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Second South Island town now fully fibred

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MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – Second South Island town now fully fibred

Ashburton now has access to faster, more reliable broadband thanks to the Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network, says Communications Minister Amy Adams.

Ashburton has become the second town in the South Island completed under the UFB initiative following the Oamaru build completion late last year. 

Ms Adams said in Ashburton today that more than 8600 local households, schools, businesses and medical centres can now connect to the network.

“The Government has invested $9 million to bring fibre to the people of Ashburton since the build started in the town in 2012. The new network means better speeds, capacity and reliability for this community,” says Ms Adams.

More than ten per cent of eligible users in Ashburton have already signed up for fibre and the rate of uptake has almost doubled in the past six months.   Customers have a choice of six retail providers that are active in the area. 

Fibre is also being rolled out to state and state integrated schools in and around Ashburton, with 17 out of 24 now connected to the Government’s Network for Learning.

Seven towns in New Zealand are now fully fibred:  Whangarei, Te Awamutu, Oamaru, Cambridge, Tokoroa, Hawera and Ashburton.

“The Government is committed to building world-class fibre infrastructure in regional towns around New Zealand because of the long-term gains it brings. Faster broadband is critical to growing the economy, driving innovation and improving outcomes in education, health and the not-for-profit sector,” says Ms Adams.

“With stage one of the UFB build well advanced, the Government is now progressing the extension of the programme to a further 200,000 New Zealanders, meaning the overall reach of UFB will move from 75 per cent to 80 per cent of all New Zealanders.”

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Love of Education and Sport Leads to Scholarship

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MIL OSI – Source: Bay Of Plenty Polytechnic – Love of Education and Sport Leads to Scholarship

Blending a desire to organise ‘massive’ events with a love of chasing the ball on the beautiful Mount beach has led to a High Performance Sports scholarship for emerging volleyball star Beniece Douch.

Beniece, a Diploma in Tourism (Event Management) student, is one of eight recipients for the 2015 Bay of Plenty Polytechnic High Performance Academy scholarships. The scholarship winners will be recognised and honoured at an awards ceremony this Thursday, 26 March at which former Silver Ferns netballer Jodi Tod-Elliott will be the guest speaker.

The winners of the 2015 scholarships are Abby Goldie (track sprinter), Alex Hawthorne (kayak), Amy Robinson (hockey), Beniece Douch (volleyball), Lauren Clarke (squash), Max Schroder (volleyball), Nik Ansorge (cycling), and Thomas MacRury (cricket).

The scholarships allow athletes to balance both career and sporting aspirations. “It just takes a load off,” said Beniece. “I don’t have to worry about working too much knowing that I have financial and sporting support. I can focus on studying and improving my sporting performance.”

All scholarship winners receive their year’s tertiary fees paid, access to the Polytechnic’s sport and fitness centre, including performance sport testing, as well as education, sporting and lifestyle support services provided by a High Performance Manager.

The scholarships are open to all students studying any full-time programme at the Polytechnic who are competing at a national or international level in their sporting code. This year saw more than 30 applicants vie for the scholarships.

While Beniece’s immediate sporting focus is on beach volleyball and finding a team partner with similar passion and goals as her own, she also has a dream of one day running her own wedding planning business or working in the event management sector.

Previous winners of the scholarship include NZ Beach Volleyball champion Sam O’Dea, World Champion Surf LifeSaver Natalie Peat and New Zealand’s fastest man – Joseph Millar.

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Police continue to progress homicide investigation

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07 378 6060. Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Police will not be facilitating media interviews. Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256. –]]>

Cyclone Pam intensifies into category five storm off Vanuatu

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Headline: Cyclone Pam intensifies into category five storm off Vanuatu

Oxfam is ready to respond to Cyclone Pam after the storm was upgraded to a severe Category 5 tropical cyclone overnight, triggering evacuations to emergency shelters across Vanuatu’s southern provinces. Forecasts predict the storm will pass close to Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, the city recently named as the most exposed to natural disasters in the world.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said if the cyclone followed its current predicted path, the results could be devastating for Vanuatu.

“Even if Tropical Cyclone Pam does not strike the city directly there is potential for major damage,” Ms Le Mesurier said.

“Under normal circumstances Port Vila is prone to flash flooding, which makes roads impassable, so flooding from this cyclone is expected to be much worse.

“People have started evacuating to emergency centres established in schools and churches where they are available.  Communities in low lying informal settlements are most vulnerable and these people are urgently being asked to move to higher ground.”

“Oxfam and other humanitarian agencies are ready to respond with emergency stocks available to be moved into stricken areas if required,” Ms Le Mesurier said.

Vanuatu Country Director Colin Collett van Rooyen said the areas of greatest concern were SHEFA province in the country’s south, where the capital is located, and TAFEA province in the far south.

“Tropical Cyclone Pam is now forecast to pass within 145km of by Port Vila about 8pm on Friday night, bringing with it potential winds speeds of up to 280km/h,” Mr Collett van Rooyen said.

Warnings have been issued for high seas, coastal flooding and destructive winds already seen in the north of the country. There are major concerns for the health system, with the hospital in Port Vila prone to flash flooding in much less severe conditions.

“Port Vila was recently named in the Natural Hazards Risk Atlas and is known as the city most exposed to natural disasters in the world because it faces a combination of risks including earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding and tropical cyclones such as Cyclone Pam,” Mr Collett van Rooyen said.

“The SHEFA Province has a population of around 80,000 people and TAFEA a further 32,000. If the current path predictions are correct the impact on these people could severe.”

Oxfam is leading the coordination of the Vanuatu Humanitarian Team, a network of non-government humanitarian agencies, in preparing for the storm, and will also support any response effort, working alongside the Vanuatu Government. Residents on remote islands have been alerted to the storm by text messages sent by Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office.

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Emergency services at the scene of collision between tourists’ car and logging truck

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Headline: Emergency services at the scene of collision between tourists' car and logging truck

Friday, 13 March 2015 – 2:56pm

Emergency services are currently at the scene of a serious vehicle crash between a rental car and a logging truck on a busy rural Waikato highway.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Jeff Penno, said first responders were called to the collision on SH27 at Kaihere shortly before 1pm.

“The crash scene is currently being assessed and the Serious Crash Unit have just arrived.

“Initial indications are the incident involved a northbound car losing control on a down hill bend that has collided with a southbound logging truck. The male driver of the car has suffered critical injuries in the crash and a female passenger in the car also suffered life threatening injuries.”

Mr Penno said fire fighters cut out one of the injured parties from the car and the couple are being airlifted to Waikato Hospital.

“At this stage it appears that while the occupants of the car are very seriously injured their situation could have been worse had the logging truck not been going slow up the hill and the driver not quickly reacted to what he saw unfolding.

“The investigation is in its early stages at this point but we can confirm it appears the occupants of the car were visitors from overseas but we need to confirm this with consular officials before we can comment on nationalities.”

Mr Penno said New Zealand road policing staff are striving to implement the safe system approach to road safety.

“We accept that we are all human and that mistakes on our roads will be made but the other parts of the system need to compensate for this, in short, a mistake on our roads should not seriously injure or kill you.

“This is the vision and we are continually working as collaborative partners across the roading sector to achieve this. It has been a bad week on our roads, and Police feel this more than anyone”.

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Evening Report Weekly Roundup Multimedia Reports, Episodes, Analysis and Debate

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Here is a playlist roundup of the week’s main multimedia reports, analysis, debate, and episodes of Evening Report.]]>

Five AA Australia: New Zealand Report – Cyclone Pam Tracks Toward NZ + Kauri Tree Spared

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Recorded Live on 13/03/15 – Evening Report editor Selwyn Manning delivers his weekly bulletin New Zealand Report on Five AA Australia with David Penberthy, Mark Aiston and Jane Reilly. This week, Super-Storm Cyclone Pam tracks toward New Zealand + People Power spares 500 year-old Kauri tree. ITEM ONE: Cyclone Pam, a category 4-5 tropical cyclone is baring down on New Zealand’s North Island. The cyclone, currently graded a category 4, is expected to intensify as it tracks south-eastward drawing its energy from the warm humid waters south of Fiji, according to the New Zealand Metservice. Storm warnings have been lodged for the North-Eastern parts of the North Island, but particular the Pacific eastern side of Northland, Coromandel through the Bay of Plenty, East Cape to the coastal areas of Hawke’s Bay. There are fears that if the cyclone tracks close to New Zealand’s eastern coast, the Hawke’s Bay and Gasbourne wine growing areas may suffer losses of late harvest grapes and stone fruit. Back in the 1980s Cyclone Bola descended on New Zealand and cut a path down this Coast, ripping out forests and radiate pine plantations, and devastating the eastern areas, leaving thousands of square kilometres of land bare of topsoil. Weather forecasters are saying this Cyclone Pam, may end up being degraded once it reaches the cooler waters of New Zealand. Or, it could head further Eastward and miss New Zealand all together. Either way, we North Islanders are in for a rough Sunday and Monday. ITEM TWO: And there’s been a win for people power this week. After the National-led Government eased protections for ancient trees and the environment, a protest group mobilised to save a 500 year old native Kauri tree from being chopped down. A property developer wanted to have the ancient tree removed to make way for two town houses to be built on a section of land in Titirangi – a suburb in west Auckland. One man abseiled high up the Kauri, and tied himself to the tree. His supporters sustained the protest and gained huge support from the public. Even the head of the United Nations Development Programme, former Prime Minister Helen Clark said the tree must stay! The stoush concluded yesterday (Thursday) after the property developer conceded defeat. But really it is a win win situation… the tree gets to survive Sunday’s cyclone, and the property developer is positioning to sue for compensation… New Zealand Report broadcasts live each Friday on FiveAA.com.au and webcasts on EveningReport.nz. –]]>

PMC Audio Report: Why Pacific Journalists Find It Difficult Reporting on Climate Change

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PMC: Alistar Kata audio report.

AUCKLAND: A clear message about climate change in the Micronesian nation of Kiribati…..a people who are uncertain of their future on an island affected by rising sea levels…and it is getting worse…

A seminar hosted by the Pacific Media Centre at AUT University on March 11, 2015, addressed the challenges and ethics of climate change reporting in the Pacific and the role that media play.

The Kiribati Independent journalist and one of two guest speakers, Taberannang Korauaba, says Pacific people are linked to their land in a cultural and spiritual way…that makes news of climate change hard to report.

“When the media is trying to work to cover the story, people don’t want to hear that because they don’t want to hear stories about, ‘they’re sinking, they’re going to die’, so that’s one reason that is causing the breaking down of communication.

Former science journalist and now communication specialist Dr Jan Sinclair says local media focus more on the politics… but in NZ and Australia they’re allowing politicians to define the problem and politicians say that’s it’s a big international problem but its not our problem…

Audio report: Pacific Media Watch editor Alistar Kata

Opening music: “Climate Change”, Brian Taki, Kiribati

Audio report: Pacific Media Centre, School of Communication Studies, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. www.pmc.aut.ac.nz

Story link: http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-medi…

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On visit to Syria, senior UN official appeals for more support for humanitarian work

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MIL OSI – Source: United Nations – On visit to Syria, senior UN official appeals for more support for humanitarian work 11 March 2015 – Wrapping up a three-day visit to Syria, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations agency mandated to assist Palestinian refugees across the Middle East requested more support for work being carried out across the country, stressing that in Yarmouk “safe, uninterrupted, substantial humanitarian distributions must become the norm.” As well as advocating for expanded humanitarian access, Pierre Krähenbühl, who heads the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), used the visit to stress solidarity with Palestine refugees and the Agency’s staff, who have endured extreme suffering during four years of conflict. “The extreme hardship faced by Palestine refugees in Yarmouk, but also in other locations in Syria as a result of the armed conflict is, from a human point of view, unacceptable,” said Mr. Krähenbühl. “I reiterate my call on all relevant parties to support us in this effort by facilitating unhindered humanitarian assistance and access.” In meetings with Syrian Government officials, the Commissioner-General acknowledged facilitation by Government authorities in enabling UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance to crisis-affected Palestine refugees across Syria and emphasized that the continuation of regular UNRWA services, such as health and education services, and humanitarian assistance, adapted to the current conflict situation, is vital to protect the resilience of Palestine refugees in Syria. “There has been too much suffering,” he said. “We have to remember that we are dealing with yet another generation of Palestine refugees facing the trauma of dispossession and displacement.” On a visit to Yarmouk, he welcomed the resumption since 4 March of UNRWA humanitarian assistance to trapped civilians, thanks to a new distribution point established with the facilitation of the Syrian authorities. Distributions had been halted for over three months from early December 2014 to early March 2015, with reports of widespread deprivation and malnutrition among Yarmouk residents. Calling on the Government to build on this support extended to Yarmouk’s civilian population, Mr. Krähenbühl requested that no limits be imposed on the number of days for distributions or on the number of families who may receive assistance on each day of distribution. He urged armed groups within the camp to actively ensure the safety of Palestine refugees and other civilians, and not to interfere with distributions. “Despite progress in the assistance to civilians in Yarmouk, we remain deeply conscious that far more needs to be done to meaningfully address the needs and dignity of Palestine refugees,” he said. The Commissioner-General, who underlined how crucial it was to find a political solution to the conflict affecting Palestinians and Syrians, visited the re-opened UNRWA Alma-Yarmouk School and other rehabilitated facilities in the camp, and went on to visit Qabr Essit, a Palestine refugee camp to which UNRWA recently regained access, as well as Husseiniyeh, from which the entire population had been displaced due to hostilities. “I wish to express deep admiration for the courage and determination of Palestine refugees to whom I reaffirm UNRWA’s commitment to provide support and protection,” Mr. Krähenbühl said. –]]>

RACS establishes expert advisory group to combat bullying and harassment

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MIL OSI – RACS establishes expert advisory group

to combat bullying and harassment

Thursday 12 March 2015 The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has moved swiftly to establish an expert advisory group to deal with concerns of bullying, harassment and discrimination in the health sector. RACS President Michael Grigg said there was no denying that bullying and harassment occurred within the health workforce and the College of Surgeons had zero tolerance for this behaviour. “The expert advisory group’s charter will include reviewing the College’s current policies and procedures, establishing a reporting framework to measure progress in dealing with bullying and harassment, addressing the College’s gender balance and acting as a medium between the College and the hospitals/health departments to provide a way forward to eliminating bullying and harassment,” Prof Grigg said. Professor Grigg said that the new group would be chaired by former Victorian Health Minister and current Chair of the Royal Children’s Hospital, the Hon Rob Knowles AO. “Dr Helen Szoke, the current CEO of Oxfam, but previously Australia’s Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner following seven years as the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, has agreed to be Deputy Chair,” the RACS President said. Dr Joanna Flynn AM, Chair of the Medical Board of Australia and Mr Ken Lay APM, former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police have also agreed to act on the group as have Mr Graeme Campbell, the College’s incoming Vice President and Dr Cathy Ferguson, the incoming Chair of the College’s Professional Standards. “This group will comprise of individuals with substantial experience in equal opportunity, racial discrimination and regulatory issues,” Prof Grigg said. “Bullying and harassment must be notified and must be investigated.  This is fundamental to correcting behaviour and ensuring inappropriate decisions or actions are addressed. Professor Grigg said that the issue of harassment and bullying was much bigger than any one hospital and the College had already written to all Ministers of Health across Australia and New Zealand seeking to engage positively with them to improve the culture of hospitals and the health care sector. The College recognises there are problems but is determined to be part of the solution. About the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) RACS is the leading advocate for surgical standards, professionalism and surgical education in Australia and New Zealand. The College is a not-for-profit organisation that represents more than 7000 surgeons and 1300 surgical trainees and International Medical Graduates. RACS also supports healthcare and surgical education in the Asia-Pacific region and is a substantial funder of surgical research. There are nine surgical specialties in Australasia being: Cardiothoracic surgery, General surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic surgery, Otolaryngology Head-and-Neck surgery, Paediatric surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, Urology and Vascular surgery. www.surgeons.org ]]>

GCSB Targeted Ops Damaging to NZ’s International Reputation – Buchanan

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[caption id="attachment_1282" align="alignleft" width="300"]Dr Paul Buchanan, founder of 36th Parallel Assessments. Dr Paul Buchanan, founder of 36th Parallel Assessments.[/caption] In episode 2 of Evening Report Paul Buchanan of 36th Parallel Assessments says the New Zealand Government’s GCSB signals spy agency has damaged the country’s international reputation as an honest broker. In this extended interview with Evening Report editor Selwyn Manning, Buchanan is highly critical of the short sightedness of the GCSB’s targeted operations against New Zealand’s largest trade partners. The targeted nations include China, Japan, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, in fact most of the ASEAN nations. Paul Buchanan believes the United States is using the NZ based GCSB to carry out surveillance operations that are too sensitive for it to do itself. That New Zealand has virtually no oversight of its intelligence agencies and as such is vulnerable to exploitation by the superpower. –]]>

Climate change, environmental journalism and better media ethics

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Café Pacific Headline: Climate change, environmental journalism and better media ethics [caption id="attachment_1212" align="aligncenter" width="560"]Pacific Media Watch editor Alistar Kata interviewing Kiribati Independent editor Taberannang Korauaba about his climate change research in Micronesia at last night's seminar. Photo: Del Abcede/PMC. Pacific Media Watch editor Alistar Kata interviewing Kiribati Independent editor Taberannang Korauaba
about his climate change research in Micronesia at last night’s seminar. Photo: Del Abcede/PMC.[/caption] FIVE YEARS ago, as an environmental journalist and journalism educator, I attended “Oceans, Islands and Skies” – the Oceanic Conference of Creativity and Climate Change – at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. I found this a very moving, stimulating and inspiring experience. Until then, I had largely worked on the global and Pacific political dimensions of climate change. [caption id="attachment_1213" align="alignright" width="300"]There Once Was An Island. There Once Was An Island.[/caption] At that conference I found myself thrust among a tremendously talented group of people from all over the globe. And it was where I first encountered Briar March’s remarkable documentary There Once Was An Island: Te Henua e Nnoho about the plight of the people of Takuu, a tiny Polynesian atoll in Papua New Guinea, also known as Takuu Mortlock. The islanders were confronted with the harsh reality of rising seas and climate change and were forced to make a decision about whether to abandon their traditional Pacific homeland for the coast of Bougainville. In many ways this is an iconic storytelling of the reality of climate change told by the islanders themselves. Conservation issues, loss of land, enforced location and culture and language erosion are a few of the worries troubling low-lying Pacific communities. For indigenous communities, relocation will ultimately lead to culture and language loss. At the Islands, Oceans and Skies conference, one of the statements by Fiji-based artist Cresantia Frances Koya really struck me: “In the absence of land, all we have is each other.” The Pacific Media Centre collaborated with the University of the South Pacific and the Pacific Writing Forum to produce a book called Dreadlocks: Islands, Oceans and Skies. Why the name “Dreadlocks”? This was the title of the innovative literary journal at USP that was the co-publisher. Ironically, the role of some Pacific government offices and how they project the climate change story globally contrasts with how they are framed and packaged locally – or not at all, with the local media often left out of the picture completely. Last night two complementary speakers gave very refreshing insights into the issues at an AUT University seminar on ethical reporting of environmental risks. One is a very experienced journalist writing on and analysing science issues and the challenges of communicating complex stories and policy and empowerment, and the other is prominent Kiribati journalist researching what it is like at Ground Zero, if you like, on low-lying atolls and islands of Micronesia. Science communication specialist Dr Jan Sinclair of Massey University, began reporting on climate change in 1987 for The Dominion newspaper, and in the early 1990s for The Observer and New Scientist in the United Kingdom. Her extensive science communication expertise has included drafting popular versions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate change impacts reports for the United Nations Environment Programme, and working with Pacific Island countries to reduce climate change risks. Sinclair spoke on the theme: “Dangerously political: News framings of the risks of climate change.” “People get most of their information about science from the news media.  With climate change and sea level rise, the news media have not adequately informed people of real risks to life, health, property and economic security,” Sinclair argues. “Nor have they passed on readily available scientific advice about how to reduce or prevent these risks.  Instead, climate change has been represented as an issue which is political but not physical, and global therefore not local.” Kiribati Independent editor Taberannang Korauaba of AUT University and the Pacific Media Centre recently completed a field trip to Micronesia. He spoke on the theme: “Media and climate change in small island nations in the Pacific.” He calls for better training in the Pacific, training that is geared for the countries themselves and by their own in-country trainers, especially the low-lying countries of Micronesia that are in the front line of climate change. Their recommendations: •    Professional, governmental and non-governmental organisations, and national and international aid organisations should work with journalists, scientific experts and communities to devise training for the primary communicators of risk information:  the news media. •    This training should focus both on journalists in the developed countries of Australia and New Zealand, and on journalists in the front-line atoll nations of Micronesia where climate change and sea level rise are already endangering populations and environments. •    Pacific Islands training should take into account the needs of news media in Micronesia’s atoll nations.  Journalists in these nations have different needs compared with media based in Polynesia and Melanesia. •    In Micronesia, training of journalists should include community representatives, and should take place on the islands or villages where climate change and sea level rise are already affecting communities and their environment. •    This training should use the local language and work with the equipment which is available to local journalists trying to adequately inform their communities. •    Journalists in low lying islands need training in using social media to communicate how climate change and sea level rise are affecting local communities.  Such training would help local journalists get stories to their own people and to the outside world. •    Universities in the Pacific region should design undergraduate courses in reporting on climate change risks.  These courses should target the region’s journalists, with the aim of improving the quality of information about climate change risks which reaches Pacific island communities.  Such courses would most benefit journalists and communities if they were delivered at central campuses on the islands most affected. [caption id="attachment_1214" align="aligncenter" width="560"]Science communication specialist Dr Jan Sinclair speaking at last night's climate change media seminar. Photo: Del Abcede/PMC. Science communication specialist Dr Jan Sinclair speaking at last night’s climate change media seminar.
Photo: Del Abcede/PMC.[/caption] – –  ]]>

Lear a King hit for local theatre-goers

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MIL OSI – Source: Massey University – Lear a King hit for local theatre-goers King Lear (Ralph Johnson) and his daughters Goneril (Hannah Pratt) and Regan (Cassandra Cleland), on opening night.

King Lear clings to his dying daughter Cordelia at the end of the play
This year’s Summer Shakespeare freak show rendition of King Lear in Palmerston North has been described as “clever and courageous.” Writing for the New Zealand Performing Arts Review and Directory website, John Ross complimented Jaime Dörner for his “clever and courageous directing.” He described the production, which several Massey University students are taking part in, as “one of the most successful recent Summer Shakespeares I’ve seen.” With three nights left in the season, Manawatū theatre lovers are being urged not to miss out, following packed audiences at last week’s three performances at the Victoria Esplanade Gardens. Theatre lecturer Associate Professor Angie Farrow, from the School of English and Media Studies – the main sponsor for Summer Shakespeare, says it is “probably the most ambitious of Summer Shakespeare productions I’ve seen. The metaphor of the freak show is beautifully sustained both in the visual design of the production and in the playing. “Costumes and prosthetics work together brilliantly to create characters from circus, and Jaime’s direction calls for physical, sometimes animal-like, performances from his actors that are high energy and hugely entertaining,” she says. Dr Farrow, who has been pivotal in organising the 13-year series of Summer Shakespeare plays in Palmerston North, says the standard of acting in King Lear is very high. “There is a good mix of emerging and established actors and Jaime has a way of bringing out the truth of the characters while maintaining their immediacy and theatricality,” she says. Reviewer John Ross concurs, commenting on how the production is “clever in its quirkiness.” “Sure, Lear is played as both a king and a circus ringmaster. Kent becomes a kind of maybe-Indian, or maybe Egyptian, servant clown; the Fool not one but three scampering-around clowns; Goneril a bearded lady; Regan a fairground vamp; Cordelia maybe a horse-back dancer; Albany a Strong Man … and others vaguely Edwardian circus functionaries, or patrons. “The effect oddly is to distance the action, to slide in some meta-theatrical game-playing, and to bring the play down to a manageable scale,” he writes. Dr Farrow says there are greater challenges in performing tragedy in an outdoor setting. “The gravity and depth of psychology needed is much easier to achieve in an indoor environment. Jaime [Dörner] compensates for this by creating an intense choreography and visual spectacle that enables even the youngest of audience members to follow.” Read the review by John Ross on the New Zealand Performing Arts Review and Directory website here. 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. Show details: Dates: March 12,13, and 14 Time: 7.30pm Entry: Free Where: Victoria Esplanade Gardens, Fitzherbert Avenue, Palmerston North
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Flag Referendums Bill passes first reading

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FAQs New Zealand Flag Referendums Bill If I want to have a say in the flag designs do I make a submission on the bill? No.  If you have a flag design that you would like to suggest, you should send this to the Flag Consideration Panel during the public engagement phase which will be advertised in mid-2015. The select committee process to consider the bill is separate. The bill is about the referendums themselves. Will this referendum process be binding? Yes. The New Zealand Flag Referendums Bill includes mechanisms that make the decision of voters binding. If the current flag wins in the second referendum, it will remain our flag. If the alternative flag wins, that decision will trigger the necessary legal amendments to make this the new New Zealand flag. This will occur six months after the referendum or earlier by Order in Council. What will be the status of the current flag if there’s a vote to change it? Will people still be able to fly it?  Yes, members of the public are free to fly flags as they choose. The only rules about flying the flag apply to the Government and to New Zealand-registered ships. If the flag changes, the current flag will have its historical significance recognised in law. If the flag changes, will other flags or symbols (such as the Coat of Arms) need to change as well? No. The bill would change only the New Zealand Flag, and there is no requirement for other symbols to change. My business currently uses the New Zealand Flag in advertising, packaging or branding. If there is a change, will I have to change anything? There would be no legal requirement to change – it would be up to you. How have other parties been involved in the development of this bill? All parties were invited to join a cross-party group of MPs. All parliamentary parties were represented in this group with the exception of New Zealand First which declined to participate. The cross-party group had input into the development of this bill including the voting system and number of alternative flag designs to be included in the first referendum, the advertising rules and the planned timing of the second referendum. What is the benefit of a two-stage referendum process? A two stage process means that the most-preferred alternative flag can be found before voters decide between changing to a new flag, or keeping the current one. Why is the preferential voting system being used in the first referendum? With preferential voting, voters rank the options presented. This gives people more opportunity to indicate their preferences amongst the alternative flags. This ranking system means that, for example, if a voter’s first choice is eliminated then their second choice could be taken into account. Information will be provided to ensure voters clearly understand how to rank the flag designs. Voters will not have to rank all four flags for their vote to count. If I support the current New Zealand flag should I vote in the first referendum? All New Zealanders who are on the electoral roll are encouraged to vote in both referendums.  While you can choose to vote for the current flag in the second referendum, the first referendum allows you to have your say about which alternative flag you prefer if the flag was to change. Why aren’t there rules or limits on spending on referendum advertising? In the context of a national discussion of our flag the Government decided, in consultation with the cross-party group, that only light regulation was necessary. Earlier press release and FAQs: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/first-steps-taken-towards-flag-referendum Flag Consideration Panel press release and FAQs: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/flag-consideration-panel-members-announced —  ]]>

Government vetoes Labour’s call for trees inquiry

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MIL OSI – Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement

Headline: Government vetoes Labour’s call for trees inquiry

National Party members today rejected a petition by Labour’s MP for New Lynn David Cunliffe for an urgent Parliamentary inquiry into the proposed felling of an ancient Kauri tree in Titirangi.

“It beggars belief that National MPs would block this work when their own ministers say there is a problem to be fixed,” David Cunliffe says.

The petition to the Local Government and Environment Select Committee was defeated by six votes to five with Labour, Green and New Zealand First members supporting the proposal.

“Auckland Council’s hands are tied by three legislative issues that only central government can sort out.

“These include National’s removal of tree protections under the 2009 and 2013 Resource Management Amendment Acts.

“National is blocking common sense progress to resolve a problem that most Kiwis think is a no-brainer,” David Cunliffe says.

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Burst Water Main Oteha Valley Road Auckland

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MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Police – Oteha Valley Road Auckland Waitemata

Burst Water Mains Oteha Valley Road Auckland. Police advise major traffic delays around Oteha Valley Road and the intersection with Fairview Ave due to a burst water main. The southern end of Fairveiw Ave is completely closed. Police says diversions are in place. The area should be avoided if possible.
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Goldman Sachs Statement on Proposed Capital Actions

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MIL OSI – Source: Goldman Sachs – Goldman Sachs Issues Statement on Proposed Capital Actions NEW YORK, March 11, 2015 — The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) today announced that the Federal Reserve Board did not object to its revised 2015 capital plan, which includes the repurchase of outstanding common stock, an increase to its quarterly common stock dividend and the possible issuance and redemption of other capital securities. The firm intends to increase its quarterly common stock dividend by five cents a share to $0.65 per share, effective in the second quarter of 2015, subject to its Board of Directors’ approval. “We remain focused on managing our resources dynamically, growing our client franchise, and generating superior returns for our shareholders while remaining well capitalized,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd Blankfein. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world. —  ]]>

WHO and World Food Programme join forces to reach zero Ebola cases

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MIL OSI – Source: Africa Press Organization – WHO and World Food Programme join forces to reach zero Ebola cases WHO and World Food Programme join forces to reach zero Ebola cases GENEVA, Switzerland, March 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — WHO and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) are combining their forces in a new partnership in the Ebola-affected countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The arrangement combines the logistics strength of WFP with WHO’s public health expertise to help get the current Ebola outbreak down to zero cases in West Africa. The platform also establishes an alert and response infrastructure for future crises. WHO and WFP combine their expertise in the 3 most Ebola-affected countries “This partnership increases both agencies’ abilities to reach, monitor and respond to the needs of all people touched by Ebola,” says Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “It helps us deploy and maintain technical teams with expertise in infection prevention and control, epidemiology, and contact tracing, enabling dedicated health workers in the deep field to do their best work. The partnership is also a learning opportunity for the future, informing our capacities to launch joint operations during large scale emergencies.” “Over the past seven months, partnerships have been crucial in fighting this devastating outbreak. WFP has worked with our partners to respond to communities’ most basic needs — making sure food is reaching everywhere that the Ebola virus has hit. Our logistical support to WHO and the wider humanitarian community has enabled affected people to receive the urgent care and support they need,” says WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin. “We are making progress, however we must remain vigilant. The Ebola crisis will not end until we identify, reach and successfully treat every last case. Recognizing this goal, the WHO-WFP partnership – a joint technical and operational force – will continue providing the support required to achieve zero cases.” Using a joint operations approach, the two agencies agreed to combine their expertise in more than 60 priority districts and prefectures on the ground in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, the three most Ebola-affected countries. Today, more WHO employees are working at the community level on Ebola in West Africa than at any other point in the epidemic. Over 700 people are currently deployed in the Ebola affected countries. In districts with ongoing Ebola transmission, WFP is ensuring that WHO disease detectives have the resources they need — computer equipment, phones and stable internet connectivity — to share information critical to tracking and stopping the virus. WFP is also managing the fleet of rugged vehicles carrying WHO social anthropologists and epidemiologists to isolated villages, where they will continue gaining the trust of communities to find and follow contacts of Ebola patients until all cases are resolved. The joint partnership responds to the directive of WHO’s Executive Board Special Session on Ebola, to develop new ways to strengthen health emergency operations and provides a model for collaboration in future response to emergencies with health impact. – -]]>

Côte d’Ivoire: Justice for victims of human rights violations “long overdue” – Zeid

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MIL OSI – Source: Africa Press Organization – Côte d’Ivoire: Justice for victims of human rights violations “long overdue” – Zeid Côte d’Ivoire: Justice for victims of human rights violations “long overdue” – Zeid GENEVA, Switzerland, March 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In the wake of the guilty verdicts against numerous supporters of former President Laurent Gbagbo charged with offences against the state and its institutions, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Wednesday urged the Government of Côte d’Ivoire to now focus on justice for victims of serious human rights violations and abuses that occurred prior to and during the 2011 conflict in the country. “Victims of gross human rights violations, some of which may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, have yet to see justice almost four years since the end of the conflict in Côte d’Ivoire,” the High Commissioner said. “Perpetrators of killings, rapes and other serious breaches of international law – no matter what their background or affiliations – must be promptly prosecuted.” “It is unacceptable that not a single individual has so far been convicted in a civilian court in Côte d’Ivoire on conflict-related human rights violations. And it is deplorable that some of the alleged perpetrators continue to hold official positions of responsibility,” Zeid said. “While I understand that the case which has just ended was of great significance to the Government, I urge it to now turn its attention to these extremely important human rights cases, without further delay.” Zeid pointed out that Tuesday’s verdict in the case against 83 alleged supporters and relatives of former president Laurent Gbagbo laid bare structural deficiencies in the judicial system in Côte d’Ivoire that need to be urgently addressed. “While important measures have already been taken to bring the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code in conformity with Côte d’Ivoire’s obligations under the Rome Statute, it is essential that the authorities take prompt measures to ensure the adoption of the draft law on victim and witness protection in judicial proceedings, to shorten pre-trial detention periods and to develop an effective appeals process,” High Commissioner Zeid said. “All of these will be important when the human rights cases start to come before the courts.” “For the peace gains to be secured and sustainable, Côte d’Ivoire must prioritize equitable justice, truth and reconciliation, particularly ahead of the presidential elections later this year,” he added. SOURCE United Nations – Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – -]]>

IMF Bails Out Ukraine

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MIL OSI – Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF Bails Out Ukraine The International Monetary Fund has bailed out war-stressed Ukraine. A IMF chief said the bailout will help cushion the impact of economic adjustment, especially for Ukraine’s poorest groups. The IMF is initiating other measures to strengthen and better target the social safety net Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today in Berlin, Germany: “I am pleased to announce that the IMF Executive Board today approved an Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of SDR 12.348 billion (about $17.5 billion, €15.5 billion) for Ukraine, based on a comprehensive economic reform program supported by the Fund as well as by additional resources from the international community. Building on the actions taken under the earlier stand-by arrangement, this new four-year extended arrangement will support immediate economic stabilization in Ukraine and a set of deep and wide-ranging policy reforms aimed at restoring robust growth over the medium term and improving living standards for the Ukrainian people. “The change in the IMF-supported program from Stand-By Arrangement to Extended Arrangement under the EFF, which is consistent with the more protracted nature of Ukraine’s balance-of-payment needs, will provide more funding, more time, more flexibility, and better financing terms for Ukraine. Other bilateral and multilateral financing is also being made available to support the reforms. In addition, the Ukrainian government has taken actions toward consultations with the holders of their public sector debt with a view to improving medium-term sustainability. “The Ukrainian authorities continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to reform. They have maintained fiscal discipline in very difficult conditions; allowed the exchange rate to adjust; and have increased retail end-user prices for gas. Many key measures are front-loaded under the new program—including further sizable energy tariff increases; bank restructuring; governance reforms of state-owned enterprises; and legal changes aimed at combating corruption and strengthening the rule of law. “To help cushion the impact of adjustment, especially for the poorest groups, measures are being taken to strengthen and better target the social safety net.” “The program is ambitious and involves risks, notably those stemming from the conflict in the east of the country. I am heartened that the cease-fire agreed last month in Minsk seems to be largely holding for now, and hope that a further loss of life can be avoided. “I wish the authorities well as they embark on this new economic reform program. With continued firm implementation, there is reasonably strong prospect of success.” –  ]]>

Auckland Council Tries To Make Sense of Kauri Tree Issue

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  • Agreed to undertake a review of processes involved in assessing and granting the consent applications to undertake development on the sites at 40 and 42 Paturoa Road, with the specific and sole purpose of identifying matters that could be improved in future council processes and to be included in Auckland Council’s submissions to central government on its current view of the RMA and report back to the Auckland Development Committee.
  • Directed the Chief Planning Officer of Auckland Council to lead the review to be undertaken on process
  • Agreed that council will continue to work with the land owners to seek a resolution to current concerns.
    • Committee Chair and Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse said: “This recommendation means we can take a look at our processes to see what we can do better, particularly in how we communicate with local boards and mana whenua. It also means we can continue to pursue best practice to serve our communities.” The results of the review will be reported back to the Auckland Development Committee on Thursday 16 April 2015. —  ]]>

    Kayaker who died on the Kaituna River had competed internationally in her sport

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    Thursday, 12 March 2015 – 3:32pm
    The kayaker who died on the Kaituna River near Rotorua can now be identified as 26-year-old Louise Jull. Louise was living in Rotorua and was teacher at Western Heights High School. She was also a committed sportswoman who had competed at an international level in white water kayaking. Her parents, Adrian and Liz Jull, and her older siblings Malcolm, Heather and Isobelle, have issued the following tribute. “Louise was a white water and extreme kayaker of international reputation. The 2015 Kaituna and Wairoa extreme kayaking women’s section was won by Louise and a second place was gained in the Citreon race in Otago just recently. Louise lived at Okere Falls and enjoyed the opportunities for kayaking that Lake Rotoiti and the Kaituna River provided. Louise was a well respected integral part of the Okere Falls, and indeed New Zealand, kayak community. Early kayaking days were focussed on white water slalom kayaking in which Louise represented New Zealand internationally. A positive role model for women in sport and a strong advocate for women in kayaking. Louise had started on a career in secondary teaching at a local Rotorua high school this year. Teaching young paddlers was an extra activity that Louise took great pleasure in; this will be one of her legacies to kayaking. Yesterday Louise was paddling a lower section of the Kaituna River that she had paddled a number of times without mishap. The incident was a chance accident involving a highly skilled paddler practicing her sport. The two paddlers with her were very experienced, but despite their efforts they were unable to retrieve the situation. The family acknowledges a deep gratitude to the two other paddlers and to the wider community who turned out to assist in the search and rescue this morning.” The Jull family request privacy at this difficult time, and media are asked to direct any enquiries through Police. The death of Louise Jull has been referred to the Coroner. —
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    Strong economic performance in Northland

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    MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – Strong economic performance in Northland Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed the release of the latest regional gross domestic product (GDP) figures, which show the Northland economy grew 7.8 percent in 2014 – the region’s highest annual rate since 2007. “Northland’s growth in the last year is strong by anyone’s standards,” Mr Joyce says.  “Northland grew well above the national average, and was one of the top three regions for growth in the North Island.” The regional GDP figures continue a strong run of economic indicators for Northland, with figures out this week also showing that the region’s tourism sector is having a good season. “Northland guest nights grew 5.3% in January over January last year, and annual growth in guest nights is running at 8.1% against a New Zealand-wide growth rate of 5.6%. “When you add that to the 7,500 extra new jobs created in Northland in the last year, it is clear that the region is turning the corner and beginning to grow well,” Mr Joyce says. “To put Northland’s employment growth into perspective, the entire country grew 80,000 jobs last year, so Northland generated almost 10 percent of that. “There is always more to be done, and that’s why last month we released the Northland Regional Growth Study, the most comprehensive report written on the Northland economy in many years. “The focus now is on attracting more investment into Northland from around New Zealand and around the world so that we can continue the strong job growth we are seeing.” The Government’s Business Growth Agenda is focused on encouraging investment right across New Zealand, Mr Joyce says. “Sustained economic growth is the only way we can create more jobs and increase incomes. “It is only when businesses have the confidence to invest that we achieve the sort of job growth that we are now seeing in Northland and across the wider the New Zealand economy.” – -]]>

    One in 10 New Zealand workers claim for a work injury

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    MIL OSI – Source: Statistics New Zealand – One in 10 New Zealand workers claim for a work injury In 2011, 1 in 10 workers in New Zealand made a claim to the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) for a work-related injury, Statistics New Zealand said today. Provisional figures for 2011 show the overall rate of injury claims was 97 claims for every 1,000 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Men made up 71 percent of all claims for work-related injuries in 2011. Since 2002, men have consistently accounted for almost three-quarters of all work-related claims. The rate for males was 122 claims per 1,000 FTEs. Younger workers (aged 15–24 years) and older workers (aged 65 years and over) had the highest claim rates across all age groups. In 2011, just over 1 in 8 workers in those two age groups made a claim for a work-related injury. Pacific workers had the highest rate across all ethnicities, with 115 claims per 1,000 FTEs.. Workers from four occupation groups were the most likely to make an injury claim. Agriculture and fishery workers made the most claims, with a rate of 211 per 1,000 FTEs. This was followed by elementary occupations, such as labourers and cleaners (183 claims per 1,000 FTEs), trades workers (180), and plant and machine operators and assemblers (166). The trend for injury claim rates has consistently declined. Final figures for the period 2002–10 show a continual drop in the overall rate of injury claims, from 143 claims per 1,000 FTEs in 2002 to 111 in 2010. The number of claims for fatal work-related injuries in 2011 was affected by the Canterbury earthquake in February 2011. There were 63 fatal claims in the Canterbury region in 2011, compared with 9 in the final 2010 data. The number of claims accepted by ACC in 2011 was 187,900. – -]]>

    Former Green Party MP Keith Locke Launches Petition Apologising For NZ Govt Spying

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    MIL OSI – Former Green Party MP Keith Locke Launches Petition Apologising For New Zealand Government Spying Keith Locke debating chamberFormer Green MP Keith Locke has launched an internet petition, in the form of an apology to several Asian and Pacific Island nations for the GCSB spying on their government communications. “I am providing an opportunity for ordinary New Zealanders to disassociate themselves from what I believe is the GCSB’s objectionable and illegal electronic spying on friendly nations in the Asia/Pacific,” said Mr Locke. “I don’t believe such spying is in New Zealand’s interests.  In fact, it may provoke a backlash from significant trading partners like China. “Such spying, where the bulk of the information gathered is sent on to the US National Security Agency, also undermines New Zealand’s reputation as a peaceful, independent player in world politics. The results of this petitioning will be sent to the governments it addresses. The petition is on the change.org website at: https://www.change.org/p/the-governments-of-japan-china-india-pakistan-vietnam-and-pacific-island-nations-we-ask-that-you-accept-this-apology-from-concerned-new-zealanders-for-our-government-s-illegal-spying-on-your-nations-electronic-communications-it-was-done-without-our-k?just_created=true The petition addresses the governments of Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Iran and Pacific Island nations [which include Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu and French Polynesia]. It asks “that you accept this apology from concerned New Zealanders for our government’s illegal spying on your nations’ electronic communications.  It was done without our knowledge and damages friendly relations between our countries.” –]]>

    Wendys setting up Dunedin staff for zero hours pain

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    MIL OSI –

    Wendys setting up Dunedin staff for zero hours pain

    Fast food chain Wendys is setting up workers at their new Dunedin store for hours to be slashed under their “Zero Hours” contracts according to Unite Union.
    Last year the chain boasted that it would be employing 50 non-management positions when it announced the store. The union has been told that 89 staff have been employed in the first week of the Anderson’s Bay store.
    “The problem with that” says Unite Organiser Ben Peterson “is that the average staffing level for a Wendy’s store is around 25 crew.”
    The union’s information is that there is only one Wendys store in the whole country with more than 30 crew. The Dunedin store is the same size as most other stores and the staffing levels will almost certainly be around the 25 to 30 non-management staff.
    The union says it has seen this behaviour repeatedly with zero hours employers when they open new stores.
    “They employ far more staff than they actually will need and simply use their zero hours contracts to reduce hours week by week. The advantages to the company is that they can keep staff desperate to please to get back their hours and they can get rid of staff at will without regard to the employment law protections most other workers enjoy.”
    Zero hours contracts means companies can effectively ignore redundancy provisions. 
    “They don’t even have to use the 90 day trial period – they can slash jobs just by changing the roster” said Mr Peterson.
    “Workers go off benefits, give up jobs and re-arrange their lives, often after being verbally assured they will get the hours they need. After a few weeks hours are slashed. Unfortunately this is the future facing the new Wendys staff in Dunedin.”
    Unite is challenging Wendys to tell the Dunedin community exactly how many jobs they expect the store to provide in two months time and what the average weekly hours will be for those jobs.
    “They are very keen to trumpet the new store and new jobs in Dunedin but the community deserves to know the reality – how many jobs will actually be around in a few months and what sort of hours will they be working. Then they need to be honest to the people they have employed about their future hours.”
    Unite will be holding a community protest outside the store this Saturday (14th March) from 11am to 1pm to support the campaign to end zero hour contracts.
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    Statement on the Titirangi kauri tree

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    MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – Press Release/Statement

    Headline: Statement on the Titirangi kauri tree

    Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has said she is concerned that a mature kauri tree is under threat.

    The owner of a property on Paturoa Road has been granted permission to cut down the tree in order to build. The tree is on private land and the Auckland Council in this case, has the responsibility for deciding what activities can occur on the property.

    Ms Barry says she is surprised by the Council’s decision not to notify the public of the process to remove a 200-year-old kauri.

    “I have urged the Council to re-examine the processes which led to its decision not to notify the public of the outcome for this tree,” she says.

    “There has been debate around the age of the tree. It is very difficult to assess accurately the age of a kauri just by looking at it,” Ms Barry says.

    “In this case, no core sampling has been done. I am aware of claims that the kauri is up to 500 years old, but these are not proven. My own advice from an expert is that the tree is in fact closer to 100-200 years old.”

    “As the Minister of Conservation I do not support the felling of any mature kauri trees, including the one currently under threat in Titirangi,” says Ms Barry.

    The Department of Conservation has no statutory role in this Auckland Council decision. However, Ms Barry says the Chief Executive of the Department of Conservation, Lou Sanson, has now contacted Auckland Council to see if there are any solutions to save the tree.

    —

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    Food prices fall 0.7 percent in February

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    MIL OSI – Source: Statistics New Zealand – Food prices fall 0.7 percent in February In February 2015, food prices fell 0.7 percent, Statistics New Zealand said today. This follows a 1.3 percent rise in January and a 0.3 percent rise in December. “Lower prices for fruit, vegetables, and meat this month were partly countered by higher prices for sweets, energy drinks, and soft drinks,” prices manager Chris Pike said. In February, the fall in fruit and vegetable prices (down 2.4 percent) was influenced by seasonal price falls for both fruit (down 2.8 percent) and vegetables (down 2.1 percent). The main downward contributions came from apples and tomatoes, partly countered by higher prices for strawberries. Apple prices fell 23 percent from a peak in January, but are still 25 percent higher than a year earlier. New season apples arrived later than usual in January, and in smaller volumes, due to adverse weather conditions in spring. Lower prices for meat, poultry, and fish (down 1.6 percent) were influenced by lower prices for all types of meat, particularly lamb, beef, and chicken. Prices for beef and chicken peaked in January 2015 and December 2014 respectively. Grocery food prices fell 0.6 percent, with lower prices for snack foods, yoghurt, chocolate, and bread. These falls were partly countered by higher prices for sweets. The price of boxed chocolates (down 16 percent) falls every February, when Valentine’s Day occurs. Prices for non-alcoholic beverages rose 1.1 percent, reflecting less discounting on energy drinks, soft drinks, and packaged coffee.

    Annual change in prices

    In the year to February 2015, food prices increased 1.5 percent, following a 1.2 percent increase in the year to January 2015. Fruit and vegetable prices increased 11 percent. Prices were higher for lettuce, apples, potatoes, pumpkin, broccoli, and carrots, while prices for tomatoes were lower. Meat, poultry, and fish prices increased 3.1 percent, reflecting higher prices for beef (up 9.6 percent). Grocery food prices decreased 2.3 percent in the year to February, influenced by lower bread prices (down 12 percent). Supermarkets discounting some own-brand bread to about $1.00 from the second half of last year contributed to the lower bread prices. Prices for snack foods, butter, cheese, and chocolate also decreased, while fresh milk prices increased for the year. The food price index (FPI) measures the rate of price change of food and food services purchased by households. Statistics NZ visits shops across New Zealand to collect prices for the FPI and check package sizes. –]]>

    Māori in Business report released

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    MIL OSI –

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE – Press Release/Statement:

    Headline: Māori in Business report released

    12 March 2015

    The Māori in Business report was today released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, providing an analysis of Māori who run their own business, using data from the 2013 and 2006 Censuses of Population and Dwellings.

    The key findings of the report show. 

    • Over 21,000 Māori run their own business.
    • Māori are half as likely to be self-employed as the total population.
    • Median incomes for self-emplopyed Māori are similar to those for all self-employed people, while there is a larger gap between the incomes of Māori employees and all employees.
    • More self-employed Māori worked in the service sector than in any other sector.
    • The self-employment rate amongst Māori differs by region.

    Read the full Māori in Business Report on MBIE’s Labour Information website.

    –

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    SkyCity hole sucks up more taxpayer cash – Labour

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    MIL OSI – Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement

    Headline: SkyCity hole sucks up more taxpayer cash

    More evidence that taxpayers are being ripped off by a Government playing fast and loose with their cash has been provided by Television New Zealand, the SOE caught up in the dodgy SkyCity deal, Labour Economic Development Spokesperson David Clark says.

    “Questioned at the commerce select committee today TVNZ Chair Wayne Walden admitted he had conversations with Minister Craig Foss about the sale of TVNZ land to SkyCity.

    “This was land designated for use as part of the proposed convention centre to be built on the adjoining site. Shortly after the long-sought land transfer, SkyCity announced its intention instead to build a five star hotel on the land.

    “TVNZ Chief Executive Kevin Kendrick told the committee that a commercial valuation for the land had been sought, but appeared to concede that alternative uses such as the planned hotel had not been explicitly considered in the valuation.

    “If the land was worth more as a site for a premium hotel, it is likely it would have attracted other commercial bidders, and the likelihood of a return to the taxpayer.

    “Unfortunately, the taxpayer is unlikely ever to know how much of TVNZ’s foregone returns to taxpayers could have been offset by a proper market-driven sale process.

    “The Board Chair’s satisfaction that they had extracted a sharp price from SkyCity’s deep taxpayer-assisted pockets seems odd in their current financial position. TVNZ chose not to put the property up for commercial sale. It looks like they handed it to SkyCity at the first price they were offered rather than seeking the best deal for taxpayers.

    “This is either a story of poor commercial decision-making by New Zealand’s state-owned broadcaster, or the result of pressure applied by a hapless minister doing SkyCity’s bidding.

    “Either way, once again, the taxpayer is left worse off,” David Clark said.

    —

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    Across The Ditch: Targeted Spying + EcoTerrorism Threat

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    Across The Ditch with Selwyn Manning and South Australia’s Peter Godfrey – Recorded Live on 12/03/15.

      In this edition of Across The Ditch, Selwyn Manning and Peter Godfrey discuss how the latest Snowden Revelations show how New Zealand’s signals spies have been targeting diplomats and officials of the country’s close trading partners… at the behest of the United States. Also discussed, New Zealand reels after an ecoterrorism poisoning threat.
    ITEM ONE: The Snowden Revelations investigation continues to be rolled out, and this week official United States intelligence documents show New Zealand’s signals spy base, the GCSB, has been used to conduct target surveillance operations against our main trading partners. Equipped with United States technology, our signals spies have been targeting diplomats and officials of China, Japan, South East Asian countries, India, Pakistan, Iran. The GCSB’s electronic surveillance has also targeted South American countries, Chile, Argentina, and as was revealed last week, most of the South East and west Pacific Islands states are also being targeted in a take-all collection operation, where all communications within those States is hoovered up, packaged, and packed off to the USA. France’s Pacific territories are also targeted. Until now, New Zealand has been considered the little finger in the Five Eyes Fist, an alliance of intelligence agencies made up of the USA, Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. But the Snowden Revelations show the USA’s National Security Agency uses New Zealand’s spies to hack the cellphones and devices of, among others, ASEAN diplomats. Our spies hack into the hardware, infect the device with malware that sends data and communications made by the individual back to the GCSB. It is an extraordinary realisation that has security analysts like Dr Paul Buchanan worried for the impact on New Zealand’s national trade interests. Last night on EveningReport.nz Paul Buchanan said New Zealand’s trade diplomats will have a difficult job ahead of them, apologising for what their government is doing at the behest of the Americans. He said New Zealand can no longer straddle the divide with one foot in the USA’s camp on security intelligence, and the other foot planted deep inside South East Asia and China through its trade dependency. This issue, he believes is the tripwire that will see New Zealand injured. ITEM TWO: New Zealand is also being rocked by a ecoterrorism threat. This week the New Zealand Police, the Government’s primary industry wing, and the Prime Minister himself revealed how some three months ago a threat was made that if New Zealand continued to use 1080 poison to reduce the numbers of rats, possums, stoats, and weasels in our forests, then high grade 1080 would be used to contaminate agriculture giant Fonterra’s milk powder products. Since the threat was revealed on Tuesday, the New Zealand dollar dropped in value, and the country has been consumed with dread that China may cut our milk product exports. The government has given assurances that it is highly unlikely that the threat will be played out. But at the same time it is being cautious, tightening regulations of use of 1080 poison, and attempting to identify those involved with the threat. We understand, that the samples the government received from those threatening ecoterrorism, were of very high grade 1080, a potency beyond that normally used. That, could indicate a sophistication of intent beyond an attention seeking lone wolf. Across The Ditch broadcasts live on FiveAA Australia and webcasts on EveningReport.nz. –]]>

    Evening Report Episode 2 Video on Demand: Paul Buchanan on the GCSB’s Targeted Ops

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    Evening Report episode, 8pm, March 11, 2015, 36th Parallel Assessments‘ founder Dr Paul Buchanan joins us to analyse the latest Snowden Revelations that demonstrate how New Zealand’s GCSB has been active in targeted operations against our close trading partners. –]]>

    1080 milk threat likely to be personal, not political – Massey Academics

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    Key overplays hand and puts dairy trade at risk – Labour

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    Headline: Key overplays hand and puts dairy trade at risk

    Prime Minister John Key and Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy’s use of the term “eco terrorism” is unfortunate, Labour’s Primary Industries and Food Safety spokesperson Damien O’Connor says.

    “It has already played into the hands of our international trade competitors after the phrase was repeated in overseas publications.

    “John Key is overplaying what is effectively the work of an independent idiot and nutter.

    “We cannot afford to have a Prime Minister and his junior playing fast and loose with words that could seriously undermine our $11 billion dairy export industry.

    “Everyone hopes the Police will quickly resolve this situation so we can reassure our international trade partners that New Zealand continues to produce the highest quality and safest food in the world,” Damien O’Connor says.

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    GDP figures show growth in all NZ regions

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    Headline: GDP figures show growth in all NZ regions

    Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the latest regional gross domestic product (GDP) data release, which shows that all regional economies in New Zealand have grown in the last 12 months.

    The GDP figures for 15 regions for the year ended March 2014 were released by Statistics New Zealand today, revealing a national increase of 6.7 per cent.

    “Today’s nominal GDP data, combined with the Household Labour Force data last month showing employment growth of 80,000 jobs in the last year, paints a strong picture of a broad-based economic recovery,” Mr Joyce says.

    “Strong sustainable economic growth is the only way to create more jobs and increase incomes.”

    Several regions grew strongly above the national average, including Southland (11.0 percent), Canterbury (10.6 percent), Marlborough (10.3 percent), Waikato (10.1 percent) and Northland (7.8 percent).

    The Auckland and Wellington regions had the smallest increases of 5.1 percent and 4.4 percent respectively.

    “The strength of growth in some South Island regions, particularly Southland, Canterbury and Marlborough, is particularly notable,” Mr Joyce says. “In the North Island, the Waikato, Northland and Taranaki stand out.

    “Overall, the South Island has experienced stronger growth than the North Island over the last five years. The South has grown 27 per cent while the North has grown 21 per cent in five years. That’s another signal, alongside lower unemployment rates, that there are significant job opportunities in the South Island.”

    New Zealand’s total GDP was $229.7 billion for the year ended March 2014. The North Island contributed 76.6 percent to total GDP, compared with 23.4 percent from the South Island.

    “The Government is continuing to focus on economic policies that encourage business investment right across New Zealand,” Mr Joyce says.

    “It is only when businesses have the confidence to invest that we achieve the sort of job growth that we are now seeing in the New Zealand economy.”

    —

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    Live Video Analysis tonight 8pm on Evening Report – GCSB’s Targeted Ops

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    Evening Report editor, Selwyn Manning. Evening Report editor, Selwyn Manning.[/caption]From The Editor’s Desk – March 11, 2015. Coming up tonight on Evening Report at 8pm: Evening Report (episode 2): Live Video Tonight at 8pm – We will be digging into the fallout of New Zealand GCSB operations targeting South East Asia countries, as exposed in the New Zealand Herald today by Nicky Hager and Ryan Gallagher. 36th Parallel Assessments founder Dr Paul Buchanan has confirmed availability and will examine the intelligence aspects, and, consider the national interest implications. What are the solutions should New Zealand need to clean up this geopolitical mess? We also hope to have Oliver Woods on (tbc), a Kiwi who is very knowledgeable on technology and such things and is based in South East Asia. So set your diary to EveningReport.nz 8pm. ALSO Early Edition of Evening Report: Live Video of Pacific Media Centre’s Climate Change – media ethics and Pacific challenges debate – Live on Evening Report 5-7pm tonight (click here). This event features Dr Jan Sinclair (Massey University) who began reporting on climate change in 1987; and Doctoral candidate and Kiribati Independent editor Taberannang Korauaba who knows what it is like to see his homeland disappearing beneath the Pacific waves. Analysis: We have a thought-provoking piece in from COHA’s Frederick B. Mills, who is a Senior Research Fellow and Professor of Philosophy at Bowie State University. He analyses how US President Barack Obama has declared “a national emergency with respect to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by the situation in Venezuela.” See: Obama’s Hard Turn to the Right in Hemispheric Policy And we have full raw coverage of today’s big news items – including:

    See you at 8pm – Selwyn Manning. –]]>

    Live Video: Climate Change – Media Ethics and Pacific Challenges – Live 5-7pm Tonight

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    Event date and time:  Wednesday, March 11, 2015 – 17:00 – 19:00 – Submitted by Dr David Robie (PMC)

    [caption id="attachment_1170" align="alignleft" width="300"]A coastal freighter breaches a climate change seawall during a king tide at Tarawa, Kiribati. Image: Kiribati Independent and PMC. A coastal freighter breaches a climate change seawall during a king tide at Tarawa, Kiribati. Image: Kiribati Independent and PMC.[/caption]

    PMC SEMINAR 1/15: ETHICAL REPORTING OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS: People are not receiving available information about expected risks and remedies as climate change escalates. People get most of their information about science from the media. Therefore, inadequate reporting of risks and remedies becomes a matter of journalistic ethics. 

    A doctoral thesis by Dr Jan Sinclair showed that the news media have framed climate change as political but not physical, global therefore not local, and a problem for “others” but not for “us”. 

    For example, recent news stories have warned that the US South West faces escalating drought problems in coming decades. This warning first surfaced in 1990, in the first report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 

    The New York Times mentioned these risks just three times between 1990-2007. News media in both developed and developing countries have focused on the solutions of emission reductions but have ignored the escalating risks to human health, environments and economies.

    This failure to warn populations of likely dangers applies both to Pacific journalists, and journalists from developed countries.                                                                                       

    The seminar will be introduced by PMC director Professor David Robie and will feature two main speakers:

    Science communication specialist Dr Jan Sinclair (Massey University) began reporting on climate change in 1987.  Her PhD investigated why journalists ignored scientific warnings in favour of political controversies.

    Doctoral candidate and Kiribati Independent editor Taberannang Korauaba (AUT University) who has recently conducted field work in Micronesia and will discuss climate change issues and the media especially from a Pacific perspective.

    All welcome.

    Venue: WG608, Sir Paul Reeves Building, AUT City Campus

    When: 5-7pm

    Organised by the AUT Pacific Media Centre

    –]]>

    Govt Introduces Extra Controls on 1080

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    MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government Headline: Extra controls on 1080 The Government has introduced tighter controls on high purity forms of 1080 in response to the criminal threat to use 1080 to contaminate infant and other formula, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today. “I am satisfied that the controls for 1080 in the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act are robust, but with this criminal threat we are putting in place extra controls,” Dr Smith says. High purity 1080 is highly toxic. It is mainly used for the manufacture of pest control baits, but small quantities are also used for research. “The current regulations have an exemption for research laboratory use, as is the case for dozens of similarly toxic substances. This threat justifies putting in place additional controls that will require tighter security of high purity 1080 in laboratories, tracking of the quantity of the poison stored and used, and requiring Environmental Protection Authority certification of importers of high purity 1080 into New Zealand,” Dr Smith says. “I have no information that the high purity 1080 sent with the letter containing the threat came from a research laboratory, but I want to take a precautionary approach to minimise the risk of the poison getting into criminal hands. “We have communicated with research laboratories known to use 1080 about the need for increased security prior to yesterday’s public announcement on the threat, and have had their full cooperation in tightening up security. The new regulations were approved by a special Executive Council yesterday, signed off by the Governor-General last night, and will be published in a special Gazette notice today to take effect immediately. “These regulatory changes make it unlawful for anybody to possess 1080 without the prior approval of the Environmental Protection Authority, including research laboratories. It will enable the Authority to better track the importation, distribution and use of high purity 1080, and ensure it is always securely contained.” The HSNO Act provides the Minister for the Environment with the ability to make urgent changes in the public interest without consultation. “The regulatory controls on the importation, distribution and use of 1080 are tight but no controls can be 100 per cent when people are threatening to take criminal action. These changes will make 1080 the most tightly regulated toxic substance in New Zealand,” Dr Smith concluded. –]]>

    EPMU Says Govt Must Fix Solid Energy Mess

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    “The Government has pushed Solid Energy to the brink with constant, unrealistic demands for returns, turning a blind eye to appalling management mishaps and governance failures,” says Ged O’Connell, EPMU assistant national secretary.

    “Now they’re hinting that they’ll just make the problem go away, with the endorsement of the rightwing shell lobby group, the Taxpayers’ Union.

    “That’s not what’s best for New Zealand.

    “This isn’t just about miners. Many jobs rely on New Zealand coal mining. With our current technology, we need coal to smelt steel. Our railways and construction industry rely on coal mining.

    “Closing down Solid Energy will not mean our industries stop using coal – it just means importing it from countries like China and Indonesia instead of here.

    “New Zealand taxpayers would much rather see their money spent on real jobs supporting our communities, rather than shady casino deals and big payrises for Cabinet ministers.”

    – –

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    Government must fix the mess it created at Solid Energy

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    Headline: Government must fix the mess it created at Solid Energy

    11 March, 2015

    The Government must take responsibility for the role it has played in Solid Energy’s current financial crisis, and support the company which has returned $600 million to the country over the past decade.

    “The Government has pushed Solid Energy to the brink with constant, unrealistic demands for returns, turning a blind eye to appalling management mishaps and governance failures,” says Ged O’Connell, EPMU assistant national secretary.

    “Now they’re hinting that they’ll just make the problem go away, with the endorsement of the rightwing shell lobby group, the Taxpayers’ Union.

    “That’s not what’s best for New Zealand.

    “This isn’t just about miners. Many jobs rely on New Zealand coal mining. With our current technology, we need coal to smelt steel. Our railways and construction industry rely on coal mining.

    “Closing down Solid Energy will not mean our industries stop using coal – it just means importing it from countries like China and Indonesia instead of here.

    “New Zealand taxpayers would much rather see their money spent on real jobs supporting our communities, rather than shady casino deals and big payrises for Cabinet ministers.”

    ENDS

    For more information contact:

    Ged O’Connell, EPMU assistant national secretary: 0275 328 152
    Stephanie Rodgers, EPMU communications officer: 022 269 1170​

    – –

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