The Government has announced former Labour cabinet minister, David Caygill, will head a million dollar inquiry into the electricity industry.
Ex-Labour Minister On $1500 A Day - (Xtra) February 2000
The Energy Minister Pete Hodgson is making no apologies for the decision to pay the former Labour Deputy Leader David Caygill $1500 a day to head a ministerial inquiry into the electricity sector.
Caygill will work for 55 days - and will recieve $82,500 in total. His "side-kicks" will recieve $48,000 each.
On top of that $82,000 will be spent flying the inquiry team to the United States, Britain, Norway and Australia.
Labour Government Defends Appointment - 06:34AM Friday February (Xtra)
After years of attacking the National Party for overspending the tax payers money the Labour Government is trying to justify giving one of the country's highest paid executives $1200 a day to inquire into the failed INCIS police computer project.
Poor Communications between Helen Clark and the Greens (Xtra) February 2000
The Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today claimed the Labour government was considering breaking an election promise to hold a Royal Commission of Inquiry into genetic engineering.
Defence analysts decry Labour plan - (One News) February 2000
The NZ Government The Labour Party plans to examine the role of the armed forces have drawn criticism from defence analysts.
Caygill gets the "Top Dollar" from the Tax Payer! - (Clear) Febuary 2000
The National Party has attacked the Labour Government for paying $1,500 a day to former
Labour minister, David Caygill, as Chairman of the government inquiry into the electricity industry.
The two other members of the inquiry team, a Dr Wakefield and Mr Kelly, are each to receive $1,000 a day.
ACC Select Committee Hearings - 4th Febuary (Xtra) 2000
The Labours Government plans to re-nationalise ACC continue to take a hammering in a select committee, with the IHC joining the chorus of opposition.
NZ Prime Minister Defends INCIS Salary - Friday February 4th 2000
Helen Clark has described a deal to give one of the country's highest paid executives $1200 a day to inquire into the failed INCIS police computer project, as a bargain.
New Zealand Will Become A Republic, Says Helen Clark - Sunday, February 6th 2000.
Mimicking Jim Bolger when he was Prime Minister, Helen Clark says NZ will become a republic.
She says it's "absurd" to have a monarch living 20,000 kilometres away in Britain.
Review Of Schier Case - Monday, February 7th 2000
The New Zealand Government may this week review the Schier family case. This family was deported in March for failing to declare drug convictions in Germany - and his wife and three daughters left for Germany in June after former immigration Minister Tuariki Delamere rejected their case.
Green Party co-leader Rod Donald says he's spoken to the Schiers recently, and they have indicated that they want to return to New Zealand.
Disgust At Caygill Payment - Sunday February 6th 2000
The National Parties Roger Sowry says that's a hypocritical turn-around from Labour's criticism of high consultants' fees when it was in opposition.
Mr Sowry says if National had paid that sort of money to an inquiry head Labour would have been "outraged".
A return to Waitangi unlikely, Prime Minister, Helen Clark - (The Press) - Monday, February 7th, 2000
The New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark says she enjoyed Waitangi Day celebrations at Akaroa so much that she might never go back to Waitangi.
F16s deal 'key to New Zealand -Australia link' - (The Press) Monday, February 07, 2000
Australia's reaction to New Zealand's cancellation of the F16 jet fighter plane lease deal would be similar to the
Anzus split of the mid-1980s, says the Centre for Strategic Studies.
The US could also see New Zealand as a country which did not honour contractual obligations
New Zealand 'sold out' to Australia in the fish talks - (The Press) Monday, February 07, 2000
It appears that Australia had won three-quarters of a fishing area in international waters south of Tasmania in the negotiations between officials of the respective governments last Friday.
It could could be worth about $12 million to New Zealand if shared equally with Australia."
Sort house out, Helen Clark tells Jenny Shipley - Monday, February 07, 2000
Clark said National should spend its time figuring out where it went wrong instead of attacking the Government
"winners".
Greens and the Labour party try to settle tiff (Press) - Saturday, February 5th, 2000
Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons was commenting yesterday on Prime Minister Helen Clark's warning that the Greens should do their homework before criticising Labour Government policies.
Coverup Accusation (Clear) - Tuesday, 8th February 2000
Education Minister, Trevor Mallard, has accused the former National government of covering up financial information which would have made it look bad just prior to last year’s election.
Wheat Trials Canned (Clear) - Tuesday, 8th February 2000
The giant US company, Monsanto, said today it would withdraw an application for a field test of herbcide-resistant wheat in New Zealand while an inquiry into biotechnology was held.
The Labour Government has announced it will hold a Royal Commission of Inquiry into genetic engineering this year. Does this mean more large wages for another ex Labour MP?
A WINZ Bungle? (Clear) - Wednesday, 9th February 2000
A WINZ computer problem has led to 22,000 student loans contracts being sent out to students with incorrect enrolment details on them, this could be big trouble at this time of the year. Even under the Labour government the WINZ problems continue.
WINZ Is Not At Fault (Xtra) - Thursday, Febuary 10th 2000
The Associate Minister of Social Services says the problem that has seen 22,000 students get incorrect information on loan contracts was completely out of WINZ control.
The Greens Nandor Tanczos Makes Maiden Speech. Thursday, Febuary 10th 2000
The dreadlocked Greens MP greeted his colleagues in the name of "the creator, Jah Rastafari".
Nandor departed from his speech notes, leaving out a plea for the decriminalisation of cannabis and other drugs, as he struggled to complete his speech within the allotted fifteen minutes given to minor MP's.
However he touched on other contentious areas such as advocating a Maori justice system.
Labour MP Cullen seeks new poll on super scheme (Press) - Thursday, Febuary 10th 2000
Although a postal referendum would cost about $5 million.
New Zealand First MP Winston Peters said if someone died before reaching sixty five, under Labour's proposal their family and estate would lose those savings.
Labour MP, John Tamihere's has his say during his Maiden Speech (Xtra) - Friday, Febuary 2000
John Tamihere has lashed out at poor funding for rugby league and what John calls "corporate racism" surrounding the funding of the New Zealand Maori league team to compete at this year's World Cup.
He also labelled the Hillary commision as "rugby nazis".
A Scary and Dangerous Air Force Incident (Xtra) Thursday, Febuary 10th 2000
A Jet with an instructor and a student were in trouble when the aircraft landed its struts buckled under and the wheels collapsed. Comment: Looks like it could be time for some new planes!
Editorial: Omens supporting Brash, not Cullen (Herald) 14th Febuary 2000
Prime Minister Helen Clark's fury may drive Holmes out! (Herald) 14th Febuary
There is tension between the Government and TVNZ when Prime Minister Helen Clark accused the company of running an aggressive public relations campaign, using its own presenters and journalists.
Helen Clark woos Peters - warning for Greens (Press) 14th Febuary 2000
Prime Minister Helen Clark is holding out an olive branch to New Zealand First, saying there is scope for a "relationship" with the party in some key areas of policy.
Drunk In Charge Of A Country Thursday, Febuary 17th 2000
The NZ Greens MP Nandor Tanczos says there's no way MPs should go into Parliament after drinking any amount of alcohol.
Tanczos has created controversy with his claim that just before Christmas last year he saw an MP in the debating chamber who was clearly drunk. Nandor says that's a case of being "drunk in charge of the country".
Comment: His comments about the MP being "In Charge Of The Country" gives the impression it may have been a Labour MP.
Nandor never did say 'who' he was talking (accusing) about.
Helen Clark To Visit John Howard, Thursday, Febuary 17th 2000
Prime Minister visits Australia early next month.
Government Helps Mozambique, Thursday, Febuary 17th 2000
The NZ Government is donating $150,000 to help provide flood relief in Mozambique.
Cannabis Law Reform, Wednesday, Febuary 16th 2000
Green Party Justice spokesman Nandor Tanczos has met with Justice Minister Phil Goff to discuss a variety of issues including cannabis law reform.
ACT - Meo Driven Out, Wednesday Febuary 16th 2000
TVNZ chair Roseanne Meo has been forced to resign by an orchestrated programme of vilification and character assassination by Labour Ministers, says ACT Leader Richard Prebble .
Smoked, Not Poured (Clear)- Thursday, 17th February 2000
There's been no response so far from Members of Parliament to yesterday's claim by the Green MP, Nandor Tancsoz, that drunks were running New Zealand.
No Pick Up In Wage Growth So Far, Wednesday, 23 Febuary.
Overtime wage rates rose by 0.3%, over the last quarter, but remain unchanged over the whole year.
Woman Free after 300 convictions (Press) Friday, March 10th, 2000
A woman's fragile health has kept her out of prison despite her 300 previous convictions
Winston Peters backs Cullen on super plan, (Press) Friday, March 10, 2000
NZ First has confirmed in principle its support for Labour's proposed superannuation fund, strengthening Finance Minister Michael Cullen's chances of getting the scheme through Parliament.
TVNZ to pay Hawkesby $6.5 million (Press) Saturday, March 11, 2000
Hellen Clark is enjoying her long overseas tour, getting familier with all the overseas countries and dignitaries etc.
While visiting the USA Clark tells of cash problem, saying that that New Zealand cannot afford the F16 deal.
Grey Power calls for super poll (Press) Saturday, March 11, 2000
Further WINZ Protests To Come (Xtra) Friday, March 17th 2000
The University Students Association organised demonstrations yesterday in Auckland and Dunedin to decry Work and Income New Zealand's handling of the student loans scheme.
Comment: It appears problems happen with WINZ under any government. Its many months since Labour has been in power but they still seem to blame the previous government for current problems with WINZ. Why hasn't Clark done anything about the head of WINZ?
Drop In House Sales (Xtra) Friday, March 17th 2000
The number of houses sold around the country during February drops 9.2 per cent.
Commissioner Wants Crackdown (Xtra) Friday, March 17th 2000
Mr McClay says there must be an alternative to suspending more than 80 students a day.
National Attacks On Dope (Clear) Friday, March 17th 2000
"What's the difference between cannabis and tobacco on people's health?
The Minister of Health Annette King seems to believe that smoking cannabis is healthier than smoking cigarettes," says Mr Power.
Comment: I have to agree with National on this one, how can Labour lower the penalties on cannabis and then sue the tabacco companies. It looks like this is to satisfy the Greens and find another way to get more money by sueing the tabacco companies.
Annette King Admits Cannabis Use (Xtra) Friday, March 17th 2000
Current Health Minister Annette King, who is pushing the review of the legal status of cannabis, admits she's used the drug.
Police Staffer To Face Charges (Clear) Friday, March 17th 2000
A non-sworn police employee will face charges of careless use of a motor vehicle causing death after an accident in New Plymouth last week, which claimed the life of a Three-and-a-half-year-old child
NZ's richest man criticises Govt policy as bad for poor. (Press) Saturday, March 18, 2000
"For many disadvantaged children, education is their one ticket out of poverty; if they miss that train, they risk missing
everything."
Helicopter Option Shot Down (Xtra) Wednesday March 22nd 2000
Prime Minister Helen Clark says the aging Air Force Skyhawks may be replaced by attack
helicopters now the F-16 deal is off.
But the Professor of Defence and Strategic Studies, John Ballard, says while helicopters are flexible workhorses, they're no substitute for jets.
Former WINZ Manager At Centre Of Alleged Fraud (Xtra)Tuesday March 21st 2000
New Apprenticeship Scheme (Xtra)Tuesday March 21st 2000
The NZ Government's unveiling a new apprenticeship programme will put $5.5 million into the plan this financial year.
Pupils buy cheap drugs (Press)
Some Nelson high school students are buying cheap cannabis from a bumper crop and and some are regular
users by the third form, college principals say.
Clark Accused Of Hypocrisy (Clear) Friday, 24th March 2000
“I want to know where Helen Clark sees the fairness in that. One employee got hounded out of his job for opposing the Government via an email from his own computer in his own time. Another was paid $22,500 to get the leader of the Opposition elected as Prime Minister,” said nationals leader Jenny Shipley.
Annette King's pay instruction angers health workers (Press)
Health Minister Annette King has upset health professionals by instructing hospitals to minimise pay rises and make staff work harder for more pay.
ACC consultant gets $160,000 (Press) Wednesday, March 29, 2000
ACC is spending a whopping $160,000 on a consultant to teach it how to become more customer-focused.
Comment: It would appear that the best job to get your children into is for them to be a consultant for the Labour or national governments departments.
2000 Easter Trading Warning - (Xtra) Thursday, April 6th 2000
The NZ Labour Department is reminding many retailers to shut up shop and take a break over Easter, whether they like it or not.
Currently the Labour Party is still the most popular party in New Zealand according to the polls.
And Helen Clark is still the most prefered Prime Minister!
Apology Not Accepted (Xtra) Thursday, April 6th 2000
One of three people accused of being a thief and a drug addict by Labour MP John Tamihere is challenging him to make the allegations to her face.
Labour MP Mr John Tamihere yesterday apologised at parliament, saying the allegations were inappropriate, but didn't say whether they were false.
GE field tests to continue Clayton's ban - MP by Seth Robson (Press)
Green Party MP and former Safe Food Campaign convener Sue Kedgley said "It's what we call a Clayton's moratorium," she said. "It's a bit like having a Royal Commission on nuclear testing while allowing nuclear ships to wander into our harbours."
Police car revamp - Cars too much like taxis! (Press)
Schools Opposed To Dope! Wednesday, 19th April 2000
The New Zealand School Trustees Association has sent a plea to the government not to decriminalise marijuana.
Coasters tipped to reject $100m offer (Press) Wednesday, April 26th, 2000
Angry West Coast leaders might say no to the $100 million offered in exchange for the region's native timber logging industry.
They are against being made to appoint Maoris to a trust being set up, and giving Maoris first preference to jobs, among other
concerns.
My Comment: I find it hard to believe such racist things are happening in New Zealand.
Employment bill worry for daycare (Press) Wednesday, April 26th, 2000
Parents of more than 8000 children using home-based daycare, including almost 1000 Christchurch
children, will/could be forced to make alternative daycare arrangements.
Anderton lures Rick Hart (Press) Thursday, April 27, 2000
Financial Update (Clear) Monday, 1st May 2000
NZ shares retreated today, in the wake of Friday's losses on the Dow Jones.
At 5pm, the NZ Kiwi dollar was buying 48.47 US cents, this we can compare with Friday's 48.94 US cents.
Extra Bee Funding (Clear) Tuesday, 2nd May 2000
To the amount of $1.35 million to enable the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to complete a survey determining the
extent of the varroa bee mite infestation.
Annette King Wants Resignations (Clear) Tuesday, 2nd May 2000
She is calling for heads to roll at Health Waikato, after it announced it would abandon its $9 million dollar SMS
information technology system.
Greenies Threaten Revolt (Clear) Tuesday, 2nd May 2000
"We are alarmed at media reports that the Government may be prepared to allow continued logging of public forests containing rimu for several more years," said Green Party Co-Leader Rod Donald said.
Smoking Crusade Intensifies (Clear) Tuesday, 2nd May 2000
“It may be time to also ban the supply of tobacco products to minors, sending a message that it is not okay to help young people become, or stay, addicted,” Annette King said.
Comment: If King is going to do this with tobacco, why are they going to decriminalize cannabis?
National Challenged On Rimu (Clear) Wednesday, 3rd May 2000
The Labour party has sought to divert attention away from Labours own problems with West Coast rimu logging by demanding that the National party reveal when the contracts were signed.
Labour’s stated policy was to let forestry contracts run their course if they were in place when the logging policy was announced last September. However, in the run-up to the election, Labour said they would stop all native logging on the Coast.
Last Monday , Labour Finance Minister, Michael Cullen and deputy Prime Minister, Jim Anderton, told West Coast mayors they would lobby on their behalf for a continuation of the rimu logging contracts.
Comment: This West Coast logging of native forest has become a hot issue.
Child Youth and Family Services hit with $5 million in lawsuits in the last three years.
More Jobs And More Unemployed (Clear) Thursday, 4th May 2000
The number of New Zealanders in jobs in New Zealand reached an all time high in the three months to March, according the official measurement of employment released today, but the number of unemployed for the three-month period has
increased to 120,000 out of work. And 67,000 were male and 53,000 were female.
In the March 2000 quarter the unadjusted unemployment rates stood at:
- 5.0 per cent for European/Pakeha
- 14.6 per cent for Mäori
- 12.3 per cent for Pacific Islands people
- 11.1 per cent for the 'Other' ethnic group/s
Police deny PM's claim (Press) Friday, May 5th, 2000
The police attitude to Maoris in Waitara had a bearing on the shooting of Steven Wallace, Prime Minister Helen Clark says.
Comment: It appears people have made claims that the shooting was racial and National Party police spokesman Brian Neeson said that Helen Clark was shooting her mouth off and should not have commented until the investigations were completed.
Editorial: Reality strikes for Finance Minister (NZ Herald) Friday, May 5th, 2000
MPs signal gay, de facto rights (NZ Herald) Friday, May 5th, 2000
Equal property rights for gay and de facto couples are a virtual certainty after Parliament voted to include them in laws due to be passed soon.
Maori Might Get Spectrum (Clear) Friday, May 5th, 2000
PM Attacked On Waitara (Clear) Friday, May 5th, 2000
The opposition leader, Jenny Shipley, has attacked the Prime Minister Helen Clark, for suggesting that the police shooting last Sunday of Waitara man, Steven Wallace, could be compared with police shootings of blacks in Los Angeles and London.
Family Support Coroner's Comments (Xtra) Friday, May 5th, 2000
Mr Langridge's (Who died of a an ecstasy overdose) family say he became addicted to marijuana before moving on to harder drugs. His family believe if cannabis hadn't been available, he would be alive today.
Reserve Bank In Spotlight (Clear) Tuesday, 9th May 2000
The Labour government has announced a review of monetary policy, saying it wants to investigate ways of enhancing the Reserve Bank's ability to implement policy targets with minimal disruption to the economy.
Government review on police tipped (Press) Tuesday, 9th May 2000
The highest legal authority in New Zealand will help decide if the police officer who shot and killed Waitara man Steven
Wallace should be charged with murder.
Chathams identity with Moriori links dies (Press) Tuesday, 9th May 2000
Well-known Chatham Islands identity Tommy Solomon, a grandson of the last full-blooded Moriori, has died in Christchurch. His wife Julie said he was a foundation member of the Moriori Tchakat Henu Trust, which was trying to secure commercial fishery rights for the Chathams to provide jobs.
Smoking-ban plan gets up noses (Press) Tuesday, 9th May 2000
The Health Minister Annette King is seeking to ban smoking in all NZ pubs - a move that critics say could be enforced only with the creation of a whole new of squad of "smoke police".
My Comment: I would have to say that this is an incredible waste of taxpayers money. Annette King has a personal dislike of smoking, like Helen Clark (I don't like people smoking myself), but I believe she (Both of them) are getting close to taking peoples rights away from them. Maybe its a way to get people more jobs.
Helen Clark under fire for race remarks (Press)
PM Helen Clark came under attack in Parliament yesterday as opposition MPs accused her of using the Waitara
shooting for political gain. Helen Clark was accused of undermining public confidence in police by suggesting in reported comments that police attitudes to Maori undoubtedly had a bearing on the shooting.
NZ Taxpayers fund Winz response (Press) Thursday, May 11, 2000
Taxpayers funded Christine Rankin's efforts to water down a critical report on her department.
A Work and Income New Zealand spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that the Crown Law Office had been retained at
$180 an hour (exclusive of GST) to help write Christine Rankin's response to an early draft of former state services
commissioner Don Hunn's report on Winz.
Drug Abuse A 'Disease' (Xtra) Thursday, May 11, 2000
Drug abuse is being touted as a 'medical disease' by a visiting American doctor Carl Erickson who says addiction can be pathological.
Death Sparks Inquiry (TranzRail) (Clear) Thursday, May 11, 2000
The Minister of Labour, Margaret Wilson, has announced she is considering a committee of inquiry into rail safety after another TranzRail shunter was killed at work in Christchurch yesterday.
No Inquiry For West Coasters (Clear) Thursday, May 11, 2000
The NZ Labour government has rejected a petition with 4,000 signatures calling for an inquiry into sustainable logging on the West Coast.
Coast Action Network chairman, Barry Nicolle said West Coasters felt betrayed by the Government and decisions which affected the region and its people had been made without consultation.
The Understanding of MMP down (Press) Thursday, May 11, 2000
The NZ Publics understanding of MMP during the 1999 election campaign was generally lower than over the same period at the 1996 election, according to the Electoral Commission.
Winz loses again (Press) Friday, May 12, 2000
The formation of Winz, and the thinking behind it, was an ideological and cultural experiment.
New Zealand (Godzone) has a huge social security and welfare budget - $12.9bn in 1998/99 - the management, delivery, and reduction of which must be a priority of any government.
More Cannabis For The People (Xtra) Sunday May 14 2000
(This article has a photo of a young Maori man under a legalize cannabis sign, it looks like he is getting stoned)
The Christchurch Medical School did a study which shows nine percent of young New Zealanders are dependant on cannabis, are being used as ammunition by those backing legalisation.
The New Zealand Government Slammed (Xtra) Saturday May 13 2000
National party leader Jenny Shipley has highlighted rising unemployment and interest rates, the fourth new tax since the election and a drop in business confidence.
Jenny Shipley also said a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit shows that New Zealand has dropped from seventh to seventeenth in the world in terms of its appeal as a country to do business in.
(Sunday May 14 2000)
According to our web site statistics this web page has been visited twice by the New Zealand Government.
Maori cannabis use high (Press)
Sixty per cent of Maoris have smoked cannabis at some time in their lives, a new study shows.
Check tipped in economy (Press) Tuesday, May 16, 2000
Finance Minister Michael Cullen will express confidence that, despite the March quarter setback, the economy will be less volatile in the medium term. Cullen will also signal Budget measures to building up skills and assist the regions.
Labour MP Tamihere apology not enough, says Richard Prebble (Press)
Hauraki MP John Tamihere has apologised to a woman he branded a drug addict and a thief, but ACT leader Richard Prebble says that is not enough.
Goverment honeymoon is over, a new poll finds (Press) Monday, May 15, 2000
The Goverment's honeymoon is over, according to a One News-Colmar Brunton poll showing Labour's support dipping
below 50 per cent and the Alliance slumping to 2 per cent.
Interest Rates Up (Clear) Wednesday, 17th May 2000
interest rates took a major leap this morning when the Reserve Bank lifted its Official Cash Rate by half a per cent.
5c sting in the tank - Petrol Prises are up (Press) Wednesday, 17th May 2000
New Zealand motorists will pay $1.039 (unleaded 91), $1.089 (premium unleaded) and 67.9c for diesel.
Claim of racism (Press) Wednesday, 17th May 2000
The Labour Government has been accused in Parliament of racism after caving in to pressure from its Maori MPs to give a
pan-Maori trust the exclusive right to buy a block of high-tech radio frequencies.
Employment Relations Bill 'threatens women's jobs' (Press) Wednesday, 17th May 2000
NZ Women will be disadvantaged by the Employment Relations Bill, a businesswomen's lobby group has warned.
Tertiary Education Minister Steve Maharey Winz Offer (Xtra) Wednesday, 17th May 2000
Steve Maharey has got the thumbs up from students for offering to personally fix any outstanding problems following the student loan debacle.
Close St Stephen's College? (Clear) Wednesday, 17th May 2000
Dover Samuels, who is the Minister of Mäori Affairs says that violence at the Mäori boys college has become intolerable.
Funding Boost For Sport (Clear) Wednesday, 17th May 2000
The Labour Government will invest $16 million in three new high performance sport centres in the hope of producing more Peter Snells and Jonah Lomus.
Shipley Apologises (Clear) Wednesday, 18th May 2000
Jenny Shipley, has apologised to the Pacific Island community for derogatory comments she made in Parliament this week.
Comment: It would be nice to have all political people learn some manners and get facts right before they mouth off.
The Slide Continues For Kiwi Dollar (Clear) Wednesday, 18th May 2000
Complaint Laid (Clear) Wednesday, 18th May 2000
National Party IT spokesperson, Maurice Williamson, has filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission over the Government’s decision to grant Maori exclusive purchasing rights in the spectrum auction.
Waitara report errors admitted (Press) Wednesday, 18th May 2000
Maori Development Ministry Te Puni Kokiri took two weeks to admit to the NZ Government that it made erroneous and
potentially defamatory racism allegations against the officer who shot and killed Steven Wallace.
Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels had refused to apologise in Parliament after being forced to admit the report into the
relationship between police and Waitara Maoris, prepared for Prime Minister Helen Clark two weeks ago, contained two
significant errors.
House loan rates to rise (Press) Wednesday, 18th May 2000
First it was the tobacco, then petrol - now mortgage rates seem certain to rise as well.
Joan of Clark ready to lead new crusade (Press) Wednesday, 18th May 2000
PM Helen Clark has unveiled a new puppet of herself in Wellington's Backbencher pub, depicting her as Joan of Arc.
Drop in Mail Volumes (Xtra) Saturday May 20 2000
The New Zealand Post believes a significant decrease in mail volumes is a sign the economy's in trouble.
Maori art funding queried (Press) Saturday May 20 2000
The NZ Government announced funding increases for the arts, heritage, and culture sector of more than $20 million a year each of the next three years, as well as an initial injection of about $86 million.
But Garry Nicholas, general manager of the national Maori arts organisation, Toi Maori Aotearoa, said the Maoris were disappointed there had not been a direct acknowledgement of the need for Maori arts funding.
Departures continue (Press) Saturday May 20 2000
The latest migration statistics add fuel to the brain drain debate, with New Zealand continuing to lose population, particularly to the United Kingdom and Australia.
Michael Cullen Strikes Back At Critics (Xtra) May 19 2000
The Bank of New Zealand, Chief Economist Tony Alexander has taken the extraordinary step of calling Michael Cullen a failure and saying his performance is pathetic.
This follows the dollar slumping to a new low of 44.60 US cents overnight.
Helen Clark rules out sending in troops (Press) Monday, May 22, 2000
New Zealand has shunned approaches from armed hostage-takers holding Fijian members of Parliament.
Steep Rise For Petrol (Clear) Monday, May 22, 2000
The steeply falling New Zealand dollar is beginning to hit prices for consumers.
Shell this morning bumped up the price of petrol by another 4c a litre, the second price increase in a week. The last increase was 5c a litre.
The NZ Government gives Edwin Fox $300,000 (Press) Monday, May 22, 2000
The Government has granted $300,000 towards the preservation of the historic Edwin Fox.
National MP's say 'no' to cannabis (Press) Monday, May 22, 2000
National MPs have been given a clear message not to support the decriminalisation of marijuana.
Goverment Attitude Attacked (Clear) Wednesday, 24th May 2000
The President of the Employers' Federation, Robyn Leeming, struck out at the government this morning saying perhaps the thing that has shaken business confidence most has been the refusal by the Labour Government to listen.
Intercourse In Prisons Considered (Clear) Thursday, 25th May 2000
The Opposition parties have slammed a suggestion by the Correction Minister, Matt Robson, that prisoners who behave should be allowed to have sex with their partners. The Labour government has been conducting a broad review of prison policies, and Mr Robson said another idea being considered was to allow children under five to live with their mothers in jail.
The National, ACT and New Zealand First parties, said it flies in the face of a referendum last year that saw 92 percent vote in favour of harsher penalties for criminals.
Opposition leader Jenny Shipley said "It is liberal claptrap in the extreme to expect those victims - whose lives have in many cases been shattered - to accept their attackers being given the rights and privileges normally reserved for law abiding citizens,”.
Comment: I am totally stunned that any New Zealand government would ever even consider these things.
'Feral' remark to go to race office (Press)Thursday, 25th May 2000
The West Coast residents are laying a complaint with the Race Relations Office after being described as "feral bastards" by Young Labour vice-president Jordan Carter.
Low earners 'hit by tax changes' (Press)Thursday, 25th May 2000
NZ Low-income earners will be hit by the Labour Government moves to stamp out tax avoidance among people earning more than $60,000, accountants say. The Labour Government announced in March it would introduce a new 5 per cent tax on early withdrawals from employer-funded superannuation schemes, in a bid to clamp down on tax avoidance by people in the top tax bracket.
Labour Slipping In Polls (Clear) Friday, 26th May 2000
A majority of New Zealanders believe the Labour party is on the wrong track in its management of the country.
Inflation Problems Looming? (Clear) Friday, 26th May 2000
The Producers Price Index is rising faster than at any time since 1990, pointing the way to higher costs for consumers.
Financial Update (Clear) Friday, 26th May 2000
Shares ignore Wall St; the dollar stable; short term interest rates move marginally.
Governmentt Considers Fiji Options (Clear) Friday, 26th May 2000
If George Speight carries the day with his coup attempt, the NZ Government is likely to take punitive action.
Bleak Outlook For Manufacturers (Clear) Friday, 26th May 2000
The Employers’ & Manufacturers’ Association (EMA) latest monthly survey of business conditions for the month of April has shown a dramtic decline - both export and domestic turnover was down 13% on the same month last year.
ACT flays Health Minister Annette King's 'golden honeymoon' (Press) Saturday, May 27, 2000
Annette King's 15-day $46,000 trip overseas with her new husband was nothing but a taxpayer-funded honeymoon, ACT NZ says.
Committee review of cannabis law likely (Press) Monday, May 29, 2000
The Health Minister Annette King plans to recommend that Parliament's multi-party health committee carries
out a review of cannabis laws.
Unions seek big rises under bill (Press) Monday, May 29, 2000
The Unions are eyeing big pay increases for some groups of workers after the Employment Relations Bill takes effect.
Business Confidence Dives (Clear) Wednesday, 31st May 2000
Business confidence has recorded the biggest monthly fall in 12 years, according to the National Bank's latest survey.
First it was smokers, now drinkers are to be hit by tax increases. (Clear) Wednesday, 31st May 2000
The government is expected to announce a 1.8 per cent hike in excise taxes on alcohol tomorrow.
Health Minister Annette King regrets swearing (Press) Friday, June 02, 2000
King has apologised for using swear words while venting her anger at allegations by ACT MP Rodney Hide.
Rodney Hide said Ms King should have known better.
Finance Minister Michael Cullen rebuked for 'draconian' jobs bill (Press) Friday, June 02, 2000
Negative gloss not helping business, says Minister (Press) Friday, June 02, 2000
The negative presentation of many economic signals is not helping business, Finance Minister Michael Cullen says.
Dope Reviews To Proceed (Clear) Wednesday, 7th June 2000
Annette King, says it's Labour policy to review the country's marijuana laws and criticism from National and ACT will not deflect her. She has brushed aside strong criticisms from National and ACT and plans to push ahead with a review of cannabis laws.
Maori leader slams Iti (Press) Wednesday, 7th June 2000
New Zealand Maori Council executive chairman Maanu Paul has criticised Tame Iti for pretending to be the "voice of Maori" in Fiji.
'Tough times' for coalition (Press) Wednesday, 7th June 2000
Alliance will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Helen Clark after she poured cold water on key policies of the junior
coalition partner.
Maori aid apartheid, Peters says (Press)
The new measures aimed at helping Maoris and Pacific Islanders have been branded "social apartheid" by New Zealand First, and ineffectual by ACT. He said ""To have allocated almost a billion dollars to this area is going to be an area of enormous shame for this Government."
The ACT finance spokesman Rodney Hide described the Budget as a "lolly scramble".
Opposition finance spokesman Bill English said "The Budget is built on shaky fiscal foundations," he said. "Low business confidence is starting to feed through to lower growth and that will put pressure on Dr Cullen's surpluses."
Opposition health spokesman Wyatt Creech has also made some comments:
He said the Government had broken its health election promises and "New Zealanders were expecting $200 million a year for
waiting lists. They're getting $74 million."
Beehive plans at odds with frugal image (Press)
Opposition MP Bill English said "Plans to spend at least $11 million to refurbish the Beehive were hidden by a government preaching frugality in the public sector.
National Party leader, Jenny Shipley, will be off work longer than predicted. (Clear) Monday, 19th June 2000
Shipley had an angioplasty procedure to clear a blockage in an artery, she was then discharged on Thursday and was predicted to be back at Parliament within a few days.
Kiwi dollar climbing towards 48 US cents; poor start to week for sharemarket. (Clear) Monday, 19th June 2000
The Government has cut $10.5 million from southern region disability services, about the same amount it is spending on doing up the Beehive, says National MP Lynda Scott. (Press) Monday, 19th June 2000
Child, Youth and Family Services has proved that it has sole power to decide where a child should be placed, after
winning a landmark High Court case. (Press) Monday, 19th June 2000
A 35-year-old Hercules plane sent to evacuate New Zealanders and others fleeing from the strife-torn Solomon Islands
had to turn back to Australia after breaking down.
The Government is planning " -a major public relations exercise" - this week on the Department of Work and Income, under the continued leadership of its controversial chief executive, Christine Rankin, ACT says.
Blackmail, Says Dover Samuels (Clear) Thursday, 22nd June 2000
The NZ Police investigating the allegations that Labour MP, Dover Samuels, had sex with an under-aged girl 14 years ago.
The Mother of 15-year-old thought girl was 'safe' (Press) Thursday, 22nd June 2000
Dover Samuels has admitted that the girl became pregnant, and that he took her for an abortion. But Dover has denied having sex with an underage girl.
Anderton opposes liberal cannabis law (Press) Monday, June 26, 2000
Adding cannabis to the list of freely available drugs will be irresponsible and expensive, says Deputy Prime Minister Jim
Anderton.
Health research grant (Press) Monday, June 26, 2000
The Government has given $100,000 for research into the health status of the children of Vietnam and Operation Grapple veterans.
New twist in fisheries row (Press) Monday, June 26, 2000
The Government may bring in international mediation experts to help resolve the bitter battle over how to allocate $800 million worth of fisheries assets to Maoris.
Tertiary area is warned (Press) Monday, June 26, 2000
The Government will not tolerate tertiary institutions trying to subvert its fee-freeze offer, says Associate Minister of
Education (Tertiary) Steve Maharey.
Helen Clark, at a press this afternoon. Wed, 28th June 2000.
Richard Prebble Attacks Clark (Clear) Thursday, 29th June 2000
Prebble who was the catalyst for the Dover Samuels scandal said this afternoon that the Minister of Mäori Affairs
shouldn't have been sacked.
Beehive Overhaul will come to about $43 Million Dollars (Clear) Thursday, 29th June 2000
The total cost of a Beehive overhaul will be around $43 million, Speaker of the House, Jonathan Hunt, confirmed today.
Comment: This is a shocking statement since the Labour Government has cut $10.5 million from southern region disability services
Crisis In (Business) Confidence (Clear) Friday, 30th June 2000
New Zealand Business confidence is now at levels not seen since the 1987 sharemarket crash, according to the National Bank monthly business confidence survey released this morning.
Thursday, 13th July 2000
Schools Don't Want Dope (Clear)
The National Party is working with school Trustees to produce a nation-wide petition against decriminalisation.
Auction On Hold (Clear)
The Government’s auction of sophisticated radio frequencies has been suspended until the outcome of court appeals.
Press Secretary Cleared (Clear)
A former government press secretary has been cleared of charges laid against her, after she was dragged by police from
a ministerial car.
Moana Sinclair, the former press secretary for Conservation Minister, Sandra Lee, was stood down and eventually left her position after the incident in which Sandra Lee’s official car was impounded.
Hospital Heads Roll (Clear)
The entire board of Tairawhiti Healthcare has been sacked following news that 465 men may have received incorrect
results of prostate tests.
Fraud Charge For WINZ Manager (Xtra)
Napier police have charged a WINZ case manager with two counts of fraud.
Donald Supports Deported Family (Xtra)
Greens co-leader Rod Donald believes the deported Schier family should still be allowed to make NZ their home.
Financial Update (Clear)
The United States' sharemarket was flat overnight; the (NZ) Kiwi dollar is back below 45 US cents; short term interest rates
have eased.
NZ Business Confidence Still Falling (Clear)
NZ Kiwi businesses are almost as pessimistic about their future as they were at the height of the Asian economic crisis,
according to two new surveys.
Helen Clark Puts Job on Line (Clear)
The NZ Prime Minister, Helen Clark, says she'll quit if caucus does not accept her nomination for the next Minister of Maori Affairs.
Comment: In my view this is nothing but a publicity stunt for those 'all-important' Maori votes.
PM (Helen Clark) Denies Claim (Clear)
Prime Minister, Helen Clark, has denied any involvement by her office in leaking rape allegations made against former
Maori Affairs Minister, Dover Samuels.
Comment: After all the "Big" talk from the Greens and Helen Clarks Labour Party the genetically modified cows gets approval to go ahead with the project.
GM Cows All Go (Clear)
AgResearch Ltd has been given the go-ahead to produce and field test genetically modified cows at its research facility in the Waikato region.
The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) today released its decision to approve the application, which will see copied human DNA inserted into the cattle.
Benefits Underpaid? (Clear)
Two Wellington beneficiary advocacy groups are claiming that the Department of Workand Income has been underpaying beneficiaries by millions of dollars each year.
Guilty Plea In Fraud Case (WINZ Again)
A WINZ case manager has pleaded guilty in the Napier District Court to setting up two false DPB accounts to enable her to transfer $143,000 into her own bank accounts.
Maori unemployment falls to lowest level in 12 years.
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The New Zealand dollar continues to be weak.
Peters Storms Out (Clear)
The NZ First leader is angry the Serious Fraud Office won't be launching Winebox prosecutions. HERE
Cut Petrol Taxes (Clear)
The National party says the government should stop "profiteering" from petrol tax rises.
Nationals leader Jenny Shipley, said the biggest beneficiary of petrol prices rises was the Labour-Alliance government.
"About 47 cents from every litre of petrol purchased goes into the Government's pocket. Based on a 20 cent per litre rise in petrol prices since the election, the Government's GST tax on petrol alone will rise by over $40 million," she said.
Mrs Shipley also said that Mr Anderton could not "belly-ache" at the oil companies about petrol price hikes while at the same time pocketing millions of dollars in extra tax at the motorists' expense.
TVNZ Falsified News (Clear)
ACT leader, Richard Prebble, claimed today that TVNZ had shown footage of the Prime Minister in Parliament when she wasn't there.
Comment: Makes you wonder what will happen at election time after all Labour has virtually taken over TVNZ.
Farmers claim they have a first world production system and a third world telephone system.
Govt ‘Betrays’ Students (Clear)
Students say the government has failed them after a bill which would have reinstated the dole for students was voted down
in Parliament.
No More QCs? (Clear)
After getting rid of British honours, the government might next abolish the title of Queen's Counsel.
The Prime Minister Helen Clark Must Apologise (Clear)
The National Party says it's now clear that Helen Clark was wrong when she accused police of racism in the shooting of a
Waitara man.
Waitara Officer Cleared (Clear)
Police officer who fatally shot a Waitara man in April will not face charges.
Two New Prisons In South Auckland (Xtra)
New prisons in South Auckland could assist rehab and lead to reduction in re-offending.
Employment Relations Bill Realities (Xtra)
The reality of the Employment Relations Bill dawns on employers and unions alike after it was passed through parliament yesterday.
Moves To Resolve Doctor's Dispute (Xtra)
Moves are underway to avert threatened strikes by junior doctors seeking a pay rise.
Cullen Hangs Hide Out To Dry (Xtra)
Finance Minister Michael Cullen has done his best to embarrass ACT's Rodney Hide.
National Accused Of Digging Own Dirt (Xtra)
Government junior whip Chris Carter has accused National of some dirt digging of its own.
Economist Welcomes OCR Decision (Xtra)
An economist says the Reserve Bank's decision not to increase the Official Cash Rate is a positive one.
Clark Quiet Over Waitara (Xtra)
Helen Clark is refusing to comment on the outcome of the police investigation into the Waitara shooting.
ACC Premiums Rise (Xtra)
The axing of competition for workers compensation has seen the rates for wool scourers increase.
The Minister in charge of ACC is Labours Michael Cullen and he says the organisation had looked at the accident rate of scourers over the year and adjusted the rates accordingly. Cullen also says their accident rate is three times higher than the average.
Dr Michael Cullen also admitted child care providers were
paying 300
percent higher premiums than anyone else in the early education sector.
Cullen said they were more accident prone.
Financial Update (Clear)
The Dow is down, while the Nasdaq has gained ground; the NZSE40 was ahead this morning; the Kiwi dollar is struggling;
short term interest rates have eased. The Kiwi dollar is struggling, after spending the last couple of days languishing under 44 US cents.
New Funding Formula For Schools (Xtra)
The Labour Government has announced how much schools will receive in funding next year, after the abolition of bulk funding.
New Prison For Dunedin (Xtra)
Work will start on looking for a site for the new Dunedin Prison later this year.
Greens Say Banning Public (Xtra)
Opinion Polls Ridiculous The Greens will oppose a bid by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters to ban opinion polls a month out from a general election.
School Funding Errors (Clear)
Many schools may have been given inaccurate details of how they are affected by a new funding package, Education
Minister, Trevor Mallard, has admitted.
Petrol Up (Clear)
Motorists are being hammered again - fuel prices are up another 3 cents per litre.
Auckland School Staff Reduction (Xtra)
One Auckland school's already having to look at a drop in staff numbers as a result of funding.
Maori Speaker Defends Use Of English (Xtra)
A fluent Maori speaker has dismissed the notion that his language should be used in legislation.
Call For Helen Clark To Apologise (Xtra)
There have been further demands for the PM to apologise over her comments on the Waitara incident.
Race Card An Issue Say Opposition (Xtra)
The Opposition says a Treaty clause in Health reform will lead to two classes of patient care.
Opposition Attack PM Over Waitara (Xtra)
A relentless attack on the Prime Minister this afternoon, over the Steven Wallace shooting.
Mother Jailed (Clear)
Mother who beat her young daughter to death sent to jail for five years.
Comment: This is shocking, this lady gets 5 years in jail for beating her child to death, she should get life in prison at least.
(Press) A 14-year-old suicidal drug addict was denied funding for treatment because of regional parochialism within the Health Funding Authority (HFA), says Hanmer Institute chairman John Beattie. Read More...
Violence In Prisons 'Appalling' (Press)
The total of 134 prison assaults and deaths in the last year is appalling, the Corrections Association says. Staff are
considering nationwide industrial action to protest about safety standards.
Schools Angry To Learn Of Funding Cuts (Press)
Several Canterbury schools tipped as "losers" in the new funding regime are angry they have heard nothing from the
Government.
Nats' Crusade Targets PM (Press)
National has gone into Crusader mode as it prepares to target Prime Minister Helen Clark in its fight back into power.
Home Sales Low For July (Press)
House sales dropped to their lowest level in 12 years during July, Real Estate Institute statistics show.
The latest One News Colmar Brunton poll is only 'just' in the
favour
of Labour.
The polled people were asked about the performance of the government,
47 per cent disapproved, a jump of nine per cent, while 43 per cent
approved.
Now there is only 1% is the difference between Labour and National.
The Alliance party, fell one point to go to four per cent which has
them about level with Act.
Helen Clark is still the prefered Prime Minister.
Military Upgrade (Clear)
The government's defence spending decisions will be announced this Wednesday - the army will be the big winner.
Silence Moves "Shameful" (Clear)
ACT has attacked the government for attempting to silence the head of Women’s Refuge.
National Closes The Gap (Clear)
The latest public opinion poll shows Labour has alienated a substantial number of voters.
Strikes Begin Tomorrow (Clear)
New Zealanders will get their first taste of serious industrial action under the ERA when doctors strike tomorrow at the
Northland Hospital.
Unions Uniting (Clear)
New Zealand’s two central trade union organisations have abandoned their past differences and will join forces.
Gangs plunder fisheries for Christchurch black market (Press)
Paua, crayfish, and rock lobster poached by Canterbury gangs is being sold on the black market to local restaurants, the
Fisheries Ministry says.
Lending a hand to Fijian refugees (Press)
Fiji is appealing for help from New Zealanders as economic hardship continues to bite.
Doctors' strike may widen (Press)
Canterbury Health will not lend any junior doctors to hospitals in the North Island facing strike action by staff, says chief
executive Richard Webb.
Petrol 'fill and flee' thefts rising (Press)
Rising petrol prices are driving some people to fill and flee.
Students in break-ups 'still liable for loan' (Press)
Students who live together in relationships lasting more than three years are likely to be left with each others' student-loan
debts if they break up under proposed law changes, Christchurch lawyers say.
Hospitals Meet (Clear)
A meeting of hospital representatives from around the country this morning hopes to come up with a solution to the current junior doctors’ pay dispute.
Matriarchal Society (Clear)
High Court judge, Silvia Cartwright, is New Zealand’s next Governor-General.
Petrol Price Problems (Clear)
Kiwi motorists are about to be hit by a double whammy - higher crude oil prices and a depreciated dollar.
Sharemarket Down (Clear)
General pessimism for the Kiwi economy has knocked the NZSE40 downwards again, after just a one-day recovery.
Trade Deficit $3.3B (Clear)
Figures released today show a larger than expected trade deficit
Mon 28 August 2000
Police Defend Their Actions (Xtra)
Police who came in for criticism of the way they handled shooting incident defend their actions.
Airbase Plans Up In the Air (Xtra)
The Labour Government defence plans to close the Hobsonville Airbase not what Waitakere MP wants.
More Doctors Set To Strike (Xtra)
GPs alerted as doctors begin strike at Waikato Hospital.
Volatile Outlook For SE40 (Xtra)
The SE40 is expected to make a sharp correction today but remain volatile for some time.
Healthlink South Face Being Sued (Xtra)
Healthlink South faces being sued by mother of child killed by ill father.
Government Considers Bailout (Xtra)
Possible bailout for NZers, stranded after going to Sydney to work as Olympic security guards
Elective Operations Cancelled (Xtra)
Waikato Hospital has cancelled about 300 elective operations due to strike action.
Heads Roll At LGNZ (Clear)
The top leadership of Local Government New Zealand has resigned, with some saying they have been the victims of a
political and media beat-up.
Fuel Price Hikes Coming (Clear)
Caltexs says the falling value of the Kiwi dollar will lead to a large jump in the price of petrol and diesel, some time in the
next two weeks.
H-Word Ruled Out (Clear)
Tariana Turia has told critics that she stands by her initial statement on the Holocaust, pointing out that she had used the past tense. The Associate Maori Affairs Minister, Tariana Turia, has given an assurance she’ll stop using the word "Holocaust" to describe the impact of colonisation on New Zealand's Maori people.
Comment: This lady obviously does not know the worlds history or she does not care, her comments in my opinion are shameful and shocking.
Gonorrhoea Rising (Clear)
Health officials are worried that the safe sex message is not getting through, as the number of gonorrhoea cases in the upper North Island continues to rise.
Samuels Seeks Inquiry (Clear)
ACT leader, Richard Prebble, has warned against a parliamentary inquiry into his role in the Samuels sex allegations.
Dollar In Trouble - Again (Clear)
The Kiwi dollar is at a record low and is close to dipping under 42 US cents.
Exports Grow But Not Enough (Clear)
Provisional figures show exports are up 15.6% on a year ago but the trade figures are still bad news as Kiwis continue to import heavily.
Financial Update (Clear)
The NZSE40 has produced more losses today, following the international markets into negative territory.
Spectrum Auction Accelerated (Clear)
Changes designed to speed up the Government’s spectrum auction have been approved after complaints from bidders that the pace was too slow.
Tax Take Shuffle (Clear)
The Greens want the extra GST gathered by the Labour Government from the higher petrol prices to be spent on public transport.
The Green Party transport spokesperson, Sue Kedgley, said the 30% climb in the price of petrol since January had boosted the amount the government collected from the 12.5 per cent tax by $25 million.
Timor Rampage (Clear)
Helen Clark, in New York for a UN summit, has met the Indonesian president to express New Zealand's concern at the killings yesterday in West Timor.
Dollar Dip Good (Clear)
The low level of the Kiwi dollar is just the right medicine required for the unbalanced New Zealand economy, says BERL.
Dollar Struggling (Clear)
The Kiwi currency is back under 42 US cents, after a brief recovery this afternoon.
Double Jeopardy (Clear)
There're predictions that oil prices could soon hit $US40 per barrel - just as the Kiwi dollar slides to record lows.
Job Losses At AMP (Clear)
AMP is to relocate its banking and customer service centre to Sydney, with 150 Kiwi jobs being affected by the move.
Low Dollar Benefits (Clear)
Kiwi exporters should quickly raise their prices to capture the benefits of the depreciated dollar, says the Employers' and Manufacturers' Association.
Monetary Union Raised (Clear)
Prime Minister, Helen Clark, has told a group of investors in New York that a common currency between New Zealand and Australia was worth investigating.
Rising Inflation Predicted (Clear)
The plummeting dollar will produce rising inflation, perhaps as high as 4-5% for all of next year, says the ANZ Bank.
Shares Ahead (Clear)
The NZSE40 has ended the week on an upward note but it was far from inspired.
Afternoon Recovery For Shares (Clear)
Kiwi investors shrugged off their negative morning sentiment to boost the NZSE40 late in the day.
Dollar Rallies (Clear)
The Kiwi dollar has turned in a fairly steady improvement for most of the day and is back over 42 US cents.
Downturn in Manufacturing (Clear)
After allowing for inflation, manufacturing sales volume dropped 0.6% in the June quarter.
Good Trade News (Clear)
There's been an unexpected improvement in export prices for the second quarter of the year, while the rise in import prices was lower than expected.
Interest Rate Pressure (Clear)
Interest rates are tipped to rise again before the end of the year in the wake of the weakening dollar, according to a report from Treasury officials.
R&D Fund Opens (Clear)
The Government's new $11.8 million grants scheme to help businesses carry out research and development opens for business today.
Strange Bedfellows (Clear)
Labour will need the support of National for a proposed free trade agreement with Singapore, after their traditional allies confirmed they won’t back it.
Tuesday, 12th September 2000
election. Richard Prebble, said the figures, which included 950 scientists and 700 doctors, indicated an acceleration of a trend made worse by government policies.
Flying The Coop (Clear)
More than 10,000 professionally qualified New Zealanders have left the country since the last election.
Reverse For Dollar (Clear)
The crippled Kiwi currency produced a substantial overnight rally but has been sold down late this morning.
Comment: Last week the dollar was down to 41 US cents.
Govt In Surplus (Clear)
Finance Minister, Michael Cullen, says the Government's accounts are set to move into a healthier position, with the
surplus this year larger than expected.
The NZ Dollar Kiwi dollar has slipped below 40 US cents again and again.
Go Ahead Given For GM Sheep (Xtra)
This has been approved by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.They will be field testing up to 100 sheep in a registered containment facility at Ruakura over a five year period.
Comment: I thought Labour didn't agree with GM testing?
Ruth Dyson Charged With Drunk Driving (Xtra)
Associate Health and ACC Minister Ruth Dyson was almost twice the legal limit when she was caught drunk driving.
Prime Minister Helen Clark says has not ruled out the possibility of reinstating her in the future.
Tax Revenue Slumps (Clear)
Latest figures show the government's tax take is down 12.1% on predictions, a large proportion of it a result of a huge decline in company tax.
New Zealand's Business Confidence Crashes Again (Clear)
New Zealand's business community is in the grip of pessimism and inflation expectations are at their highest in 10 years.
Cullen gets the Thumbs Down.
Drink, Drive, Resign (Clear)
Ms Ruth Dyson held the disabilities issues portfolio, and was also associate minister of social services and employment, health and accident insurance.
Comment:
Last week Ruth Dyson was lecturing Norm Hewitt the Wellington Lions rugby team captain about being a bad role model because he played the final quarter of the NPC final with a broken arm.
This week she has embarrassed Labour and New Zealand by working and drinking in her Parliamentary office then driving home.
Record Payout For Farmers (Clear)
Strong international demand and a weak Kiwi dollar have boosted returns for the dairy sector.
Confidence Crashes Again (Clear)
New Zealand's business community is in the grip of pessimism and inflation expectations are at their highest in 10 years.
Local Gloom (Clear)
Kiwi investors sold the NZSE40 down today, in the wake of the negative results from the National Bank’s business survey.
Bad Days Back (Clear)
Fast ferry services on Cook Strait will return to a monopoly on Friday after the operator of the Top Cat fast ferry quits New Zealand.
Exchange Rate Update (Clear)
The New Zealand dollar firmed somewhat overnight but it’s still under 40 US cents.
Who Can You trust? (Clear)
We trust them with the well being of the country but politicians are the group of professionals we trust the least, according to a new survey.
Comment: This is no surprise since both leaders of the main parties have been caught lying to the general public at least once.
It appears a lot has changed since the American President Clinton lied under oath and then still managed to keep his job as the US president.
Govt Not Soft On Drink-Driving (Xtra)
Prime Minister Helen Clark denies claims the Government's gone soft on drunken driving.
Comment:
An interesting article where Helen Clark says she does not approve of her MPs drinking on the job, but...
she says some like to have a drink at the end of the day and she has told them to get a cab home.
Peters Says Lee's Comments Off (Xtra)
Winston Peters says describing the colonisation of Maori as a holocaust shows a lack of understanding.
It was a holocaust - Love (The Evening Post)
Prominent Maori were today affirming the term holocaust to describe the invasion of Parihaka and the taking of thousands of
hectares of Taranaki land from Maori, despite continuing political fallout from use of the word.
Dyson's quick action should help get Clark through Christmas (The Dominion)
Criminal Complaint Against Prime Minister Helen Clark (Xtra)
At least 60 people infected with Hepatitis C from unscreened blood plan to lodge criminal complaints.
The vice president of the Haemophilia Foundation Mike Mapperson says both the politicians, Helen Clark and Simon Upton
were Health Ministers during the period when more than 250 people were infected with bad blood. He also said Helen Clark and Simon Upton refused to take international advice, and ensure the blood was screened.
Labour Minister Cullen Defends Tua Motion TKO (Xtra)
Michael Cullen is defending his move to stop a motion in Parliament to offer support to David Tua.
It was also said that Dr Cullen had also discouraged motions on the Melbourne Cup and the Paralympics.
Government Told To Pull Head Out Of The Sand (Xtra)
The New Zealand Labour Government has been told to pull its head out of the sand over compensation for people infected with Hepatitis C due to transfusions with unscreened blood.
Government Rents Slashed (Clear)
The return to income-related rents for state housing tenants is predicted to have a huge impact on low income earners.
Comment: Most of the state house tenants will pay no more than a 1/4 of their income in rent.
The cost taxpayers is expected to be over $90 million annually.
The Labour government says about 58% of state tenants will be between $20 and $80 a week better off and will also get a
partial refund of their bond, this would be an average of about $105 per household.
Mark Gosche (Housing Minister) said the Labour Government
would continue
to spend $700 to $800 million annually
on accommodation supplements for low-income earners.
Floodgates Opened, Says National (Clear)
Lump sum ACC payments of up to $100,000 for people who have suffered permanent physical, or mental, damage are set to return.
Sheriff's A-Coming (Clear)
The Labour government says the incoming Takeovers Code will help clean up the “Wild West” of the NZ sharemarket.
Anti Hacker Force (Clear)
The NZ Government may establish a specialist Information Technology security unit, says State Services Minister, Trevor Mallard.
Economy The Priority (Clear)
Transforming the New Zealand economy is high on the Labour Government’s agenda for the coming year.
Why Are We Waiting? (Clear)
After getting to go ahead the state-owned “Peoples’ Bank” proposal is still on the backburner.
We have to wonder "Whats the holdup?"
Exchange Rate Update (Clear)
There’s been little change in the value of the Kiwi dollar so far today – it’s currently at 43.57 US cents.
Jobs For Ex-Crims (Clear)
The Labour Government says employers will support a campaign to give criminals jobs.
Comment: Clark is at it again, looking after the crims.
Cash For Entrepreneurs (Clear)
The Labour Government is to channel millions of dollars from Crown Research Institutes into a venture capital fund, to help high risk business ventures.
Interest Rates Falling (Clear)
The battle to win the market share for home mortgages heated up today with AMP offering a one year fixed interest rate of 6.97 per cent.
Labour Holds Lead (Clear)
Labour is maintaining its lead over the National Party, according to the first political poll of the year.
MPs Put On the Gloves (Clear)
Parliament resumes today following the summer recess, with the economy expected to be at the centre of attention.
Country set to bask in dairy cash windfall (Herald)
The New Zealand economy is set to receive a billion-dollar boost from the pockets of dairy farmers with the announcement
yesterday of a boom payout. Dairy farmers will receive an average $70,000 increase in their incomes after a season
of strong world prices.
Court ruling today in vet-strike case (Press)
Today is D-Day for our farmers hoping to avert a meat industry veterinarians strike which they say will cost around $40 million a week and threaten one of their best seasons in years.
You can't fool us about waiting lists, Mrs King (Herald)
FRANCESCA MOLD takes a hard look at the Labour's Governments supposed "cut" in hospital waiting lists.
It seems that ore than 20,000 people disappeared from hospital waiting lists over three months last year.
Mrs King may have done some of that old "magic" and moved them elsewhere.
A detailed two-page statement trumpeted a 56 per cent drop in surgery queues landed on the desks of the media around the country on Sunday.
They found out with a phonecall to the Ministry of Health finds that the "residual" list has been phased out and has been
replaced by an "active review" list. They also had a graph that showed that in the same three-month period as the 20,000
disappeared off the old list, 17,637 were registered in the new category.
Last year only about 7000 extra operations were performed yet 20,000 people supposedly received treatment.
Magic indeed!
Francesca should be congratulated for this bit of journalism.
Square-off For Shipley and Clark (Xtra)
Politicians arrive back from their extended Christmas break today for the beginning of the parliamentary year.
Retail Sales Down (Clear)
NZ Retail sales in December 2000 were up 1% on the previous month, but the quarter produced the first decline in sales volume since the March, 1998, quarter, and what makes it worse is that if taken on an annual basis, the year 2000 produced the lowest annual increase in the inflation-adjusted trend series for a December year since 1991.
Government's Push For People's Bank (Clear)
The NZ Labour Government starts seeking support from other political parties today for the so-called "Kiwibank".
'Spin doctor' sorry for wait-list blunder (Herald)
The very embarrassed Annette King has apologised for "inadvertently misleading" people by wrongly claiming hospital waiting lists had shrunk by more than 20,000.
A U.S Ambassador swerves from Labour fundraising event (Herald)
United States Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun has cancelled an appearance at a farewell reception in Rotorua after discovering that ticket sales were to be poured into Labour Party campaign coffers.
The Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick yesterday had to admit that she had made a diplomatic blunder by using the ambassador as a drawcard to a fundraising event. Tickets were $35 each.
New Offer To Vets (Clear)
The striking MAF vets will today receive an "enhanced" pay offer, but not before the New Zealand meat industry is thrown into chaos.
Comment: They are after a 17% pay rise and they say they have not recieved a pay rise in ten years.
It has been suggested the strike is costing the economy $10 million a week.
INL Profits Slump (Clear)
New Zealand's largest publisher, Independent Newspapers, has turned in a profit of $13.98 million for the 6 months to December 31, down $10 million.
Meat Strike Continues (Clear)
Striking meat works vets have rejected a pay settlement proposal from the Ministry of Agriculture and are now under attack from the government.
Exchange Rate Update (Clear)
The slide in the value of the Kiwi dollar has been halted – it is now up to 42.80 US cents.
Death By A Thousand Cuts (Clear)
The National Party has today continued to drip-feed confidential details of the so-called Kiwibank.
Hundreds of Mark Middleton (Press)
supporters attending a "Life for a Life" rally in Christchurch cheered as their hero walked from the Auckland District Court a free man.
Fire death 'a tragedy' (Press)
Co-workers of an ill man who died in a Christchurch house fire are questioning why he did not receive assistance from health
services when he needed it.
Bunkle's folly (Press)
Phillida Bunkle's ministerial career hangs by the narrowest of threads, writes The Press in an editorial.
Comment: Some of the discussion in this article is about MS Bunkles resignation or sacking as a ministers by Ms Helen Clark.
One comment really stands out:
'The sharks are circling and as Dover Samuels discovered, Ms Helen Clark has a ruthless solution to wounded ministers who become political liabilities.'
Low-key Hero (Gay) outing (Press)
Labour MP for Christchurch Central Tim Barnett will be there and so will transsexual MP Georgina Beyer and Chris Carter.
Prime Minister Helen Clark will be watching from the stands , and Richard Davies, who owns the gay homestay in Golden Bay that outraged politicians last year, in a bathtub.
Will Richard Davies be naked?
"As far as I know, he will. I certainly hope so," said Green co-leader Rod Donald.
Mr Rod Donald and Keith Locke will follow along behind in more conservative clothes.
Comment: May the gods be merciful - these people are running our country!
NZ pilot dies as Skyhawk crashes (Herald)
A Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot was killed in Australia yesterday when an aerobatic manoeuvre in a Skyhawk fighter plane went wrong. The Skyhawk was built during the 1960s.
Comment: The pilots name is Squadron Leader Murray Neilson and he was the commanding officer of No 2 Squadron based at the Australian naval base in Nowra, 120km south of Sydney. Neilson was flying an aged A4-K Skyhawk.
The future of the Skyhawk fleet has been debated since the Government cancelled a deal to buy the modern F-16 fighters from the U.S. last year.
The Labour Government has considered scapping the Skyhawk planes they have stated that a decision is not necessary until closer to the year 2005, when the Skyhawks are due for a major overhaul.
Mediation Fails (Clear)
South Island waterfront pickets resume today.
Helen Clark Attacks Vets (Clear)
A push by MAF-employed meat works vets for a “preposterous” pay rise could lead to similar demands in the private sector, says Helen Clark.
Wealth Still Falling (Clear)
Kiwis have been borrowing more, while their assets have remained static.
Comalco Up By 88% (Clear)
Higher aluminium prices, a lower Kiwi dollar and increased output have produced a dramatic profit improvement for Comalco NZ.
KiwiBank Coming (Clear)
The government has given the green light to a government-owned bank, the first since the BNZ was sold.
Pilot Changes Crew
The new Chief Executive of Air New Zealand, Gary Toomey, has re-structured the company's senior management, as the airline nosedives to lower profits.
Profit Slump
Air New Zealand's profits have crashed from $127 million to just $3.8 million for the first six months of its financial year.
Rural Optimism Helps Cities (Clear)
The boom seen in the rural sector appears to be fuelling confidence in the wider Canterbury economy, according to a new survey.
Shipping Business Static (Clear)
Listed company, Ports of Auckland, lifted its profit by 2% in the half year to December 21 last year.
Strong Performance On NZSE (Clear)
A wide range of shares were up today, although the market was not especially busy.
Labour's hit man eats humble pie (Herald)
Labour MP Trevor Mallard, has been forced to make an embarrassing string of apologies for false accusations against close relatives of Opposition MPs.
Mr Mallard said "I asked for the information. I misinterpreted it. It's all my fault. I apologise for it."
Nationals MP Mr Lockwood Smith said the fax showed Labour had a "dirt file" of "unsubstantiated muck" about family members in connection with taxpayer-funded bodies.
Comment: A few years ago Jim Anderton made comments about this very thing, it appears some things don't change.
Second Skyhawk lost in Australia (Herald)
Another New Zealand Air Force Skyhawk has crashed, this one ditched into the ocean off Western Australia last night, the second New Zealand fighter jet to crash across the Tasman in a month. This time is was Flight Lieutenant Phillip Barnes, a 25-year-old from Rotorua, he ejected from the aircraft just before it crashed.
MPs to get warning over attacks on family members (Herald)
Weather Boosts Meridian (Clear)
The largest of the government-owned power generation companies has lifted its profits by 18.3% for the six months to December, 2000.
Christians Want Tax Cuts (Clear)
GST on food, power and local public transport should be reduced to help people on low incomes, according to a welfare organisation of mainstream churches.
Up, Up And Away! (Clear)
The Kiwi sharemarket soared today, breaking through the 2,100 barrier for the first time in seven months.
Double Billing Refund (Clear)
ACC is preparing to refund around $10 million to businesses which may have been double billed for premiums up to 21 years ago.
Housing Hopes (Clear)
The Real Estate Institute believes that rising sales are a sign the bearish housing market is coming out of hibernation.
Not my money, Davis says (Press)
Prime Minister Helen Clark's husband, Peter Davis, has revealed details of his $750,000 research grant in an effort to allay political and public criticism.
Christchurch State House tenant on $1300 a week and yearly income of $67,600 (Press)
One of New Zealand's richest State house tenants lives in Christchurch.
New Zealands richest State house tenant, who receives $2400 a week, lives in the Auckland suburb of Mangere.
Opposition housing spokesman David Carter said he had been refused answers to questions that
would have showed whether the tenants moved in recently or before the Government moved to income-related rents.
"If it's recent, that shows they are letting people into State housing who are not among the poorest," Carter said.
Nats Refuse Mallard's Apology (Xtra)
It appears the war over MPs' spouses and families is far from over, with National refusing to accept an apology from the Government.
Nats Claim Dirt Files On MPs (Xtra)
National is warning all political parties to watch their backs, floating the prospect of a "dirt file" secretly compiled by the Government.
Skyhawks Safe Despite 3rd Accident PM (Xtra)
Another Skyhawk accident - but the Prime Minister Helen Clark says the Air Force would not fly them if it didn't have confidence in them.
Comment: It looks like our lady at the top does not want to spend any money on the airforce. Prime Minister Helen Clark and Labour MP Mark Burton had better be careful. I hope more lives are not lost before something is done about this.
Air Force Losing Top Pilots (Xtra)
The Air Force is facing another crisis, with a large number of its top pilots leaving for more lucrative jobs.
(His father - Minister of Housing - Minister of Pacific Island Affairs - Member of Parliament for MaungakiekieTransport Minister - Hon Mark Goshe)
Jacob aged 19 pleaded guilty to 5 charges of dangerous driving, operating an unsafe vehicle and causing injury.
For these crimes he got this punishment:
200 hours of community service with a recommendation that he spend that time be served at the Otara Spinal Unit.
What crime did Jacob commit?
Last year (2000) Jacob was speeding on tyres that were nearly bald and under inflated (at an unsafe tyre pressure) and the cords were showing through the tyre, Jacob lost control of the car he was driving on the southern motorway (New Zealand) while speeding, and then crashed into a Sabaru car.
The Sabaru car then crashed through a safety barrier, through bushes, through a pipe and then a wire fence before finally stopping in an industrial yard. This happened August 19th 2000.
The results of the accident:
Jonathan Law (Ohope) was paralysed with a broken neck and four broken vertebrae.
Harley Delacey (Sandringham) suffered a fractured back and compressed vertebrae.
Jayden Moore (Whakatane) suffered lost muscle and an artery from his right leg and he needed skin grafts.
Daniel Mathews (Whakatane) suffered six broken ribs, a broken jaw, and a punctured lung.
Some of the occupants had to be cut free from the car.
Prior to this event Jacob had been given a traffic ticket for
the bad
state of his tyres, this was on July 15th.
Jacob had also previously has 50 demerit points for speeding, and a
$500 fine.
The police estimated that Jacob was travelling at 10 to 15 km/h faster than the Sabaru.
The Judge Barbara Morris did disqualify Jacob Goshe from
driving for
18 months.
Due to the fact we were not able to log into Xoom and upload new data some news events have been lost.
Lots of news has been happening:
Minister of Health Annette King daughter is going to court for having drugs.
New Prison At Te Kauwhata (Clear)
In an unguarded moment, the Minister of Corrections has revealed the hither-to secret site for a new Auckland prison.
We're Still Shopping (Clear)
The retailing sector remains buoyant – sales were up in April for the third consecutive month.
Praise For McIntyre (Clear)
The leaders of the two main political parties have paid tribute to the long-serving MP and former deputy Prime Minister, Duncan McIntyre, who died today.
No Hasty Fuel Decisions (Clear)
The Government says it won’t be making hasty decisions on regulations governing petrol and diesel products.
Emergency law to keep juries going (Herald)
The tiny Northland community of Kaikohe is running out of people to serve on juries.
With just under 7000 people registered on Kaikohe's jury...
More women have repeat abortions (Herald)
Citizenship not automatic in foreign adoptions (Herald)
Labour Crushes National (Clear)
If an election were held now, Labour could govern by itself, with over 60 seats to its name.
Ministry chided over disability payments (The Press)
A solo father forced to transport his severely disabled son 12km to school each day says the Ministry of Education
is welching on its promise to reimburse the costs.
Release may come early for Oakes (The Press)
The Christchurch woman who poisoned, suffocated, and buried her de facto husband is likely to be released from prison in September next year.
Abortion pill no magic bullet, warns experts (The Press)
The controversial abortion pill is not a "magic bullet" and could present legal and logistical problems if approved for use here, experts say.
Why Harre was in no hurry to reveal the price-tag (The Independent)
12 weeks' paid parental leave could cost taxpayers almost $100 million a year.
Outspoken Women's Refuge (Stuff)
head Merepeka Raukawa-Tait has given her strongest indication yet that she will put her hat in the ring for Wellington's mayoralty later this year.
Police appeal sacked (Stuff)
officer's reinstatement Police have appealed against a court order giving a sacked policeman who assaulted a
pensioner his job back.
It's Labour, but not as we know it (Stuff)
It's a measure of British Labour's election success that both New Zealand's main parties are trying to claim affinity with the winner, writes The Evening Post in an editorial.
Minister muzzles hospital chiefs (Herald)
Labour Health Minister Annette King has gagged her board chief executives, ordering them not to speak to the media about Government health policies.
Comment: I was amazed when I discovered that hospitals would receive an increase of only $900,000 and this is the reason relations between the Labour Health Minister Annette King and public hospital managers have been strained since the last Budget
Lawyers' behaviour draws ire of judge (Herald)
A senior judge has threatened to lodge formal complaints against tardy and disrespectful lawyers if their court behaviour does not improve....
Industry inquiry as power prices soar (Herald)
Soaring wholesale power prices have sparked an investigation of generating company pricing and a switch allowing more power to flow to the South Island.
$5m from Government to boost teacher numbers (Herald)
The Government has announced a $5 million package to encourage people into teaching, especially at a secondary
level.
Comment: This package includes allowances of up to $10,000 and will be offered for people who are willing to teach in hard to staff secondary school subjects including maths, computing, physical education and of Maori.
$6 Million To Terminate Mosquito (Xtra)
The Government will spend $6 million over the next four years to get rid of the Southern Saltmarsh Mosquito.
New Report Points To Poverty Trap (Xtra)
There is concern over a new report which has found children raised by single mothers are more likely to get trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Comment: Its hard to believe that they have only just figured this out.
Labour Govt "Mean-Spirited And Inhumane" (Xtra)
National is attacking the government for being mean-spirited and inhumane after refusing to reimburse a cancer patient who took herself across the Tasman for treatment.
Comment: Labours Health Minister Annette King said it the situation was the fault of the previous administration.
PPTA Critical Of Govt Teacher Recruitment Drive (Xtra)
New Zealand Secondary school teachers fear a Labour Government teacher recruitment drive falls short of what is needed to solve a nationwide shortage.
National Blames the Labour Govt For TVNZ Cash Woes (Xtra)
National blames the Government for Television New Zealand being cash-strapped and looking to cut costs.
Whakatane policeman on charge of perjury (Herald)
A Whakatane police sergeant appeared in the Whakatane District Court yesterday charged with perjury.
His name is Stephen John Tresidder.
Shortage causes rush of blood (Herald)
Blood stocks have fallen so low that blood is being rushed into hospitals the same day it is collected.
Normally, blood is collected, processed, tested and transported to hospitals 48 hours later.
$216m rescue plan for child aid (Herald)
On what would have been the seventh birthday of beaten Hastings boy James Whakaruru - a case that shot New Zealand's sorry family violence abuse statistics.
Christchurch prison escapers recaptured (Herald)
Two escapers from Christchurch's Paparua Prison have been recaptured after a short shopping trip into the city today.
Tai Gorrie, 17, and Samuel Pomare, 19.
Women Devastated At Bottrill Decision (Xtra)
Gisborne women seeking compensation from disgraced pathologist Michael Bottrill are devastated by a Court of Appeal decision.
The GE calf they wanted to kill (Herald)
New Zealand's first transgenic calves have been born at AgResearch's Ruakura research station, and three more are
expected in the next few days.
The researchers placed 51 embryos in 51 cows, and recorded 45 failed pregnancies.
The Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said that no appeal had been made against the approval, so the calves
were legal, she also said "We are not calling for anything to happen to the calves at the moment".
Super Scheme Nears Resolution (Xtra)
NZ First's insistence on the provision for personalised accounts remains the sticking point of the Government's Superannuation scheme.
Hodgson fears electricity cap in winter could kill (Herald)
People would die if the Government introduced a cap on electricity prices, Energy Minister Pete Hodgson warned
yesterday.
SOE Minister's (Mark Burton) answers under fire (Herald)
The Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Mark Burton, was accused by MPs yesterday of being evasive during a routine examination of issues in his portfolio.
Comment: Mark Burton is becoming very well known for not answering direct questions and being unavailable for comment.
Food Price Bite (Clear)
Food prices rose by the largest margin in over a decade in the year to May, according to new figures from Statistics New Zealand.
Dave O'Donnell, jailed for 15 months for stealing native trees (Stuff)
says the protection of West Coast rimu has been elevated above the protection of the unborn child.
Judge apportions blame in wharf tragedy case (Stuff)
Picketers and police had to take some of the blame for the death of Christine Clarke, said Justice Panckhurst when he
stopped short of jailing the man who ran her down on a Lyttelton picket line.
Labour Juggernaut Rolls On (Clear)
A second public poll in a week has given Labour a handsome
lead over
its main rival but its coalition partner, the Alliance, has again done
poorly at 3%.
Labour = 48%
National = 34%
Greens = 7%
Military firearms build-up (Stuff)
At least 4000 New Zealanders own military style semi-automatic firearms.
Health Minister's Daughter Remanded (Xtra)
The daughter of Health Minister Annette King has been remanded to appear in Taupo District Court in August on drug and driving charges.
Another Fatal Fire In Northland (Xtra)
It has been revealed there was no electricity at a Northland house which has been gutted by fire.
School bus driver sold cannabis tinnies to kids (Herald)
Comment: The informant who told the police about this bus driver selling cannabis to school children was shocked at the sentance the school bus driver got, he said "Cannabis is illegal and selling it to schoolchildren, that's disgusting, especially considering he's a bus driver. "It's actually quite a profitable business if you only get 60 hours for selling to school kids".
Monday July 02, 2001
Probation workers have voted to walk off the job again in support of their ongoing industrial dispute.
Boardroom Bustup At SOE (Clear)
The National Party has called for the chairman of NZ Post to resign, or be sacked, in the wake of reports of deep
divisions and bitterness at board level.
Mangakino community fears police struggling to cope (Herald)
Chairman’s Future In Balance (Clear)
Ross Armstrong's future as chairman of New Zealand Post could be decided today.
Clear Course (Clear)
The Minister of State Owned Enterprises Mark Burton, says he will identify a clear course of action tomorrow to settle the NZ Post board row.
Hook In Victory For Iwi (Clear)
The Privy Council has upheld the traditional tribal structure of Maori and rejected an appeal by urban Mäori groups over the allocation of fishing assets.
Rapist Sues (Clear)
A convicted rapist is preparing to sue the Department of Corrections for around $100,000 for being kept in prison illegally for 15 months.
Shares In Retreat (Clear)
The NZSE slipped 0.3% today on low turnover.
Religious "Hocus Pocus" Annoys MP (Xtra)
It has been revealed the public has been paying for Maori elders to fly around the world to spiritually cleanse new offices and embassies.
Comment: This is what is known to the Maori as "Tapu". I have read some good NZ history books about this subject.
I assume these 4 kaumatua (who are travel at taxpayers expense) are "cleansing" the offices etc.
Retirement Education Targets Students (Xtra)
The Government is committing $1.5 million to an education campaign designed to encourage New Zealanders to save.
Good News For Coffee Drinkers (Xtra)
There is good news for coffee drinkers - the price is falling.
Apple Growers In Tractor Protest (Xtra)
Apple growers in Hawke's Bay plan to take their tractors to town today in a protest against ENZA's plan to levy them over a $54 million debt.
Man Jailed Following Christchurch Attack (Xtra)
A man who sodomised and indecently assaulted a male teenager in a Christchurch park has been sentenced to preventive detention
Claims Inernational Whaling Commission Under Threat (Xtra)
Japan's Fisheries Agency claims the existence of the International Whaling Commission is under threat from New Zealand and Australia.
Massive Health Cuts Loom (Xtra)
The country's largest health board is planning cuts toservices as it struggles to deal with an expected $62 million funding shortfall.
Health Minister Annette King is refusing to comment on the Auckland cuts.
Auckland Faces Health Cuts (Clear)
A funding shortfall is forcing the Auckland District Health Board to slash services and cap staffing levels.
A firm of economic analysts claims that Natural Gas Corporation and United Networks Orion are overcharging consumers by $60 million yearly.
Richmond Going Green (Clear)
One of the country’s most successful meat processors wants a national standard for sustainable farming principles.
Te Reo Mäori Gets Own Channel (Clear)
The Labour government is to greatly boost its spending on Mäori television, which will soon have its own dedicated channel.
Labour leader Prime Minister, Helen Clark, and the Labour Maori Affairs Minister, Parekura Horomia, described the initiative as "an exciting new era in broadcasting".
Comment: What stunning news, the rest of New Zealand will have to pay for the very small Maori population to have its own T.V channel.
The cost will be a total of $40 million annually will be invested in Mäori TV, rising to $55 million by 2005.
This announcement comes at a time when hospitals are turning away patients because of lack of funds.
Look Elsewhere For Excitement (Clear)
The Kiwi sharemarket has begun the week as it ended last week – flat and uninspired.
Wednesday July 25, 2001
Clamp on private tertiary courses (Herald)
The Labour Government has cut off funding to all new privately owned education courses in an attempt to boost taxpayer money for the public sector.
Sutton warns pig farmers to end stalls (Herald)
Labour Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton delivered a strong warning to pork farmers yesterday on the phasing-out of sow stalls.
Auditor calls for rethink on MPs' pay and perks (Clear)
New Zealand Politicians' pay and perks face a big shake-up after an Auditor-General's inquiry found the system flawed and recommended taking decisions out of their hands.
Cancer Delays Reduced (Clear)
The Ministry of Health is claiming success in reducing the number of cancer patients waiting for radiation treatment.
Women plunging into the debt trap (Herald)
LORNA DUCKWORTH discovers the Madame Bovary syndrome, where women's spending far exceeds their ability to paythe bills.
Lincoln Professor, Peter Earl, a British-born economist, quits in disgust over pass-mark pressure (Herald)
Academics are pushed into giving pass marks to incompetent students and have no time for research, says the co-editor of an international economic journal who has quit New Zealand in disgust.
Another comment Professor Earl said was that he was forced to use graduate students as tutors but was not confident that all of them were up to the job - "Everything was being done on a shoestring," he said.
Bashing victim collapses and dies (Herald)
A businessman repeatedly punched in the head by a teenager during a robbery collapsed and died in front of police soon after.
Comment: This businessman was repeatedly punched in the head by a teenager during a robbery collapsed and died in front of police soon after. It appears he was punched by a large Pacific Island teenager who was with two friends.
He was 46 years old and the father of two children.
Jail objector alleges payoff offer (Herald)
A Labour government official allegedly offered $150,000 to buy off a Northland woman's opposition to the proposed Ngawha prison site.
Comment: But whats worse is that Auckland environmental lawyer Mr Paul Cavanagh QC, said yesterday that buyoffs to get projects off the ground were not illegal under the Resource Management Act.
Does this mean its legal in New Zealand for government officials to bribe people with tax payers money?
Businesses Hurt By Power Prices (Clear)
Soaring electricity prices are reported to be causing widespread financial damage to the business community.
The Government has announced a new $15 million community fund for Maori language projects.
Also $2 million a year will be available to groups for the next three years and the remaining money will be invested.
Upheaval in electricity and insurance threatens 500 jobs (Herald)
Up to 500 people will lose their jobs after insurance changes and chaos in the country's electricity markets.
University funding cutbacks rob knowledge banks (Herald)
New Zealand universities say million-dollar cuts to their libraries have depleted the country's knowledge banks and threaten New Zealand's bid to become a knowledge economy.
University libraries have had to make huge cuts in journal
subscriptions
in the past three years because of a lack of
New Zealand government funding, a falling exchange rate and a 30 per
cent increase in the cost of publications.
Power savings call 'not enough', says industry head (Herald)
A Labour government call for New Zealanders to cut power use by 10 per cent did not solve the main problem for troubled industries profiteering by electricity generators, says the manager of Hawke’s Bays largest electricity user, Pan Pan Forest Products.
GE report likely to stir Greens (Herald)
The Labour government faces a possible showdown with the Green Party next month after yesterday's report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification.
The Labour Government In No Danger (Clear)
Labour maintains a commanding lead over National in the latest NBR-Compaq poll.
The event that has had the most effect on the whole of the world is the terrorist attacks on the U.S.A
In New Zealand we have had many teenagers going to court for crimes and many female teenagers being involved in crimes. It was so bad that in Hamilton last month about half the assault crimes were done by females.
Labours ratings appear to be dropping as well.
Air New Zealand accused of removing Ansett records (Clear)
Air NZ accused ot taking Ansett staff records out of Aust to block access to them, commission orders airline to discuss trust fund.
Bosses take bonuses as Air NZ stumbles (Clear)
Prime Minister believes Air NZ executives should give back bonuses, says their "trying hard" has cost 16,000 jobs
Helen Clark won't pledge military support for USA (Clear)
Prime Minister Helen Clark is backing away from declaring that New Zealand will support the United States in any armed conflict
Defence Force called in to help at airports (Clear)
Defence Force staff have been called in to help with heightened security at the country's airports.
Government must hear all sides of the GE argument (Clear)
The National Party believes the Government must ensure New Zealanders hear all sides of the GE argument.
Greens accuse dairy giant of trying to blackmail Government (Clear)
Greens accuse dairy giant of trying to blackmail Government into allowing genetic modification field trials
Herald journalists settle dispute (Clear)
Herald journalists settle dispute over right to be included in collective contract, begin returning to work over weekend.
Ministry of Health accused of botching up the public health system (Clear)
Medical experts believe the Ministry of Health is botching up the public health system.
SIS line set up in New Zealand for information on possible terrorists (Clear)
An SIS line has been set up in New Zealand for people with information that could help with the fight against terrorism.
Second live Black Widow spider found (Clear)
Kaitaia shopper finds live Black Widow spider in imported Californian grapes - MAF suspends imports from same facility.
Some Air New Zealand flights face disruption today (Clear)
Some Air New Zealand flights face disruption today over continued industrial
action at Australian airports.
Ansett storm leaves PM Clark stranded (Herald)
Prime Minister Helen Clark headed for Auckland last night on an Air Force plane after furious Ansett airline workers
blockaded her commercial flight from Melbourne by parking a truck in front of her plane and taking the keys and locking the truck.
Shock at 12 year olds charged with murder (Clear)
The detective who heads an Auckland murder inquiry is shocked by its outcome, two 12 year olds charged with murder
Additional charges in Choy case (Clear)
The 6 young people charged with the murder of Auckland pizza delivery man Michael Choy have had additional
charges filed.
Six teenagers charged over Papakura murder (Clear)
Six Papakura teenagers arrested for Michael Choy murder, two others charged for robbing him as he
lay dying
Officials reassess to trace NZers missing in New York (Clear)
Officials trying to trace NZers still unaccounted for in New York will reassess the situation tonight; 100 missing not at risk.
Air NZ risks receivership over Ansett's debts (Herald)
Air New Zealand is in danger of being put into receivership and its rescue plan is on shaky ground because of mounting
pressure on it to cover Ansett employees' entitlements, sources said last night.
PM hints at more for spy agencies (Herald)
Spy agencies are likely to get more money from the Government to boost surveillance and intelligence gathering in the wake of last week's terrorist..