------------------------------- Auckland police suspect the man who murdered a picnicker in an Auckland park over the weekend could be mentally ill. Faletoi Kei was fatally stabbed after getting into an argument with a man at Omana Regional Park, south-east of Auckland on Sunday. Detective Sergeant Paul Bason says the bizarre actions of the attacker suggest he is mentally ill. He says police are making enquiries with mental institutions in a bid to ascertain if they know of anyone fitting the killer's description. The attacker is described as a Maori man, who has a beard and a distinctive heavily tattooed left arm. ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS AT MASSEY ---------------------------------- Massey University is preparing to celebrate 75 years of association with the agricultural and horticultural industries. A number of anniversary celebrations are planned to coincide with the University's annual sheep and beef and dairy farmers conferences. The conferences include an Advancing Poultry Production Seminar, the annual Massey Dairy Farmers conference and the Richmond Southern North Island Sheep and Beef Cattle Farmers' conference. A 75th anniversary dinner and cocktail party are also being organised. The reunion programme starts with an agricultural and horticultural open day on Friday, 10 May with tours of the Massey farms and research units. People wanting more information can visit the website http://masseyagriculture.massey.ac.nz KILLER DISEASES AT WORK ----------------------- A Palmerston North researcher claims workers are continuing to die from work-related diseases at an alarming rate. Dave McLean is a research fellow at Massey University's Centre for Public Health Research and has just completed a major study of mortality and cancer incidence in New Zealand pulp and paper mill workers. He says this country's preoccupation with workplace accidents overlooks the fact that six times as many people may be dying from workplace- related diseases. The study shows no overall increase in mortality from cancer or other causes, although Mr McLean says there should be "some concern" over the small increase in lung cancer associated with certain exposures in the industry. Mr McLean says that, while the results are better than expected, the fact remains that workers are continuing to die from workplace-related diseases at an unacceptably high rate. He says with the exception of asbestos, work- related exposure is seldom isolated as a cause of death. Smoking is invariably blamed and hard evidence about other sources, such as exposure to chemicals, is thin on the ground. He says people do not have a perception of disease risks in the workplace with the very strong emphasis always on safety. He says most industries are relatively good at controlling safety hazards, but little effort goes into disease. GOVT DENIES LAND LOSS CLAIMS ---------------------------- The Government is refuting allegations it lost big money on sale of land to Sovereign Yachts. Act MP Rodney Hide claims the Government sold the four hectares of former Defence Force land in West Auckland for just $465,000 against expert advice. He says the land could have gone for up to $10 million. However, Foreign Minister Phil Goff says the sale process was robust. He says the Government did everything above board by observing the Public Works Act which says the land could only be sold to the former owners and at market value. Mr Goff says the price the Government got was the top valuation. He says he has been advised by the Defence Force that Mr Hide's figures bear no relationship to the market values of the land. BOX HOLDER PREPARED TO CUT A DEAL --------------------------------- The man who alleges he is being bullied over his corporate box is prepared to cut a deal, but only if he is treated fairly. David Olsen, a candidate for the Act Party, has a box at Eden Park but the Rugby Union wants him to give it up for the World Cup. The IRB wants clean stadia if New Zealand is to retain the sub-hosting rights for next year's event. Mr Olsen claims he is being phoned by Rugby Union officials, putting pressure on him to clear out. He says even Sports Minister Trevor Mallard has been on the phone. David Olsen paid $160,000 for a 20-year lease on the box and pays more than $50,000 a year on top of that. (Too late. But in any event, it should never have been necessary. I regard as little short of piracy, the IRB's requirement that people who have legitimate long term rights should be forced to surrender them in order to maximise their own profit. It is a form of blackmail in my view. – BH) ERA BLAMED FOR WORK STOPPAGES ----------------------------- Business New Zealand says a huge leap in work stoppages last year reflects the collectivism of the Employment Relations Act. There were twice as many work stoppages last year compared with 2000. Stoppages in the December quarter involved the highest number of employees in any quarter of the last five years. Business New Zealand says the act's focus on collective bargaining is to blame. Executive director Anne Knowles says it means more people are likely to be involved in industrial action. She says under the old Employment Contracts Act strikes were more likely to involve one workplace. (There is an assumption in the above item that the stoppages themselves are, ipso facto, a worse evil than the grievances at stake in each case. I do not necessarily think that the reverse is true, but neither position should be taken for granted just because of the political labels applied to each side. – BH) SHOULD FERAL DEER EXPORTS BE BANNED? ------------------------------------ The Minister of Agriculture is calling for a report on whether feral deer exports should be banned. Jim Sutton says it is time to look hard at the wisdom of continuing to export wild venison. He says recent charges of deer poaching raises serious questions about the country's ability to provide sufficient guarantees about the origin of such meat. Mr Sutton says he does not want dishonest tactics to threaten New Zealand's excellent reputation for safe, quality food. He says the amount of wild deer meat processed is small compared with the amount of farmed deer meat produced. DALZIEL OUTLINES IMMIGRATION POLICY ----------------------------------- The Immigration Minister will showcase New Zealand's new immigration programme at a conference in Darwin this week. Lianne Dalziel leaves today to attend the New Zealand and Australia Ministerial Council meeting on immigration. Ms Dalziel says the meeting is a great opportunity to present New Zealand's new immigration policy which allows business and skilled migration to drive residency approvals. She says the council will also be discussing issues surrounding people smuggling and trans-national organised crime. DOLLAR FLYING HIGH ------------------ The New Zealand dollar has hit a 14-month high against the U. S. It is trading at 44. 45 US cents. Analysts say the kiwi dollar is benefiting from the Reserve Bank's quarter- point interest rate hike and a weakness of the greenback. MPS' PERKS UNDER SCRUTINY ------------------------- A new regime which will make MPs' pay and perks more transparent will be introduced by the end of the year. A recent review of the current system recommended greater distinction between Parliamentary remuneration and MPs' work-related expenses. In addition, the Todd review suggested that all MPs' remuneration be taxed according to standard practice. Speaker Jonathan Hunt says all political parties have agreed that a bill should be drafted, allowing the recommendations to take effect. He says the legislation will go before a select committee before being passed at the end of the current Parliamentary session. TELECOM REJECTS HUGE LOSS SUGGESTIONS ------------------------------------- Telecom is rejecting suggestions it faces a huge loss over its Australian investment and may have to pull back across the Tasman. The Australian newspaper claims Telecom will have to slash the value of its $3 billion investment in AAPT, as shares it paid $6 for, are now worth about $1. AAPT is the telecommunications company Telecom bought as its base in Australian. Telecom spokesman Martin Freeth says a review of asset values is under way and consultants are also looking at future plans. But he says Telecom is committed to Australia. He says Telecom has focused business units on both sides of the Tasman and is putting a lot of effort into coordinating their activities. However, Australian industry expert Paul Budde says this is the right time for Telecom to write off its losses. He says the government and commerce will force Telecom to provide better a service at home and that will put pressure on the combination with AAPT. Mr Budde says many telecommunications companies around the world are reviewing their loss-making investments. SCAM UNCOVERED -------------- Customs believes it has foiled an age-old illegal migration scam. Customs spokesman John Secker says in recent days four people abandoned plans to come here from Asia, posing as ship crew. Mr Secker says a ship was scheduled to pick up four "crew" members flying in from Bangladesh at the Port of Auckland. But unusual unloading plans caused suspicion and further investigations revealed the Bangladeshi company that allegedly organised the voyage did not exist. Mr Secker says this particular scam is reasonably well known. He says Customs relies on the shipping industry to alert them of dodgy activity. YACHT BUILDER DEFENDS AGAINST HIDE'S CLAIMS ------------------------------------------- The owner of Sovereign Yachts is defending his company against criticism from Act MP Rodney Hide. Mr Hide says Bill Lloyd was banned as a director in Canada because of insider trading. The Government helped clear the way for Sovereign to set up shop on surplus defence land at Hobsonville, west of Auckland. Mr Hide also claims only a fraction of the jobs and export earnings promised by Sovereign have come to fruition. But Bill Lloyd says Sovereign will soon be working on a 135-foot luxury yacht at Hobsonville. He says he regrets being suspended as a public company director. But he says that was in the early 1990s, and did not affect his ability to work with his private company. WEEDKILLER TURNS FROGS TO HERMAPHRODITES ---------------------------------------- U. S. scientists have discovered America's most common weedkiller can produce major mutations in frogs, even in tiny quantities. Atrazine is a herbicide used to control broadleaf and grassy weeds in corn, sorghum, sugarcane, pineapple, christmas trees, and other crops. Over 64 million acres of cropland were treated with atrazine in the U. S. in 1990. Now scientists from the University of California at Berkeley have found that atrazine at levels measuring one thirtieth of that permitted by America's Environmental Protection Agency can produce mutations in frogs. Frogs exposed to atrazine have been found with multiple sex organs, or even both male and female sex organs. The team says it simply doesn't know if atrazine is dangerous to humans, but notes that in America there is virtually no environment which is completely atrazine-free. Friday, 19 April ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NZ LOSES RUGBY WORLD CUP BID ---------------------------- The financial loss to New Zealand after missing out the Rugby World Cup will be huge. Australia is celebrating this morning after the International Rugby Board accepted its bid to host next year's tournament alone. World Cup Australia general manager Matt Carroll is expecting massive returns. He says the tournament will draw around 40,000 overseas fans, injecting a billion dollars into the Australian economy. The NZRFU says it is a sad day for rugby but New Zealand could not compete with the money the Australians were offering. The IRB says the decision was made following the refusal earlier this year by the NZRFU to accept the terms of the offer to host part of the tournament. A statement says through its deliberations, the IRB Council has been acutely aware of the implications for rugby wherever it is played and remains sensitive to the impact of the decision upon the game in New Zealand, but was left with no alternative. It says "generous accommodations made by Rugby World Cup Limited to meet the needs and problems of the NZRFU were repaid with consistent failures and wholly inappropriate behaviour. Despite this, the Council determined to give full and fair hearing to New Zealand's position and to its most recent submissions. However the outstanding Australian proposal held an attraction, a professionalism and a logic which were irresistible. "There is little doubt that relationships have been damaged as a result of these unhappy events. The IRB now holds out the hope that all parties will accept the final outcome with dignity and that the truly international spirit which cements the sport will quickly heal any wounds. "Meanwhile, Australia says it will still take care of the All Blacks' fans. World Cup Australia general manager Matt Carroll says New Zealand supporters will get a chance to score good seats. He says special allocations will be made for the All Blacks' games. MCCAW REFUSES TO RESIGN ----------------------- The chairman of the NZRFU says he will not resign, despite the union's failure to save the Rugby World Cup sub-hosting rights. The IRB has accepted Australia's bid to host next year's tournament alone. NZRFU Chairman Murray McCaw says he is absolutely gutted by the decision, but will not be resigning. He believes in the end, the IRB's decision came down to the millions of extra dollars in revenue that the Australians have promised. Mr McCaw says New Zealand put together an excellent bid but could not compete financially. Meanwhile, Sports Minister Trevor Mallard, has also has fired a shot of his own. He reckons New Zealand has been ripped off by Australian rugby boss John O'Neill. Mr Mallard also claims O'Neill has a close personal relationship with IRB chief Vernon Pugh. He is now voicing his displeasure in the most basic terms and is considering a remedy for Mr O'Neill and Mr Pugh involving Heineken bottles being put in particularly unpleasant places. MALLARD SAYS NZ "RIPPED OFF" OVER CUP -------------------------------------- The Minister of Sport is slamming rugby officials across the Tasman. It follows New Zealand's loss of any hope of co-hosting rights to the Rugby World Cup. The International Rugby Board has given Australia the thumbs up to host next year's tournament solo. Sport Minister Trevor Mallard believes New Zealand has been ripped off by Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill. He says Mr O'Neill has not been up-front about the agreements the ARU has put in place. He also accuses Mr O'Neill of having a close personal relationship with IRB chief Vernon Pugh. New Zealand in turn is being accused of "wholly inappropriate" behaviour by the IRB, which praises Australia for its "outstanding" proposal, which "held an attraction, a professionalism and a logic which were irresistible. "Mr Mallard says New Zealand now needs to get over the decision and focus on winning the tournament. Meanwhile, the New Zealand Rugby Union is prepared to let bygones be bygones. NZRFU chairman Murray McCaw says New Zealand must move forward in a positive fashion and concentrate on growing the game at home and globally. He says looking back or recriminations will not help. ATTITUDES OF NZ MEN TO BLAME ---------------------------- A women's studies expert believes male bravado is to blame for New Zealand's high number of female homicides. Harvard University has released a study of the top 25 industrialised nations, showing the US has the highest murder rate of women. New Zealand is at number five on the list. Women's studies professor Maureen Molloy believes New Zealand society glorifies violent and aggressive male behaviour. She also says New Zealand's position can be explained by the change in male-female relationships. Professor Molloy says many women are now unwilling to take up the traditional role of home-maker. GOVT FIRM ON GM LABELLING ------------------------- The Government says it will not be swayed on GM labelling laws in any free-trade talks with the US. American senators are considering a bill which would give the President authority to negotiate free trade deals. One of the things they single out as a barrier to free trade is the removal of GM food labelling. Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says New Zealand's present labelling system is weak enough as it is. She says most New Zealanders want to improve the rules, but there is a risk the US will want to remove GM labelling. Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Phil Goff insists New Zealand's labelling laws are not up for negotiation, despite such a deal being worth $1 billion a year. He says, in any trade talks, neither side gets exactly what it wants. Mr Goff says New Zealand's labelling laws are consistent with WTO rules. FIREMAN'S NEAR MISS MAY HAVE BEEN ABDUCTOR ------------------------------------------ It has been reported that a car, similar to the type the man who kidnapped baby Kahu Durie was driving, narrowly missed hitting a fireman shortly after the abduction. Police have been seeking any sightings of the offender's car, after the eight-month-old was snatched from her mother in Lower Hutt on Saturday. The vehicle is described as a late model blue and silver Mitsubishi, with the registration number UL3802 or similar. In the latest possible sighting, a firefighter has told The Dominion newspaper that a car matching that description nearly knocked him down while he was attending an accident south of Levin. He claims the car pulled out of a queue of traffic and sped north, shortly after the abduction took place. It was only later that the firefighter realised the car matched the description of the kidnapper's car. Police are confident they may hear from Kahu's kidnapper soon. They believe the infant is still alive. NATIONAL AHEAD IN COROMANDEL ---------------------------- National finally has something to smile about in the latest political opinion poll. The latest NBR poll shows National has edged ahead of the Greens in the crucial seat of Coromandel. Jeanette Fitzsimons' win in Coromandel in 1999 provided the Greens with its parliamentary representation as the party failed to reach the five percent threshold. However the new poll shows the Greens' co-leader would lose to National's candidate, Sandra Goudie. Of those polled, 47 percent said they would support National, 37 percent back the Greens. WORK-RELATED DISEASES IGNORED ----------------------------- Unions want more attention paid to the problem of work- related diseases. A Massey University study has found that disease is a greater workplace threat than safety. It says the preoccupation with workplace accidents overlooks the fact that six times as many people may be dying from workplace-related diseases. It has found that at least 300 people die each year from cancer caused by exposure to chemicals on the job. The study says there should be concern over the small increase in lung cancer associated with exposure to substances such as sulphur dioxide, talc and pulp and paper dust. The study's author, Dave McLean says work-related exposures are seldom isolated as causes of death. He says smoking is more likely to be blamed, because hard evidence about other sources such as exposure to chemicals, is thin on the ground. He says while most industries are relatively good at controlling safety hazards, little effort goes into disease-related issues. The Council of Trade Unions President Ross Wilson says the traditional focus of labour safety agencies such as Occupational Safety and Health tends to be on stopping workplace accidents. Mr Wilson says it is vital workers are properly informed about the risks particular professions pose to their long-term health. However, Senior Health Policy Advisor for OSH, Frank Darby denies claims the department is not taking the issue seriously. He says OSH has a high focus on educating employers on illness. But he says it is difficult to tackle the problem head on, because diseases often eventuate a long time after the person has left the work-force. Mr Darby says research is underway into why a quarter of all bladder cancers are work related. FBI ASKED TO KEEP QUIET ----------------------- Police investigating the abduction of Kahu Durie have asked the FBI not to make any media comment about the case. The eight-month-old has not been seen since she was snatched at gunpoint in Lower Hutt on Saturday. The FBI says New Zealand police have asked them not to make any comment to the news media. Police fear any information in the media is likely to be heard by the abductor. He admits the inquiry team has sought advice on abductions from overseas experts, but has declined to reveal which agencies. PETERS CALLS FOR END TO WAITANGI GRIEVANCES ------------------------------------------- NZ First leader Winston Peters claims the Ministry of Maori Affairs has spent millions of dollars on consultants and advice over the past two-and-a-half years. In his state-of- the-nation speech at the Taradale Rotary Club in Napier, Peters says since his controversial address on the same subject 14 years ago, race relations have dramatically worsened. He says that the politics of separation has become a huge industry in numbers and money. He alleges that since the present government was elected, the Ministry of Maori Affairs has spent more than $5 million on consultants, public relations and external advice. Winston Peters says the department spends almost $9,000 a day on consultants. He says race relations in New Zealand have reached a low point, due to policies being based on colour not need. He says policies of successive governments have been destructive and corrosive for race relations, being based on colour rather than need. Mr Peters says policies of racial separatism are tearing this country apart and have given Maori a false sense of inferiority, and a growing sense of resentment of Europeans. KEEP DOCTORS HERE, NZMA URGES ------------------------------ Medical officials say one solution to the doctor shortage is to encourage graduates to stay in New Zealand. Health services in rural areas have been feeling the pressure of doctor shortages for some time, and now urban areas are also experiencing difficulties with more GPs leaving the country or retiring. New Zealand Medical Association spokeswoman Dr Tricia Briscoe says more medical graduates are working overseas to pay off their student loans. She says if doctors were offered a pay-out for returning to New Zealand to practice medicine, it could entice them back home. Dr Briscoe says doctors need to feel valued by the community before they will consider staying here. HOBSONVILLE LAND ABOVE BOARD - MINISTER --------------------------------------- Defence Minister Mark Burton is adamant the sale of surplus land at Hobsonville Air Force base has followed, and will continue to follow, all the correct procedures. The Government is under fire for allegedly doing a deal which made it easier for Bill Lloyd of Sovereign Yachts, to acquire land at the base. ACT MP Rodney Hide claims Mr Lloyd ended up getting the land at a price below market value. Mr Hide now claims a bigger $10 million slice of the Hobsonville land is to be sold to Mr Lloyd, so he can use it for residential housing. But Mr Burton says no deal has been done concerning a second lot of land at the base. He says any more of the land that is to be sold, will be done so according to the Public Works Act. HARRE WANTS TO STAND FOR WAITAKERE ---------------------------------- Laila Harre has confirmed she will seek the Alliance nomination for the new West Auckland seat of Waitakere. Final electorate boundaries for this year's general election have been announced today. Ms Harre says it is a very diverse electorate with a lot of young families who stand to gain the most from what she calls an active Alliance in Government. She says she will be campaigning hard to win the seat. Ms Harre is expected to be voted in as new Alliance leader at a meeting of the party's ruling council this weekend, following the decision of Jim Anderton and his deputy Sandra Lee not to stand for the Alliance at the next election. FEMALE MURDER FIGURES NO SURPRISE --------------------------------- The former head of Women's Refuge is calling on men to stop violence against women. A new Harvard University study of the top 25 industrialised nations shows New Zealand ranks fifth in terms of female murder rates. The US ranks first, and Israel is last. Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says she is not surprised by the study. She says our society condones male violence and aggression. She says it is time for kiwi men to speak up and take responsibility for their behaviour. She also says we are used to hearing about women being murdered in the media. She says the problem stems from a number of factors, including leaders who have failed to speak out, and a legal system that is not just. GUINNESS PEAT GROUP CONTROL ENZA -------------------------------- A takeover bid at the country's largest apple and pear exporter ENZA has gone unconditional. Guinness Peat Group Orchards - based in the UK - has gained more than 50 percent control of the company, after making a $1. 20 per share offer to all ENZA shareholders. The bid values ENZA at $72 million. GPG Executive Director and newly appointed ENZA Chairman Tony Gibbs says the takeover has happened relatively quickly. He says GPG is now the cornerstone shareholder of ENZA and the company is looking forward to a long-lasting future. PI NUMBERS INCREASE ------------------- Census figures out today shows one in 16 New Zealanders is a Pacific Islander. Half of the 231,000 are Samoans. That's an increase of 34 percent on 10 years ago. The next largest group is Cook Island Maori, followed by Tongans, Niueans, Fijians and Tokelauans. Six out of every 10 Pacific Islanders were born in New Zealand. The median income for Pacific Island adults is $14,800 compared with the national median of $18,500. Not surprisingly Manukau City has the highest concentration, with one person in every four a Pacific Islander. THE FINANCIAL PAGE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date: 18 April 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 0.4495 AUD 0.8333 GBP 0.3113 JPY 58.89 CAD 0.7081 EUR 0.5065 HKD 3.5142 SGD 0.8241 ZAR 5.0237 CHF 0.7455 INTEREST RATES (%) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Call : 5.25 90 Day: 5.75 HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian Harmer does NOT administer the mailing list. Please do not send subscription related messages to him. ALL requests to subscribe or unsubscribe must be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe: send a one-line e-mail with the following command: subscribe nznews <e-mail-addr> To unsubscribe, the message to send is: unsubscribe nznews <e-mail- addr> In either case, omit the angular brackets. Remember, to unsubscribe, you must use exactly the same alias as you used to subscribe in the first place. New subscribers can add themselves to the WYSIWYG News E- mail list by using the enrolment form at the Akiko web site: http://www.nz. com/NZ/News/ -- Brian M. Harmer This copy sent to archive@jab.org