Subject: 4 August, 2006 ----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ Copyright, Brian Harmer. Still in Melaka, but with just one more full day in Malaysia, I decided to jump in my rental car and drive South, staying close to the coast. Sign boards indicated that the next significant centre of population to the South was somewhere called Muar. Despite my total ignorance of what I might find there, I reasoned that I had never been there before, and that therefore the drive to Muar was potentially as interesting as any other journey I might make. Occasionally I suffered from pangs of anxiety when the somewhat erratic road signage failed to mention Muar, but what the heck, I was just intent on seeing some of the country, and therefore whatever I saw met my purpose. Various small settlements passed by, and lunch seemed to be calling to me. A modern bridge over a wide river gave me a view out towards the coast and there was a largish town in the distance off to my right. Clearly I had missed the exit to Muar, so at the earliest exit, I rejoined the highway and re-crossed the river to find the road to Muar. Extensive light industrial areas told me that this was a town of some size (population in excess of 300,000). Apparently the most common industry in town is furniture making, and I imagine it is the source of much of the low cost furniture, often made of rubber wood, that finds its way to New Zealand. As I came into the town centre, across yet another bridge, I could see a row of restaurants to my right. Unfortunately, the road mandated a left turn off the bridge, and like many of the towns in that part of Malaysia at least, one way streets were a feature. I usually have a good sense of orientation and managed to circumnavigate the CBD to arrive at a riverside food market. I wandered the stalls and selected one that offered Nasi Lemak at a modest price, and with a cup of orange juice thrown in I spent the equivalent of NZD$1.50 on a very satisfying lunch. Sitting in the food market looking out through the windowless walls I could see on the far side of the river, a magnificent mosque with very striking architecture set in lush green park like surrounds. I later learned that this was the Sultan Ismail Mosque. After lunch I walked the town at great risk to my ankles. More than most other places, Muar seems to suffer from the uneven footpath problem. I formed the opinion that this is a provincial industrial town with no pretensions to any of the amenities that usually go with high levels of tourism, and in many ways that made it more attractive to me. I eventually returned to Melaka and parked my car. I was uncertain what cuisine I wanted for my last evening in Malaysia so I went south on foot to the Portuguese settlement where I had an excellent seafood meal. By then, I was too full and too hot to walk back to Melaka central so found a cab which for just NZD$8 did a good hour of tourism on the way back.
The next day I returned via the North South highway to the extraordinary Kuala Lumpur International Airport. For reasons I still don't understand, I found my agent had booked me on first class for the KL to Singapore leg with Singapore Airlines. I was a few hours earlier, so the blessed cool oasis of the Silver Kris lounge provided a very comfortable spot in which to sit and sort out my 260 or so digital images. And so back home into all the chaos of an extraordinary wet and cold New Zealand winter. Still dressed for KL, I was met by my dearly beloved at Wellington Airport in the midst of a howling southerly gale, and the news that SH2 from Wellington to Lower Hutt was blocked by slips at Horokiwi. It was a long drive from the airport to the Pauatahanui inlet and over the Haywards hill to home. Happily Mary had brought a heavy jacket to ward off the winter chills, and so my Malaysian adventure was concluded. Well almost. A week later I came out in a striking rash and felt truly awful with aches and pains and many other unpleasant symptoms. My doctor was not absolutely certain, but thinks I had a mild case of Dengue fever. I am almost back to normal now. The rash has gone and I expect to resume work on Monday. See you next week. ---- 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 (renewed this week) of copyright owner, Newstalk ZB News. All copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of The Radio Network Limited. Our change of staff has occurred. News gathering and formatting is now being carried out by GS (who wishes to remain anonymous). Helen is getting into her new job. This edition of the news is sponsored by John Burland in Germany. Many thanks John. ---- On with the News. Monday, 31 July 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHARGES LAID OVER INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT ------------------------------------- Charges have been laid over the incident which saw a worker seriously injured when he was dragged into an industrial shredder in New Plymouth. The worker's legs and an arm had to be amputated. The incident happened in February and now the Department of Labour is prosecuting the man's employer, Manawatu Waste Limited for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure his safety. The maximum fine for the offence is $250,000. (Occasionally I wonder if there must be someone to be held liable for every misfortune. In this case, however, the danger was apparently drawn to the employer's attention on several occasions - BH) GOVT SPENDS $771 MILLION ON HELICOPTERS --------------------------------------- The Government has signed off the purchase of a brand new fleet of helicopters to replace the air force's 14 ageing Iroquois. Defence Minister Phil Goff says the eight new NH90s, which cost $771 million, are a good investment. It is the Government's biggest defence purchase in close to 20 years and Mr Goff says it is the most significant spend-up in defence since the two ANZAC frigates were ordered in 1989. He says they represent state-of-the-art technology which is being adopted by NATO countries as well as Australia. He says the NH90s can carry 19 rather than eight passengers and can cruise at 260 kilometres an hour- a third faster. Mr Goff says in addition, their maximum range is 800 kilometres as opposed to 330. He says the choppers will be used for border control, civil defence, police and counter-terrorism work as well as military operations. He says the defence force has been modernised and upgraded by the purchase. (The price has ballooned almost 50% since the first figure was floated, mostly due to the significant drop in the exchange rate of the NZD in relation to the USD. Opponents of the scheme seem torn between making a meal of the price blow out and supporting the long needed upgrade of the ancient Iroquois with which the comparisons above are made - BH) JULY WAS WETTEST ON RECORD -------------------------- Statistics confirm this month has been the wettest July on record for parts of the Wairarapa and Wanganui. MetService forecaster Bob McDavitt says it's due to an unusual cluster that saw those areas hit by three rain-making low pressure systems in as many weeks. He says another low-pressure system is getting ready to cross central New Zealand later this week. It may bring some heavy rain to the eastern Bay of Plenty on Wednesday, but is not expected to be as wet any of the three storms in the first half of July. (I was lucky enough to enjoy the tropical warmth of Malaysia for almost two weeks of it, but the impact has lingered. - BH) NEW DIRECTION FOR CURRICULUM ---------------------------- The Government is poised to launch a new draft school curriculum which will reset the direction of subjects taught in schools. The current curriculum was introduced in 1993 and was reviewed between 2000 and 2002 in what was known as the curriculum stocktake. The Government says the new, simplified document sets out the core values that go with the education system, and provides a clear statement of the skills, and knowledge that all students need in the 21st century. The document includes a new section on learning languages. THUMBS UP FOR NEW CURRICULUM ---------------------------- Primary teachers are hailing a draft new school curriculum. Their union, the NZEI, says it simplifies the current complex and unwieldy system, which was introduced in 1993 and was reviewed between 2000 and 2002 in what was known as the curriculum stock take. President Irene Cooper says not only is it more user friendly, but it gives schools more freedom to determine the most effective way to teach the curriculum. She says schools will still be required to teach core skills, such as numeracy and literacy, but will be able to adapt lessons to make them relevant to their community. The Government says the new, simplified document sets out the core values that go with the education system, and provides a clear statement of the skills, and knowledge that all students need in the 21st century. The document includes a new section on learning languages. SOMBRE PROTEST OVER HERCEPTIN ----------------------------- A sombre protest has been held in Auckland today against PHARMAC's decision not to fund Herceptin. The drug funding agency announced on Friday it would not subsidise the breast cancer treatment for early stage breast cancer, saying there was insufficient clinical data proving that the medicine actually prolonged life in those cases. PHARMAC says research shows women taking Herceptin have little long-term benefit, despite some studies overseas claiming otherwise. Around 50 breast cancer sufferers and their supporters stood in the rain in Aotea Square as part of a show of support in the wake of the decision. The group took part in a march through the square which included a pink coffin labelled 'Breast Cancer Kills - Herceptin saves Lives'. Campaigners have vowed this is just the start of their push to get the decision overturned. Protest organiser Libby Burgess says there is dismay at PHARMAC's decision as shown by those gathered today. She says more protest action is planned. (There are mixed emotions as I have indicated before. Those from competing interest groups seem relieved - BH) TRAFFIC PLAN IN PLACE FOR MALL SHOPPERS --------------------------------------- Measures are place to stop traffic on Auckland's southern motorway grinding to a halt when the next phase of New Zealand's biggest shopping mall opens tomorrow. A branch of Pak'n'Save supermarket opens at the Sylvia Park complex in Mt Wellington tomorrow and is expected to attract big crowds. In a bid to prevent the gridlock which happened in June when the mall first opened, Auckland City Council has been meeting on a weekly basis to put roading plans in place. Transport Operations Manager Barry Williams says recommended entrances and routes have been advertised. He says shoppers can help by travelling outside of peak hours or by using public transport. SCHEME TO HELP FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS ------------------------------------- The Housing Minister says the Government will be providing assistance for first time home buyers to make it easier for them to get into home ownership. Research by AC Nielsen for Wizard Home Loans shows a 12 percent fall in the number of New Zealanders owning their own homes in the year to March. Minister Chris Carter says the increasing scarcity of land has pushed up house prices beyond the reach of some people. He says funding will be provided in the next budget for a shared equity scheme as one way of getting more people into their own homes. Mr Carter says it seems home ownership rates have dropped from 75 percent to 65 percent in the last 10 years. He suspects the census will reveal an even lower figure in Auckland, possibly as low as 61 percent. GREENS WANT PROPERTY TO BE TAXED -------------------------------- The Greens are calling for the introduction of capital gains tax on all property except the family home. Their call comes on the back of statistics showing home ownership falling by 12 percent in the year to March. Spokeswoman Sue Bradford says wealthy overseas investors have driven up house prices, putting home ownership out of reach of young people and those on low incomes. She says the housing market has been artificially inflated especially by overseas-based investors buying up land and houses. (It is hard to find any finically literate commentator to support this proposal. - BH) CASINO LICENCE HANGS IN THE BALANCE ----------------------------------- A landmark hearing to decide whether to suspend Dunedin Casino's licence is underway in Auckland. The Department of Internal Affairs is asking the Gambling Commission to suspend the licence, because of the Casino's dealings with problem gambler, Christine Keenan. The Mosgiel woman stole about $500,000 from her employers, to help fuel a gambling turnover of $5 million in two years. Gambling Commission spokesman Graham Reeves says it is uncharted territory, as this is the first application of its kind in New Zealand. The hearing runs for two days. FREIGHTWAYS POSTS A PROFIT -------------------------- Freightways Limited has posted a net profit of $29.3 million, despite anticipating lower growth in the express package market. The figure is nine percent higher than in the previous year to June. Managing Director Dean Bracewell says revenue growth was achieved by gains in market share and price increases to offset escalating fuel costs. He says the company has declared a final dividend of $11.2 million. Tuesday, 1 August 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FELTEX SOLD TO GODFREY HIRST ---------------------------- Troubled carpet company Feltex is being sold to Australian firm Godfrey Hirst. Tim Preston from ASB securities told Newstalk ZB's Larry Williams the purchase price is $141.8 million which will clear its $129 million debt to the ANZ. The debt to the bank is more than six times the company's projected profit for this year. What is left will provide shareholders with a maximum of 12 cents a share. It could be a smaller amount once due diligence and other preparations have been carried out. Earlier in the year shares were trading at over 60 cents, and when Feltex first listed in 2004, they were worth $1.70. The share price plunged thanks to a series of profit warnings. Tim Preston says the alternative for investors would be even less palatable however - if Feltex went into receivership they would receive nothing. The move means the company, which employs around a thousand people, will keep going. All current employee entitlements and all current trade accounts in New Zealand and Australia will be taken over by Godfrey Hirst. Today's move creates the largest carpet maker in Australasia with combined sales of $750 million. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. (I think the article is a little premature. There are, in fact, two bidders for Feltex, the other is the bedding manufacturer, Sleepyhead. Feltex has long been a feature of the New Zealand share market, way back since companies such as NZFP, AHI and UEB were also headliners. Sad to see it in trouble now - BH) COUNCILLOR RESIGNS AFTER FRAUD CONVICTION ----------------------------------------- Manukau City Councillor James Papali'i has resigned following his conviction for fraud. Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says he really had no other option. The law states any councillor convicted of an offence punishable by two years or more in jail must be disqualified. However that disqualification cannot take effect until any rights to appeal are over. Sir Barry says Papali'i has accepted that, regardless of any appeal, his conviction will result in a loss of public confidence in his role as a councillor. JEWISH COUNCIL UPSET AT VANDALISM --------------------------------- The Jewish Council is upset at the vandalism of a synagogue in Christchurch. Anti-Semitic graffiti was written at the two entrances in what is believed to be a protest at Israel's bombing of Lebanon. Jewish Council President Stephen Goodman says these kind of attacks make people less comfortable in the society they live in. He says they are always disappointed to hear of vandalism and feel it is not truly representative of New Zealand society. ELLERSLIE LAUNCHED ------------------ Organisers are trumpeting this year's Ellerslie International Flower Show. The largest horticultural event in Australasia has been launched this afternoon in Auckland. Exhibition Manager Kate Hillier says among the new innovations for November's show is The Avenue of Gold, which features gardens by six previous show winners. She says organisers have also taken onboard comments from those who visited last year's show, and have added more gardens and more plants than in previous years. Ms Hillier says organisers have also booked in more exhibitors showing gardens and have asked them to put in a sizable amount of planting. (They weren't able to book the best weather for the job - BH) NO EUROPEAN-STYLE HEATWAVE FOR NZ --------------------------------- The heatwave hitting Europe after its bitterly cold winter is not a story likely to repeat itself down under. New Zealand has been hit with one of its coldest winters on record with households using record amounts of power to keep warm. However, NIWA climate scientist Jim Renwick says history shows New Zealand is not likely to follow Europe's extreme weather pattern. Mr Renwick says over the last hundred years in New Zealand, a cold winter is usually followed by a cold summer. He says there is not much relation between the seasons. (Is it just me, or does the last sentence not follow from the one before it? - BH) PROBLEM GAMBLERS ARE NOT SEEKING HELP ------------------------------------- The Ministry of Health says problem gambling is worsening, with fewer gamblers seeking help for their addiction. A Gambling Commission hearing in Auckland this week is looking at whether the Dunedin Casino should lose its licence for failing to help a woman who blew up to $50,000 a week. A Ministry of Health report shows most problem gamblers live in poor areas, with just 12 percent seeking help. Gambling Project spokesman Shayne Nahu says they are trying to identify people with gambling problems at an early stage, including putting in place screening processes at social service providers. LANGUAGES A PRIORITY SAYS MAHAREY --------------------------------- The Education Minister says New Zealanders must become competent in the major languages of the world or risk being left behind in trade with emerging economies. Steve Maharey has unveiled a draft curriculum which will make it compulsory for schools to offer classes in a second language other than Maori and English from Year 7. He says New Zealand needs people competent in Spanish, Chinese and Indian because they are countries New Zealand will be doing business with this century. Mr Maharey says young people today are likely to start a business and try to make their way through Asia so they will need some basic competency in languages to operate. FINANCIAL HELP FOR CHARACTER HOMES ---------------------------------- Financial support could be available for owners of character homes in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. The Christchurch City Council is putting out the call for owners of pre-1945 homes who need financial help with external upgrades and maintenance. Planner Katie Smith says the gradual loss of these houses is causing an irreversible loss to streetscapes and neighbourhoods. She says the grant scheme means there is a small financial contribution towards their preservation. (I wonder how, in these times of rising rates, and rates revolts, the good citizens of Christchurch will react to this initiative. I like the idea that our architectural heritage should be preserved, but times are tight for many - BH) ORGANIC FLOUR SHOULD BE EXEMPT SAY GREENS ----------------------------------------- The Green Party wants organic flour to be exempt, if the Government decides to add folate to bread. Submissions on a Food Safety Authority's proposal to have folate added to all flour closed yesterday. It is believed the vitamin reduces the number of babies being born with spina bifida. Health and Safe Food spokeswoman Sue Kedgley, says while the Greens support the additive, consumers should still have a choice. She says exempting organic flour would mean non-folate fortified flour could still be bought. Ms Kedgley says it is also important that folate-fortified products are clearly labelled and warn that the additive could mask any vitamin B12 deficiency. Wednesday, 2 August 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NO SIGN OF ARTHRITIS DRUG BEING FUNDED -------------------------------------- While breast cancer patients are lobbying Pharmac to fund Herceptin for early stage cases, arthritis patients are being told to move to Australia to get a drug they need. Enbrel has been given public funding across the Tasman but Roger Sowry, CEO of Arthritis New Zealand, says there is no sign of the Government's drug management agency following suit. He cites the case of a woman in her 20s needing 24 hour care in a rest home in the South Island, when Enbrel would get her up and moving. Mr Sowry says it is cruel that such new generation drugs are available in Australia, but not in New Zealand. MAORI ROLL CLOSES TODAY ----------------------- The option to go on the Maori Roll closes today. The choice is only offered every six years and there has been a large advertising campaign advising Maori to take the time to choose. The Electoral Enrolment Centre reveal how many Maori have decided to enrol on the General Roll or the Maori Roll next week. The number on the Maori roll dictates how many Maori seats there are. ETHICS OF GENETIC MEDICINE STUDIED ---------------------------------- The Law Foundation hopes a ground-breaking study into ethical and legal issues surrounding genetic medicine will make New Zealand an international expert in the area. The first results from the $2 million study financed by the Foundation concludes that the screening of test-tube embryos for genetic diseases provides more benefit than harm. Executive Director Lynda Hagen says laws and policies are not keeping up with scientific advances and she hopes the study will build specialist knowledge in New Zealand in the area of law and genetics. She says skilled young people must have the opportunity to develop expertise and brilliant thinking or New Zealand will be a follower rather than potential leader in this area. (I wonder to what extent ethical fundamentals are really altered by emerging science. Certainly science can present new situations. - BH) DOZENS OF DANGEROUS DOGS MICROCHIPPED ------------------------------------- Almost half the dogs classified as dangerous or menacing in Christchurch have been microchipped. Since the July 1, all dogs registered for the first time and dogs classified as strays or dangerous have had to be chipped. Animal control team leader Mark Vincent says of the 350 dogs considered dangerous or menacing in the city, 150 have been chipped. He says in general, dog owners have had little or no resistance to the new law. (What of the dangerous dogs that have not been so classified? - BH) CANCER DEATHS ARE DOWN ---------------------- The number of people who die from cancer in New Zealand is declining. The latest Health Information Service figures show cancer mortality rates reduced from just under 126 deaths per 100,000 people in 2001 to a shade under 121 in 2002. The Ministry of Health spokesman, Dr John Childs, says the decrease can be partly attributed to the impact of screening programmes, earlier diagnosis and treatment improvements. The most common fatal cancers for women in 2002 were breast, throat, lung and bowel cancer. In men the most common were throat and lung cancer, followed by prostate and bowel cancer. UNIVERSITIES CAUTIOUSLY WELCOME CURRICULUM ------------------------------------------ Universities are cautiously welcoming the government's new school curriculum. The draft curriculum has a heavy emphasis on learning languages. The Universities Association Academic vice-president Dr Tom Ryan says it is welcome news for language departments. He says in recent years there has been a decline in enrolments, leading to an elimination of programmes. Dr Ryan says the new curriculum is a chance to reassert the value of language study in education generally. (I sincerely hope that some attention is given to the teaching of good grammatical English. My anonymous friend GS is from an Asian country, and has part time work as a tutor while pursuing her own doctorate. As a tutor she often finds herself correcting the grammar of domestic students who have somehow come through their primary and secondary schooling without learning to write competently. - BH) STATE HOUSES VANDALISED BY TENANTS ---------------------------------- There has been a big hike in the number of tenants vandalising state houses. Housing New Zealand has spent $20 million repairing state houses in the past year - up 40 percent on a year ago. The damage is being committed by the people living in the homes, and their guests. National's Housing Spokesman, Phil Heatley, is appalled. He says the Government needs to explain why thousands of people are languishing on New Zealand waiting lists, while those lucky enough to get a state house are trashing them. POLICE GO ON THE BUS -------------------- Police officers may soon travel on Auckland's buses to prevent drivers and passengers being attacked. The move comes in the wake of a growing number of assaults on board buses, particularly after dark. Options being looked at to prevent crime include cash-free buses after seven at night, and a security screen around the driver. Drivers union spokesman, Gary Froggatt, wants both off-duty and uniformed officers to travel on the buses. He says police will be encouraging off- duty and on-duty officers to travel on the buses and will provide additional cars to patrol problem routes, particularly in south Auckland. BID TO KEEP LIQUOR-BUYING AGE AT 18 ----------------------------------- The move to raise the liquor-buying age is under attack by the Hospitality Association. The Association has told a select committee the Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill is seriously at odds with natural justice. Chief Executive Bruce Robertson says it will prevent 18 and 19-year-olds buying liquor, despite being legally of an age to drink. He also argues at least 50,000 tourists of the same age, who come here ever year, will look for an alternative destination. Mr Robertson says a significant number of international students will also be affected. "SMART METERS" TO BE INSTALLED ------------------------------ Meter readers are on the way out, with the launch of a project in Christchurch today. Just over 100,000 Meridian Energy customers are to get their old electricity meter boxes replaced with "smart meters" They are two-way communication devices that do away with the need for a meter reader to visit the property. It also means all bills can be based on actual consumption, rather than estimates. One hundred and twelve thousand Meridian Energy customers in Canterbury are to have the smart metres installed in their homes. The project is costing the power company and Christchurch based Arc Innovations close to $100 million. COURT RECORDS ACCESS "DOG'S BREAKFAST" -------------------------------------- The Law Commission is describing access to court records as a "dog's breakfast". President, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, says it should be presumed all court records are accessible, unless there is a good reason to withhold them. Sir Geoffrey says the courts are financed by the taxpayer, and what goes on needs to be subject to public scrutiny. He says the regime he recommends would assist the media and aid in accurate reporting. That would allow the free flow of information to the community about the judicial process. The Government has welcomed the report from the Law Commission. The Minister responsible for the Law Commission, Mark Burton says the accessibility of information is an important element of the judicial system and he welcomes the Law Commission's contribution. Thursday, 3 August 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MENTAL HEALTH NURSES ON THE UP ------------------------------ The Government is boasting significant growth in the number of mental health nurses. Figures released by Health Minister Pete Hodgson says 27 percent more mental health nurses and 16 percent more specialist psychiatrists have entered the workforce since 2000. Mr Hodgson says this year the Government will invest just under a billion dollars in mental health services. Earlier this week the government released its ten year action plan for mental health and addiction services. CREDIT CARD SCAM CATCHES KIWIS ------------------------------ A handful of New Zealand tourists who visited Thailand are among those who have been targeted by a hi-tech credit card scam. It is estimated that 48-thousand people were targeted in Phuket, where wiretapping phone lines intercepted credit card data before it reached banks. New Zealand banks were among the first to pick up on unusual credit card activity and identify the problem. Visa International spokesman Iain Jamieson says about 15-million dollars was taken over about two months. He says if customers are affected Visa will cover them, and the money will be returned to accounts within five working days. HUBBARD WASTES HIS MONEY ------------------------ The Auckland Chamber of Commerce says Dick Hubbard has missed the point. The mayor of Auckland has paid from his own pocket for an ad in this morning's Herald trying to explain the latest rates hike. Chamber chief Executive Michael Barnett says Aucklanders appreciate a vision for the city but do not agree with the mayor's funding method. He says people do want it to be better than it is today but there are other ways of meeting this cost. Mr Barnett says the council has received submissions suggesting alternative funding options, but it is not listening. FEARS LAB CHANGE WILL AFFECT STUDENTS ------------------------------------- There are concerns the decision to reallocate Auckland lab contracts will put student training at risk. The New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science is the latest to shun a decision by Auckland DHBs to reassign the community lab contract currently held by Diagnostic MedLab to Labtests Auckland. President Chris Kendrick says the decision will merely bolster the country's knowledge drain. He says the three universities currently offering a lab science degree are already struggling to obtain practical training placements for students. Mr Kendrick says with further rationalisations in the sector, there is a real risk student training will be compromised. NZ POST RELEASES HEALTH STAMPS ------------------------------ Posting a letter will soon remind us to eat healthy food. New Zealand Post is releasing stamps promoting the eating of five or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day. The Children's Health Stamps go on sale this week, and will be launched at Parliament this afternoon. A portion of the proceeds from the stamps will go to the Children's Health Camps, which support at-risk children. CAMPAIGNER URGES GOVT TO CONSIDER VACCINE ----------------------------------------- An international campaigner on meningitis issues is in the country today in a bid to try to save the lives of hundreds of New Zealanders. He is hoping to persuade the New Zealand government to put the vaccine against pneumococcal meningitis on Pharmac's schedule. It is already on the schedule of medicines in Australia, Canada and the US. Bruce Langoulant, from Perth, is currently vice-president for the International Confederation of Meningitis Organisations. However, he has a personal reason for his campaign - his daughter Ashleigh, who contracted the disease when she was just 6 months old, 17 years ago. She has never walked, or talked, and he says he does not want other parents to have to go through what he has gone through. He says it is a tragedy that is being repeated every day. He says if Ashleigh lives to a normal age, her treatment will have cost around $5 million - and what he calls little "Ashleigh bombs" are going off all over New Zealand, every day. Pneumococcal meningitis maims or kills as many as 500 New Zealanders a year and Mr Langoulant says immunisation is the only sure way to protect children. He says the illness strikes suddenly, and can kill in a matter of hours. Mr Langoulant says he has had a good reaction from health officials and parliamentarians he has spoken to in this country. He is urging people to register their support at www.meningitiscampaign.org.nz or contact the Meningitis Trust so the Government knows there is a groundswell of support across the country. BOOKLET FOR EXPORTERS --------------------- The Government has launched a booklet designed to help would- be exporters reach their goals. The publication called "This way up: Facing the Challenges and Thinking like an Exporter" is a result of a study commissioned by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard says the study found that the personality and mind-set of business owners is a major factor in companies taking the plunge of selling offshore. He says a confident, decisive risk-taker is more likely to become an exporter. CANCER FIGURES POSE CHALLENGE ----------------------------- New figures showing a declining death rate from cancer leaves health officials with the challenge of how the trend can be continued. Figures from the Health Information Service show the mortality rate from cancer fell from 125.9 per 100,000 in 2001 to 120.9 in 2002. Dr John Childs of the Ministry of Health says that is in line with a downwards trend since1987. He says while the figures are encouraging, there remains a significant difference in death rates between Maori and non- Maori. Maori are more likely to die of the disease because of late diagnosis. However, while the cancer rate is decreasing, the actual number of people who died from the disease increased by 132 from 2002 to 2003. The cancer types with the lowest survival rates over five years were pancreatic, throat and lung, and liver cancers. HIGH SPEED NETWORK FOR RESEARCHERS ---------------------------------- New Zealand scientists are being plugged in to the rest of the world. Until now, researchers have had to rely on the internet to transfer large amounts of data around the world but a high speed global network connecting Auckland to the US city of Seattle and Sydney is being set up by global telecommunications company Verizon Business. The Research Education Advanced Network New Zealand will allow universities and research institutes to collaborate with international colleagues. Glenn Watkins from Verizon says the new network levels the playing field and gives New Zealand scientists and researchers the same high speed reliability and performance their overseas equivalents have enjoyed for some time. He says the initiative has some great advantages for New Zealand, because key scientists and researchers will be less likely to be tempted to head overseas to work. Mr Watkins says it also supports the Government's knowledge economy strategies. PRIVATE LANDLORDS WORRIED ABOUT RIGHTS -------------------------------------- Private landlords believe it could be even more difficult for them to evict tenants who vandalise homes under a new bill before Parliament. Housing New Zealand figures for the year ending June show $16.7 million dollars was spent on damage caused by tenants. Third parties such as tenants' guests caused a further $3.8 million worth of damage. The Property Investors Federation has revealed private landlords are also facing growing problems with homes being smashed up and spokesman Andrew King is worried that the Residential Tenancies (Damage Insurance) Bill could bring about a system which favours tenants rather than landlords. He believes it may make it easier for tenants to get out of paying for damages to a property by forcing the landlord to insure them against the cost of wilful damage. Friday, 4 August 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COST DETERS SENIORS FROM GOING TO DOCTOR ---------------------------------------- The high cost of after hours medical care is making older people sicker. An article in today's Medical Journal says a number of factors are preventing those aged over 65 from seeking urgent help. They include transport concerns, costs and a reluctance to be a nuisance or to see an unfamiliar doctor. Grey Power president Graham Stairmand says cost is the biggest culprit forcing many to allow their conditions to worsen before seeking help. He says many elderly people cannot justify a $90 after hours visit when a normal visit would cost around $28. He says many over 65 also carry a mentality of not wanting to be a bother to others. (Hmm. I'm getting closer to that age but no such mentality is kicking in yet. - BH) GAMBLING GROUPS WORRIED ABOUT BIG DRAW -------------------------------------- Gambling help groups are putting a damper on Lotto's one thousandth draw tomorrow night. Lotto began in 1987, when in the first draw, the first division prize pool of just $280,000 was shared among four winners. These days there are several varieties of the game worth millions of dollars in prize money. But Krista Ferguson of the Gambling Helpline says the big money on offer attracts people who have a very small chance of winning the jackpot. She says people are sucked in by the message that they may be able to win significantly more than they spend on tickets. NZ DOCTORS MORE LIKELY TO FESS UP TO PATIENTS ---------------------------------------------- A study has shown New Zealand doctors are more likely to confess their mistakes to their patients rather than their employer. The report in today's Medical Journal shows 79 percent of respondents would be happy to report a minor error to a patient compared to 21 percent who would be happy to tell the hospital. With major adverse events doctors acknowledged it was important to address both parties. Medical Association chairman Ross Boswell says all errors need to be reported so as to improve the safety of hospitals. THOUSANDS DISRUPTED BY FOG -------------------------- About 5,000 people have had their travel plans disrupted because of heavy fog at Auckland airport this morning. Dozens of domestic flights throughout the country were affected, and airlines are now working to clear the backlog. A number of international flights were also affected, with many incoming international flights diverted to Nadi. Passengers will be rebooked to travel on later flights. (An unexpected diversion to Nadi is not altogether unpleasant - BH) IMMIGRATION MINISTER'S POWERS QUESTIONED ---------------------------------------- United Future MP Gordon Copeland is calling for a review of the Immigration Minister's powers. It follows issues raised by the Taito Phillip Field case. Mr Copeland says the present system relies heavily on the thousands of review applications made to the Minister each year by MPs. He says this, together with the virtually unlimited discretion of the Minister, opens the door to political patronage and perceptions of unfairness. Mr Copeland says any system which depends on who you know rather than clear objective criteria, strikes at the New Zealand sense of fair play. (I can see that ministerial discretion needs some checks and balances and I think I endorse Mr Copeland's position - BH) MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT TAKES STEP FORWARD -------------------------------------- A massive development in east Auckland has taken another step forward today. Auckland City has published notification of Environment Court approval for Landco to continue the rezoning of the Mount Wellington quarry. The development will host 2,600 dwellings, which will house up to six thousand people. The 110-hectare project will be the largest residential master-planned community in Auckland City. It includes a town centre, a primary school, a mixture of conventional homes and townhouses, three lakes and a heritage trail. FUEL QUALITY TO BE IMPROVED --------------------------- Changes are being made to improve the quality of petrol and diesel. The Government has announced that the level of sulphur in both fuels will be reduced from January 2008. Associate Energy Minister Harry Duynhoven says the changes will improve air quality and reduce the impact of particulate emissions on human health. He is also flagging further reductions saying the Government is committed to the introduction of zero sulphur petrol. However a decision on when that will happen cannot be made until issues surrounding the regional security of supply have been resolved. TELECOM LOOKS ON THE BRIGHT SIDE -------------------------------- Telecom is trying to put a positive spin on its operations, despite posting a massive loss. In the year to June, the company has recorded an after-tax loss of $435 million, compared with net earnings of nearly $1 billion at the same stage last year. Much of the fall has to do with the failings of its Australian operation, AAPT, which has lost nearly $1.3 billion in value. Telecom did look at one stage at selling AAPT off, but abandoned that plan last year. The company paid more than $2 billion for AAPT during the late 1990s. Telecom's chief executive Theresa Gattung says with New Zealand operations performing strongly, the outlook is bright. She says despite the loss, Telecom has no plans to get out of the Australian market. She points out that in the local market, mobile, broadband, directories and IT services all performed strongly, and that it was pleasing to see stability in access lines and local service revenue and a moderation in expense growth. Telecom shares dropped down seven cents shortly after the stock market opened, and had dropped another seven by the end of morning trading. Meanwhile a telecommunications analyst reckons the rough ride for Telecom looks set to continue for at least another year. Australian-based industry observer Paul Budde says it was clear that there needed to be change in Telecom's outlook and the company has reacted to that. He says while there will be another year of pain, they are positioning themselves well for the future, as is evidenced by their strong growth in the past year in broadband connections and mobile revenue. SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian Harmer does NOT administer the mailing list. Please do not send subscription related messages to him. Instead, visit the website listed below, where you can make changes as required. If you want to send a personal message to Brian, change the country code to nz and send a message [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you do choose to comment on something in these posts, please don't send the whole newsletter with your message. Just trim it back to the relevant bits. Thanks. Brian. _______________________________________________ WYSIWYG News mailing list News@wysiwygnews.com If you wish to unsubscribe, please visit http://wysiwygnews.com/mailman/listinfo/news Mailing List services provided by OneSquared <http://www.onesquared.net/>
