subject: 26 April, 2004 ----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------- Copyright, Brian Harmer
As the week went on, the skies over Managatoetoe grew clearer, and the surf abated, but the rugged grandeur of the landscape and the fascination of the wildlife near Cape Palliser diminished not at all. Our "statue" of Abe was barely getting its chest wet, and the thundering of our first two days diminished to the splash and suck of modest waves on a friendly beach. On the far Western horizon, the snow-capped Seaward Kaikoura ranges stood sharply against the sky. There was always something happening on the sea, sometimes a local fishing boat tending to craypots, sometimes a container vessel moving steadily across the horizon inbound to the Port of Wellington, and on one brief occasion, a pod of dolphins cavorted across my field of view. Mary was very keen on seeing more of the seals, so we revisited the nursery at the cape, and there saw the pups at play in a sheltered pool. I suppose no-one ever sees a seal without wondering at the contrast between it's lumbering progress on land and the sheer sinuous grace of the animal in the water. Even these very young ones were leaping and turning in ways that would make Olympic swimmers green with envy. Towards the middle of the week, even though it was school holiday time, the place was isolated. I saw less than a dozen cars all day. On the third day of our stay at Mangatoetoe, I had occasion to visit Masterton. Mary preferred to continue to prowl the rock pools with her camera, and who could argue with her choice. So on a bright cloudless morning, I set out along the road back through Ngawi and along the South Wairarapa Coast to the incredible sandstone cliffs at Putangirua. Here the road climbs high along a ledge cut into a crumbling cliff face, and the road sign says "Danger! Active Slip! Drive with extreme caution". Frankly, I didn't understand what that sign wanted me to do that I wasn't already doing. So other than a slight tightening of the buttocks, I drove in the usual way, glancing nervously over the cliff edge at the road markings and signage on the sections of the road that had previously slumped twenty or so metres towards the sea far below. It's a pity in a way, because the cliffs themselves are spectacular, but who is going to look at the cliffs when the treacherous edge is so close. Once through that part on solid earth once more the journey resumed climbing up the hill to the rolling pasture land that drifts on downward to Pirinoa. The long straight sections of road leading to Martinborough were all nearly empty of vehicles. Martinborough itself was quiet at 9am on a mid week morning. I turned onto the back road that runs to the East of the main road, passing through the little settlements of Longbush and Gladstone and thence to Masterton. This two lane backroad is narrow, closely lined with trees and winding. It is a road that requires attention from the driver, which is a pity given its extremely picturesque nature. From time to time, a red plastic cone in the road gives advance warning of stock crossing. It is a slower, but less stressful way of getting to Masterton than the main road through Greytown and Carterton, and one that is worth taking for its own sake. Enough for this week. News item: the historical archives of all the WYSIWYG news issues is now restored and can be found at http://www.wysiwygnews.com/ My thanks to the excellent people at Onesquared for the great job. ----- 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 Terrence Crombie in London. Many thanks Terrence for this and other support you have given over the years. On with the news. Monday, 19 April ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STUDY SEEKS FAMILY SPLIT KIDS ----------------------------- The views of children and teenagers experiencing parental separation are to be heard in a groundbreaking study to be undertaken at Wellington's Victoria University. Doctoral student Andrea Rigg, a student in the School of Psychology, is seeking 50 children and teenagers, aged between nine and 18, whose parents have separated in the past two years to participate in the study. Their views will be examined in a confidential initial interview and a second interview some months later. Ms Rigg says little research had been carried out in New Zealand to examine how young people cope with parental separation. "We often hear a lot about adults whose relationships are breaking down, their pains and strategies to cope but very little is heard from their children and what we do know tends to be fragmentary and anecdotal. "My research aims to hear first hand how the children experience the process of their parents separating and how they coped. By meeting with them again in a follow-up interview, I aim to see the changes they've undergone and assess what their needs have been as well as their general feelings and wellbeing. "Family breakdowns are a common experience for children in New Zealand. One in three marriages alone ends in divorce and almost 50 percent of these involve children, many of whom are under 10 years of age. As many adult New Zealanders in relationships are not marrying or delaying marriage, the number of children affected is likely to be much higher." Ms Rigg says once she completes her doctorate, she will prepare a booklet for use by parents, professionals and others working with children and families, including those associated with the Family Court. Ms Rigg, who has an Honours degree in Psychology from Victoria University, a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Education from Otago University, is carrying out her research under the supervision of Dr Jan Pryor, Director of the Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families at Victoria University. The consent of the child's guardian is required and no participants will be identified in the research. To participate in the study, contact (04) 463-6962 or email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> (Phew! I have just had to jump through the hoops of ethical clearance for an ordinary piece of management research. I can't even begin to imagine the ethical issues involved in dealing with kids who may be in a fragile state. I wish her well, and even more, I wish those kids well. - BH) NEW FIRE SAFETY RULES CONFUSING ------------------------------- A Christchurch theatre claims that it is not the only venue striking difficulties because of new fire safety rules. The manager of the Civic Theatre, Barry Wilson, could be in trouble after hundreds of people were turned away from last week's Steve Earle concert. He says confusion over a new fire safety regime meant 500 ticket holders were not allowed into the building. But Mr Wilson alleges many entertainment venues regularly exceed the maximum capacity for bars and clubs. The Fire Service will meet with the Christchurch City Council tomorrow to discuss whether any action will be taken. NEW SYSTEM SPEEDS UP ST JOHN ---------------------------- Ambulances will be able to get to accidents faster in the future. St John Ambulance has implemented a new mapping system which enables staff to pinpoint accident scenes and work out the quickest routes. St John Technical Advisor Tony Francis says the new system should be of great assistance, particularly in rural areas. He says in the past rural areas were broken down by a range of block numbers. But he says the new technology enables staff to pinpoint physical addresses along a rural road. Tony Francis says the new system will also update new roads on a monthly basis. RISING WELLINGTON BY-PASS COSTS MONITORED ----------------------------------------- Transit New Zealand is trying to allay concerns that Transmission Gully is becoming too costly. Transit New Zealand has confirmed that the cost of a four-lane highway from Tawa to McKays Crossing could come close to $900 million. The original estimate of the project in 1998 was $245 million. Porirua mayor Jenny Brash says she is taking on board what the deputy chief executive of Transit has told her. She says Transit is not phased by the cost, there is still a plenty of work being done to secure the route. She says most importantly Transit is still committed to the project. Mrs Brash says the proposed cost pales in comparison to many of Auckland's projects. (Of course every delay merely adds to the ever inflating cost. - BH) POLICE KEEP EYE ON FRENCH SHIP ------------------------------ Wellington police will be keeping an eye on a visiting French frigate even although the French Navy turned down an offer to provide security. Authorities came in for criticism after anti-Iraq war protestors daubed graffiti on an Australian naval ship earlier this year. The Vendemiaire has docked on Wellington's waterfront but it is understood the ship's captain turned down an offer from local police to provide security. Acting Inspector Paul Berry says police will be keeping an eye on things, through general patrols and contacts at the maritime unit. He says the police presence will be low-key. (It's a smart looking ship, manned by "les matelots" with their traditional red pom-pom. It took me a while to discover that "Vendemiaire" was the name allotted to the first arbitrary 30-day month of the Republican calendar by the revolutionaries. - BH) CONCERN FOR WOOLLY SHEEP'S WELFARE ---------------------------------- Animal rights activists are being assured Shrek the Wonder Sheep will be well cared for once he is shorn. The Merino wether will have six years of fleece growth removed this week. His story has made headlines around the world, following his capture after six years on the run at Bendigo Station in Central Otago. Owner John Perriam says the SPCA has been in touch with concerns about Shrek's health once he is shorn. Mr Perriam has ordered a special coat for the animal once he has lost his fleece. (I am not sure how Shrek qualifies for the "wonder sheep" title. His achievement is simply that he escaped the sheering roundup for a number of years. - BH) Tuesday, 20 April ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TOP NAPIER GRAPE GROWING SEASON ------------------------------- The Hawke's Bay Grape-growers Association believes this year's growing season has been one of the best. President Chris Howell says not only has Hawke's Bay seen a record crop, but the weather has been near perfect. Chris Howell says as long as the warm and dry conditions continue, growers can focus on maximising the quality of their crops. THREE ARRESTED ON COUNTERFEIT CHARGES ------------------------------------- Three African nationals have been arrested in Auckland after being found with what police say appears to be millions of dollars of counterfeit money. The men, travelling on Liberian and South African passports, will appear in Auckland District Court tomorrow charged with attempting to obtain by deception and possession of counterfeit notes. Detective Sergeant Ian Tuke says the men were found with what looks like millions of US dollar notes in plastic bundles. He says when the bundles were cut open it was obvious they were just plain paper. Detective Sergeant Tuke says they would like to hear from anyone else who thinks they have been defrauded, even if they are a little embarrassed. CROWN CLAIMS CRASH WAS DELIBERATE --------------------------------- The Crown has opened its case in a Whangarei murder trial, in which a woman is accused of deliberately driving her car into a crowd. Julie Johnson is accused of murdering Renee Brown by driving her car at a group of partygoers at Kamo in February last year. The 20-year-old also faces four charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and 11 others of causing injury with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Sixteen-year-old Renee Brown died after Johnson allegedly hit her with a car. The Crown Prosecutor told the High Court Johnson went to her car and elected to drive towards a shed where partygoers were standing. It is the Crown's case that she had her lights on and could easily see where she was going. The Crown says the death and injuries resulting were not an accident, but deliberate conduct. MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN COP SHOOTING ------------------------------------- A man is seriously injured in hospital with bullet wounds after being shot by police on Tuesday evening. The incident happened in Birkdale in North Shore City just before 6pm. Eye witnesses say the man rushed at police with a machete. Sources say the man was shot three times, although police have not confirmed that. Normally busy Eskdale Road is cordoned off between Glenfield and Verbena Roads while the police investigation takes place. (The man was reportedly pepper sprayed but that slowed him down not at all. He is also said to have ignored several increasingly urgent requests to put down the weapon before he was shot. - BH) HAPPY HOUR PROMOTION SLAMMED ---------------------------- Alcohol Healthwatch says it is sad that a rugby game needs to promote a "Happy Hour" to get punters along. The Chiefs are advertising four drinks for the price of three at this Friday's game against the Stormers. Alcohol Healthwatch Director Rebecca Williams says drinking at sports events can lead to all sorts of problems. She says if people carry on drinking after they have had up to four drinks, they are on the verge of intoxication and cannot make safe decisions. And she says then they spill out onto the streets of Hamilton. Rebecca Williams says it is sad that sports enthusiasts are continually sent the message that alcohol and sport need to be combined. CYF CENTRE RIOT LEAVES STAFF INJURED ------------------------------------ A riot at a Child, Youth and Family residential centre in Palmerston North has left several staff members with serious injuries and four youths facing assault charges. CYF says eight or nine young people were involved in the incident at its Youth Justice Lower North facility in Mohaka Place on Friday. It confirms four boys have appeared in the Youth Court, three charged with assault with a blunt instrument and one with common assault. The Public Service Association says it is extremely concerned about the gravity of the attack. CYF says it is holding a workshop to discuss additional ways to keep staff safe. DAIRY OWNER REMOVES PARTY PILLS ------------------------------- A Kapiti Coast dairy owner has removed stocks of so- called 'party pills' from his shelves after fears that they could have a negative impact on young people. The Government has recommended that the pills be restricted to those over the age of 18. However Driftwood Superette owner, Raj Kapadia, says despite an age ban, kids still gain access to cigarettes and the same is likely to happen with the party pills. He says the pills can affect the nervous system and he is concerned about what they might do to young people. BUTTER ARGUMENT SPREADS THIN ---------------------------- Whiteware maker Fisher and Paykel says its decision not to include butter conditioners in its refrigerators is a sign of the times. Federated Farmers' magazine Straight Furrow has been swamped with support for Nelson man Gary Black, after he complained his new F&P fridge did not contain a butter conditioner. He is labelling the move as anti-kiwi and not one he expected from a New Zealand company. However Fisher and Paykel's Malcolm Harris says the company is simply responding to greater demand for spreadable products such as margarine. (I simply don't believe the reason given. I think it is more likely that they recognize the illogic and the expense of having a heating device inside the refrigerator. It seems that the other countries to which F&P products are sent don't need the conditioner, and so they prefer to make a single line of product. - BH) FLOWER SHOW MAY BLOOM AGAIN --------------------------- A rescue plan is coming together aimed at saving the Ellerslie Flow Show, which was cancelled after the Auckland Rotary Club pulled the plug. Management agency IMG New Zealand has come forward, saying it wants to run the event. General Manager Dean Calvert says he is in discussions with the Rotary Club and the response is favourable. IMG runs Melbourne's International Flower and Garden Show, and Sydney in Bloom. It's now carrying out due diligence on the Ellerslie show. JAIL FOR TEENAGE FATAL CHASE DRIVER ----------------------------------- A Hamilton 19-year old has been sentenced to six-and a- half years in prison for the manslaughter of his best friend. Karl Tairi was also convicted on seven counts of reckless driving, failing to assist after an accident and taking the drug methamphetamine. During the depositions hearing, witnesses told the court Tairi had nine people crammed into his car during last September's incident. He was fleeing from police and refused to stop even when his passengers repeatedly pleaded with him to do so. One Crown witness says she attempted to put the car into neutral but Tairi pushed her away. Tairi eventually crashed into a power-pole on Morrinsville Road, killing his 17-year-old friend Nick Smith, and seriously injuring several passengers. The dead teenager's father Derek Smith says the tragedy is a reminder of the dangers of drug use. He says the problem of the drug P needs to be addressed, and asks how many other young people are going to be killed a result of their involvement with drugs. Derek Smith says he does not blame the police for what happened. Thursday, 22 April ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FRAUDSTERS ON EXPENSIVE HOLIDAY ------------------------------- Someone has been taking holidays at other people's expense. Christchurch police are investigating two cases of fraud after travel agents reported two holidays were bought using false credit card numbers. Detective Sergeant David Harvey says both cases have cost around $30,000 each. He says it is a timely warning to local businesses to ensure customers' credit card numbers are valid. Mr Harvey says people should know where their credit cards are at all times. MEDICINES MAY GET MORE EXPENSIVE -------------------------------- Moves to bring down drug prices for American consumers may force prices up in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The US does not control pharmaceutical prices, meaning anyone without health insurance or not in the military pays full retail price - about two-thirds more than Canadians pay. The solution, some argue, is to allow imports of drugs from cheaper industrialised nations. Canadian health policy expert Joel Lexchin says American officials are now pressuring Canada to raise its drug prices, based on the argument American consumers are subsidising research and development. But he says the US doesn't spend more on R&D than anyone else, and the higher fees go towards bigger drug company profits.. He says the head of the Food and Drug Administration has made several speeches alleging Americans are subsidising other countries. Professor Lexchin says New Zealand can expect the same during free trade negotiations. MARIA LUISA TRAGEDY - CASE CLOSED --------------------------------- The Maritime Safety Authority will not reopen the investigation into a fatal collision in Wellington Harbour. Five crew members on the Maria Luisa died in 1996 when their boat collided with the container ship, Sydney Express. The official investigation found both parties were to blame, though that was disputed by the victims' families. Following a request from the victim's families, Captain Ian Webb was commissioned to see if there were grounds to reinvestigate. But MSA Director Russell Kilvington says there is nothing in Captain Webb's report that would justify re-opening the investigation. He says there is nothing more to analyse or change in terms of views or opinions. He says Captain Webb discovered two new factual findings and criticised shortcomings in the original MSA report, but that does not alter the fact that both parties made mistakes. New Zealand First MP Peter Brown, who's been closely involved with the families, is outraged at the decision. He rejects the assertion that all evidence has been considered, and wants today's finding challenged yet again. (It seems the point at issue is the precise location of the collision. If I understand it, it seems that eyewitnesses are at odds with the instrument recordings of the helicopter attempting rescue. This matters because if the collision was in the channel, as opposed to outside the harbour mouth, the rules change as to which vessel had precedence - BH) CONFUSION OVER TAINUI CLAIMS ---------------------------- Reports that a co-chairman of the Tainui Tribal Executive has been suspended are being denied by a family member. It has been claimed that a motion to suspend Haydn Solomon was passed by the executive yesterday. The action was reportedly taken following an investigation into payments by the Corrections Department for consultation over the planned Spring Hill Prison at Meremere. However a family member, who is also a member of the tribal organisation, says that is not correct. She says there are internal politics at work within the Tainui executive involving people who should be put out to pasture. PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE NOT FOOTBALLS --------------------------------- A reminder from the Public Service Association that public servants are not political footballs. Parliamentary Electorate Secretary Joan Caulfield has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the scandal that led to the resignation of Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel. She had earlier been lambasted for faxing Ms Dalziel a letter from a Sri Lankan asylum seeker. PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff says being exonerated still does not fix the unnecessary stress Ms Caulfield suffered. He says Ms Caulfield had her privacy compromised, which he says is pretty tough on someone who was just doing her job. He says public servants cannot be blamed for carrying out politician's requests. Mr Wagstaff says politicians make the rules and public servants just carry out their work in good faith. GROUNDED TRAWLER REMOVAL SOUGHT ------------------------------- An application has been made to remove the wreckage of a fishing trawler from a rugged stretch of Banks Peninsula coastline. The Bronny G ran aground at Steep Head late last month. The vessel has now broken in half. Regional Harbourmaster Robin Keer-Keer says Environment Canterbury has received an application for the wreck to be removed. He says it will be passed on to the Maritime Safety Authority, which has jurisdiction over such matters. An MSA report into the grounding is several months away. KAREN WALKER INSPIRING ENTREPRENEURS ------------------------------------ A leading New Zealand fashion designer is motivating up- and-coming entrepreneurs. Karen Walker is one of the speakers at Thrive Auckland 2004, talking on the subject of being a small fish in a very big pond. Ms Walker says most people can benefit from somebody else's story, whether or not there are similarities in their lives or businesses. Her advice for ambitious businesspeople includes tips on personal presentation and targeting products to markets. Other speakers at the conference include Sir Bob Jones, film-maker John Barnett and former Australian rugby skipper John Eales. Friday, 23 April ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE JOIN PROTEST MARCH ----------------------- Ngati Kahu is kicking off its march to join the national hikoi to Wellington. The protest march started yesterday at Cape Reinga in the Far North. Participants are opposed to the Government's seabed and foreshore legislation. Ngati Kahu chairwoman Margaret Mutu says the need to protect beaches from foreigners has driven the iwi to start their own march. Ngati Kahu will start in Mangonui and meet the main marchers in Kaitaia. FINAL ATTEMPT TO FIND CLIMBER SATURDAY -------------------------------------- A final attempt to find the English tramper missing on Mount Aspiring will begin at first light on Saturday. Queenstown Police have made their annual two-day search and rescue training operation the last organised effort to find Michael Johnson. The 37-year-old has been missing for nearly a month. Detective Derek Shaw says the search will consist of volunteers, dog teams and alpine kayakers. He says it will be a chance for a fresh outlook on a number of aspects and a different approach to things. (Regrettably, the body of Mr Johnson was found over the weekend, just a few days walking from where he was last seen. - BH) MASSEY NOT EXPECTING MASS EXODUS -------------------------------- Massey University is not expecting a mass exodus of students from its Wellington campus to Victoria after an academic ranking put Victoria at third in New Zealand and Massey at seventh. The new rankings are based on the quality of research put out by 22 tertiary institutions throughout the country so funding can be allocated to them accordingly. Massey vice-chancellor, Judith Kinnear, says courses at Victoria and Massey's Wellington campus tend to complement each other and students will choose based on the course reputation. Ms Kinnear says if you took the argument that students will go to the institute with the highest ranking then all students would go to Auckland and she is confident that will not be the case. Comparisons with British universities are still under wraps because of court action. Auckland and Victoria are arguing that differences in funding levels make comparisons with international institutes invalid. TEC spokesman Professor Paul Callaghan says the report covers research capability, not teaching quality. He says research is an important part of what universities do, but is not the only part, and students have a lot of other factors to consider when deciding where to study. The review will form the basis of the Government's allocation of $18 million research funding. FIZZY DRINK FAT FINDINGS WELCOMED --------------------------------- Fight the Obesity Epidemic welcomes findings from England which show a direct link between softdrinks and obesity. The study of two groups of school children found the group who drank less fizzy pop had a lower rate of obesity. FOE Chair Robyn Toomath says the results back up what her group has been saying for years. She says softdrinks have no place in schools. She says it is crazy to offer empty calories to children who just need fluid replacement. Robyn Toomath says calorie-packed drinks and food should be viewed as unhealthy as cigarettes. She says people need to learn that obesity is a killer. She says until people start thinking about these things in the same way that they think about tobacco, they will never get their heads around the problem. EXCITEMENT AROUND AUCKLAND DEVELOPMENT -------------------------------------- The group representing Auckland's Central Business District ratepayers is looking forward to the Britomart Precinct development. Heart of The City's Alex Swney says he is excited about the revitalisation plan. The Bluewater Consortium has announced its $350 million plans for renovating Auckland's downtown area. Alex Swney says the people of Auckland won't even comprehend the good this will do for the region. He says it is a multi- million dollar revitalisation programme that will link the heart of the city back to its heart. The development will incorporate the restoration of 17 heritage buildings. And the kiwi heading the development is calling for Aucklanders to get behind the project. The Bluewater Consortium's plan incorporates shops, offices and a boutique hotel. Bluewater principal Peter Cooper says he is excited about bringing the things he has learnt from 15 years in the United States to the project. But he says its success will be measured by the ownership taken by the people of Auckland. He says it is important that the Precinct has its own local identity. THE FINANCIAL PAGE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date: 22 April 2004 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. To Buy NZD 1.00 USD 0.6269 AUD 0.8564 GBP 0.3535 JPY 68.64 CAD 0.8526 EUR 0.5312 HKD 4.9018 SGD 1.0624 ZAR 4.2644 CHF 0.8267 INTEREST RATES (%) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Call : 5.25 90 Day: 5.58 HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian Harmer does NOT administer the mailing list. Please do not send subscription related messages to him. 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