Neu: 2001-10-03 Contents of this issue:
1. New Pilots 2. Banks Warned 3. Tourism Strife 4. Lease OK 5. Home Search 6. New Coach 7. Tragedy Afloat ======================================================================== October 3rd, 2001 1. New Pilots: The New Zealand Government is back flying Air New Zealand.Twelve years after it was privatised, Air New Zealand will return, temporarily, to state control under a Government-led bailout. Finance Minister Michael Cullen is due this morning to unveil a rescue package that will pump up to $850 million into the national carrier in return for about an 80 per cent Government stake. Speaking in Parliament Dr Cullen confirmed that the Government planned to take "effective control" of the airline by injecting an unspecified amount of taxpayers' money "in the national interest". But the Government would not be in for the long haul. He said one of the problems Air NZ had faced for some time was the lack of clear strategic direction and strong leadership. "Any investment by the Government in Air NZ will ensure there is effective control for a period of time. But it will be subject to a clear message that the Government does not see itself the longterm shareholder." That was seen as a hint of a sale of the Government's holding, possibly through a public float, once the airline has stabilised. The rescue package was to be revealed early yesterday afternoon, to coincide with an Air NZ board meeting in Auckland that was expected to give final approval. 2. Banks Warned: The New Zealand Reserve Bank has contacted all banks and financial institutions in New Zealand reminding them of United Nations sanctions applied against Afghanistan, bin Laden and the al Qaeda, which forbids all financial transactions with them. The letter by Stephen Dawe, the bank's legal adviser, says the bank does "not expect there will be any known assets of terrorists held within New Zealand financial institutions". But he said any suspect transactions must be reported to the financial intelligence unit of the New Zealand police. The Reserve Bank has also asked banks to be especially vigilant on transactions from pariah nations, named by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, as not cooperating to stamp out money laundering. They include the Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue, the Philippines and the Marshall Islands. This follows a freeze on all accounts of named institutions believed to have terrorist connections around the world which has been imposed by US president Geroge W Bush. The list also contains groups that pose as legitimate charities and non-governmental organisations but which are allegedly fronts for terrorist operations. 3. Tourism Strife: New Caledonia's tourism industry has suffered another setback with three major French tour operators announcing they will no longer sell the destination. The operators, Nouvelles Frontières, Kuoni and Havas, made the announcement during a French tourism gathering, Top Resa. The companies say t the destination hasn't proved to be as profitable as they initially thought and that New Caledonia was not "visible" enough on the air maps. During the past three years New Caledonia has lost the equivalent of some 60,000 seats in plane capacity for its French link. In the past few weeks, French airline AOM-Air Liberté (now renamed AirLib), which flew to New Caledonia, narrowly avoided bankruptcy. It was saved by a French trade tribunal decision, but dropped the Nouméa destination (which formerly carried a yearly 26,000 passengers). 4. Lease OK: The Niue Hotel has been officially leased for three years to the Niue Investment Company. The shareholders are Niueans resident on the island and in New Zealand and are reported to have around $40,000 worth of $1000 shares.the Niue Government has confirmed it will pay the land lease on the property for three years and insurance on the buildings. The lease has a right of renewal for three years. The new operators hope to have 15 rooms opened for the the constitutional and centennial celebrations mid-month. 5. Home Search: With hundreds of empty homes on Niue New Golden Pacific is hoping to arrange a lease on at least three of them to start a new retirement scheme for New Zealanders. The New Zealand based company hopes to renovate at least 20 homes around the island over the next five years. A spokesperson for the company says the aim is to allow retired New Zealanders to stay on Niue and live in a village setting. The homes would be leased. It is predicted retirement couples could bring in $500,000 to the island when 20 homes are renovated and leased. A spokesperson says they have had at least 60 inquiries from New Zealanders interested in living in Niue villages for up to 12 months. 6. New Coach: John Mitchell has been appointed All Black coach through to the next World Cup, and says he will bring a new approach to the job. An assistant coach is yet to be named. "I feel very warm inside," Mitchell said. "I'm very privileged. I have no right to this position. I represent a heritage, the players and some special values." Mitchell, a former All Blacks No 8, was Clive Woodward's assistant with the England team before taking over as coach of Super 12 franchise The Chiefs this year. The new coach identified securing possession as a key area. He also pledged a new policy of bringing in help when required. "I will introduce specialisation where we need it. I've never been in the front row of the scrum . . . or kicked a goal. As a coach I don't have the authority or expertise to spend 100 percent of my time on those areas. If we need to introduce people to help in those key areas, I will." Asked if we were likely to see a new captain, he replied: "Everything's up for grabs".(NZPA) 7. Tragedy Afloat: Two Samoan fishermen rescued at sea near Vanuatu after weeks adrift in their small boat have told the tragic story of two young fellow fishermen who did not survive the ordeal. Fishermen Vaafuti Kolia, 22 and Clarke Afa, 21, said from Port Vila that they were about to give up hope when an oil tanker spotted them after they had been lost at sea for a month.Their alia fishing boat broke down off Samoa and had no spares. But the parents of fellow fishermen Faalauau Masoe (17) and Isamaeli Semo Soia (18) said they were shattered to hear how their sons' lives came to an end. According to the survivors, Faalauau Masoe (!7) died because he hadn't eaten for days while Isamaeli Semo Soia was washed off into open seas when he tried to grab a floating coconut for their meal. Mr Afa and Mr Kolia continued to survive on raw fish and rainwater. Five days later, the nightmare for the remaining fishermen ended when an oil tanker picked them up. Mr Afa said there was no food and only a little bit of water left.(PINA Nius) __END__
