subject: 21 September, 2005 ----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ Copyright, Brian Harmer What a very strange week it has been. As on other occasions, we are all in that state while we wait to see which groups of political parties can tolerate each other sufficiently to form some kind of workable relationship. This is compounded by the added weirdness that the special votes winging their way from polling booths around the country and around the world could conceivably (though I think improbably) alter the very building blocks on which coalitions will be based. There are those who regard this outcome as proof that our MMP system is flawed. Someone on National Radio was saying we need decisive governments, and should go back to FPP. Heck no! Whoever can cobble together a coalition, or even forge confidence and supply arrangements for a minority government represents, by definition, a majority of the voting public. And if compromises are necessary to bring this about, then so be it. I far prefer that to the tyranny of the minority with the greatest number of seats. So we sit in no-man's land for another week and a half until the votes are counted and final results published on Saturday week. Speaking of hairy situations, for the first time in my life, I have persisted through the initial scratch stages to grow a beard. My self image is that it is starting to look like Tom Scott's beard. I sent a photo to my overseas offspring to see what they thought. Almost immediately, the answer came back from David in Brisbane. No words, just a URL. http://www.komedia.civ.pl/simpsons/miasto/marvinmonroe.gif I'll find a way to get him back for that! ---- 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. All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, Newstalk ZB News. All copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of The Radio Network Limited. Formatting this week is sponsored by Robin & Janice Allen. Many thanks ---- On with the news: Monday, 12 September ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ EMBASSY MARKS SEPT 11 ANNIVERSARY --------------------------------- America's diplomat in Wellington says Americans are continuing to struggle to find a balance between civil liberties and a new found need for heightened security. Four years on from the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, the Pentagon in Washington and on airliner flying over Pennsylvania, Acting US Ambassador in Wellington David Burnett, says a lot of effort is now going in to finding less intrusive ways of maintaining high levels of security. He says immediately after the attacks it was important to reassure the public and as a result, the balance tipped strongly towards security and stayed there for some time. Embassy staff in Wellington and their families will hold low key commemorations this morning. PAT LAM SHRUGGING OFF REFEREE CONTROVERSY ----------------------------------------- Auckland coach Pat Lam is playing down his halftime chat with referee Gary Wise during Saturday's NPC win over Waikato. Lam was unhappy with the way the offside line was being patrolled and so sought clarification from Wise. Waikato coach Warren Gatland is unhappy with Lam's actions, saying it is dangerous ground if coaches approach officials during the match. However, Lam says the whole issue has been blown out of proportion, as he spoke to Wise for a few moments, questioned him on the offside ruling and why he was not taking the advice of his touch judges. He says he did not seek out Gary Wise, and he never entered the referee's room as Gatland had been told, but spoke to Wise as the pair crossed paths during the half time break. BRASH CALLS FOR TRUCE --------------------- Don Brash is calling for a clean end to the election campaign. The National Party leader has issued a challenge to Prime Minister Helen Clark to spend the last few days of the election campaign debating the issues. Dr Brash claims the Prime Minister has been deliberately side-tracking the nation. He says over the past few weeks National has been accused of being in the pockets of the Americans, the Australians, the Business Roundtable, ACT and the Exclusive Brethren. But he says National Party policy is written by New Zealanders for New Zealanders. (A truce is all very well, but those red and blue posters all around the country are scarcely a good basis for a truce. While there was an element of wit to some of them, to take a distortion of the opposition's position and then present yourself as the polar opposite is scarcely likely to win friends. - BH) LOCALS BUZZING ABOUT LOTTO WIN ------------------------------ Locals in an Auckland suburb are speculating on who is holding the record-winning Lotto powerball ticket. A lucky customer at Amigo's Paper Power and Lotto on Dominion Road in Auckland has won $15.2 million, the largest prize in New Zealand's lottery history. Graeme Mulholland, Mt Roskill ward member on the Auckland City Council, says there is an air of excitement in the community as people start speculating on the identity of the lucky winner. He says Amigo's is the type of shop that is most likely to attract regulars rather than those passing through. Mr Mulholland says most the shop's customers are loyal, appreciate the service and go back week after week. CROWN OPENS CASE IN BOXING DAY MURDER TRIAL ------------------------------------------- A Christchurch court has been told how a man who died from a vicious assault on Boxing Day last year was stunned from the first blow. The Crown has opened its case against Jesse Atkinson and James Hoet who are charged with murdering George Smith. Prosecutor Deidre Orchard admitted that while Smith was an alcoholic and had been drunk at the Boxing Day barbecue, he was in a cheerful mood. She told the jury in the High Court that the attack was unprovoked and both accused set upon Mr Smith punching and kicking him in the head. George Smith died from his injuries a few days later. PETTY CRIMINALS URGED TO SEEK HELP ---------------------------------- Police in Taupo are offering to help anyone who is desperate enough to commit petty crimes. The town has been facing a spate of burglaries recently, prompting police to encourage the offenders to ask police for advice rather than being put behind bars. Detective Sergeant Dave Beattie says if people are that desperate, they would be better off coming forward and getting help. He says the challenge is out there for offenders to front up to police, and seek assistance. Detective Sergeant Beattie says criminals can often be forced to seek help, but only after they have committed the crime and been sentenced in court. BACTERIA BLOSSOM IN WAIKATO LAKES --------------------------------- Tests conducted by the Waikato DHB on Lakes Hakanoa, Kainui and Waikare show cyanobacterial cell counts way above the recommended safe levels. Waikato medical officer Dell Hood says recent sunny weather in the region has provided a breeding ground for cyanobacteria to multiply. She says if the good weather continues cell counts will probably rise and more lakes may be affected. The DHB warns the affected lakes should not be used for any activities which will involve human contact with the water. Dr Hood says contact with the water may result in skin irritations, allergic symptoms such as hay- fever and asthma, upset stomachs, diarrhoea and vomiting. BREACHES OF POLICE PROCEDURE IDENTIFIED --------------------------------------- The inquest into the fatal shooting of Waitara man Steven Wallace has heard the officers involved committed 12 breaches of police procedure. Mr Wallace was shot dead by Constable Keith Abbott during a confrontation five years ago after Mr Wallace had embarked on a window-smashing spree in the Taranaki town. After a depositions hearing which lasted more than four weeks, two JPs ruled that there was insufficient evidence to proceed in the case against Constable Abbott. However, Chief Justice Sian Elias later overturned that decision and a civil prosecution, brought by Mr Wallace's family, went to the High Court at the end of the last year for a jury to decide whether or not Constable Abbott was guilty of murder. The officer was acquitted in December 2002 after the jury deliberated for three hours. In today's proceedings, Senior Constable Abbot and his police partner have been called "disgraceful" for not providing Mr Wallace with any first aid or even checking him after he had been shot. Wallace family lawyer Ron Mansfeld said that if correct procedures had been followed, namely seeking backup, waiting for the dog handler, and devising a plan, then Mr Wallace would not have been fatally shot. Former detective superintendent Bryan Rowe says the only policy that Constable Abbott and his partner did follow was marking their spot after the shooting. (Once more into the breach, dear friends ... yet again the policeman who did his job that night finds himself on trial in what is supposed to be a coroner's inquest. As the lawyer for the police pointed out, Mr Wallace did not need to die. All he had to do was desist from attempting to smash the officer with a club when called on to do so. - BH) Tuesday, 13 September ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MAORI PARTY CONFIDENT OF AT LEAST 3 SEATS ----------------------------------------- The Maori Party is confident of winning at least three of the seven Maori seats. A poll at the weekend puts party candidates Pita Sharples and Hone Harawira well ahead of the two sitting MPs in Tamaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau, John Tamihere and Dover Samuels. Party co-leader Tariana Turia looks safe in her Te Tai Hauauru seat, which she retained in last year's by- election with 92 percent of the vote. However Pita Sharples says Labour is scaring Maori with the prospect of a National government. He says it is causing Maori to split their vote and give their party vote to Labour. Dr Sharples says the Prime Minister's standard line that the Maori Party will be 'last cab off the rank' in forming a coalition government with Labour is simply rhetoric. (And in the event, subject to revision from special votes, they got four. John Tamihere and Dover Samuels both gone. - BH) MP DENIES SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS ---------------------------------- National's Tauranga candidate is denying suggestions he ever sexually harassed anyone. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has fired a number of accusations at Bob Clarkson, including an old suggestion of sexual harassment. Bob Clarkson says that is outrageous. He says he once got a letter from a sacked employee claiming she had been sexually harassed after she overheard him say he would bet his left testicle that the All Blacks would win a particular match. He says she was demanding $250,000 but dropped the claims when he vowed to defend them in court. Mr Peters has also accused Mr Clarkson of grossly overspending on his election campaign, which Mr Clarkson also denies. He says Mr Peters is a "slime ball" and needs to start talking policy and campaigning like a real New Zealander. The controversy comes as United Future candidate Larry Baldock gives up his electorate vote in Tauranga, in an attempt to unseat Mr Peters. He says he wants Mr Peters out and does not want to split the vote. He says he can still represent Tauranga as a list MP. Mr Baldock says Winston Peters' public attack on Bob Clarkson flies in the face of the MP's so-called golden rule not to bag his opponents and believes it will not go down well with local voters. (This campaign is amongst the ugliest I can recall, and I can remember when Walter Nash was elected as PM! - BH) MIXED REACTIONS TO NEW PRESCRIBING RIGHTS ----------------------------------------- Nurses are applauding new regulations giving nurse practitioners extended prescribing rights. Cabinet has approved the decision, which will see qualified nurses prescribing a range of medicines. Up until now only nurse practitioners in aged care and child family health have limited prescribing rights. Nurses Organisation president- elect Marion Guy says it is a huge step forward for nurse practitioners who will now be able to utilise the skills they have been trained to use. But GPs are concerned about the move. Chairman of the Medical Association's General Practitioner Council, Peter Foley, says while extending the scope of nurses' capability will be of great assistance to doctors, particularly in short staffed rural areas, he is worried that some nurses may be prescribing outside their area of expertise. He is hoping yet-to-emerge details will allay the association's concerns. REFUGE FOR ABUSED WOMEN'S PETS ------------------------------ An Auckland lawyer is trying to prevent abused women from staying at home for the sake of their pets. Catriona MacLennan says she has dealt with several abused women who were scared to leave home for fear of what their partners might do to their pets. To address the problem, she is working as part of the First Strike Working Group, which comprises representatives from animal welfare and child protection groups as well as organisations such as the police and city councils. The group will set up a national foster service for pets at the SPCA. Ms MacLennan says women going to Women's Refuge will be able to have their pets looked after and if demand is high, the group will look to set up a separate refuge for pets. POLLSTERS NOT ASKING RIGHT QUESTIONS ------------------------------------ A marketing expert believes political opinion polls should report the proportion of undecided voters. Recent polls have either National or Labour ahead with a small margin, indicating a tight race. Professor Janet Hoek from Massey University says the current volatility in the polls could be easily explained if more information about the polls themselves were provided. She says it needs to be known whether the people interviewed intend to vote, especially with the steady decline in voter turn out. Professor Hoek says unless pollsters are taking lower turnout rates into account, it is difficult to know how much faith should put in the polls. MORE CHARGES LAID AFTER FATAL BRICK DROP ---------------------------------------- Police have laid another charge against a 14-year-old boy who is alleged to have dropped a piece of concrete through the windscreen of a car on Auckland's Southern motorway, killing 20-year-old Taupo man Chris Currie. The teenager already faces a murder charge and the new charge, endangering transport, carries a maximum 14-year jail sentence. The judge says the boy faces very serious charges and has been remanded in custody for a depositions hearing next month. TEEN MAKES FALSE COMPLAINT -------------------------- A 14-year-old Rotorua girl has been referred to the youth aid service after making a false complaint. The girl made a statement to police last month claiming she had been accosted by three young males who followed her to a reserve in Western Heights. She claimed she was dragged to a playground where she was tied up, gagged and blindfolded. She told police the boys then cut her hair and uniform with a pair of scissors. The girl was later found by a member of the public who contacted the police. Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. LABOUR ADS BREACH ADVERTISING CODES ----------------------------------- The Broadcasting Standards Authority has changed its mind and decided Labour's Maori Party ads do breach the code of practice. The BSA says its original decision was based on an incorrect version of the ad supplied by the Labour Party which said the Maori Party had voted with National 227 times. The actual figure is 277 times, and this was the number in the ad supplied by Labour. The BSA says the Labour party has breached accuracy requirements but still will not face any sanction. (Interesting breach. If I read this correctly, they were inaccurate, but in the direction that weakens rather than strengthens their case. What was served by this complaint? - BH) WOMEN OUTLINES HARASSMENT CLAIMS -------------------------------- The woman at the centre of a sexual harassment allegation against National's Tauranga candidate has arrived back in the country full of new claims. Winston Peters is using the woman's claims in his campaign to try to retain the crucial seat. Vivienne d'Or claims her former employer Bob Clarkson repeatedly sexually harassed her verbally. She has told a news conference in Auckland that he constantly referred to his testicles, talked about his sex life and asked her to go home with him. She says she turned him down or asked him to stop up to a hundred times. Ms d'Or was sacked by Mr Clarkson in 2001 for using offensive language. New Zealand First says Ms d'Or came back to the country from Australia of her own volition because she was so incensed by Bob Clarkson's denials that she came back to clear the matter up. The party says it did not pay for her travel. DOCTOR DENIES FIRST AID FAILURE IN WALLACE CASE ----------------------------------------------- An expert medical witness has told the inquest into the police shooting of Steven Wallace that officers did not fail to give first aid and that no pre-hospital treatment would have saved his life. Dr Andrew Swain said Mr Wallace died more than four hours after being shot in Waitara. Mr Wallace suffered a cardiac-respiratory arrest while being operated on which resulted from a bullet wound to his liver. Dr Swain says he is satisfied police called for an ambulance almost immediately and that took between 15 and 20 minutes to arrive. The inquest is to determine whether police policy and procedures were followed. Wednesday, 14 September ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NZ WOMEN HAPPY WITH THEIR FIGURES --------------------------------- A survey shows New Zealand women are generally quite happy with their figures. In comparison with their Asian counterparts New Zealanders are generally happy but if they were change one area it would be their hips, buttocks and thighs. General Manager of the marketing communications research team Universal Connections Nimish Amin says that does not mean women are lining up for plastic surgery. He says what comes across strongly is the sensible steps New Zealand woman take, like going to the gym and eating healthily. However, he says 20 percent of New Zealand woman might consider surgery. NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPED IN P. NORTH --------------------------------- Fonterra has just launched a new product developed largely in Palmerston North. The company's new range of natural dairy protein crisps were launched at the International Whey Conference in Chicago. The protein crisps are used as an ingredient in the growing nutritional bar, snack food and cereal market. Palmerston North's Fonterra Innovation protein crisps business manager Anthony Lawler says the fusion of food engineering and science has led to the crisps' development, allowing them to be used in a wide range of products. He says the high protein level was achieved by new break-through technology, which is awaiting patenting. TAMIHERE HOPING TACTICAL VOTING HELPS -------------------------------------- John Tamihere is hoping tactical voting may help him retain Tamaki Makaurau. Polls show Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples has a commanding lead in the seat. Mr Tamihere is not on Labour's list and a loss for him will see him out of Parliament. But he says he is not expecting to lose as he thinks there will be a lot of tactical voting in the electorate. John Tamihere says his opponent has the advantage that he only has to say the things people want to hear, rather than speak on behalf of a Government. (Bad luck, John. There was tactical voting, including massive party voting for Labour. But John wasn't a list candidate so he's gone - BH) INJURED TEENAGER HAS DIED ------------------------- A teenager critically injured following a police pursuit in Christchurch yesterday has died. Christchurch Hospital says the 16-year-old passenger has died. He was one of three youths in a vehicle which crossed the median strip on Buckley's Road at high speed into oncoming traffic. Four others remains in hospital. One is in a serious condition in intensive care, the mother and child are both in a comfortable and stable condition and another person is in a stable condition. One was released overnight. Three police investigations are now underway into the pursuit and smash. OMBUDSMAN SAYS PAPERS MUST BE RELEASED -------------------------------------- The Chief Ombudsman has ruled that Michael Cullen must release his papers on the full cost of Labour's student loan policy. National complained to the Ombudsman about being unable to access the figures after learning the Finance Minister sought separate costings from Treasury. It claims Labour was trying to bury the true cost of the interest-free policy until after the election. The Chief Ombudsman has ruled the papers must be released no later than five o'clock this afternoon. Labour put the cost of the policy at about $300 million for the first year but National claims it could be as high as one billion dollars. (Silly to try and hide it, particularly since the underlying facts are not all that problematic in my opinion. - BH) WOMAN WILL APPLY FOR BAIL ------------------------- The woman charged with murdering a man found dead on the banks of the Waimakariri River will apply for bail. Lisa Riley is accused of killing Phillip Mullaly, also known as Phillip Grimwood, late last month. Aaron Grimwood is also charged with the murder. In the Christchurch District Court today, Riley was remanded in custody for a bail hearing next week. HATE MAILER GETS JAIL --------------------- An Upper Hutt man who sent hate mail to Muslim women has been sentenced to six months in jail. The 53-year-old has been sentenced today on three counts of criminal harassment and one of possession of a pistol. Angry at the 9/11 attacks, the Bali bombings and bombings in the Middle East, the man sent up to 30 letters containing pieces of pork to Muslim women in Wellington. They also contained notes threatening death and annihilation. While accepting his remorse the judge rejected his justification for sending the notes. He says the language used was completely unrestrained and hate-laden. The man, who has name suppression, has been granted leave to apply for home detention, and together with his jail term must pay $1,500 to his victims. The Wellington Somali community believes the jail sentence is too harsh. Wellington Somali Council spokesman Adam Awad says the attacks were the result of an individual working in isolation, not a group wanting to incite racial disharmony. He says the man has lost his job and has an elderly mother to look after, and putting him behind bars is too harsh. Detective Sergeant Brian Woodcock says although he was liable for two years jail, police believe the sentence is fair. MOTHER CAMPAIGNS ON TV AD ------------------------- The mother of murdered Hawke's Bay teenager Colleen Burrows is to appear tonight in a television commercial.. Last week, Ida Hawkins visited the river bed where her daughter was raped and murdered by gang members in 1987 Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth McVicar says Ms Hawkins has accepted her grief and now wants to campaign for tougher sentences. BUSINESSMAN SAYS HE IS NOT ALLIED TO LABOUR ------------------------------------------- The man behind a full-page newspaper ad urging voters to tick left on Saturday says he has no alliance to Labour. Selwyn Pellet has spent around $25,000 on two full page advertisements, the first of which is out today. It is urging voters to do the right thing and tick left. The Auckland businessman says he was sitting on a beach in Bali listening to the polls when he realised how close the race had become. Mr Pellet says he has never voted Labour in his life but over the past three years he has had a change of heart. He wants to make sure Labour's high wage, high growth, high tech economy continues. PRISONER FOUND DEAD IN CELL --------------------------- A Palmerston North man awaiting trial has been found dead in his cell at Auckland Prison. The Corrections Department says there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Kerry Taylor's death The 36-year-old sparked a manhunt in July after he escaped from Manawatu Prison, but was recaptured just over a week later. Corrections has launched an investigation into his death. NAME NOT BEING RELEASED JUST YET -------------------------------- It will be another day before the name of the Christchurch teenager killed following a police pursuit is publicly released. The 16-year-old boy died in hospital last night, following a high speed crash on Buckley's Road in Linwood on Tuesday morning. Five other people were injured in the smash. Christchurch City Area Police Commander Inspector Gary Knowles says a post mortem examination has confirmed the youth died as a result of injuries received in the crash. Thursday, 15 September ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HATE CRIMES WON'T BE TOLERATED - POLICE ---------------------------------------- Police are warning that that hate crimes will not be tolerated following the sentencing of a man for sending offensive mail to Muslim women in Wellington. The 53-year-old Upper Hutt man, whose name is suppressed, will spend six months in jail after being convicted on three charges of criminal harassment and one charge of unlawful possession of a pistol. He sent members of the Muslim community letters containing pieces of processed pork meat. The Wellington District Court heard how he selected names from a phone book and the electoral roll and then sent notes which contained threats of violence. Some of his victims had only just arrived in New Zealand. The man said he did it out of frustration at terrorist attacks in the US, Bali and the Middle East. Judge Peter McAloon told the court that one of the victims is often now too afraid to leave her house. Detective Inspector Harry Quinn, says many of the victims were very distressed by the contents and feared for the safety of their families. "The sending of abusive, insulting and frightening letters in any situation is not tolerated, more so when the recipients are women from ethnic minority groups. We hope the outcome of this investigation is that people will see that intolerant behaviour is unacceptable." Mr Quinn hopes that such people will become more tolerant and respectful of the diversity of ethnic and faith-based groups and welcome their contribution to the community. GREENS CLOSING ELECTION CAMPAIGN -------------------------------- The Green Party is holding its campaign closing event in Wellington this evening. Co-leader Rod Donald says the campaign has gone well considering it has been left out of mainstream coverage. He says the Greens have run a clean campaign and have not resorted to dirty tactics like some other parties. Mr Donald is confident the party will be back in Parliament but says will have to campaign hard for the next two days to form a government with Labour on their own. (For a very long part of the election night, Greens sat on around 4.7% and it looked as if they were gone. On the other hand National were ahead for a long time too. - BH) TEEN CHARGED AFTER CHEMICAL ALERT --------------------------------- A teenaged boy is facing serious charges in the wake of a chemical alert in Motueka last night. The drama began when a cocktail of chemicals recovered from a Mapua house, began emitting fumes while stored in a police car in the town's police station car park. Around 14 properties, including a motel and backpackers hostel, were evacuated. Senior sergeant Grant Andrews says the Defence Force Bomb Squad was called in and neutralised the chemicals. The boy appears in the Nelson Youth Court this morning, facing charges related to burglary, possession of explosives and making a hazardous substance. Mr Andrews says the all clear was finally given for people to return home at 6:30 this morning. GIRL IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER BEATING ---------------------------------------- Police forensic experts are examining a house in Tauranga where a two-year-old girl was severely beaten. She suffered multiple injuries and is in critical condition in Auckland's Starship Hospital. Ambulance staff found her unconscious in a house in the suburb of Hairini on Tuesday. Police have interviewed several people who have been in contact with the girl in the past week and will be questioning neighbours today. (This child died. - BH) PM CRITICISES TREASURY OVER LOAN COSTINGS ----------------------------------------- The Prime Minister is accusing Treasury of incompetence over its first costings on the student loan policy. Finance Minister Michael Cullen was forced to release the figures provided by Treasury for Labour's interest free policy. The initial estimate puts it at $390-million by the third year, $90 million more than forecast by the minister. Helen Clark says there are many reasons why those costings are unsound. She says the government has had to wrestle with Treasury consistently underestimating the surplus so there is no way she will accept its first loan costings. (There may be some truth in the PM's criticism. However, if she had taken the public into her confidence and not tried to hide the reports, she might be sitting on a more comfortable margin than she presently has. - BH) HOSTAGE ALERT IN TAURANGA ------------------------- There are unconfirmed reports that a man who says he is armed with a bomb in Tauranga has just released a hostage Police earlier cordoned off a number streets and confirmed the Armed Offenders Squad had been called out to a hostage situation. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is due to hold a political rally central Tauranga shortly. Several streets were evacuated and cordoned off as the emergency unfolded. MAN CHARGED OVER ART WORKS THEFTS --------------------------------- An Auckland man charged with receiving a pounamu carving stolen from Queenstown has also been arrested over five paintings missing from the resort. The 29-year-old Whangaparoa man is charged with receiving the $100,000 Maori war canoe representation, stolen from the Opal Centre four years ago. Police found it buried in Queenstown's central business district early this month. He also faces 21 other burglary charges, including the theft of five paintings valued at $3,300 from Queenstown's St Moritz Hotel, also in 2001. Police recovered these from a Queenstown house last year. The house was being demolished when a false garage floor revealed the stolen art works. The man will appear in the North Shore District Court on October 19. SUSPECTED BOMBER HAS POLITICAL MESSAGE -------------------------------------- There was an urgency about the man threatening to explode a bomb in central Tauranga, according to a women who kept him calm while she waited for police to arrive. The man, believed to be of eastern European origin, is holed up in the Devonport Towers hotel demanding to speak with Helen Clark. Conference Manager Bronwyn Pretorious says the man arrived at the hotel wanting a room to make a political speech, and became agitated when he was denied one. She says he was angry that his student visa was cancelled, and that despite writing to immigration, NZQA and Helen Clark he had had no response. She says he was adamant he had to make his speech today. She says he kept repeating his message to her for an hour until police arrived. BRASH OR ME, SAYS CLARK ----------------------- The Prime Minister is pushing her message that the election has come down to a matter of credibility between the two leaders. Helen Clark says the choice for voters between her and Don Brash is stark. She has addressed workers and students on the campaign trail in Auckland, and has consistently raised the issue of Dr Brash's two separate speeches delivered at Te Wananga O Aotearoa. Miss Clark describes it as the most disgraceful example of fork-tongued behaviour throughout the campaign. She says leaders must stand their ground and say what they mean. Friday, 16 September ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TAURANGA DRAMA OVER ------------------- The drama at a Tauranga hotel is over. Police have arrested a man accused of threatening to blow himself up in the Devonport Towers hotel. An imitation explosive device was found in the building. The man did not resist police and the stand-off ended without injury at about 12.30 this morning. A 57-year- old will appear in the Tauranga District Court later today on various charges. Police cordons will remain in place until 7 am. REST HOMES WANTS FUNDING RELEASED ---------------------------------- Rest homes are demanding the current government make good its promises, even though its days might be numbered. About 500 healthcare workers have given strike notice in a bid to get a five percent pay increase. Guardian Healthcare Chairman Bryan Mogridge says the strike action is pointless unless the Government comes to the party. He says workers pay can only be increased if the Government releases the $71 million it promised the aged residential care sector in the budget. KIDNAPPING CLAIMS IN TAMAKI MAKAURAU ELECTORATE ------------------------------------------------ A clean campaign in Tamaki Makaurau has come to an end, with claims of assault and a kidnapping. Incumbent Labour MP John Tamihere alleges one of his campaign workers was caught by Maori Party officials defacing billboards, and was then held captive for seven hours and forced to make a confession on video. But Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says his campaign team found the 16-year-old damaging signs and after visiting his house, he spent several hours removing 'Vote Tamihere' stickers off billboards. He says the boy's claims are simply a fairytale, as the teenager is sorry and knows he was well treated. Dr Sharples says the boy has been badly misused by Mr Tamihere's campaign team. INJURED GIRL DIES IN HOSPITAL ----------------------------- Tauranga police are looking for a killer, following the death of a two-year-old girl. An assault investigation was launched after the girl was found in a Hairini home on Tuesday. She was unconscious with several injuries and died in Starship Hospital in Auckland last night. The investigation has been upgrade to a homicide inquiry. Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner says scene examinations of two homes have been completed and a number of people who were in contact with the girl have been interviewed. A post-mortem examination will be carried out on the girl's body today. CAMPAIGNING IN FINAL STAGES --------------------------- Last minute campaigning is underway across the country. Prime Minister Helen Clark is in Auckland for the day, pushing the Labour message. She is due to talk with staff at the Kiwi Grated Cheese Company in Glenn Innes. National Party leader Don Brash is in Christchurch, wrapping up a visit to Hagley Building Products. He flies to Wellington later in the day before heading on to Auckland. THIEVES PUT BUSINESS AT RISK ---------------------------- A Christchurch business dedicated to helping the disabled into jobs has had its livelihood put on hold because of thieves. Staff at Vision Employment arrived at work yesterday to find their premises had been broken into and their computers stolen. Employment manager Lyn Kirton says databases and statistics have gone and the organisation cannot function without the hardware. Even worse, she says the company thought it was covered by insurance, but finds it is not. COMPANY DEFENDS STRIKE-BREAKERS ------------------------------ Mount Cook Airline says there is no truth to suggestions it has broken the law by sending staff to Queenstown Airport to cover strike action. Fifty ticketing and baggage-handling staff began an indefinite strike at midnight. The company has brought in eight employees and Air New Zealand about 20, to cover the strike period. Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union advocate Ged O'Connell says the union is investigating whether the strike-breakers are legal, but Mount Cook general manager Peter O'Regan says the airline has taken legal advice and the union has no case. He says there are enough staff to cover bookings for the next few days. DAIRY COMPANY WINS WATER BATTLE ------------------------------- A mid Canterbury dairy company which won a water-use battle against Environment Canterbury has passed another hurdle. In July last year ECan turned down consent applications made by Lynton Dairy to take five million cubic metres of water from aquifers at Te Pirita near the Rakaia River. The company had spent $18 million buying and developing the farmland in expectation of getting water rights. Now the Environment Court has overturned ECan's decision and has granted Lynton Dairy around 70 percent of the water it originally asked for over a period of 10 years. The council has ruled out appealing the decision COURT APPEARANCE IN BOMB CASE ----------------------------- The man at the centre of Tauranga's bomb scare has appeared in court and been remanded in custody. Jakob Slevec entered no plea to charges of burglary and threatening to kill or cause grievous bodily harm. Police Communications Manager Kris McGehan says they are looking at other counts against the 57- year-old Slovenian, although at this stage they are still investigating the case and she says there is still quite a lot of work to do. Police opposed bail and Slevec has been remanded in custody until 26 September. INTERNET IMPACT ON ELECTION --------------------------- One aspect that is possibly set this 2005 general election apart is the advent of the Internet into the political campaigns. All the major parties have had websites, MPs and candidates have also tried their hands at blogging. Massey University School of Communications and Design Head Claire Robinson says the way the National Party billboards were developed over the internet encouraged an engagement with politics. She says the other interesting development has been the use of student loan and tax calculators on party websites, which have seen people interact with politicians in a way not before seen. MAORI PARTY'S COALITION CONSIDERATIONS -------------------------------------- The Maori Party has confirmed it has been approached by both National and Labour about talks after the election. The party has done a u-turn on its views that it would do whatever possible to keep National off the treasury benches. It is now saying it would talk to National if it ditched its plan to do away with the Maori seats. Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says no decisions will be made lightly. Mrs Turia says all 21,000 members will be called together after the election and if their are decisions to be made it will be done as a group. Party President Whatarangi Winata says they will not even consider talking to the National party unless their supporters agree and National changes its policy on the treaty and Maori seats. However, National leader Don Brash says it will be almost impossible to work with the Maori Party. He will not say if the policy is a bottom line but states it is fundamentally important. He adds it would be very hard to work with the Maori Party because the differences in policy are too great. Meanwhile, Helen Clark says the Maori Party's softened view towards National vindicates one of her main arguments of the campaign. The Prime Minister says it reaffirms her message a vote for the Maori Party is a vote for National. She believes Maori voters are beginning to understand that and expects a swell of Maori support on polling day. DEPRESSION SET FOR SUNDAY -------------------------- It does not matter which way the country votes tomorrow - New Zealand will be hit by a depression on Sunday. A stormy and snowy blast is heading this way brought by a depression in the Tasman sea. It is expected to deepen tomorrow and become even stormier as it crosses the North Island on Sunday. South Islanders will feel the change first with a cool south- westerly late on Sunday. Those winds will become stormy by the time they reach the Wairarapa on Sunday Evening and Wellington is expected to get a buffeting. Forecasters warn that the storm could damage apple blossom, which has come early this year, and snow in Otago and Canterbury could make life difficult for newborn lambs. POLICE BELIEVE BODY IS THAT OF CHRISTINE HINDSON ------------------------------------------------ Police believe a body they found on Wednesday night is that of a missing Christchurch woman. A post mortem examination has been carried out this afternoon. Police believe the body is that of South Brighton woman Christine Hindson, although it is still to be formally identified. A man, who has interim name suppression, has been charged with murder. Police are not seeking a weapon or anyone else in connection with the death. Detective Sergeant Dorothy McPhail says specialist services are being used to assist with the identification and although the post mortem examination took place this afternoon but a formal identification is not likely until Monday. A name suppression order which had been imposed on Christine Hindson has now been lifted by the Court. SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian Harmer does NOT administer the mailing list. Please do not send subscription related messages to him. Instead, visit the website listed below, where you can make changes as required.
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