MIL OSI – Source: United Nations – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Syria’s war continues ‘unabated and with total impunity,’ Security Council told 26 February 2015 In a briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria, two senior United Nations relief officials warned today that as the conflict enters its fifth year, the violence and brutality continue unabated and with total impunity. Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Kyung-Wha Kang told the 15-member body that parties to the conflict continue to kill civilians and target critical infrastructure which condemn people to unnecessary suffering. Ms. Kang delivered remarks on behalf of Under Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valery Amos. Joining Ms. Kang was António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “Every month we report on the same violations. The numbers change, but the pattern remains the same. The parties to the conflict continue to act with impunity: killing and abducting civilians; denying access; removing vital supplies from convoys. This pattern must be broken,” Ms. Kang stressed. Over 2 million people in Aleppo and Dar’a Governorates have been affected by wilful denial of water and electricity by parties to the conflict this month. Of the 212,000 people who are besieged, in conditions that deteriorate every day, only 304 were reached with food in January. In other areas where conditions deteriorate every day, parties to the conflict severely restrict access to those in need. In Raqqa and Deir ez Zor, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has closed down the offices of several aid organisations, including the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. “Some 600,000 people have not received food assistance in these governorates since last December. The sick or wounded often have nowhere safe to get treatment,” said Ms. Kang. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has succeeded in sending life-saving medicine and medical supplies from Damascus to rural Aleppo for some 65,000 treatments but many of the surgical items including midwifery and reproductive kits were removed by Government security personnel at one of the checkpoints. The Council must do everything in its power to hold parties accountable and ensure that aid is delivered to people in need. Humanitarian organizations operating in besieged Syria and in neighbouring countries continue to reach millions of people every month. In January, some 3.4 million people were reached with food assistance while hundreds of thousands were also reached with medicines, household items and other supplies. “But it is not enough. More effort must be made to deescalate the violence, protect and enable humanitarian organisations to give more support,” the Special Coordinator said, emphasising the need to secure the freeze in fighting in some parties of Aleppo so that humanitarian agencies can deliver food, remove debris and get children back into school. Ms. Kang said she was extremely concerned that two UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) staff has been asked to leave the country without any reason given. “This will hinder our work tremendously,” she said, urging the Government to reverse its decision. OCHA’s response cannot keep up with the needs of Syria’s people because there is simply not enough funding. By the end of last year, the Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan for 2014 was just 48 per cent funded. Lack of funding has already forced the World Food Programme (WFP) to reduce rations by 30 per cent. And for every million dollars that WHO cannot raise in Syria, some 227,000 people lose vital health services. And unless urgent funding is received before May 2015, a million children will not be able to access education. Ms. Kang said she looked forward to the next pledging conference to be held on 31 March in Kuwait, expressing hope that the funds acquired there will make a difference on the ground. Echoing that sentiment, UNHCR head António Guterres, said that the Kuwait III conference will play a determining role in stabilizing the situation in the refugee hosting countries because international support has been far from keeping pace with the magnitude of needs. The Syrian refugee crisis has overwhelmed existing response capacities with 3.8 million registered in neighbouring countries. In Lebanon and Jordan, these populations have grown exponentially and Turkey is now the biggest refugee-hosting country in the world. “The continued growth in displacement is staggering. And the nature of the refugee crisis is changing. As the level of despair rises, the available protection space shrinks, we are approaching a dangerous turning point,” Mr. Guterres warned. Refugee resources are depleted and living conditions are drastically deteriorating. Host communities are severely overstretched. And the refugee influx has heavily impacted the economies and societies of Lebanon, Jordan and Northern Iraq in particular, overwhelming resources. Almost two million Syrian refugees under 18 years of age risk becoming a lost generation and many of the over 100,000 refugee children born in exile could become stateless under Syrian law. If not addressed properly, this crisis-in-the-making will have huge consequences for the region. Mr. Guterres also expressed concern over those risking their lives to find protection in Europe and called for flexible visa policies, expanded family reunification, academic scholarships and private sponsor schemes. – –]]>
Otago researcher wins prestigious Harkness Fellowship
MIL OSI –
Source: University of Otago – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Otago researcher wins prestigious Harkness Fellowship
Friday, 27 February 2015 11:51am
Dr Jennifer Moore
Dr Jennifer Moore from Otago’s Law Faculty, and the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, has won a prestigious Harkness Fellowship in Healthcare Policy and Practice.
As the recipient of the Commonwealth Fund-endowed Fellowship, Dr Moore will spend one year in the US researching alternatives to medical malpractice, starting in August 2015.
“I am thrilled to be the New Zealand 2015-2016 Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice. It is an honour to receive such a prestigious fellowship. The Commonwealth Fund and the Harkness programme have an outstanding reputation. Like the Commonwealth Fund, I’m committed to using high-quality research to improve health systems,” says Dr Moore.
Her multi-disciplinary research will aim to inform the design of communication-and-resolution programmes (CRPs) in the US. Such CRPs seek to identify and disclose medical injuries, improve quality of care, and offer apology and compensation.
“The core of the research is the impact of compensation on the doctor-patient relationship. I will collect data in New Zealand and the United States to investigate the factors that harm or help the doctor-patient relationship after a medical injury,” says Dr Moore.
“There is speculation and anecdotal evidence that recent ACC medical injury case law in New Zealand is discouraging doctors from assisting their patients to make claims with ACC. This will be the first empirical health law study in New Zealand to investigate that. So the findings will be useful for ACC policymakers, providers and injured patients here too. The results of the study will contribute to health policy and law reform both here and in the United States.”
Dr Moore says it is perfect timing to perform this research because the Obama administration has shown a keen interest in CRPs. This year, the United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality stated that they plan to continue developing CRPs, including an implementation toolkit and training modules. One major aim is for the research findings to inform these toolkits and modules, and the overall design of CRPs.
Dr Moore adds: “I have always wanted to work with the preeminent health law and policy scholars in the United States. My proposed US mentors, Professor Michelle Mello and Professor David Studdert, are unquestionably two of the leading empirical and theoretical scholars in my proposed area of research. My proposed home-country mentors, Dr Marie Bismark and Professor Peter Crampton, are both Harkness alumni with outstanding track records in health policy research.
“I’m delighted that I have received the Harkness Fellowship at this time. I have been following President Obama’s recent health reforms and waiting for the appropriate time to undertake my study. The time has arrived, and I cannot wait to begin the work!”
Dr Jennifer Moore
Faculty of Law
University of Otago
Email: jennifer.moore@otago.ac.nz
A list of Otago experts available for media comment is available elsewhere on this website.
Electronic addresses (including email accounts, instant messaging services, or telephone accounts) published on this page are for the sole purpose of contact with the individuals concerned, in their capacity as officers, employees or students of the University of Otago, or their respective organisation. Publication of any such electronic address is not to be taken as consent to receive unsolicited commercial electronic messages by the address holder.
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]]>Young man died avoiding large object in the road
MIL OSI –
Source: New Zealand Police – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Young man died avoiding large object in the road
Bay of Plenty
Police investigating a fatal crash on SH2 in Whakamarama are now able to confirm that the man who died was a French National in his 20s who had been in New Zealand since late last year.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing, but it appears that a large object fell from a truck into the path of the young man’s car. He had to take evasive action, swerving to the left to avoid colliding with the object. In doing so it appears he lost control of the vehicle veered back across the road and collided with a truck and trailer unit travelling in the opposite direction.
Police are currently liaising with family through the French Embassy. No further details about the young man will be released until Police are satisfied that all family notifications have been carried out.
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]]>Appointments to Lottery Distribution Committees
MIL OSI –
Source: New Zealand Government – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Appointments to Lottery Distribution Committees
Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced 13 new members to ten Lottery distribution committees with terms commencing on 2 March 2015.
“Distribution committees fund a range of great projects and programmes and make a major contribution to communities up and down the country. The new appointees bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and community connections, and will help ensure the committees continue to be well-placed to do their work”, says Mr Dunne.
- Kassandra Jackson from Wanaka and Joy Paterson from Twizel have been appointed to the Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Committee.
- Heather Tanguay JP from Auckland has been appointed to the Lottery Marae Heritage and Facilities Committee.
- Garth Clarricoats from New Plymouth has been appointed to the Lottery National Safety Committee and Lottery Outdoor Safety Committee – the two committees share the same membership.
- Dr Bridget Mosley has been appointed to the Lottery World War One Commemorations, Environment and Heritage Committee, and Bruce Hamilton has been promoted to Presiding Member.
- Jackie Black from Havelock North has been appointed to the Lottery Hawke’s Bay Community Committee.
- Hamish Walker from Dunedin and Margot Hishon from Winton have been appointed to the Lottery Otago/Southland Community Committee.
- Beverley Gibson from New Plymouth has been appointed to the Lottery Taranaki Community Committee.
- Jason Sebestian from Hamilton and Simon Lockwood from Cambridge have been appointed to the Lottery Waikato Community Committee, and Sue King is acting as Presiding Member.
- Elizabeth Sneyd from Wellington has been appointed to the Lottery Wellington/Wairarapa Community Committee.
Lottery Distribution Committees make grants for community purposes, using money allocated by the Lottery Grants Board from the profits of New Zealand lotteries. There are nine national committees focused on particular themes or issues and 11 regional committees with a general community focus.
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]]>Auckland building consents: Tragic
MIL OSI –
Source: New Zealand Labour Party – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Auckland building consents: Tragic
The only word to describe the latest building consent figures for Auckland is ‘tragic’, Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says.
“Whatever the Government is doing to address the Auckland housing crisis, it is clearly not working.
“Today’s data shows Auckland building consents have declined for two months in a row. The numbers of consents for the city are now less than half what they were in November: 967 in November, 630 in December, and 482 in January
“Nationwide, even on a seasonally-adjusted basis, consents fell 3.8 per cent this month. When you exclude the number for apartments – which include retirement villages and are prone to variation – they fell 7.5 per cent.
“At last month’s rate, Auckland would build only 5784 houses over a year when it needs 13,000 just to keep up with population growth.
“This pathetic build rate, combined with record immigration, banks falling over themselves to offer mortgage finance, and rampant property speculation, means Auckland’s out of control house price inflation will just continue under this National Government.”
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]]>Circus theme for Shakespeare’s King Lear
MIL OSI –
Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Circus theme for Shakespeare’s King Lear
Ralph Johnson as King Lear with Massey student Kat Sowerby playing the Fool, at a Summer Shakespeare rehearsal.
Director Jaime Dorner with King Lear played by Ralph Johnson
The tragedy of King Lear gets a makeover as a freak show/circus in this year’s Summer Shakespeare, directed by Chilean-born dramatist and Massey University Visiting Artist Jaime Dörner.
Dörner says the freak show concept – with a bearded Goneril and two-headed Regan as Lear’s avaricious daughters – is designed to bring out the grotesque aspects of the characters’ natures. Their husbands, the Dukes of Albany and Cornwall, assume circus personas as a strongman and knife-thrower.
And King Lear, played by seasoned thespian and drama teacher Ralph Johnson, will take on a freakish appearance with the help of makeup and prosthetics.
King Lear starts on Thursday, 5 March at the Victoria Esplanade Gardens in Palmerston North. Costumes have all been designed and made for the show, and gypsy-flavoured circus music composed by musical director Suzy Hawes will add to the colourful, carnival extravaganza.
Dörner, who is directing a Summer Shakespeare production in Palmerston North for the second time as a Massey University Visiting Artist (the first was A Midsummer Night’s Dream four years ago), says his aim was to create a strong aesthetic that would underpin the “outrageous” motivations of the Lear family, and the drama of the story.
The plot revolves around the decision of the elderly King Lear to divide his kingdom and wealth between his three daughters in return for a declaration of their affections. Greed, betrayal, madness and grief ensue as the family self-destructs and Lear teeters towards the realisation of what genuine love means.
Dörner, who has lived in New Zealand for nine years including seven in Palmerston North, says he was not a huge fan of Shakespeare when he first encountered his plays at high school in Chile, where he read the texts in Spanish translation.
In New Zealand, he discovered a passion for the narratives and language of the Bard, with Hamlet his all-time favourite.
Massey University third-year Bachelor of Arts (English) student Kat Sowerby, who plays the Fool and is one of several Massey students involved in the production, says performing on stage is a dream come true. She saw Dörner’s A Midsummer Nights’ Dream and longed to be up on stage but was too shy to consider acting then.
During her degree she has taken every theatre paper taught by award-winning playwright and School of English and Media Studies lecturer Associate Professor Angie Farrow and says she has gained a lot more confidence along the way.
She has discovered her love of literature – especially New Zealand fiction – and is hoping to do postgraduate study. Enrolling in a BA was the best decision, she says, as it has opened up numerous areas of interest. “I love learning, and see myself as a life-long learner.”
Ms Sowerby is one of three Fools – all played by women – in Dörner’s King Lear.
Set designer Leda Farrow is also applying her studies to the stage. She has a Fine Arts degree with First Class Honours from the College of Creative Arts in Wellington.
The production is Dörner’s final work as a director in Palmerston North. He is heading to Monash University in Melbourne to do a PhD on the cathartic and healing powers of theatre.
Dr Farrow says the Summer Shakespeare is very much a “town-gown production.”
Massey is the major sponsor of Summer Shakespeare, which is also supported by the city’s Creative Communities and Eastern Central Trust. It was initiated 13 years ago and is produced annually by the School of English and Media Studies.
Show details:
Dates: March 5 ,6,7,12,13, and 14
Time: 7.30pm
Entry: Free
Where: Victoria Esplanade Gardens, Fitzherbert Avenue, Palmerston North
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]]>Dwelling consents up in January
Headline: Dwelling consents up in January
The number of new dwellings consented was 3.6 percent higher in January 2015, compared with January 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today. Excluding apartments, this number was 6.8 percent lower.
A total of 1,703 new dwellings were consented in January 2015 (including 314 apartments).
The regions that consented the most new dwellings were:
- Auckland – 482 (including 112 apartments)
- Canterbury – 467 (including 42 apartments)
- Waikato – 180 (including 72 apartments).
“The trend for new dwellings is rising and is at its highest level since July 2007. Excluding apartments, the trend is flat,” business indicators manager Neil Kelly said.
The seasonally adjusted number of new dwellings consented decreased 3.8 percent in January 2015. Excluding apartments, this number fell 7.5 percent.
In unadjusted terms, nearly $1 billion of building work was consented in January – $645 million of residential work and $351 million of non-residential work.
Data for building consents is obtained from all territorial authorities.
We are changing what building consents statistics we publish. See Changes to our time series and classifications in the Data quality section of the information release.
Ends
For media enquiries contact: Neil Kelly, Christchurch 03 964 8700, info@stats.govt.nz
Authorised by Liz MacPherson, Government Statistician, 27 February 2015
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New toolkit to help DHBs in suicide prevention
Headline: New toolkit to help DHBs in suicide prevention
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a new resource released today is designed to help DHBs, in partnership with their communities, prevent and respond to suicide.
“Suicide is a serious concern for New Zealand. Around 500 New Zealanders take their own lives every year,” says Dr Coleman.
“While there is some evidence that overall suicide rates in New Zealand have declined over time, the rates remain too high, particularly for young people and Māori.”
The Ministry of Health, DHB staff, health professionals, community organisations, and experts in the field have co-developed a new web-resource which includes links to research, programmes and services.
The resource will help inform work underway in DHBs to reduce suicide rates and will be updated over time, with regular opportunities for DHBs to provide feedback and additions.
“We know that the factors that contribute to suicide are complex and there are no quick fixes. The work DHBs are doing to develop plans to help prevent and respond to suicide in their communities is an important part of a much wider work programme,” says Dr Coleman.
This new resource for DHBs is one of 30 initiatives in the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2013-2016.
The Plan builds on existing work in suicide prevention, with an emphasis on helping communities and frontline workers to identify and respond to suicidal behaviour, reducing the impact of suicide on communities, and building the capacity of Māori and Pasifika communities to prevent suicide.
Around $25 million has been allocated across eight Government agencies to implement these initiatives.
DHBs can access the free resource via the Ministry of Health website www.health.govt.nz.
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A whiff of a new biosecurity scandal?
Headline: A whiff of a new biosecurity scandal?
A pest which could create havoc for New Zealand’s horticulture and agriculture sector must be as much a focus for the Government as hunting out fruit flies, Labour’s Biosecurity spokesperson Damien O’Connor says.
“While the Ministry for Primary Industries is tearing around looking for fruit flies, an even worse pest – the brown marmorated stink bug – may be establishing itself here.”
Considered to be among the most destructive and invasive plant pests through Asia and the United States a number of the bugs have been found in New Zealand over the last six months.
“They live up to their name – they are voracious feeders and a colony here would put almost every crop at risk, including export fruit, produce for the domestic market and garden roses.
“A weak biosecurity system and lax border controls have now allowed two extremely aggressive plant pests to enter the country.
“This once again reeks of a Government failing to take the issue as seriously as it should,” Damien O’Connor says.
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R&D tax changes for SMEs & Bodies Corporate GST rules
Headline: R&D tax changes for SMEs & Bodies Corporate GST rules
KPMG welcomes R&D tax changes for SMEs, and GST rules for Bodies Corporate
KPMG says key changes in the Tax Bill released yesterday will be welcomed by business.
The key proposal in the Tax Bill is to allow start-up businesses undertaking R&D to cash up their tax losses.
“The proposal, announced in last year’s Budget, will be welcomed by start-ups in the high-tech sectors, as it will provide some additional cash flow when the business needs it most”, says Paul McPadden, National Managing Partner of KPMG Private Enterprise. However, he advises caution as the refunds will be capped and the business will also need to meet certain other requirements to qualify for relief.
“One of the challenges for business is understanding the different types of Government assistance available”, says McPadden. He says businesses need to do their homework as the Government has committed significant funding for R&D and innovation over the last few years, through grants and other means, but only a fraction of this is currently being accessed.
“One of the first steps should be talking to your business advisor. There is also a role for the Government agencies responsible for this funding to better link with business and their advisors”, according to McPadden.
“The Government has also listened to concerns about the GST treatment of bodies corporate and introduced proposals which are more workable”, says Peter Scott, KPMG GST Partner.
The concern is whether fees for services provided to members (such as building maintenance, insurance, and security) are subject to GST and, correspondingly, whether a body corporate can claim back the GST on costs incurred. IRD released a view last year saying they were, which caused concern as some bodies corporate were claiming and paying GST while others were not. In response the Government consulted on a possible legislative change in June 2014.
“The result of that consultation, the proposal in the Tax Bill, clarifies that previous GST positions do not have to be revisited”, says Scott.
That is, if a body corporate has previously registered for GST it can continue to pay (and claim back) GST, while those that have not can either remain unregistered or GST register with accompanying tax obligations.
“This is a considerable improvement over the Government’s original proposal, which was to treat bodies corporate members’ fees as GST exempt in all cases and deny GST claims on bodies corporate expenditure”, says Scott. “That would have resulted in considerable compliance costs, including having to repay GST refunds and/or claim back GST already paid. We therefore welcome the change of approach.”
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Antarctic trawl nets deep data
Headline: Video: Antarctic trawl nets deep data
NIWA scientists aboard RV Tangaroa have been trawling the central Ross Sea calculating the abundance of the prey species.
The trawl through the Antarctic waters at about 72 degrees south, concentrates on the area where about 3000 tonnes of toothfish are harvested each year. The catch revealed rattails, icefish, glacial squid, and silverfish and a number of unusual fish and inverterbrates.
While the scientists are less interested in the toothfish than in the health and abundance of the fish they feed on, they did catch a healthy specimen during the trawl. The fish was measured, tagged and released according to CAMLAR protocols.
Tangaroa is four weeks into a six-week research voyage investigating the foodwebs that support the oceans top predators – humpback whales, blue whales and toothfish.
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More medicines for rare disorders to be funded
Headline: More medicines for rare disorders to be funded
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says people with rare disorders will benefit from Pharmac’s new funding approach for rare disorders medicines.
Pharmac has announced that 28 proposals from eight suppliers emerged from its request for proposals for rare disorders medicines.
“Pharmac’s new process for rare disorders medicines aims to encourage competition and remove barriers to better access to rare disorders medicines,” says Dr Coleman.
“Providing access to medicines for very small groups of patients is a shared responsibility. It is encouraging that so many suppliers have stepped up and engaged with Pharmac to develop new funding options.
“I look forward to Pharmac concluding negotiations over the next few months so that New Zealanders can gain benefits from these medicines.”
Pharmac has identified up to $5 million per year for the next five years for funding a rare disorders contestable pilot. Proposals from suppliers were sought in August 2014.
Each medicine funding proposal will be subject to public consultation. The first decisions are likely to be made in mid 2015.
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NZ Super Fund files English legal proceedings in Oak Finance matter
MIL OSI –
Source: New Zealand Superannuation Fund – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: NZ Super Fund files English legal proceedings in Oak Finance matter
New Zealand Superannuation Fund confirmed today that it had filed debt recovery proceedings in the English courts against Novo Banco.
The Oak Finance investors will also shortly be filing public law proceedings in Portugal against the Bank of Portugal, challenging the validity of the Bank’s decision purporting to retransfer the Oak Finance loan, with retroactive effect, from Novo Banco to Banco Espirito Santo.
Ends
Editors: please note that further comments will be limited due to legal proceedings.
Media contact:
Catherine Etheredge, Head of Communications, NZ Super Fund, cetheredge@nzsuperfund.co.nz, +64 274 777 501
Glen Cameron, European media contact, +44 7500 058 202, glen.cameron@sweeneyvesty.com
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]]>Security Council condemns abduction of Syrian Christians by ISIL
MIL OSI –
Source: United Nations 4 – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Security Council condemns abduction of Syrian Christians by ISIL
26 February 2015 The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the abduction of more than 100 Assyrians, as well as the destruction and desecration of Christian and other sites in northeast Syria this week by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
“Such crimes once again demonstrate the brutality of ISIL which is responsible for thousands of crimes and abuses against people from all faiths, ethnicities and nationalities and without regard to any basic value of humanity,” the 15-member UN body said in a statement issued to the press yesterday evening and which refereed to the group by its its Arabic acronym, Da’esh.
ISIL/Da’esh militants have reportedly taken hostage more than 200 Assyrians as they stormed villages in northeast Syria this week.
In their statement, Council members demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those abducted by ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, and stressed that those responsible for such heinous acts must be held accountable.
The Security Council also strongly condemned all acts of violence against civilians including those committed on the basis of their ethnicity, religion or belief.
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7 out of 10 Doctors: Climate Change Is Already Harming Patients’ Health
MIL OSI –
Source: United States White House – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: 7 out of 10 Doctors: Climate Change Is Already Harming Patients’ Health
Brian Deese
February 26, 2015
02:08 PM EST
Two-thirds of the American people believe climate change is a serious problem, and that the government should take action to address it. It shouldn’t be surprising that our nation’s doctors do, too — nearly 90 percent of them.
Today, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) will hit the halls of Congress to educate our representatives about a new survey of more than 900 ATS members, which found the majority of doctors believe climate change is already negatively affecting the health of their patients. In fact, 77 percent of respondents reported that increases in air pollution due to climate change are worsening the severity of illnesses in their patients, and they expect these health impacts will further increase in the future.
ATS members also indicated that their patients are experiencing other climate-related health problems — including injuries due to severe weather, allergic reactions, and heat-related impacts. These findings are in line with the results of a survey of the National Medical Association’s members last year, which also found that the sick, elderly, and people living below the poverty line will be disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Already, 1 in 10 children in the U.S. suffers from asthma. Heat-related health problems are growing. Pollen concentrations are up. Rising temperatures are only going to bring more smog, more asthma, and longer allergy seasons that put more Americans at greater risk of landing in the hospital.
As the evidence shows us, we can’t stand on the sidelines and be the first generation to fail at that most basic human instinct — to leave our children a safer, more prosperous world.
That is why we are so committed to executing the President’s Climate Action Plan.
To learn more about how the Obama administration is acting on climate, visit WhiteHouse.gov/climate-change.
Brian Deese is Senior Advisor to President Obama.
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Audio+Text: New Zealand Report – Australia’s Five AA: NZ PM Criticised For Deployment to Iraq
Selwyn Manning.[/caption]
Audio/Text: New Zealand Report with Selwyn Manning, Dave Penberthy, Jane Reilly and Mark Aiston. Recorded live on 27/02/15. Item One: Australia and New Zealand prime ministers meet to discuss terrorism and security. Item Two: World Cup Cricket Australia V New Zealand!
Back in Australia Tony Abbott’s hold on the prime ministerial leadership is again under threat, but here in New Zealand it will be business as usual as he meets with the Kiwi Prime Minister John Key in the annual Australia NZ leaders’ bilateral meeting. Terrorism and both domestic and international security will be the significant issues to be discussed.
ITEM ONE:
Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott is in New Zealand today (Friday) for the annual Australia-New Zealand leaders’s meeting.
Significantly, Abbott and New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key will discuss the terrorism threat confronting both countries, domestic security operations and legislation, the Australia and New Zealand military deployments to Iraq, and the legalities of our own defence forces providing the necessary security for themselves.
This week, the New Zealand Government committed 143 personnel to deploy to Iraq for a maximum of two years – but only 16 or the 143 personnel are actually trainers.
While, unlike Abbott, John Key enjoys strong popularity on his home turf, this week he has been strongly criticised for his decision to commit New Zealand to this conflict against Islamic State.
The country is divided in the issue. In the Legislature, 60 members supported going to Iraq, 60 opposed the decision.
Public polls reported 49 percent in support, 43 percent against joining the conflict.
(Contrast this to solid public and political support for New Zealand’s role in RAMSI, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. Kiwis seem to remember there was little extra-regional military support for the Solomons crisis, nor was an international contingent forthcoming when Australia and New Zealand deployed to East Timor in 1999 onwards.)
However, John Key was clearly keen to send soldiers to this Iraq conflict, even without a United Nations security council resolution.
And his leadership on the matter has been wanting. He continues to insist New Zealand’s specialised SAS combat troopers will not be sent to Iraq, while insisting the NZ contingent based in Taji base north of Baghdad will be provided security. The trouble is, Key will not detail who will provide that security.
When it came to making a formal decision, the Prime Minister dithered, was hesitant, was less forthcoming with the New Zealand public than were visiting foreign ministers. In short, he failed to convince Kiwis that New Zealand Government was operating in-line with its well paraded independent foreign policy.
Critics have lined up against Key from all sides of this debate.
ITEM TWO:
The weather looks perfect for Saturday’s Cricket World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand at Eden Park here in Auckland.
And during the innings break of Saturday’s game, New Zealand cricketing great, master batsman, Martin Crowe, will be inducted into the International Cricket Council’s hall of fame.
Only two other Kiwis have been given the honour, Sir Richard Hadlee and Debbie Hockley.
Martin Crowe played 77 tests, scoring 5444 test runs at an average of 45.36, including 17 centuries, the most by a New Zealander.
Crowe also played 143 one-day internationals, scoring 4704 runs at an average of 38.55.
New Zealand Report broadcasts live on FiveAA Australia, and webcasts on LiveNews.co.nz and ForeignAffairs.co.nz.
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US astronauts step out on spacewalk
MIL OSI –
Source: China State Council Information Office – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: US astronauts step out on spacewalk
US astronauts step out on spacewalk [NASA] Two American astronauts yesterday stepped out on the second of three spacewalks to prepare the International Space Station for the arrival of commercial capsules ferrying astronauts in the coming years.
Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and flight engineer Terry Virts emerged from the station airlock after placing their suits on internal battery power at 6:51am, NASA said.
The astronauts are both wearing helmet cameras that allow viewers on Earth to experience the spacewalkers’ perspective, as part of a live broadcast on NASA television and on its website.
The team’s goal for the six-and-a-half hour spacewalk is to route two bundles of cable, lubricate parts of the space station’s robotic arm and prepare for another operation later this year to move modules around at the orbiting outpost.
The lubrication of the end of the Canadian-made robotic arm, called Canadarm, will take about three hours, said NASA commentator Rob Navias.
The work aims to set up additional docking ports, which are essentially parking spots for space taxis, at the ISS for the arrival of more crew-carrying spacecraft.
Boeing plans to send its first astronaut to space aboard the CST-100 spaceship in late 2017, followed by SpaceX soon after.
During the first outing by Wilmore and Virts on Saturday, the pair routed 110 meters of cable, with goal of setting up 213 meters by the end of the final spacewalk of this series on Sunday.
Several more spacewalks in the coming months will help get the station ready for the arrival of a pair of international docking adapters that will be delivered later this year. Traffic to the ISS is expected to increase once private industries like SpaceX and Boeing get their crew capsules up and running.
The flights will restore US access to the orbiting lab where global crews of astronauts live together for six months at a time. The retirement of the 30-year space shuttle program in 2011 left the United States without a spaceship that could send astronauts to low-Earth orbit.
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Trio of quakes shake New Zealand
Headline: Trio of quakes shake New Zealand
A trio of earthquakes have shaken parts of New Zealand this morning.
A magnitude 4.8 quake struck 105 kilometres north of White Island in the Bay of Plenty, at a depth of 30km just after 8.30am, GeoNet said.
GeoNet It described the quake’s intensity as “moderate” and 30 minutes after the jolt 20 people reported to GeoNet’s website that they had felt it.
It followed a 4.7 quake at almost exactly the same spot on Monday.
Earlier this morning, two quakes struck the South Island.
At 1.29am, there was a 4.8 earthquake 75 km west of Te Anau, Fiordland, at a depth of 14km. Fourteen people said they felt that one.
Then at 1.40am, a 4.6 earthquake was detected 45km east of St Arnaud, in the Tasman District, at a depth of 24km. More than 100 people said they felt this quake, with the majority in Nelson/Marlborough.
[View the stuff website news page]
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NZ Super Fund performing well, breaks $28 billion mark
Headline: NZ Super Fund performing well, breaks $28 billion mark
Comments from Mr Gavin Walker, Chairman, and Adrian Orr, Chief Executive of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, during today’s regular scheduled appearance before the Commerce Select Committee.
Gavin Walker, the Chairman of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, the Crown entity that manages the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, today told the Commerce Select Committee that the Fund was continuing to perform well.
Mr Walker said that as at 20 February the Fund stood at $28.8 billion, and had gained $4.4 billion (pre NZ tax) over the past 12 months, a gain that includes the precautionary write-down of the US$150 million Oak Finance loan.
“The Fund’s 17.47% return over the last twelve months is exceptional,” said Mr Walker.
Noting that returns over the last few years had been very strong, 18.72% p.a. over the three years to 20 February 2015, Mr Walker said the Guardians remained confident that the Fund would continue to exceed its performance benchmarks.
“However, it’s important to note that future returns are likely to be more modest,” said Mr Walker. “Over the long term the Fund is expected to generate average returns of 8% – 9% a year, based on current portfolio settings.”
Mr Walker commended to the Committee a statutory independent review of the Guardians and Fund by Promontory Financial Group, which was completed during 2014. Promontory’s overall assessment is that “the Guardians run a very professional operation. The Board is strong and the quality of professional staff is impressive, especially for a small market such as New Zealand. The Guardians’ approach to investing the Fund is intellectually sophisticated, consistent and disciplined.”
The report noted that “the Guardians were among a minority of fund managers globally who had been successful in adding substantial value above their benchmarks over a sustained period of time.”
Promontory also confirmed that “the Guardians has implemented appropriate investment systems and controls to manage risk and reduce costs.”
Chief Executive Adrian Orr addressed a range of operational issues.
In regards to Oak Finance, he said: “We are energetically pursuing all appropriate steps to recover the money that we strongly believe is legally owed to the Fund.”
Mr Orr noted that while the sum of money involved is substantial, the Fund was well-diversified and the impact on total Fund performance was minor.
“The strategy of which this investment is part has contributed $900 million to the Fund since it commenced in mid-2009, even after our conservative, precautionary, Oak Finance write-down.”
ENDS
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Seven arrested in drugs operation
Headline: Seven arrested in drugs operation
Thursday, 26 February 2015 – 3:57pm
Seven people have been arrested during the termination of a drugs operation in Taupo and Tokoroa.
Operation Duet began approximately two months ago and culminated this week in a series of search warrants.
Five searches were carried out at properties in Taupo yesterday (Wednesday, 25 February). A small amount of cash, stolen property, drugs and ammunition was located. Three local men aged 28, 29 and 40 have appeared in court on a number of charges of supplying methamphetamine and have been remanded in custody.
A further five searches were carried out today in Tokoroa where more cash, drugs and ammunition were located. One man aged 44 will appear in court tomorrow charged with offering to supply methamphetamine and supply of cannabis. Two women aged 27 and 28, and one man aged 26 will appear in court next week on drugs charges relating to methamphetamine and synthetic cannabis.
Approximately 20 officers were involved from across the District on each of the two days. Police have not ruled out further arrests.
Detective Senior Sergeant Graham Perks said: “More often than not these operations are made possible by the public providing us with information about illegal activity. This shows that the majority of people do not want their children and families living in communities blighted by the harm that drugs cause. We will continue to look for opportunities to minimise that harm and to play our role in nurturing safer families and safer communities.”
If you have information about any drug activity you should contact your local police. Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.
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iPredict Update: Kiwi Dollar To Reach Parity With Aussie Dollar In 2015
MIL OSI –
KIWI DOLLAR TO REACH PARITY WITH AUSSIE DOLLAR IN 2015
The New Zealand dollar will reach parity with the Australian dollar in 2015 and there is just over a 50% probability it will do so by the end of June, according to the combined wisdom of the 8000+ registered traders on New Zealand’s predictions market, iPredict. It is again more likely than not there will be a cut in the New Zealand Official Cash Rate in 2015. Greece is now more strongly expected to stay in the Euro through 2015. The next Australian Federal Election is 50:50, but is expected to be between Labor’s Bill Shorten and the Liberals’ Malcolm Turnbull. Winston Peters is not expected to stand in the Northland by-election, which is strongly expected to be won by National. Kevin Hague is overwhelmingly picked to be the next male co-leader of the New Zealand Greens.
Northland By-election:
· Winston Peters is not expected to be the NZ First candidate for the Northland by-election (only a 40% probability he will be, up from 33% last week)
· Labour candidate expected to win more than 25.89% of the vote in the Northland by-election (60% probability Labour will beat this score, down from 87% last week)
· Coin toss over whether National candidate will win more than 50% of the vote in the Northland by-election (50% probability National candidate will beat this score, down from 70% last week)
· Only 5% probability a candidate from other National or Labour will win Northland by-election (down from 5% last week)
New Zealand Politics:
· Kevin Hague overwhelmingly favoured to be next Green Party co-leader (95% probability)
· John Key is expected to remain National leader until at least the end of 2016 (80% probability, up from 79% last week) and has a 49% probability of remaining National leader until at least the end of 2017 (steady compared with last week)
· Steven Joyce remains favourite to become National Party leader if a vacancy arises (29%, up from 27% last week), followed by Paula Bennett (26%, up from 24%) and Amy Adams (12%, up from 11%)
· Stocks on Andrew Little’s longevity as leader of the Labour Party will be launched in the near future
· Judith Collins expected to be appointed to Cabinet before next election (60% probability, down from 62% last week)
· Next election expected in 2017 (92% probability, steady compared with last week)
· Forecast party vote shares at next election:
o National 45.2% (steady compared with last week)
o Labour 32.1% (up from 32.0%)
o Greens 11.1% (steady)
o NZ First 6.9% (steady)
o Others 4.7% (down from 4.8%)
· National expected to win 2017 General Election (55% probability, down from 57% last week)
· Wellington councils not expected to be amalgamated by end of 2015 (only 43% probability they will be)
New Zealand Economics:
· New Zealand dollar expected to reach parity with Australian dollar by the end of 2015 (75% probability) and may reach parity by end of June 2015 (53% probability)
· Quarterly GDP growth expected to be:
o 0.7% in the March quarter (steady compared with last week)
o 1.1% in the June quarter (steady)
o 1.1% in the September quarter (steady)
o 1.1% in the December quarter (steady)
· Annual growth expected to be 4.0% in the 2015 calendar year (steady compared with last week)
· Unemployment expected to be:
o 5.4% in the March quarter (steady compared with last week)
o 5.3% in the June quarter (steady)
o 5.2% in the September quarter (steady)
o 5.3% in the December quarter (steady)
· Current account deficit expected to be 3.5% of GDP in the December quarter (steady compared with last week) and 3.4% in the March quarter (steady)
· Annual inflation expected to be:
o 0.3% to end of March 2015 quarter (steady compared with last week)
o 0.6% to end of June 2015 quarter (steady)
o 0.8% to end of September 2015 quarter (steady)
o 1.0% to end of December 2015 quarter (steady)
· Official Cash Rate priced to be:
o 3.495% on 12 March (up from 3.491%)
o 3.488% on 30 April (up from 3.486%)
o 3.450% on 11 June (down from 3.451%)
o 3.424% on 23 July (up from 3.421%)
o 3.386% on 10 September (down from 3.395%)
o 3.367% on 29 October (down from 3.376%)
o 3.372% on 10 December 2015 (down from 3.380%)
o This implies the OCR is more likely than not to be cut on 29 October (compared with it being more likely than not to remain at 3.50% throughout the calendar year last week)
o OCR stocks out to June 2016 will be launched in the near future
· Only 17% probability of a fiscal surplus in 2014/15 (down from 18% last week)
· Fiscal balance expected to be:
o -0.17% of GDP in 2014/15 (steady compared with last week)
o 0.85% of GDP in 2015/16 (up from 0.75%)
o 1.98% of GDP in 2016/17 (steady)
o 2.38% of GDP in 2017/18 (steady)
· There is only a 55% probability Fonterra’s payout in 2015/16 will be above $6.00 (before retentions)
Foreign Affairs/Constitution:
· Next UK Parliament expected to consist of:
o Conservatives 37.9% of seats in the House of Commons (steady compared with last week)
o Labour 37.1% of seats (steady)
o Nationalist parties 6.6% of seats (steady)
o UKIP and similar 5.7% of seats (steady)
o Liberal Democrats 4.9% of seats (steady)
o Unionist parties 2.1% of seats (steady
o Green and similar 1.9% of seats (steady)
o Independents and Speaker 1.9% of seats (steady)
o All others 2.0% of seats (steady)
· David Cameron expected to be prime minister after next UK election (57% probability, up from 55% last week)
· Boris Johnson expected to be elected to UK House of Commons this year (92% probability, down from 95% last week)
· Socialist Workers’ Party expected to defeat People’s Party in next Spanish election (60% probability, steady compared with last week)
· All Eurozone countries, including Greece, expected to remain in Euro in 2015 (only 13% probability of an announcement of a departure this year, down from 29% last week)
· Tony Abbott is expected to remain leader of the Australian Liberal Party until 1 July 2015 (only 23% probability of departing before then, up from 20% last week) but be replaced by Malcolm Turnbull as leader of the Australian Liberal Party by nomination day (69% probability Turnbull will be leader on that day, up from 60% last week)
· Bill Shorten expected to be Labor leader at next Australian federal election (90% probability)
· Coin toss between Liberals and Labor for next Australian Federal election in 2016 (both on 50%, steady compared with last week)
· Hillary Clinton is favoured to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for US president in 2016 and to be elected to that office (48% probability, up form 46% last week). Jeb Bush has a 39% probability of being the Republican nominee (steady compared with last week) followed by Scott Walker (20% probability, down from 25% last week)
· There is only a 31% probability New Zealand will sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership this year (up from 25% last week), and the Trans-Pacific Partnership is not expected to be ratified by the US Congress before 1 July 2017 (only 31% probability it will be, steady compared with last week)
· Helen Clark’s prospects of being the next UN Secretary General are 25% (down from 27% last week)
· There is a 13% probability New Zealand will become a republic by 2020 (down from 15% last week)
Notes:
· iPredict Ltd is owned by Victoria University of Wellington. Details on the company and its stocks can be found at www.ipredict.co.nz.
· The weekly economic and political update is prepared by Exceltium Ltd on a pro bono basis and is based on a snapshot taken at a random time each week. This week’s was taken at 10.46 am today.
150226-1046-Economic-and-Political-Update-FINAL.pdfExport values fall despite higher meat and dairy quantities
MIL OSI –
Source: Statistics New Zealand – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Export values fall despite higher meat and dairy quantities
Total goods exports were down $371 million (9.1 percent) to $3.7 billion in January 2015 compared with January 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today.
Milk powder, butter, and cheese exports drove the fall, down 30 percent, led by lower prices. The quantity of dairy products exported rose 2.9 percent, led by cheese and butter, however the quantity of milk powder exported fell 3.1 percent.
“Lower milk powder prices in the last five months, compared with the same months a year earlier, are the main reason exports have been falling,” international statistics manager Jason Attewell said. “Although export values fell, we saw record quantities of dairy and meat exports for a January month.”
A 20 percent rise in meat exports partly offset the fall in monthly exports, led by frozen beef, up 53 percent.
Imports fell $142 million (3.8 percent), to $3.6 billion. The fall was led by intermediate goods (such as crude oil and automotive diesel), down 9.8 percent. The monthly trade balance for January was a surplus of $56 million (1.5 percent of exports).
Seasonally adjusted exports rose 2.7 percent in January 2015, led by increases in fruit and wine exports, compared with December 2014. Seasonally adjusted imports fell 8.5 percent.
Ends
For media enquiries contact: Jason Attewell, Wellington 04 931 4600, info@stats.govt.nz
Authorised by Liz MacPherson, Government Statistician, 26 February 2015
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Headline: Australia drives record visitor arrivals
Visitor arrivals to New Zealand were up 3 percent in January 2015 (302,400), compared with January 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today.
“Arrivals from Australia drove the increase in visitor numbers, with more holidaymakers, people visiting friends and relatives, and business travellers,” population statistics manager Vina Cullum said. “In comparison, the number of visitors arriving from China fell relative to January last year because of a change in timing of the Chinese New Year.”
Australia, our biggest source of visitors, also contributed the biggest annual increase in visitors, up 31,100 to 1.26 million in the January 2015 year. China, the United States, and the United Kingdom were our next biggest sources of visitors in the January 2015 year.
New Zealand-resident travellers departed on 133,800 overseas trips in January 2015, up 5 percent from January 2014. The biggest increases were in departures to the United States (up 1,700) and Fiji (up 1,400). The annual increase was 4 percent, with New Zealand residents taking 2.28 million overseas trips in the January 2015 year, mostly to Australia (1.09 million trips).
Net inflow of migrants increases to a new peak in January
New Zealand had a seasonally adjusted net gain (more arrivals than departures) of 5,500 migrants in January 2015. This was a new all-time high, surpassing the October 2014 peak of 5,200. This was the third time in the last six months that the previous record net gain of migrants (4,700 in February 2003) has been surpassed.
The annual net gain of migrants in the January 2015 year (53,800) was up significantly on the January 2014 year (25,700). This was the sixth month in a row that the annual record for a net gain of migrants has been broken. The new annual record was driven by both more arrivals (with a new high of 111,500) and fewer departures.
New Zealand’s biggest net gain of migrants in the January 2015 year was from India (10,800). Most of the 12,000 migrants arriving from India came on student visas (9,100). The other biggest net gains in migrants were from China (7,600), the United Kingdom (5,100), and the Philippines (3,800).
Ends
For media enquiries contact: Nicholas Thomson, Christchurch 03 964 8700, info@stats.govt.nz
Authorised by Liz MacPherson, Government Statistician, 26 February 2015
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Global response to atrocities by states and armed groups ‘shameful and ineffective’
Headline: Global response to atrocities by states and armed groups ‘shameful and ineffective’
Amnesty International has released its 2014/15 Annual Report on The State of the World’s Human Rights detailing a catastrophic year for millions caught up in violence.
The human rights organisation has found that governments’ response to conflict and abuses by states and armed groups has been shameful and ineffective.
While people suffered an escalation in barbarous attacks and repression, the international community failed to find workable solutions to the most pressing human needs of our time.
This is a trend set to continue in 2015 unless world leaders act urgently to confront the changing nature of conflict, and address the enormous refugee crisis caused by the mass violence the world saw in 2014.
Amnesty International’s Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of human rights in 160 countries during 2014 and makes calls for global action including:
- the renouncement of veto rights by five permanent members of the UN Security Council in situations of mass atrocities
- for all states to ratify and adhere to the Arms Trade Treaty
- to restrict the use of explosive weapons
- for all countries to ensure their response to security threats do not undermine fundamental rights or fuel further violence
- governments take action to protect and assist those fleeing conflict and persecution, and resettle the most vulnerable refugees
New Zealand starts 2015 in its two year seat on the UN Security Council with strong calls for reform of the Council and support for addressing the root causes of conflict.
Amnesty International welcomes Foreign Minister Murray McCully’s strong words at his first appearance at the Security Council but is encouraging the Government to ensure they don’t simply pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians but put their words into action.
2015/16 forecast
Unless the world’s leaders act immediately to confront the changing nature of conflict and address other shortcomings identified in the report, the human rights outlook for the coming year is bleak:
- More civilian populations forced to live under the quasi-state control of brutal armed groups, subject to attacks, persecution, and discrimination.
- Deepening threats to freedom of expression and other rights, including violations caused by new draconian anti-terror laws and unjustified mass surveillance.
- A worsening humanitarian and refugee crisis with even more people displaced by conflict as governments continue to block borders and the international community fails to provide assistance and protection.
Of particular concern is the rising power of non-state armed groups, including the group which calls itself Islamic State (IS).
Armed groups committed abuses in at least 35 countries in 2014, more than 1 in 5 of the countries that Amnesty International investigated.
“Governments must stop pretending the protection of civilians is beyond their power, leaders must embrace a fundamental change in the way they respond to crises and do their utmost to protect human rights around the world,” said Grant Bayldon, Amnesty International’s Executive Director in New Zealand.
UN Security Council veto
In Syria, Iraq, Gaza, Israel and Ukraine, the UN Security Council (UNSC) has failed to deal with crises and conflict, even in situations where horrific crimes are being committed against civilians by states or by armed groups, based on vested interests or political expediency.
The use of vetoes by permanent UNSC members in 2014 against a resolution to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court has effectively enabled a situation which has resulted in the deaths of more than 190,000 civilians, millions of refugees and other gross human rights violations.
Amnesty International is now calling for the five permanent UNSC members to renounce their veto rights in situations of genocide and other mass atrocities.
“This could be a game changer for the international community and the tools it has at its disposal to help protect civilian lives. By renouncing their veto rights the five permanent members of the Security Council would give the UN more scope to take action to protect civilians when lives are at grave risk and send a powerful signal to perpetrators that the world will not sit idly by while mass atrocities take place,” said Grant Bayldon.
Arms trade
The bloody legacy of the flooding of weapons into countries where they are used for grave abuses by states and armed groups claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives in 2014.
Amnesty International is calling for all states—including the US, China, Canada, India, Israel and Russia – to ratify or accede, and adhere, to the Arms Trade Treaty which came into force last year after decades of campaigning by Amnesty International and others.
“Huge arms shipments were delivered to Iraq, Israel, South Sudan and Syria in 2014 despite the very high likelihood that these weapons would be used against civilian populations trapped in conflict. When IS took control of large parts of Iraq, it found large arsenals, ripe for the picking. The irresponsible flow of weapons to human rights abusers must stop now,” said Grant Bayldon.
Draconian responses
Amnesty International is urging governments to ensure their response to security threats do not undermine fundamental human rights or fuel further violence.
The Annual Report details how many governments in 2014 reacted to security threats with draconian and repressive tactics.
“Around the world government leaders have attempted to justify human rights violations by talking of the need to keep the world ‘safe’,” said Grant Bayldon.
“We are seeing worrying signs that leaders will continue to introduce draconian anti-terror laws and use unjustified mass surveillance techniques in response to security threats. But knee-jerk reactions do not work. Instead they create an environment of repression in which extremism can thrive.”
Refugees
A tragic consequence of the international community’s inability to protect civilians caught in conflict has helped create one of the worst refugee crisis the world has ever seen, as millions of people – including 4 million from Syria alone – continue to flee violence and persecution.
“The global refugee crisis is only likely to get worse, unless urgent measures are taken,” said Grant Bayldon.
“New Zealand, along with other world leaders, has the means and a responsibility to do their bit to alleviate the suffering of millions – by committing further political and financial resources to assist and protect those fleeing danger, delivering humanitarian aid generously, and resettling the most vulnerable.
New Zealand must step up and show leadership in the face of this growing refugee crisis, increase its refugee intake and do more to protect the people fleeing violence in places like Syria.”
New Zealand’s response to the refugee crisis
“To date New Zealand’s response has been inadequate,” said Grant Bayldon.
“While countries like Jordan and Lebanon have opened up their doors and are providing
support to millions fleeing violence in Syria, the New Zealand government’s intake pledge stands at just 100 Syrian refugees. This number is from within, and not in addition to, our current humanitarian quota of just 750 places.”
The way forward
“The global outlook on the state of human rights is bleak, but there are solutions. World leaders must take immediate and decisive action to avert an impending global crisis and take us one step closer to a safer world in which rights and freedoms are prote cted,” said Grant Bayldon.
“Never has there been a more vital time for New Zealand to step up and continue to show human rights leadership on international stage. In its role on the UN Security Council New Zealand is in a prime position to have an impact when it comes to addressing the global state of human rights.”
New Zealand’s entry in the Annual Report
Meanwhile in its own backyard New Zealand still has much work to do on some fundamental issues.
In 2014 New Zealand rejected international recommendations to address inequality, and to rule out the transferal of asylum seekers to detention centres in third countries.
The right to privacy and freedom of movement was threatened with the passing of the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation (Foreign Fighters) in October, without adequate time to conduct a robust assessment of compliance with international human rights standards.
Disparities remained in the quality of services provided to refugees who arrived under the humanitarian intake of UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, and those arriving in the country spontaneously and whose refugee claims were accepted by the government.
Economic, social and cultural rights lacked equal protection to civil and political rights while levels of child poverty remained high.
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Whangarei homicide investigation continues
MIL OSI –
Source: New Zealand Police – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Whangarei homicide investigation continues
Northland
Police are continuing their inquiries following the discovery of the bodies of a man and woman at a Riverside house in Whangarei early this morning.
The 32-year-old woman and 52-year-old man were found about 12.30am at a Dundas Road address.
Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths, but are speaking to a number of witnesses.
The deceased were known to each other.
Police would like to hear from anyone who may have heard or seen anything in the Dundas Road area between 11pm and 12.30am last night
Anyone with information can call the Whangarei Police on 09 430 4500 or if they want to remain anonymous they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A scene examination with be undertaken with the assistance of specialists today.
A post mortem will be carried out on the deceased in Auckland tomorrow.
For media inquiries contact Northland Police Communications Manager Sarah Kennett on 09 945 4650 or 021 192 1099.
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]]>Five AA Australia: Manning & Godfrey on Christchurch Quake + Cricket World Cup Australia V New Zealand
[caption id="attachment_1642" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Peter Godfrey and Selwyn Manning.[/caption]
Recorded on 26/02/15: On Across The Ditch this week Selwyn Manning and Peter Godfrey discuss the fourth anniversary since the Christchurch earthquake. Also discussed, the looming game of Cricket between Australia and New Zealand.
ITEM ONE:
This week New Zealand remembered the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and the impact it had on the Canterbury region and the country.
Last night TVNZ broadcast a graphic documentary of footage taken at the time of the 6.3 magnitude quake and during the ensuring hours.
It was a reminder of the utter devastation that befell Christchurch, of the disaster that caused the deaths of 185 people and injured several thousand others.
In some ways it seems much longer than just four years since the quake. Each year, since it struck, people quietly commemorate those who showed courage, those who brought comfort to others trapped under concrete, iron girders, and rubble, and to people who brought hope and rescue to those who survived.
The quake struck on Tuesday February 22 2011 at 12.51 p.m.
It couldn’t have struck at a worse time. It was lunchtime, thousands of people were on the move, in the streets.
New Zealand History website records is as follows:
“More than 110 fatalities were caused by the collapse of two multi-storey office buildings – the Canterbury Television and Pyne Gould Corporation buildings. Falling bricks and masonry on Manchester St and in Cashel Mall killed 11 people, and six died in two city buses crushed by crumbling walls. Rock cliffs behind houses collapsed in the Sumner and Redcliffs area, and boulders tumbled down the Port Hills, with five people killed by falling rocks.”
The Canterbury region is slowly rebuilding, returning to a normality that people once took for granted. But Cantabrians speak of how people remain affected. Some remain traumatised. One young teenager still cannot sleep without the lights on. People tend to avoid the CBD which is now mostly flattened, where central city buildings once stood, and much of the land to the east of the city is damaged, unable to be built on.
Life goes on, but the heart of Christchurch City barely has a pulse. It is recovering, but it has a long long way to go.
ITEM TWO:
The Cricket World Cup matches may not get any better than this… Australia V New Zealand… The two in-form teams square off tomorrow (Saturday) at Eden Park here in Auckland at 2pm NZ Time…
And the pre-match sledging has begun! This week Aussie’s opener David Warner was told Eden Park will be a pressure cooker atmosphere… He said: ”Perfect. I hope they come out and boo us and give us crap like they always do… That’s what’s going to happen. We love it, it gets us up and going, gets the adrenaline going for sure.”
Warner says he will let his bat do the talking.
The Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said, when on the field, the Kiwis will focus on doing the business. About sledging, he said his team would “soak it up as best we can”.
One things for sure, it’s going to be a cracker!
Across The Ditch broadcasts live on Five AA Australia and webcasts on LiveNews.co.nz and ForeignAffairs.co.nz.
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Christchurch earthquakes demonstrates people were caught by surprise
MIL OSI –
Christchurch earthquakes demonstrates people were caught by surprise
February 26, 2015
Christchurch earthquakes demonstrate that people generally do not take any notice of the likely occurrence of rare events, University of Canterbury natural hazards researcher Professor Tim Davies says.
The February 2011 earthquake was a one in a many thousands of years’ event and there were many more important things to worry about prior to the September 4 2010 earthquake, he says.
Professor Davies is attending and speaking at the United Nations world conference on disaster risk reduction in Sendai, Japan, from March 14 to 18.
The conference hopes to produce countermeasures to climate-related disasters, which are worsening in some parts of the world. Japanese organisers will draw on its experiences of the March 2011 quake and tsunami and help stress the importance of preparation.
“Before the Christchurch earthquakes, large in our minds was an Alpine fault earthquake. We started preparing for that potential event in the 1990s and 2000s, because it had a much greater probability of occurring than anything else we knew about. The lesson here is that probabilities do not tell us everything future about disaster events – especially the ones we don’t have much information about.
“The most important disaster for any community is the next one, and probabilities can tell us nothing about that. We cannot know far in advance its type, its intensity or its time of occurrence. What any community needs to know is what the next disaster can do, and prepare by altering its behaviour so that when any disaster happens, the effects will be reduced.
“A community could, for example, anticipate that any disaster can cut off its food supply, and maintain emergency stocks; it can arrange that all the major professionals such as doctors, police and fire crew do not work in the same building, so that all don’t get wiped out by the same event.
“It can purchase and maintain satellite phones, anticipating that a range of events can knock out mobile and landline communication. None of these requires that the nature and probability of the next disaster are known.
“It is legitimate to use methods to devise risk-based strategies for dealing with the cumulative effects of large numbers of disasters, because the statistics will in that case be close to what actually occurs. However, such large scale strategies cannot be effective at reducing local disasters, because these are all different. If local disasters aren’t reduced, no large-scale disaster reduction strategy can be effective.
“Communities need to develop, in collaboration with scientists and officials, their own views on what the next disaster can do to them, and how they can become less vulnerable to it. The community itself knows how it functions; scientists can tell them how nature behaves; and officials can if necessary alter rules to allow resilience to be improved.
“There is much we do not know about natural hazards, and disasters will always be to some extent unexpected. Therefore risk management methodologies will always need to be supplemented with resilience methodologies if we are ever going to be able to reduce the impacts of future disasters – bearing in mind that rapid increases in population, development and commerce render society ever more vulnerable to nature’s challenges,” Professor Davies says.
]]>FONTERRA MAINTAINS CURRENT 2014/15 FORECAST FARMGATE MILK PRICE
MIL OSI –
Fonterra MAINTAINS current 2014/15 forecast Farmgate milk price
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited today maintained its current forecast Farmgate Milk Price for the 2014/15 season at $4.70 per kgMS. Along with the previously announced estimated dividend range, this amounts to a forecast Cash Payout of $4.95 – $5.05 for the current season.
Chairman John Wilson said that although dairy commodity prices had gone up, the increase was not sufficient to raise the forecast Farmgate Milk Price at this time.
“Since December, GDT prices for Whole Milk Powder have increased 45 per cent and Skim Milk Powder prices have increased 13 per cent,” Mr Wilson said.
“There continues to be significant volatility in international commodity prices. New Zealand volumes are down, with continued uncertainty in milk production due to climatic conditions in New Zealand with droughts in Canterbury, Marlborough, Central Otago and North Otago.
“Today’s forecast reflects the Board and management’s best estimates at this time. We are advising farmers to continue to be cautious with budgeting and we will update them as the season progresses.”
Chief Executive Theo Spierings said Fonterra was sticking to its strategy, with confidence in the long-term fundamentals of dairy demand.
“We will provide a full business update when we report our Interim Result on 25 March,” Mr Spierings said.
Fonterra is required to consider its forecast Farmgate Milk Price every quarter as a condition of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA).
]]>Myanmar ‘needs urgently to get back on track’ – UN rights chief
MIL OSI –
Source: United Nations 3 – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Myanmar ‘needs urgently to get back on track’ – UN rights chief
25 February 2015 United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, today warned that Myanmar “seems headed in the wrong direction and needs urgently to get back on track” in a crucial year for the country’s democratic transition and long-term reconciliation.
“The international community has seen the transition in Myanmar as a story of promise and hope,” the High Commissioner said in a statement. “But recent developments relating to the human rights of minorities, the freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest are calling into question the direction of that reform, and even threatening to set it back.”
Zeid cited a number of recent cases in which the new space for freedom of expression and peaceful protest has been curtailed by regressive application of the law.
“In the latest in a long line of similar cases, last week 14 members of the Michaungkan community were jailed for peacefully protesting the alleged confiscation of their land by the military. Last year, we saw the jailing of 10 journalists under outdated defamation, trespassing and national security laws. And U Htin Lin Oo remains in detention for speaking out against the use of Buddhism as a tool for extremism,” Zeid said.
“Myanmar had promised to end the era of political prisoners, but now seems intent on creating a new generation by jailing people who seek to enjoy the democratic freedoms they have been promised,” the High Commissioner continued, stressing that ensuring democratic space will be critically important for the upcoming constitutional referendum and elections.
On 11 February, Myanmar’s President issued a notification announcing the expiry by the end of March of temporary ‘white cards’, held mainly by ethnic minorities who do not have citizenship under the discriminatory 1982 Citizenship Law. The decision appears designed to prevent ‘white card’ holders – the majority believed to be members of Myanmar’s stateless Rohingya Muslim minority – from being eligible to vote in the upcoming constitutional referendum and possibly in the General Election later this year. On 16 February, the Constitutional Tribunal ruled that it would be unconstitutional for ‘white card’ holders to vote in any upcoming referendum.
The Rohingyas, who number about one million, have lived in Myanmar for generations, but they are denied equal access to citizenship, and many have been victims of violent attacks. Notwithstanding that the Government has made some efforts to improve services, around 140,000 people continue to reside in overcrowded camps, the vast majority of whom are Rohingya, with severe and discriminatory restrictions placed on their freedom of movement. Noting the Government’s official resistance to the use of the term “Rohingya”, Zeid warned the denial of a group’s right to self-identification “should sound a clear warning bell” to the international community.
“During an election year, it will be tempting for some politicians to fan the flames of prejudice for electoral gain,” the High Commissioner said. “But at a time when religious extremism is creating havoc in many parts of the world, the terrible consequences of appealing to or appeasing such sentiments should be all too clear. A new democratic Myanmar should be built on the strength of its diversity.”
High Commissioner Zeid also expressed particular concern about four new laws, currently before Parliament, that are discriminatory against women and religious minorities and breach international standards on freedom of religion. The package of laws would place restrictions upon people who wish to change their religion, control the marriage of Buddhist women to non-Buddhist men, and allow the Government to regulate birth spacing and family planning in certain areas through the designation of special zones for “healthcare”.
The situation in the Kokang self-administered zone in northeastern Shan State, which is fast deteriorating following the escalation of violence between the Myanmar Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and other armed groups, is also cause for alarm, the High Commissioner warned. He added that the two attacks against Red Cross convoys in the space of a week were very disturbing.
Reports suggest tens of thousands have been displaced by the current fighting. On 18 February, a State of Emergency was declared for 90 days in the Kokang self-administered zone, providing wide-ranging executive and judicial powers to the military.
“It will be tragic for Myanmar’s peace process if this violence is allowed to spiral,” Zeid said. “All parties must step back from the brink and ensure full respect for human rights and protection of the civilian population.”
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Press Releases: Second Round of U.S.-Cuba Talks to Re-establish Diplomatic Relations
MIL OSI –
Source: United States Department of State – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Press Releases: Second Round of U.S.-Cuba Talks to Re-establish Diplomatic Relations
On Friday, February 27, the Department of State will host the second round of talks to re-establish diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba.
As with the first round, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta S. Jacobson will lead the U.S. delegation. Josefina Vidal, Director General of the U.S. Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will again head the Cuban delegation.
These talks continue the dialogue initiated by the parties on January 22 in Havana, Cuba, and are a key step in implementing the new direction in U.S.-Cuba relations announced by President Obama on December 17, 2014.
The talks are scheduled for one day, from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m.
There will be a camera spray at the beginning of the talks covered by press pools from each delegation. Press participating in the pool will be informed separately. Video footage and photos will be available.
At the end of the talks, heads of delegations will hold sequential press availabilities — first Cuba, at about 4:00 p.m., then the United States. They are both open to the press. No prior registration is required. The press availabilities will be live-streamed at www.state.gov. Broadcast quality video can be downloaded at www.dvidshub.net/usdos. Online video on-demand will be at www.state.gov.
Pre-set time for video cameras: 3:00 p.m. from the 23rd street entrance.
Final access time for writers and still photographers: 3:30 p.m. from the 23rd street entrance.
Media representatives may attend this briefing upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification (driver’s license or passport).
For further information, please contact WHAPress@state.gov or the Office of Press Relations at (202) 647-2492. Follow @StateDept, @USAenEspanol, and @WHAAsstSecty for more information.
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International police action leads to rescue of 22-month old Romanian sex abuse victim
MIL OSI – Source: Europol – Press Release/Statement: Headline: International police action leads to rescue of 22-month old Romanian sex abuse victim
New UN report urges push to end problem of torture in Afghan detention facilities
MIL OSI – Source: United Nations 3 – Press Release/Statement: Headline: New UN report urges push to end problem of torture in Afghan detention facilities 25 February 2015 The Government of Afghanistan’s efforts to prevent torture and ill-treatment have shown some progress over the last two years but much more remains to be done, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed today as it released its latest report on the treatment of conflict-related detainees in Afghan custody. “UNAMA’s finding that torture of conflict-related detainees persists in spite of Government efforts over 2013-14 to address it is a source of serious concern,” said the UNAMA Human Rights Director, Georgette Gagnon, in a press release. “CAccountability – particularly the prosecution of both those who perpetrate and administer torture, and those who order or condone it – is a key means of signalling political commitment at the highest levels to end it.ontinuing impunity for the use of torture allows torture to continue.” The report – the third of its kind, and jointly produced with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – is based on interviews with 790 conflict-related detainees between February 2013 and December 2014, and highlights ill-treatment and torture during the arrest and interrogation phases in numerous facilities across the country with many alleged members of the Taliban and other anti-Government groups subjected to “severe pain and suffering, aimed mainly at obtaining a confession or information.” Overall, 16 methods of torture and ill-treatment were described including severe beatings with pipes, cables and sticks, suspension, electric shocks and near-asphyxiation. The report also documents a “persistent lack of accountability” with only one criminal prosecution for torture observed since 2010, despite numerous verified incidents raised with officials over the course of the reporting period. Although torture is prohibited and criminalized under Afghanistan’s Constitution and laws and under international law, UNAMA’s findings note that the country’s National Directorate of Security and the Ministry of Interior accountability and oversight mechanisms remain “inadequate, lacking independence, authority, transparency and capacity.” “Accountability – particularly the prosecution of both those who perpetrate and administer torture, and those who order or condone it – is a key means of signalling political commitment at the highest levels to end it,” Ms. Gagnon continued. Twenty out of 71 interviewed detainees reported having experienced torture or ill-treatment following their transfer to Afghan custody in 2013-14, including in Afghan facilities the International Security Assistance Force had certified as not using torture. Moreover, the report points out that many Afghan security and police officials interviewed appeared not to accept that torture is illegal, instead viewing it as an appropriate method by which to extract valuable information. “Torture is a very serious crime, for which there can be no justification. The international prohibition is absolute,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein stressed in the press release. “We have seen many examples showing how its use undermines national security and proves counter-productive.” In addition, he pointed out that both the Afghan Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Code include due process guarantees to protect detainees from the use of torture and ill-treatment, including the prohibition of using evidence gained through torture. Nevertheless, the report also shows a 14 per cent decrease in the number of detainees tortured or ill-treated compared to the previous reporting period. Nicholas Haysom, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, confirmed the Mission’s steadfast willingness to assist the authorities in improving accountability mechanisms in an effort to further reduce the instance of torture across the country. “UNAMA welcomes the incoming Government’s commitment to implement a new national plan on elimination of torture,” he said. “We support – and can assist as requested – this comprehensive approach to eliminate torture and ill-treatment in Government of Afghanistan facilities.” – –]]>
Press Releases: Recent Attacks on Civilians in Syria
MIL OSI – Source: United States Department of State – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Press Releases: Recent Attacks on Civilians in Syria The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms ISIL’s attacks yesterday on predominantly Assyrian Christian villages in the northeast Syrian province of Hasakeh, where they kidnapped dozens of civilians, including women, children, priests, and the elderly. Hundreds of other civilians remain trapped in villages surrounded by ISIL fighters, and clashes continue between ISIL and local forces defending their communities. ISIL burned and destroyed homes and churches, and the violence has reportedly displaced more than 3,000 people. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the civilians taken captive yesterday and of all those held by ISIL. ISIL’s latest targeting of a religious minority is only further testament to its brutal and inhumane treatment of all those who disagree with its divisive goals and toxic beliefs. ISIL continues to exact its evil upon innocents of all faiths, and the majority of its victims have been Muslims. People of all faiths and many religious leaders throughout the region have united in condemning ISIL’s depravity, including its mass killings, rape, sexual enslavement, lashing, stoning, crucifixion, torture, and public murders of hostages. Tragically, Syrians are threatened not only by ISIL’s grotesque violence and repressive ideology, but also by the Assad regime’s unrelenting campaign of terror. The regime has recently intensified its airstrikes and barrel bombing of Aleppo and continues to besiege the Damascus suburbs of Eastern Ghouta and Douma, cutting off humanitarian aid from those in need. The UN Commission of Inquiry reaffirmed the deteriorating situation last week, noting in its latest report that the Syrian people continue to suffer from the Assad regime’s airstrikes, barrel bombings, arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, and murder. Like ISIL, the Assad regime is showing its complete disregard for human life through these crimes. To bring an end to these daily horrors, we remain committed to leading the international coalition to degrade and defeat ISIL and to working towards a negotiated political solution that stops the bloodshed and secures a future of freedom, justice, and dignity for all Syrians. – –]]>
Australians move on offshore speculators
Headline: Australians move on offshore speculators
John Key might want to have a quiet word with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott about Canberra’s just-announced crack down on offshore speculators when he visits New Zealand this week, Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says.
“Tony Abbott’s centre right government has announced a tax on foreign buyers, a register of foreign land and property ownership, and tough penalties for those who break the rules, following on from the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry.
“Contrast that with John Key’s government who deny offshore speculators are a problem, despite KPMG warning today that bankers believe foreign buyers are inflating property prices and putting the economy at risk.
“KPMG think offshore speculators are a problem. The bankers think they are a problem. The Australian Government clearly thinks they are a problem. The National Government is increasingly isolated on this issue.
“National needs to decide whether it is on the side of offshore property speculators, or on the side of young New Zealand first home buyers.”
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Old Reefton mines to be cleaned up
Headline: Old Reefton mines to be cleaned up
New Zealand’s most toxic contaminated site located near Reefton in two old mines are to be cleaned up in a joint funding agreement between the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Conservation totalling $3 million, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today in Reefton.
“The Prohibition and Alexander mine sites are acutely toxic and a blight on New Zealand’s clean, green reputation. The levels of arsenic are among the highest recorded anywhere in the world at 400,000 parts per million on land, or 500 times the safe level, and in water at 300 parts per million, or 33,000 times the safe limit for drinking water,” Dr Smith says.
“We need to clean up this site so as to prevent ongoing contamination to the surrounding environment and make the site safe for future generations.
“The Prohibition mine site was contaminated from the operation of a roasting plant from 1935 to 1951, when arsenic bearing ore was roasted to release gold. The sites also have high levels of mercury and cyanide. The mining company has long gone and the Department of Conservation inherited the site in 1987. The site has been fenced off to prevent public access and harm.
“The Ministry for the Environment is providing $1.5 million from the Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund to assist the Department of Conservation with the $3 million clean-up. The Prohibition and Alexander sites currently rank numbers one and two on the Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund Priority List.
“The remediation of the site will involve cleaning the condensing tower, removing arsenic contaminated soil, securing the soil in sealed barrels in a water-tight pit and capping of the surface around the pit and tower. The remediation will also include a water treatment plant to protect surrounding natural water bodies from contaminants from the site.
“This contaminated site is the legacy of inadequate oversight and requirements of previous mining activities on the West Coast. We need to repair the environmental damage and clean up this site, but also ensure that we properly regulate mining activities today so as not to create more problems of this sort in the future,” Dr Smith concluded.
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Population trends have implications for health care
Headline: Population trends have implications for health care
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Board meeting
Dr Natalie Jackson
A leading demographer says New Zealand’s ageing population and fewer school leavers will have implications for health care demand at all ages.
Dr Natalie Jackson, adjunct professor at Massey University’s School of People, Environment and Planning, told Waikato District Health Board today that while the country’s population was relatively youthful by comparison with most of its OECD counterparts, that is about to change.
“This year alone, 45,000 baby boomers will turn 65, the number rising every year to peak at around 60,000 per year in the mid 2020s while the period 2011/2021 will see 28,000 fewer school leavers and new labour market entrants,” she said.
“These trends have well-acknowledged implications health care supply but they will also see the ending of population growth in many regions at the same moment as demand increases.”
Dr Jackson’s presentation raised the need for regionally-appropriate funding and labour force planning and, not least, far greater central Government attention to the issue of unpaid care.
The Waikato DHB region has two territorial authorities with the youngest and oldest populations. Thames Coromandel has 26.6 per cent of its population over 65 years and over while Hamilton has 11.2 per cent.
“Fewer young people are coming to a town near you. The youth deficit will get worse before it gets better – and the respite will be both patchy and temporary,” said Dr Jackson.
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General media enquiries
Mobile: 021 671 239
Email: news@waikatodhb.health.nz
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Finalists announced for NZ Sport and Recreation Awards
Headline: Finalists announced for NZ Sport and Recreation Awards
Back
Finalists announced for NZ Sport and Recreation Awards
Celebrating sporting sector excellence in commercial partnerships, communications, community impact, events and innovation.
The winners will be announced at the Awards dinner on 13 April 2015. The judging panel were Peter Dale (Chair), Sir John Wells, Jennifer Gill, Selwyn Maister, and Peter Miskimmin.
Congratulations to the finalists.
The finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Commercial Partnership
- NZ Rugby League and DB Breweries
- Taranaki Secondary Schools Sports’ Association and Shell Todd Partnership
- Yachting NZ and Aon NZ
Communication Excellence
- Harbour Sport 2014 Events Communications Programme
- Sport Bay of Plenty 2014 Communications Programme
- Waka Ama Social Media Programme
Community Impact
- Northland Swim for Life Programme – Sport Northland
- Pathway 16-20 – Sport Bay of Plenty
- Softball strikes back in Tairawhiti – Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti
Event Excellence
- 2014 Panasonic Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival – NZ Water Polo Association
- AMI Round the Bays Fun Run/Walk – Sport Wellington
- NZCT AIMS GAMES International Sporting Championships – AIMS GAMES TRUST
Innovation Excellence
- Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines – ATEED
- Fast5 Netball World Series – Netball NZ
- Gender Equal Grading System – Squash NZ
C.K. Doig Leadership Award
No finalists named – winner to be revealed at the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards.
The judging panel were impressed with the variety, quality, and impact of the many projects and programmes taking place across the country. Thank you to all entrants for participating in this year’s awards and for your continuing service to New Zealand sport and recreation.
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Missing 70 year old man located outside a vacant property in Riccarton
Headline: Missing 70 year old man located outside a vacant property in Riccarton
Wednesday, 25 February 2015 – 2:23pm
Canterbury Police SAR can confirm that 70 year old Noel Noonan has been located in the grounds to the rear of Antonio Hall on Riccarton Road shortly before 1.15pm this afternoon (25 February 2015).
Canterbury Police SAR Coordinator, Sergeant Phil Simmonds said “This is a great result for the family and everyone involved in the search for Mr Noonan. We had teams from Police, LandSAR, Christchurch City Council and University of Canterbury Urban Search and members of the public involved in the SAR operation to locate him. Members of the Christchurch City Council Urban Search located Mr Noonan when they searched the grounds of the vacant Antonio House on Riccarton Road this lunchtime.”
“He was found conscious, confused and immobile on the ground at the rear of the property close to the edge of a steep drainage ditch, so wasn’t visible from the road. He is now surrounded by his family and is being checked by medical professionals. We would like to thank the followers of the Canterbury Police Facebook and Twitter feeds, the media and members of the public for their help in reporting possible sightings. We’d also like to thank those who gave up their time to take part in the Police led search” explained Sergeant Simmonds.
This is a great illustration of what can be achieved when organisations pull together with the community.
A spokesperson from Mr Noonan’s family said “We are overwhelmed at the support of Canterbury Police, LandSAR, Urban Search, volunteers, our friends and the community who all helped reunite us with our beloved father. He has been taken to Christchurch Hospital for assessment and we hope to have him home soon. Some of our friends have been driving and walking around the area where he went missing and the parks and open spaces in Christchurch. Their unwavering support leaves us speechless.”
Approximately 50 people (including Police staff) were involved in the search this morning, with a further 20 Police officers searching the area yesterday afternoon and overnight.
NZSAR, LandSAR and Police encourage the use of products such as Wandatrak pendants which can allow individuals, with medical conditions such as dementia, who are prone to wandering to be located using bespoke tracking equipment.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District communications Manager, Canterbury District Police. Mobile 021 942 404.
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More one on one time for mental health patients
Headline: More one on one time for mental health patients
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says patients in mental health wards are the latest to benefit from an innovative programme that frees up staff to spend more time looking after patients.
“The success of the Productive Ward programme in hospitals is being extended to some of our largest mental health units,” says Dr Coleman.
“The Productive Series programmes guide staff to streamline systems so they can spend more time in direct contact with patients.
“Staff in a Waikato DHB mental health ward improved time spent on direct patient care as a result of a range of changes, including ensuring equipment is conveniently located and patient information is easily accessible.”
17 DHBs are implementing one or more of the Productive Series programmes including the Productive Ward, the Productive Mental Health Ward, the Productive Community Services, and the Productive Operating Theatre.
“These programmes guide staff to review and change the way they work, and help to deliver cost and time savings, improved quality of care, and improved staff morale,” says Dr Coleman.
“The Productive Series is making a quantifiable difference. For example, in a Hawke’s Bay specialist surgery unit, a new more focused user-friendly nursing admission form is expected to save 267 hours of nursing time a year.”
The Ministry of Health is supporting uptake of the Productive Series, including providing financial support to DHBs to access training materials. A national workshop will be held in Wellington in March to share learnings and encourage expansion of the programmes.
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PM saddened at passing of Dame Thea Muldoon
Headline: PM saddened at passing of Dame Thea Muldoon
Prime Minister John Key today expressed his sadness at the passing of Dame Thea Muldoon.
Mr Key says he met Dame Thea on a number of occasions.
“She made a significant contribution to her community and the country – something she was recognised for when she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and awarded the Queen’s Service Order for Community Service.
“She was also a huge supporter of her husband, the late former Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon, and as Prime Minister today I recognise how important that is,” says Mr Key.
“I thank her for her contribution to New Zealand. My thoughts are with her family and friends.”
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