WEST PAPUA: Detained campaigner Benny Wenda awaits PNG verdict

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI Analysis – Pacific Media Centre/Pacific Media Watch

West Papuan campaigner Benny Wenda with a booklet about exploitation at the Freeport mine. Image: PNGLoop

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Item: 9181

Freddy Mou PORT MORESBY (PNG Loop/Pacific Media Watch): A final clearance from Prime Minister Peter O’Neill will determine if exiled West Papuan leader Benny Wenda gets deported today. The coordinator of Free West Papua PNG Chapter Freddy Mambraso told PNG Loop that Wenda was still awaiting clearance from the PM who was in Madang. He said attempts had been made to the head of Immigration but he had been told to wait for the PM’s advice. Wenda was reportedly in Immigration custody and awaiting clearance. He has been denied access into the country and was reportedly locked up by Immigration officers at the Jackson’s International Airport in Port Moresby yesterday afternoon. It was revealed that Wenda was in the country by invitation from National Capital District (NCDC) Governor Powes Parkop. Wenda, a roving ambassador of the West Papuan people, had flown from the United Kingdom arriving yesterday and had planned to stop briefly in Papua New Guinea before heading to a major meeting in Vanuatu of Melanesian leaders. Wenda was released yesterday afternoon and will be deported today if the PM gives the order for deportation. However, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said he had no idea about the situation as he was attending to some events at Ramu in the Madang Province. Benny Wenda ‘held’ in PNG – RNZI report

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence. ]]>

United Nations trade report calls on governments to improve environment for e-commerce

By Selwyn Manning -

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: United Nations – UN trade report calls on governments to improve environment for e-commerce The scope for developing countries to participate in and benefit from e-commerce is expanding, according to a new United Nations report released today, with improved connectivity, new e-commerce applications, platforms and payment solutions, and the emergence of local e-commerce companies that are tailoring their services to local demands. The 2015 edition of the Information Economy Report (IER), published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), analyses trends and international policy issues related to information and communications technology and its links with trade and development. “As the digital economy expands and more business activities are affected, it becomes more important for governments to consider policies that can help to harness e-commerce for sustainable development,” said UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi, specifying that governments need to improve areas including information and communications technology infrastructure, the legal and regulatory environment, and develop skills in their populations. The report includes a B2C (Business-to-Consumer) E-commerce Index, which draws on data to assess e-commerce readiness and help States to formulate their national e-commerce strategies. Through the Index, governments can identify their relative strengths and weaknesses. In Africa, for example, internet penetration levels need to rise to promote e-commerce readiness. Making information and communications technology work for development requires more than expanding the infrastructure, the report says. In order to foster productive and inclusive use of information and communications technology, governments need to create legal, institutional and policy frameworks and generate the necessary skills in government, business and civil society and the Index measures progress in those areas. Among developing countries, States at the top end of the Index are in East Asia, including the Republic of Korea and Singapore, with larger countries such as Brazil, China and Russia performing better than predicted, suggesting that large markets facilitate e-commerce. Business-to-consumer e-commerce, valued at $1.2 trillion, is currently much smaller than business-to-business (B2B), which is worth $15 trillion, but is growing at a faster rate, especially in Asia and Africa, and is expected to double in size to $2.4 trillion by 2018. To enable that, postal networks will be vital and the report measures data on home postal delivery as an indicator of countries’ readiness to engage in B2C e-commerce. In Latin America and the Caribbean and in Asia and Oceania, the extension of postal home delivery was found to be particularly important. “Posts are seeing the mail makeup changing, with more merchandises making their way through their networks,” said Bishar A. Hussein, the Director General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). “They must prepare for this growth by adapting their products and services, processes and infrastructure.” The UNCTAD report also notes that growing concerns over cybercrime affect the willingness of both buyers and sellers to make transactions online, with research showing that the enactment of laws to facilitate security and trust in online transactions varies considerably globally, with significant gaps in many developing countries. Although the United States is by far the most targeted country, accounting for almost half of known cases of cybercrime, information security is a rising concern for governments, enterprises and consumers around the world, especially given that $3.5 billion was lost in supplier revenue due to online fraud in 2012. UNCTAD’s report calls for interoperability of legal measures between States, with 117 countries having enacted cybercrime legislation. Ensuring international compatibility of e-transaction laws remains a challenge and the report says the legal recognition of e-signatures, electronic contracts and evidence at a national level should ideally be extended to those originating in other jurisdictions. –]]>

OECD Urges Indonesia to accelerate reforms and invest in human capital to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth

By Selwyn Manning -

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: OECD – Indonesia should accelerate reforms and invest in human capital to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth 25/03/2015-The Indonesian economy has enjoyed strong and stable growth over the past decade and a half, leading to impressive reductions in poverty and major improvements in living standards. But challenges remain to continue to converge towards higher-income countries, according to the latest OECD Economic Survey of Indonesia. The Survey, presented in Jakarta by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría and Indonesian Minister of Finance Bambang Brodjonegoro, notes that economic growth has slowed in recent years and suggests that accelerating the pace of reform is needed to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits all Indonesians. Despite a slowdown in 2014 and a challenging international environment, Indonesian GDP growth is projected to reach 5.3% in 2015 and 5.9% in 2016. “Indonesia has been through a remarkable transformation, with tens of millions of people lifted out of poverty,” Mr Gurría said. “Today Indonesia is out-performing most of its regional neighbours, and most other emerging market economies, but by accelerating reforms it can do even better, grow even faster, and ensure that all Indonesians share the benefits of growth. Improving the education system and the country’s infrastructure will be critical to future success.” Mr Gurría also presented a new OECD Education Policy Review of Indonesia, with Minister of Culture and Elementary and Secondary Education Anies Baswedan, during the same news conference. The Policy Review points out that Indonesia faces a unique window of opportunity: with 43% of its 250 million-strong population under the age of 25, the country is already endowed with the human resources necessary to propel growth, provided its workforce is equipped with the right skills. To reap the demographic dividend, the Indonesian government must raise the quality of education, through improvements in teacher training, professional development and increased accountability. It must extend participation in the education system, to ensure that all students have an equal chance to progress to higher levels of learning. And it must strive for greater efficiency within the education sector. The Economic Survey points out that the central government’s strong fiscal position – marked by low deficits and low public debt – offers the opportunity to raise greater revenues to fund higher spending targeted at improving education, boosting infrastructure and expanding the social security system. Better targeting of existing social security programmes would ensure that measures to alleviate poverty, including cash transfers, health care spending and food subsidies, benefit those most in need. Reducing high levels of labour market informality, through the easing of labour market rigidities, would improve incentives for workers to join the social security system, the Survey said. Indonesia should also do more to make the most of its natural resources, notably by increasing agricultural productivity, through technical assistance and training, while improving farmers’ access to credit. It should also seek to diversify energy sources away from fossil fuels, notably by promoting investment in its abundant geothermal resources. An Overview with the main conclusions is available at http://oecd.org/indonesia/economic-survey-indonesia.htm. You are invited to include this Internet link in reports on the Survey. An embeddable version of the Economic Survey is also available, together with information about downloadable and print versions. ***NOTE TO EDITORS*** The 4th Economic Survey of Indonesia and the 1st Education Policy Review are key elements of Indonesia’s ongoing and expanding partnership with the OECD. Mr Gurría’s visit marked the inauguration of of the OECD’s new Southeast Asia Office, in Jakarta. The Office will serve as a platform for boosting OECD work in the region and enabling the Organisation to collaborate more closely with counterparts in Indonesia and across Southeast Asia. The 34 member OECD promotes policies that improve the economic and social well-being of people worldwide. The Organisation provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. The OECD’s current members are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. – ]]>

FONTERRA ANNOUNCES 2015 INTERIM RESULTS

By Selwyn Manning -

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI –

Fonterra announces 2015 Interim Results

Click here to review the Interim Results presentation and Interim Report.

Results Highlights

· Forecast Cash Payout for the 2014/15 Season of $4.90 – $5.00

– Forecast Farmgate Milk Price $4.70 per kgMS

– Estimated full year dividend of 20-30 cents per share

· Revenue $9.7 billion, down 14 per cent

· Reported EBIT $483 million, up 16 per cent

· Normalised EBIT $376 million, down 7 per cent

· Net profit after tax (NPAT) $183 million, down 16 per cent

· Interim dividend of 10 cents per share

· Ingredients normalised EBIT $299 million, up 2 per cent

· Consumer and foodservice normalised EBIT $116 million, up 23 per cent

· International Farming normalised EBIT ($27) million

Forecast Cash Payout

Fonterra Co-operative Group today announced its half-year results.

Chairman John Wilson said that given the results achieved in the first half of the year and the continued volatility in international prices, the Co-operative was holding its forecast Farmgate Milk Price at $4.70 per kgMS.

“However, our forecast dividend has been lowered to 20-30 cents per share, resulting in a forecast Cash Payout of $4.90 – $5.00. The Board has declared a 10 cent interim dividend.

“These half-year results are below our farmers’ expectations, in a period when the Farmgate Milk Price is low and we are reducing the forecast dividend range.

“Our half-year results are a snapshot of tough conditions in dairy with variable production, demand and pricing. There was also the challenge of generating profit from inventory made in the previous financial year when the cost of milk was higher, but sold in the first quarter of the financial year when global dairy prices were falling.

“In New Zealand, milk production got off to an excellent start. A very dry summer in most regions curtailed production in the last three weeks of January, with the Co-operative reducing its milk volume forecast to slightly below last season’s production.

“Our current milk supply forecast for the 2014/15 season has increased to 1,551 million kgMS, two per cent below the 2013/14 season.

“Oversupply from dairy producing regions around the world in the early months of the financial year saw the trade-weighted GlobalDairyTrade price index hit a five-year low in December. Supply outweighed demand and buyers undervalued milk, which was reflected in prices that declined to unsustainable levels. Lower commodity prices placed downward pressure on our Farmgate Milk Price in the first half. This was partially offset by currency, with a benefit of approximately 30 cents per kgMS to the forecast Farmgate Milk Price, as at 31 January.

“Volatility continues to influence international dairy commodity prices and given this, we recommend caution with regards to on-farm budgets,” said Mr Wilson.

Net profit after tax is down 16 per cent to $183 million. Normalised EBIT is also down 7 per cent to $376 million, compared with the same period last year.

Business Performance

The first half has been subdued for the Co-operative, due to high volatility and challenging global market conditions, resulting in a 14 per cent decrease in revenue, CEO Theo Spierings said.

“In the first quarter, opportunities to improve ingredients, consumer and foodservice gross margins were restricted until carryover inventory from the previous financial year was cleared.

“There is often a lag between when product is produced and when it is sold. During the first quarter, the value of our ingredients inventory was relatively high as it was mostly produced when Whole Milk Powder (WMP) prices were higher, ranging between USD2,700 to USD4,700 per MT.

“However, these higher inventory costs were not recovered due to rapidly falling Whole Milk Powder (WMP) prices in the first quarter of this financial year, which dropped to a low of around USD2,400 per MT.

“This gap between the value of inventory and selling prices created a margin squeeze in the first quarter. This contrasts with the first quarter last year when the value of inventory was based on a lower milk cost, and was sold at a higher price.

“In the second quarter this year earnings for ingredients improved, benefiting from the lower cost of milk.

“Our consumer and foodservice business in Asia and China source all of their milk from New Zealand and benefited from the lower value of milk, particularly in the second quarter.

“Our Australian and Chilean consumer and foodservice businesses source their milk in market. Their earnings were significantly impacted by higher milk prices within each of these milk pools which squeezed margins. In Australia, Chile and Brazil, the prices paid for milk are influenced by in-market dynamics rather than global prices, so our businesses in these markets have faced higher input costs.

“Meanwhile our Sri Lanka business has turned around and improved earnings after rebuilding the market share lost, following the temporary suspension of our operations last year.

“Despite some challenges, our consumer and foodservice business overall achieved volume growth and improved pricing, together delivering a $91 million increase in our gross margin. Normalised EBIT for consumer and foodservice for the first half was $116 million, an increase of 23 per cent on the prior comparable period,” said Mr Spierings.

Outlook

“Our first half year results combined with the current market conditions mean that our expectations for the full year have resulted in an updated forecast dividend range of 20 to 30 cents per share (based on our policy of paying 65 to 75 per cent of net profit after tax),” said Mr Spierings. “We are maintaining our current forecast Farmgate Milk Price.

“We are strongly committed to the V3 Strategy we formulated three years ago, which has been a huge change for the Co-op. The strategy is creating sustainable returns through the integration of our ingredients multi-hubs and targeted consumer and foodservice positions in our key markets. We remain uniquely placed in the world with our global reach, asset footprint, and integrated grass-to-glass supply chain.

“But the change so far has not been easy. Capital structure change was a necessity. However, the precautionary recall last year, and recent contamination threat have been unwelcome distractions. These events remind us that the world is constantly changing and we have to be agile and responsive so we can remain ahead. We have the building blocks in place to deliver on our vision and strategy for the long term.

“We have a single-minded focus on delivering results: increasing sales volumes, reducing complexity, and taking costs out to maximise returns. To accelerate delivery on strategy, my team and I are leading a comprehensive business transformation programme. It will firmly embed the best features of entrepreneurial thinking, such as effectiveness, efficiency and agility.

“This will require some tough decisions. We are committed to improving performance. We have made good progress so far but we need to increase the pace of change,” said Mr Spierings.

The record date for the interim dividend is 10 April, and the payment date is 20 April.

The dividend reinvestment plan (DRP), under which eligible shareholders and unit holders can elect to reinvest all or part of their cash dividends in additional shares or units, will be made available in respect of the 2015 interim dividend. The Board has determined that shares and units will be issued at a 2.5% discount on the average closing price for the period 8-14 April 2015.

Note: currency is New Zealand dollars unless otherwise stated.

About Fonterra

Fonterra is a preferred supplier of dairy ingredients to many of the world’s leading food companies. Fonterra is also a market leader with our own consumer dairy brands in Australia/New Zealand, Asia/Africa, Middle East and Latin America.

The farmer-owned New Zealand co-operative is the largest processor of milk in the world, producing more than two million tonnes of dairy ingredients, value added dairy ingredients, specialty ingredients and consumer products every year. Drawing on generations of dairy expertise, Fonterra is one of the largest investors in dairy based research and innovation in the world. Our more than 18,000 staff ensure we live up to exacting quality standards and deliver every day on our customer promise in more than 100 markets around the world.

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APPENDIX ONE

Fonterra has changed the way it structures its financial reporting. It is now focused on the Ingredients, Consumer and Foodservice, and International Farming businesses, to align with our global strategy.

Half-year financial highlights by business divisions

Ingredients

Milk collection across New Zealand for the season to 31 January 2015 was 1,150 million kgMS, three per cent up on the same period last season. Milk collection in Australia, which is our second largest milk pool, was 82 million kgMS, up six per cent. Ingredients sales volumes were flat as a result of lower sales to China which was offset by higher sales in other regions, but revenue was 23 per cent down reflecting the 45 per cent lower dairy commodity prices during the first half compared to the same period last year. Normalised EBIT for the first half was $299 million, up two per cent relative to the comparable period. The ingredients segment includes group overheads. Operating costs were $43 million higher mainly due to higher costs to support our global strategy and ensure efficient allocation of resources, and higher storage and distribution costs in the United States and New Zealand.

Consumer and Foodservice

Volume across our consumer and foodservice businesses was up 27 per cent to 840,000MT in the first half compared to the same period last year. On a like-for-like basis, excluding volumes for Brazil and Venezuela, which were not consolidated last year, volume was up three per cent. Revenue was up 22 per cent to $3.3 billion and five per cent on a like-for-like basis, reflecting our ability to increase price points in some key markets. Normalised EBIT for the consumer and foodservice business in the first half was $116 million, up 23 per cent compared to the same period last year. This was mainly due to improved pricing and strong volume growth in China, the recovery in Sri Lanka and a strong performance from our foodservice business in Asia. This was partially offset by higher input costs due to the higher cost of milk in Australia and in Chile in the first half compared to the same period last year. Operating expenses were $4 million higher mainly because of higher investment in our China consumer business.

International Farming

We now have two farming hubs with a total of nine productive farms. A single farm has capacity for around 3,200-3,500 milking cows and a double farm has around 6,500 milking cows. In total we have 24,000 milking cows and 25,000 heifers and calves across all our farms. Milk production volumes increased significantly to 67,000 MT for the first half as a result of the new farms that have come on stream since the first half last year, equating to over five million kgMS of milk produced for the six months. Normalised EBIT in the first half was down $29 million on the same period last year due to the higher livestock revaluation adjustment in the first half of last year not being repeated this year. Accounting standards require Fonterra to hold livestock on our balance sheet at fair value. The relatively thinly traded livestock market on China and the volatile local Chinese milk price contribute to fluctuations in Chinese livestock valuations. In addition we had a lower milk price in China which reflected the impact of higher local milk production.

APPENDIX TWO

Non-GAAP measures

Fonterra uses several non-GAAP measures when discussing financial performance. For further details and definitions of non-GAAP measures used by Fonterra, refer to the Glossary in Fonterra’s 2014 Annual Review. These are non-GAAP measures and are not prepared in accordance with NZ IFRS.

Management believes that these measures provide useful information as they provide valuable insight on the underlying performance of the business. They may be used internally to evaluate the underlying performance of business units and to analyse trends. These measures are not uniformly defined or utilised by all companies. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed in isolation nor considered as a substitute for measures reported in accordance with NZ IFRS.

· Fonterra calculates normalised EBIT by adding back net finance costs, taxation expense and normalisation adjustments to profit for the period.

· Normalisation adjustments are transactions that are unusual by nature or size such that they materially reduce the ability of users of the financial results to understand the underlying performance of the Group or operating segment to which they relate.

· Unusual transactions by nature are the result of a specific event or set of circumstances that are outside the control of the business, or relate to the major acquisitions or disposals of an asset/group of assets or business.

· Unusual transactions by size are those that are unusually large in a particular accounting period.

· Normalisation adjustments are determined on a consistent basis each year.

Reconciliation from the NZ IFRS measure of profit after tax to Fonterra’s normalised EBIT

$ million	Six month ended 31 January 2015	Six month ended 31 January 2014
Total EBIT	483	416
Net gain on Latin American strategic realignment	(129)	–
Time value of options	22	(13)
Total normalisation adjustments	(107)	(13)
Total normalised EBIT	376	403

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Dairy drives fall in exports – Statistics NZ

By Selwyn Manning -

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Statistics New Zealand – Dairy drives fall in exports Total goods exports fell $608 million (13 percent) to $3.9 billion in February 2015 compared with February 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today. Milk powder, butter, and cheese exports led the fall, down 41 percent ($647 million) from February 2014, due to lower prices and a 10 percent fall in quantities exported. Over three-quarters of the drop in value was due to falling exports to China. “Annual dairy export values are still coming down from the highest annual level, which was in mid-2014, but quantities exported have remained fairly stable,” international statistics manager Jason Attewell said. “Annual values are now 16 percent lower than for the year ended August 2014 and are at similar levels to late 2013.” Meat values rose $78 million (12 percent) compared with February 2014. Frozen beef to the United States continues to push meat export values to new highs. Imports rose $139 million (3.7 percent), to $3.9 billion. Consumption goods (such as clothing) led the rise, up 14 percent. Machinery and plant equipment in the capital goods category rose 13 percent, led by mobile phones (personal and business use). In February 2015, there was a small trade surplus of $50 million, down from the surplus of $797 million in February 2014. The trade balance for the year ended February 2015 was a deficit of $2.2 billion. This deficit represents a $4.0 billion turnaround since the most-recent peak in the August 2014 year. –]]>

No trace of missing Dutch tourist – Police

By Selwyn Manning -

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI –

Source: New Zealand Police – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Day three – no trace of missing Dutch tourist

Home » News » Day three – no trace of missing Dutch tourist

Tasman

Search and rescue teams, including specialist search dogs from Canterbury have again failed to find any trace of missing Dutch tourist Ken Boogers.

Mr Boogers was last seen on the Pillar Point track which is in the area between Wharariki and Puponga in Golden Bay on Saturday. There have been no further confirmed sightings of him since that time.

The weather has remained fine today in the search area. Searchers are now pulling out for the night and the search will resume at first light on Thursday.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has seen Mr Boogers since Saturday. Anyone with information should call Nelson Police Ph 5463840 or Takaka Police Ph 5259211.

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Investigations ongoing into serious assault at Christchurch Men’s Prison – Police

By Selwyn Manning -

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI –

Source: New Zealand Police – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Investigations ongoing into serious assault at Christchurch Men’s Prison

Home » News » Investigations ongoing into serious assault at Christchurch Men’s Prison

Canterbury

Canterbury Police are investigating a serious assault reported to have occurred at Christchurch Men’s Prison at approximately 9.30am this morning (25 March 2015).

The male victim, an inmate at the Prison, has been taken to Christchurch Hospital with serious injuries.

Canterbury Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.

It is too early in the investigation to make any further comment.

ENDS

Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404

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Carving out a wine market in China

By Selwyn Manning -

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation – Carving out a wine market in China By Matt Calman Charlotte Read has been involved in the wine industry for most of her life. Her father was one of Hawke’s Bay’s first grape growers in the 1970s, during the infancy of the New Zealand wine industry. Now she is trying to convert Chinese palates to the award-wining wines of New Zealand winery Villa Maria. Read became Villa Maria’s first dedicated Chinese-based Asia market manager in 2010. She has spent significant time in both Shanghai and Beijing managing two China-based staff. Previously she was based in London as Villa Maria’s UK/European market manager. China is a fledgling market in terms of wine. Its supermarkets have small sections devoted to wine compared to the large volumes displayed in New Zealand supermarkets. But the past two years have seen a shift in Chinese wine buying habits. Wine was predominantly bought for gifting and banqueting but a change of government in 2012 led to a crackdown on lavish spending. “Now a more consumer-oriented wine culture is emerging which is essential for long-term sustainable growth,” Read says. Of a population of nearly 1.4 billion people an estimated 35 million drink imported wine, up from just 19 million two years ago. Imported wine makes up just 12 percent of the wine consumed in China. “Back in New Zealand there’s pressure to get a big presence in China, fast. But we need to have realistic expectations around what the size of the prize is and the timeframe to achieve it in,” Read says. “The wine-drinking public is still a very small group, but it’s growing rapidly and it’s that potential we are here for.” The westernisation of the restaurant experience, and the concept of social wine drinking going hand-in-hand with that sort of occasion, is slowly transforming China from a banquet-only culture. Red wines from the Bordeaux region of France have proved popular. They were an early pioneer in the market and have been well marketed to the point those brands are synonymous with wine in China. In fact, 90 percent of wine drunk and much of local production in China is red wine. “It’s what is preferred because it’s what was known first. In some sectors some people don’t even know that white wine exists. That is the challenge for New Zealand in that our mainstay is white wine.” However, members of the educated, emerging middle class, and women in particular, are very receptive to white wine, Read says. Villa Maria has maintained a presence in five-star hotels, restaurants, retail chains and major tier-one cities through its 15-year relationship with wine importer Summergate Fine Wines. In recent years social media and the internet has become a vital marketing tool. The Villa Maria team in China, with help from an agency, are very active on social media platforms Weibo and Wei Xin (WeChat). Villa Maria posts content about its brand, and about New Zealand, in both English and Chinese to its followers (Villa Maria has more than 20,000 followers on Weibo alone). E-commerce (buying and selling products online) is also a rapidly growing channel for wine sales, with China surpassing the United States as the largest E-commerce market in the world in 2012. China’s imported wine market has two main realms – the cheaper end dominated by large-volume wine-producing countries such as Spain, Chile and Australia, and the premium end of the market. “There are two speeds of the market here. There’s the very cheap end where it’s very price sensitive but New Zealand doesn’t want to play there,” Read says. Awards and accolades are important for brand perception with Chinese consumers. Villa Maria has just been named fourth most admired wine brand in the world by Drinks International Magazine, the only New Zealand winery named in the top 10. “If you build a strong brand you can command the premium. Chinese people will pay when they understand the quality.” Read says New Zealand’s annual wine exports to China totalled $27.7 million (NZD) to the end of January, which meant the market was rebounding to 2012 levels. In 2003, New Zealand Winegrowers figures estimated the annual exports to China totalled just $209,000 (NZD). Read is responsible for a huge territory – from Dubai to Japan and everywhere in between – but being a leader in the China wine market is key to the Villa Maria brand. “It’s symbolic of how important China is to our business … and how we are dedicated to developing this area. China is a market requiring patience and perseverance.” – -]]>

Northport The Answer For Port Expansion – Peters

By Selwyn Manning -

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI –

Source: New Zealand First – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Northport The Answer For Port Expansion

New Zealand First Leader and candidate for Northland by-election Rt Hon Winston Peters is pleased the Auckland council have come to its senses over the expansion of the city’s port expansion.

“This was never a goer in terms of transport, maritime services, shipping and recreation. Aucklanders were well aware of that but the council was not listening.

“The answer is sitting under their noses, it’s Northport at Whangarei.

“It’s a win for Northland and a win for Aucklanders.

“Northland will benefit from the recurring revenue and will be much less reliant on seasonal opportunities.

“Aucklanders will not have their harbour ruined.

“The expansion was unsound. It makes sense to bring the container expansion to a naturally deep harbour with much flat land available.

“New Zealand First would force KiwiRail to restore the viability of the railway line north of Auckland to make it fit for modern container carriage purpose.

“We would build the rail link to the port, which is something the KiwiRail board and management should have done decades ago.”

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BIG DATA: World authority on digital humanitarian issues to talk at the University of Canterbury

By Selwyn Manning -

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: University of Canterbury – Big Data: World authority on digital humanitarian issues to talk at the University of Canterbury

March 25, 2015 A world authority on digital humanitarian issues says lifeline organisations get overwhelmed by the overflow of information generated during and after disasters. Mobile phones, social media, satellite imagery and increasingly aerial imagery contribute to a flash flood of big data, says Dr Patrick Meier, who is an internationally recognized thought leader on humanitarian technology. The University of Canterbury’s digital archive CEISMIC team has invited Dr Meier to speak at the university tomorrow (March 26). Dr Meier has given talks at the White House, the United Nations, Google, Harvard, Stanford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He says humanitarian organisations are the product of an information environment marked by scarcity. Until recently, it would take days or rather weeks following major disasters to determine who had been affected, how badly and where. The lack of information often leads to pure guesswork, which is not efficient. “The overflow of information that gets generated during and after disasters today can be as paralysing to humanitarian efforts as the absence of information. Organisations are no better off in either scenario: information scarcity and information overflow are both serious impediments to informed relief operations. “These humanitarian organisations are completely unprepared and frankly incapable of making sense of this big data, so they’re turning to digital humanitarians: tech-savvy digital volunteers the world over. “Digital humanitarians use crowdsourcing and trail-blazing insights from artificial intelligence to filter through the big data and thereby provide organisations with increased awareness in the immediate aftermath of major humanitarian crises. “The next generation humanitarian technology platforms they are crafting allow them to rapidly analyse mainstream media, social media, pictures, videos, text messages, satellite imagery and aerial imagery. These free and open source platforms combine crowdsourcing with artificial intelligence. “The trend is increasingly towards data integration; that is, layering multiple types of information on one map. For example, relevant reports and pictures posted on social media can be overlaid with aerial imagery and other sensors. “Digital humanitarians also face the challenge of verifying information during disasters; identifying rumours and vetting unconfirmed reports. Again, the big data challenge means that manual approaches alone do not work. So digital humanitarians use crowdsourcing and artificial intelligence to rapidly identify and debunk rumours. “Digital humanitarians that live in countries under repressive rule face additional challenges. Crowd sourced disaster response is a form of collective action; the latter is typically perceived by repressive regimes as a threat. But digital humanitarians are able to mobilise much faster than inept and corrupt government bureaucracies. There is a thin line between crowd sourced disaster response and nonviolent civil resistance. “Enlightened policymaking and leadership is needed to truly tap the potential of humanitarian technologies and those that deploy them,” Dr Meier says.

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19 year old missing woman found safe in Selwyn

By Selwyn Manning -

March 25, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Police – Canterbury Police report 19 year old missing woman found safe in Selwyn

Canterbury Police are pleased to confirm that 19 year old Torrie Amstad and her dog Paul were found safe late last night in the Springston area of Selwyn.

Canterbury Police and her family would like to thank the public and her friends for their help in reporting possible sightings of her and her car. A spokesperson from her family says “We would like to thank Canterbury Police and everybody who helped find Torrie and Paul yesterday. We are glad she is home safe and look forward to spending Easter together.” – –

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Frances Joychild QC on the fading star of the Rule of Law

By Frances Joychild QC -

March 24, 2015

By Frances Joychild QC. [caption id="attachment_2276" align="alignleft" width="210"] Frances Joychild QC.[/caption] ON NOVEMBER 7, 2014 the Chief Judge of the High Court, Justice Helen Winkleman, gave the Ethel Benjamin address on the subject of civil law: Access to Justice- Who needs Lawyers? It seems she has illuminated the most critically important legal conversation of our time for civil law at least. I wish to participate in it and my contribution follows. Access to Justice is not just a human right for individuals. It is central to our constitution and social wellbeing. Access to justice enables the rule of law. One of the rules tenets is that all are treated equally and all are equally accountable under it. The rule of law ensures that we live in a safe, peaceful, harmonious, free and democratic society. Over the past three years I have wondered increasingly if I am in a nightmare and have woken in Charles Dickens England. On a daily basis I clear my email and phone messages or answer the phone to at least one person in dire and desperate need of legal assistance, often with an extraordinary legal problem and always having found no-one to help them. By the end of last year, I was turning away many more contactees than I could help. Like others, I take on legal aid cases and clients who can pay by only small instalment. I also do some pro bono work . However no-one can run a viable practice without a healthy balance of paying clients. In recent months several of those contacting me said they had already tried large numbers of lawyers – from legal aid lists given to them by the Ministry of Justice or from the phone book or internet. One caller told me I was 20th lawyer he had tried. Often they had already been to a neighbourhood law office but I understand that recent changes mean these lawyers there are no longer permitted to represent poor clients – only to advise. Even for those who remain eligible for legal aid, the repayment rules have got tighter and harsher and act as a severe disincentive to uptake. Not only this but the legal problems these people present with astound me. They are not the sort of problems that I have come across before and suggest to me that life itself has become an extremely harsh experience for lots of people. These experiences lead me to believe that the rule of law star is fast fading in this country and most of us have no idea this is so. Legal aid as we know it today. I understand fully why such large numbers of lawyers have withdrawn from the legal aid system. Everyone who has undertaken it in recent times has a story to tell. It is a byzantine system which at its best is demeaning towards the legal aid provider and an affront to her or his professionalism . Enough has been said already about the rates of payment. These and fixed hours are appallingly inadequate in the context of the costs of running a legal practice. Those doing legal aid now should be recognised for the fact they are in part donating their work to enable the rule of law to continue. If a person happens to be in the increasing minority who are still eligible for legal aid, and one has to be near to destitute to be eligible these days, legal aid providers have to explain to them nineteen matters relevant to their grant of aid. Of most deterrence to the client are the legal aid debt rules. The client is told they may have to repay some or all of the legal aid granted to them and that interest will be charged on all outstanding debt when the case is finished. In fact interest is charged at the rate of 8% (higher even than the Judicature rate) with a six month grace period. Further, the client is told that, in accepting legal aid, they are consenting to the ministry sending the debt to a third party debt collector and to debt collection costs being added to the debt. Also they are to understand that the Ministry can deduct the debt via payments from their income or bank account. They are also waiving legal professional privilege. I have witnessed these potential debt recovery actions as a terrifying prospect for persons in need of legal advice and assistance. To be eligible in the first place they are living on a level of income which typically means they will have significant debt burdens already and are living hand to mouth. While they can apply for a debt write off – that is a discretionary decision which will not be considered until the end of the case and after their legal aid repayments have been set. Last year one elderly client who lost everything following a business collapse three years previously and was living solely on national superannuation in a rented home, started having panic attacks when advised he had to repay approximately $6000 . He had been treated already for severe depression in the course of his financial catastrophe. Those symptoms returned with a vengeance following that letter. I applied for a write off ($100 fixed fee for me) explaining all his financial circumstances and three months later he was successful. One has to wonder why the Ministry didn’t write the debt off when they first set the repayments rather than creating such torment by bureaucracy. [His financial circumstances are known as both the client and lawyer have a duty to let the Ministry know of any change of circumstances that might affect legal aid eligibility. ] A woman I advised recently, who needed to challenge the application of a government regulation that, unfairly, was preventing her from being registered in her profession and so able to earn considerably more than her minimum wage job, decided she couldn’t take the risk of incurring further debt for her and her young daughter. The legal issues were far too complex for her to try to take the case on her own. Neither could she have spared the time and her wages to do so. The vast population who cant afford a lawyer. With many ineligible or deterred from accessing legal aid and with the median New Zealand income at $31,200.00 and legal fees at the levels they are the facts speak for themselves. [Statistics New Zealand; NZ Income Survey, June 2014. ] From my personal experience I estimate that at least half the population of New Zealand could not afford legal services, were they to need them. Probably the figure is closer to two thirds. A client I acted for recently on legal aid, in a professional negligence matter involving 4 to 5 witnesses and a hearing of 2.5 days, told me he spent a whole day in Auckland City with his mother, herself a professional, knocking on doors of law firms and barristers’ chambers. The quotes for representation were around $100,000.00 and most of the money was required to be paid up front before legal work commenced. Justice Winkleman has referred to the huge problems to the court of the unrepresented litigant. However as she also recognised there are those who can’t self represent for many varied reasons. They don’t clog the court rooms but their inability to access the rule of law is a slow social poison seeping into the fabric of our society. For example, I understand that many small business in South Auckland use gangs to collect debts rather than filing for them in the District Court. In parts of society then the rule of force rather than the rule of law operates. Types of legal problems appearing. Employment Court and Employment Relations Authority decisions are starting to show the tip of the malpractices in the New Zealand labour market. A 2012 ERA decision records a woman having paid $27,000 for a telemarketer job in Auckland. [Jingxin Tian v South Pacific Ltd [2012] NZERA AC 3675350263] The employer required her to withdraw cash for the same amount she had been given in wages and return it to the employer immediately she received it. Also she had to pay her own PAYE. Effectively she was paying to be employed. I have acted for persons who paid an employer for a job for their daughter who refused to return the money when they withdrew from the agreement. One client was working all night at a retail outlet 6 nights a week for nothing but food. Clients have told me they work with people being paid half the minimum wage; people working up to 14 hours a day without food breaks, sick leave, holiday pay. Also of the very widespread employer practices of paying staff under the table to avoid tax or to record staff working many less hours than they actually work so as to avoid paying tax. That affects the employee in many ways including access to accident compensation. Two years ago I acted for a new New Zealander who borrowed many tens of thousands of dollars from relatives back home to establish himself in a small takeaway franchise. To cut a long story short the franchisor embraced him into the business, suggested he pay the money straight away so he could get started and said they could sort out the contract the following week. The contract was the most oppressive my client’s lawyer had seen in thirty years of practice. He tried to negotiate its terms. Within days of advising he would not sign without changes to the contract terms, my client was manhandled out of the premises by security guards and locked out. His money was not paid back to him. That happened 18 months later only after proceedings were filed and a hearing loomed. I was about the eighth lawyer my client had contacted for help. Some of the most disturbing and alarming cases I have dealt with recently come from citizen’s dealings with departments of state. The most vulnerable group in New Zealand, and the most stigmatised, are without a doubt income tested beneficiaries. There are increasingly large discretions held by WINZ officials largely without legal overview by independent lawyers. The rule of law fades in such situations, even despite the best meaning and well intentioned officials. I have heard regular complaints of benefits being randomly cut off, without notice. And it taking weeks or even months and numerous phone calls or visits to WINZ offices to get them reinstated. Often these cut offs are the result of a mistake on the part of the WINZ system (eg the medical certificate had been delivered on time but hadn’t made it to the file) or for reasons any fair minded person would consider perfect justification for not being able to comply with a job seeker condition. Affected beneficiaries, including their children, who are already living a hand to mouth existence, are plunged into sudden dire poverty. Such behaviour on the part of a government department would have been unimaginable in New Zealand, even a decade ago. One family I dealt with in November on another matter had three children under ten and were without any WINZ support other than two food grants – for months last year after the parents work stopped and the file passed between ACC and Winz. The benefit was finally paid after the landlady, who had issued an eviction order but then felt worried about their desperate plight, went down to the WINZ office with the client. Miraculously a cheque for back payment of benefit was written out. The harm inflicted on the parents and children in that time, (eg hunger, food insecurity, power insecurity, home insecurity, inability to use transport, stress, sleeplessness, family disharmony ) will have consequences for decades. Staff have so many discretions over beneficiary entitlements and beneficiaries are so dependent on their benefit to meet their most basic needs that the vast majority are too afraid to rock the boat. For several years now persons have been unceremoniously and unlawfully removed in droves from sickness and invalids benefits and subject to punitive job search conditions for which many are not equipped mentally or physically. I am aware of some who have ended up off benefit entirely. Their only recourse is to a Medical Appeal Board (MAB) panel and then to judicial review. They cannot access the Social Security Appeal Authority. Certainly the rules of natural justice appeared completely foreign to the MAB panel I sought to review judicially. Likewise the assessing GP’s appeared to be acting as an arm of WINZ rather than an independent health professional. But my proceeding never reached the courts. It was made impossible not to settle. One could sense the Ministry concern that a test case challenging the practices surrounding removal from benefit had to be avoided if at all possible. Clearly beneficiaries have no money to employ a lawyer. Most of the problems they encounter are not covered by legal aid. Some are lucky enough to have access to unpaid beneficiary advocates. I suspect a very large number do not. It is extraordinary that in an area of major legal complexity, wide government discretions and deeply disempowered citizens that the Rule of Law is at its weakest. Solutions: What is evident is that there is a huge middle and low income untapped legal market. There are many cases in these markets that can be financially viable. For example one young lawyer with six years experience told me last year that she persuaded her firm to let her take a claim against an insurance company where the client was impecunious. The case was settled with full reimbursement to the firm and a very fair recovery for the client. Last year I offered a law graduate 20 hours work a week. Other barristers have made up the rest. He has enabled me to take on many more cases from the untapped market. He is having great fun, learning tremendous and varied skills and feels a sense of satisfaction. He has worked in contract, tort, employment, insolvency, bankruptcy, human rights, professional negligence, privacy. Yes the supervision is something I wanted to avoid but the counterbalances have made it a positive successful step. There is the pleasure of seeing right done by people and their lives being put back on track or at least having had a voice and being able to put a matter to rest. There are some expressions of humble appreciation and gratitude . There is also the pleasure in helping someone launch their own career and the friendships that emerge as a consequence. Another very wonderful thing happened to me last year. I was approached by a person describing himself as a retired judge in his eighties. He offered to provide me with pro bono assistance one day a week. Not only was I touched by the generosity but deeply impressed by the quality of the work. He has reviewed the complex claim of a person wanting to instruct me and advised me on it; drafted a letter in a complex issue surrounding government policy and regulations and is now undertaking a series of interviews with a pro bono client with a very complex fact situation. Another barrister offered a spare room in her chambers for him to work in and interview clients in. A former colleague has contacted me on her pending retirement as a lawyer. She too has offered to do some pro bono work. There are many graduates and new lawyers keen to throw themselves into the market and learn skills. There are many retired lawyers (be they former lawyers, barristers and judges) who may likewise be open to making such contributions for other lawyers and barristers. There are also many high earning barristers and lawyers, who may feel they have earned enough to make unpaid contributions. [Of course some already do this. Several law firms act for clients pro bono. These are often organisations as opposed to individuals however.] How to put all this together. Perhaps the law societies or law commission could assist by providing information and discussion papers reviewing successful overseas models. Why not a firm with fee earning lawyers or a barrister’s chambers who also service the untapped market by using recent graduates supervised by senior lawyers (retired or otherwise working pro bono). Some cases would be part paying (as legal aid is) some with significantly reduced fees; some on conditional fee arrangements and some pro bono. Firms could determine their specialty be it public law, bankruptcy, employment law etc. Perhaps there could be charitable donation rebates or other fiscal incentives to undertake such work. For income tested beneficiaries, who are completely impoverished and have ongoing dealings with government departments perhaps a special clinic specialising in social security law and advocacy is the answer. Not only is social security law highly complex but the relationship between client and department is usually in motion, rather than static. There is unlikely to be any way of earning money out of such a practice, unless it is funded. Ideally there would also be a Social Security Ombudsman, something like the Banking and Insurance Ombudsman – though publicly funded. That too could have law graduates and senior law students. We are a profession of talented and creative people. Let’s keep talking. I am sure there are many possible solutions that can emerge from our collective thinking so that we can play our role in reversing the fast fading of the rule of law. Frances Joychild QC.]]>

NewsRoom Digest: Top NZ News Items for March 24 2015

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains six media release snippets and four links of the day from Tuesday 24 March. Top stories in this news cycle currently include Finance Minister Bill English confirming the Government will need to spend $1.5 billion upgrading State houses as they’re sold to social housing providers, the Government raising fears about what might happen to its legislative programme if New Zealand First leader Winston Peters wins this weekend’s Northland by-election and the only surviving pilot from the Second World War group known as the ‘Dambusters’ accepting an offer that will keep his medals in New Zealand. SNIPPETS OF THE DAY McCully Visits Iraq: Foreign Minister Murray McCully travelled to Baghdad yesterday for talks with Iraq’s Prime Minister Mr Haider al-Abadi and Foreign Minister Dr Ibrahim al-Ja’afari. “New Zealand is committed to supporting Iraq as they address the threat posed by ISIL and build a more law-abiding and democratic country,” Mr McCully says. Green Party: Rule Out Profit From State Homes: The Government must rule out selling state homes for private developers to profit from, the Green Party said today. “The Government looks set to sell off these assets to property developers, and then pay the same developers to house low income tenants through the Income Related Rent Subsidy. It’s a perverse money-go-round in which only the developers win,” Green Party housing spokesperson Kevin Hague said. US Company Buys Fletcher Building Shares: US fund manager BlackRock, which manages more than US$4.7 trillion in assets worldwide, has built up a 5 percent stake in Fletcher Building. The US fund manager declared it held 34.4 million shares, or 5.005 percent, of the Auckland-based construction and building supplies firm through various related companies, according to substantial shareholder notice lodged with the NZX. The notice covers trading in the shares starting in November, and includes purchases at prices ranging from $8.04 to $8.97. Deputy Governor Chairs OECD Committee: Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Grant Spencer has been appointed chair of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Committee on Financial Markets (CMF). The membership of the CMF includes representatives of the OECD’s 34 member countries and senior management of the OECD Secretariat. The role of the Committee is to guide and manage the work programme of the OECD’s Financial and Enterprise Affairs Directorate. Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler said: “The appointment is a reflection of the high regard with which Grant is held in international financial markets.” Canadian Behind Bars For $2 Million Drug Import: A 19-year old Canadian woman has been jailed for nine years for importing almost $2 million worth of methamphetamine or ‘P’ labelled as “vitamins and supplements”. Kionie Downing was sentenced in the Auckland District Court for importing and possessing methamphetamine, a Class A controlled drug. She was arrested by Customs officers in August 2014 after they intercepted a package sent to her from Canada of four containers of supplements which had drugs hidden inside. RNZAF Hercules Turns 50: Hercules NZ7001 turns 50 today, and is spending her birthday doing what she has so often done before – delivering aid in the Pacific. Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130 NZ7001 was the first of five C-130s which arrived at RNZAF Base Auckland in Whenuapai in 1965. Since then, the C-130 has been at the forefront of many New Zealand Defence Force operations, missions and exercises. The hard-working C-130 flew out of Whenuapai on Sunday morning with aid for Tuvalu and picked up more in Suva. After delivering that cargo to Tuvalu, she returned to Suva for the night. LINKS OF THE DAY KIWIFRUIT GROWERS KEEN ON CHANGE: Kiwifruit growers have made a strong statement about the direction they want for their industry in the Kiwifruit Industry Strategy Project (KSIP) referendum. There is a clear mandate for change with interim results from the referendum showing two-thirds of growers, representing 80 percent of production, voting so far, says Zespri chairman Peter McBride. “Over 90 percent of growers have clearly stated their desire for change in three areas which affect Zespri – ownership of Zespri shares by growers who have left the industry, the mechanism by which the Zespri margin is calculated and changes to Zespri’s board to formalise the three independent members. A full set of interim results can be found at: http://kisp.co.nz/ COM COM DROPS INVESTIGATION: The Commerce Commission is taking no further action in its investigation into Wilson Parking New Zealand Limited’s acquisition of rival Tournament Parking Limited’s parking assets. The Commission’s investigation focused on areas in city centres where the loss of Tournament following the acquisition in July 2013 reduced the competition Wilson faced. The most acute of these were Auckland’s Parnell Rise and Symonds Street areas. A copy of the full investigation report outlining this decision can be found on the Commission’s website. http://www.comcom.govt.nz/business-competition/enforcement-response-register-commerce/investigation-reports/ CHILD AND YOUTH CASES PLUMMET: The number of young people (aged 10 to 16 years old) appearing in court has more than halved since 2007, Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams announced today. The latest Conviction and Sentencing and Child and Youth Prosecution Statistics for 2014 show the number of children and adults facing charges in courts is decreasing. Trends in Child and Youth Prosecutions 2014 infographic: www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Trends-in-Child-and-Youth-Prosecutions-2014-infographic.pdf SPORT COACHING GAINS TRACTION: Sport coaching is gaining wide appeal at the University of Canterbury because the degree is providing graduates with excellent jobs, an expert sports researcher says. Professor Richard Light, Head of the School of Sport and Physical Education, says several hundred students have enrolled in the sports coaching degree this year, including All Black Kieran Read. Professor Light has coached rugby in Australia and Japan and has conducted extensive research on sport in Japan with a focus on rugby. He has 30 years’ training in karate, holds a 5th dan black belt and was Australian kickboxing champion. He will give a public lecture on campus tomorrow night. View a preview interview here: And that’s our sampling of the day that was on Tuesday 24th March 2015. Brought to EveningReport by Newsroom Digest, Tuesday March 24, 2015. –]]>

Coming Up Tonight on Evening Report – Tuesday March 24 2015

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

Tonight on EveningReport.nz

Frances Joychild QC on the fading star of the Rule of Law

[caption id="attachment_2276" align="alignleft" width="150"]

Frances Joychild QC.[/caption]Frances Joychild QC writes: Over the past three years I have wondered increasingly if I am in a nightmare and have woken in Charles Dickens England. On a daily basis I clear my email and phone messages or answer the phone to at least one person in dire and desperate need of legal assistance, often with an extraordinary legal problem and always having found no-one to help them. By the end of last year, I was turning away many more contactees than I could help. In this article Frances Joychild analyses the question: Is New Zealand failing many who seek recourse to the law? And, if so, what happens to those estranged from being able to afford the costs of representation and/or those who find themselves excluded from accessing legal aid? Also, what are the solutions to this crisis? FULL ARTICLE Is the GCSB trade team spying on New Zealand’s TPPA negotiating partners? – Kelsey [caption id="attachment_1844" align="alignleft" width="150"]

Professor Jane Kelsey.[/caption]Is the GCSB ‘trade team’ spying on New Zealand’s TPPA negotiating ‘partners’? ‘The latest revelations about the GCSB pose a stark question: is the GCSB’s “trade team” spying on governments with whom New Zealand is negotiating international deals, especially the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA)?’, asked University of Auckland law professor Jane Kelsey. The following facts put the burden of … FULL ARTICLE Feature Documentary: Morality of Argument – Sustaining a state of being nuclear free

EXCLUSIVE: For the first time publicly, this documentary webcasts exclusive to Evening Report, Documentary: Morality of Argument – sustaining a state of being nuclear free. This feature-length documentary, directed by Selwyn Manning, analyses what remains of New Zealand’s nuclear free policy that was so central to the Labour Party of the 1980s, and indeed whether the policy’s ethos and application is as relevant today and into the millennium as it was in the 1980s. FULL ARTICLE McCully visits Iraq ahead of NZ military deployment [caption id="attachment_2269" align="alignleft" width="150"]

New Zealand foreign minister, Murray McCully. Image courtesy of Scoop.co.nz.[/caption]MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – McCully visits Iraq ahead of NZ deployment – Foreign Minister Murray McCully travelled to Baghdad yesterday for talks with Iraq’s Prime Minister Mr Haider al-Abadi and Foreign Minister Dr Ibrahim al-Ja’afari. “New Zealand is committed to supporting Iraq as they address the threat posed by ISIL and build a more law-abiding and democratic country,” Mr McCully says. FULL ARTICLE *** ALSO ER’s LATEST REPORTS:

NewsRoom Digest: Top NZ News Items for March 24 2015 New Zealand’s spying on Solomon Is hypocritical – officials Police appeal for public’s help to locate missing 19 year old woman Climate Change: Is extreme weather the new normal? Lowest number of youth in court in 20 years Redcliffs School closure plan wrong – Labour Commission closes investigation into Wilson Parking’s acquisition of Tournament Australia is on track to meet or beat emissions targets Beijing ‘welcomes interested nations joining the AIIB’ North China province targets gangs in corruption fight –]]>

McCully visits Iraq ahead of NZ military deployment

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – McCully visits Iraq ahead of NZ deployment

[caption id="attachment_2269" align="alignleft" width="150"] New Zealand foreign minister, Murray McCully. Image courtesy of Scoop.co.nz.[/caption]Foreign Minister Murray McCully travelled to Baghdad yesterday for talks with Iraq’s Prime Minister Mr Haider al-Abadi and Foreign Minister Dr Ibrahim al-Ja’afari.

“New Zealand is committed to supporting Iraq as they address the threat posed by ISIL and build a more law-abiding and democratic country,” Mr McCully says.

“To date New Zealand’s contribution to the international coalition against ISIL has been focused on the provision of humanitarian aid to people displaced by the fighting in Iraq and Syria.

“In February the Prime Minister announced plans to deploy a military training mission to Iraq. My visit was an opportunity to talk to the Government of Iraq about the deployment and how we ensure our defence personnel have the appropriate legal protections.

“I will be reporting back to the Prime Minister and my Cabinet colleagues on the outcome of these discussions when I return to New Zealand,” Mr McCully says.

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Police appeal for public’s help to locate missing 19 year old woman

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Police – Police appeal for public’s help to locate missing 19 year old woman Tuesday, 24 March 2015 – 2:57pm

Canterbury Police are appealing for the public’s help to locate 19 year old Torrie Amstad who last contacted her family on Monday 23 March 2015.

She left her flat in Aranui at approximately 10pm last night and has not answered her phone or spoken to her friends or family since that time. She is understood to have been driving her red 1984 Mitsubishi Mirage registration PQ9779 and may have her black and white Fox Terrier (called Paul) with her.

It is possible that Torrie may have gone to the Lincoln area late last night after leaving her flat. However she could now be anywhere in the Christchurch and wider Canterbury area.

Torrie is described as slim, approximately 167cm (5’6”) tall with shoulder length hair and was last seen wearing grey track pants and black ballet flats.

Canterbury Police and her family have concerns for her safety. It is out of character for her to turn off her phone and not contact her family or friends.

Canterbury Police urge anyone who sees Torrie’s red Mitsubishi Mirage registration PQ9779, or Torrie or her dog to call 111 straight away.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Australia is on track to meet or beat emissions targets

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for the Environment – Australia is on track to meet or beat emissions targets Australia’s abatement challenge has shrunk significantly in recent years, as highlighted in figures released by the Department of the Environment today. We will easily meet our commitment to reduce Australia’s emissions by five per cent from 2000 levels by 2020. Under Labor, Australia’s abatement challenge to achieve the five per cent target was forecast to be 1,335 Mt CO₂-e in 2008. This has now fallen to 236 Mt CO₂‑e. Labor’s numbers exaggerated the abatement task by more than a billion tonnes of emissions. Labor used these figures in an attempt to justify the world’s largest carbon tax that hurt families and businesses by pushing up electricity prices.It is now absolutely clear that we can meet or beat our targets without a destructive carbon tax.Labor said we needed to push up electricity bills by billions of dollars in order to achieve our targets. It’s crystal clear this isn’t the case. They got it massively wrong. Since 2006, Australia’s emissions have been on a downward trend. Labor’s painful $15.4 billion carbon tax simply wasn’t needed to achieve a reduction in emissions. We’re committed to tackling climate change, but we can do it without hurting Australian families in the process. Through the Emissions Reduction Fund, we are committed to achieving measurable and identifiable cuts in emissions. By contrast, Bill Shorten is committed to hiking power bills for families, pensioners and businesses.

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Climate Change: Is extreme weather the new normal?

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research – Is extreme weather the new normal?

New Zealanders have just experienced one of the driest summers on record – great for beachgoers and cricket lovers, but far from ideal for farmers and orchardists relying on rain to maintain productivity.

This year’s ‘big dry’ comes just two years after the last widespread summer drought, which is estimated to have cost the rural sector $1 billion in lost earnings.

New Zealand’s climate appears to be changing. Droughts seem more intense and frequent, windstorms more violent, rainstorms and snowstorms more crippling. The rural sector in particular has faced unprecedented challenge brought about by recent extreme weather events.

So is this the new reality? Is our climate changing faster than first thought? How should the country respond to what’s happening and prepare for what’s yet to come?

Deep South, one of 11 National Science Challenges confirmed by the Government following wide stakeholder and public consultation, will seek answers to these critically important questions.

Professor David Frame, an internationally renowned climate researcher at Victoria University of Wellington, recently appointed Director of the NIWA-hosted Challenge, says scientists are making progress in understanding the links between extreme weather events and climate change.

“Climate scientists are adopting techniques from medical researchers to establish how the odds of various events, like droughts, are likely to change in the coming decades.”

“We are making progress, but different events have different meteorological drivers, and in some cases we can’t yet say as much as we would like because models can’t yet simulate all the relevant features.”

“What we can say, however, is that the extreme events we’ve experienced recently are a cause for people to think about how they prepare for a changing climate. Most New Zealanders now have an appreciation of the kind of weather the country could experience increasingly in the years to come. They understand the need to prepare for its impacts now.”

Deep South will significantly intensify research into the nature of New Zealand’s changing climate, and the likely impacts of that change on New Zealand society over the coming decades and centuries. Studies will focus on Antarctica and the Southern Ocean (our ‘Deep South’), areas that play an important part in shaping weather systems and long-term climate patterns affecting New Zealand. Research in this part of the world has been piecemeal, or lacking altogether, until now.

Leading-edge technology, including a new Earth Systems Model that will utilise the advanced processing power of NIWA’s supercomputer in Wellington, and unprecedented multi-sector collaboration will be keys to the success of the challenge.

“Deep South will bring together the country’s most respected thought leaders working at the interface of science, business and public policy,” says Roger France, Chairman of the Deep South Governance Board. “Their goal is to transform the way New Zealanders can adapt, manage risk and thrive in a changing climate. Their work will focus on drought, freshwater availability, flooding, coastal erosion and damaging storms, and their impacts on businesspeople, planners, regulators, Māori and New Zealand communities as a whole.”

“This is an ambitious undertaking that has the potential to transform New Zealand society,” says Dr Rob Murdoch, NIWA’s General Manager of Research, who played a pivotal role in shaping the mission and terms of reference for Deep South. “We shouldn’t underestimate the work involved but we believe that by combining our collective strength and expertise and directing it into world-class research projects we have the ability to address one of the world’s most important issues.”

Partners in the challenge are NIWA, Antarctica New Zealand, GNS Science, Landcare Research, New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute, University of Otago and Victoria University of Wellington.

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Beijing ‘welcomes interested nations joining the AIIB’

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: China State Council Information Office – Beijing ‘welcomes interested nations joining the AIIB’

China has an open and inclusive attitude in building and operating the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.

“China welcomes interested countries joining the bank,” Hong Lei told a regular news conference.

He made the remarks when asked if China would be willing to cooperate with the United States on the AIIB. The US has been urging its allies not to join the bank.

The China-proposed AIIB, with an expected initial subscribed capital of $50 billion, will be an international financial institution funding infrastructure projects in Asia. It is expected to be set up by the end of this year, according to Jin Liqun, secretary-general of the bank’s interim multilateral secretariat.

Although many countries have applied to join the bank, some traditional allies of the US, such as Japan and South Korea, are hesitating.

However, The Wall Street Journal on Sunday quoted Nathan Sheets, the US treasury undersecretary for international affairs, as saying that the Obama administration is proposing a formal partnership between the bank and Western development institutions like the World Bank.

“The US would welcome new multilateral institutions that strengthen the international financial architecture,” Sheets was quoted as saying.

He added that co-financing projects with institutions such as the World Bank or the Asian Development Bank would help to ensure that the AIIB complements rather than competes with existing institutions.

Hong said the shift in tone by the US shows the new bank’s mission to fund infrastructure projects in Asia has gained wide recognition.

To date, the bank has 27 prospective founding members. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Switzerland have recently applied to join as founders.

Jin expects the number of prospective founding members to reach 35 by the end of this month, the deadline for applications.

On Monday, Premier Li Keqiang said during a meeting with Takehiko Nakao, president of the Asian Development Bank, that Beijing’s proposal to set up the AIIB is aimed at helping regional interconnectivity and to provide an economic boost.

The new institution will complement existing development banks with an open attitude to achieve a win-win situation, Li said.

Dominic Barton, managing director of multinational management consulting company McKinsey & Co, who was also attending the China Development Forum, said the idea of having another multilateral organization like the AIIB is good as long as it is multilateral.

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North China province targets gangs in corruption fight

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: China State Council Information Office – North China province targets gangs in corruption fight

North China’s Shanxi Province has busted 26 criminal gangs and arrested 155 suspects since the start of this year in a campaign against gang crime and corrupt officials.
The Shanxi public security department said Monday that the crackdown will continue to purifying the province’s political environment.
Wang Jianming, secretary of the political and legal affairs commission of the provincial Party committee, said he is determined to close the “protective umbrella” over such gangs and clean up the government.
The province is famous for unchecked collaboration between corrupt officials and gang leaders.
Since last year, many high-ranking officials in Shanxi have been brought down by the anti-corruption drive, including Jin Daoming, former vice Party secretary of the province.
According to Shanxi public security department, the province busted 137 mafia-style and criminal gangs last year, arresting of 973 suspects.

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Universities of Waikato, California to deepen ties

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: University of Waikato – Universities of Waikato, California to deepen ties

The chair of UC Regents, the board that governs the University of California, is to sign an agreement with the University of Waikato to widen collaboration between the two.

The University of California has 10 campuses, 235,000 students, 190,000 staff and contributes $46 billion to the Californian economy. Bruce Varner, the Chair of UC’s Board of Regents, is visiting the University of Waikato at the end of March to deepen existing ties between the two organisations.

Close ties between University of California and University of Waikato

UC and the University of Waikato have had a long-standing arrangement for the exchange of students, and some academics from the two organisations already work together. This is set to broaden into deeper research collaborations and sharing of knowledge in key common areas.

These interests include areas such as coastal marine and freshwater, environmental science, sport, indigenous studies, agribusiness, computer science, management and education. “We have top people at the University of California and they are always looking at ways to enhance what they are doing,” Mr Varner says. Research into efficiencies in the growing of crops is one example of areas in which two organisations could work together, he says.

Research strengths aligned with University of California

Mr Varner is excited about the potential for University of California academics to work more formally with the University of Waikato in the coming years; he envisages an accord that evolve naturally over time.

“All universities are about creating knowledge and disseminating knowledge, and I have been reading of some impressive research at Waikato,” he says. “Size doesn’t matter – I see plenty of natural affiliations between our two organisations.”

University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley says while Waikato may run a much smaller model of university, it has built a reputation in its first 50 years of tackling some of the world’s big problems of today and tomorrow. Many of its research strengths are strongly aligned with the University of California’s, he says.

“We are already altering thinking and outcomes with some of the research being done at Waikato. Closer ties with the University of California will enable our reach and our influence to be felt even further afield.”

Staff and students to benefit

Professor Quigley says several staff at the two universities are already engaged in joint research programmes and benefit from a good relationship. “This agreement will build on these successful collaborations.”

Students also already benefit from a formal exchange programme between the two organisations and Mr Varner is keen that more UC students take up the opportunity to spend some time studying at the University of Waikato.

“This is something I’m really passionate about. It’s important for students to have the opportunity to go to other universities and engage with other students. It broadens and really enhances their experience of university.”

Mr Varner is visiting New Zealand in late March and April as a guest of Tauranga developer Paul Adams CNZM who is also a University of Waikato Council member.

Mr Varner will hold discussions with the University of Waikato and sign a letter of intent around the closer ties.

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Migration and ISIL in Libya pose security threats for UK

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: British Parliament News – Migration and ISIL in Libya pose security threats for UK

In February and March 2015, the Committee undertook a short inquiry following up its work earlier in the Parliament on British foreign policy and the ‘Arab Spring’. The Committee visited Egypt and Tunisia in February 2015, and took oral evidence from Tobias Ellwood MP, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Minister with responsibility for the Middle East and North Africa region, on 3 March 2015. On the basis of the visit and the oral evidence session with the Minister, the Committee wrote to the Foreign Secretary setting out its observations, including matters for the attention of the Committee’s successors in the next Parliament. Today it is publishing that letter as an Annex to its Twelfth Report.

Chairman of the Committee, Sir Richard Ottaway, says,

“The General Election is almost upon us and Parliament is just about to dissolve. So we have swiftly published this list of findings for the FCO to consider in their approach to the Arab and North African Region. This also acts as a memorandum for the Foreign Affairs Committee to work on when it is reconstituted after the election.”

Egypt

The Committee welcomed the fact that the UK had weathered the volatile political changes in Egypt and had emerged with a strong bilateral relationship, based on common interests in trade and security. However, the Committee also stressed the need to press the issue of Human Rights with the Egyptian authorities and said it is vital that Ministers raise human rights issues during trade delegations.

Tunisia

The Committee again found a strong bilateral relationship and an optimistic outlook among its interlocutors. It welcomed increased FCO resources in Tunisia and suggested that a ministerial visit be made a priority of the next government. While recognising that security in Tunisia was relatively good, it expressed concern about the reported numbers of Tunisians fighting in Iraq and Syria and asked the FCO to carefully monitor any threat from returning fighters to the British tourist presence in Tunisia.

Libya

Unlike 2012, the Committee was unable to visit Libya, but it held talks with the FCO’s Libya team in Tunisia, and other ambassadors to Libya. It observed that the international community has a special responsibility to help Libya repair itself and welcomed the UN-organised talks. It expressed serious concern that chaos in Libya has allowed ISIL to establish itself there, as well as allowing large migration flows through and from Libya to Europe, both of which are a potential security threat.

The FCO’s Arab Partnership

The Committee has again stressed the importance of FCO analysis and expertise on the Middle East and North Africa, which had deteriorated in the FCO prior to 2011. The Minister has assured the Committee that that there has been an improvement in this area, that language skills have been upgraded and that experienced Ambassadors are returning to the region with established networks later in their careers, indicating that the FCO is cultivating a depth of experience in the region. The Committee hopes that its successors, after reforming post-election, will continue to monitor the net increase or decrease to the FCO’s spending in the region.

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Edible gardens in New Zealand schools providing food for thought – Otago University

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: University of Otago – Edible gardens in New Zealand schools providing food for thought Edible gardens are taking off in New Zealand primary and secondary schools, presenting important new opportunities to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, new University of Otago research has found.

Researchers at the University’s Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit have highlighted the innovation shown by New Zealand teachers in using their school garden as a teaching resource. Among 491 schools responding to a survey, more than half (52.9%) currently had an edible garden, with most having been started in the previous two years.

From learning about microorganisms to cooking soup, building bean frames to writing poetry, gardens were used across the curriculum as a ‘hands-on’ way of enhancing student learning.

Study co-author Carly Collins says, “Those involved in the edible gardening projects were obviously very passionate about sharing them with us – when our surveys were returned to us we also received a variety of photos, school newsletters, DVDs and posters highlighting their hard work.”

As well as being used to teach specific curriculum areas, edible gardens were also seen to resonate with schools’ values, such as sustainability, partnership between school and home, work ethic, community service, practical skills, pride and respect.

“The challenge now is to ensure that schools are supported in order to maintain long-term success and sustainability of the gardens,” says Mrs Collins.

“Many of the schools commented that sourcing funding was a barrier to continuing the garden, with several staff members reporting that they pay for plants and equipment themselves.”

The findings appear in in the Health Promotion Journal of Australia.

For more information, contact:

Mrs Carly Collins
Tel 03 479 7582
Email Carly.collins@otago.ac.nz

About the CS SBRU

At the Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit (SBRU), we have received core funding from the Cancer Society of New Zealand and University of Otago since 1990. One of our priority research areas is support for health physical activity and nutrition as a means to reduce cancer risk. This study was conducted as part of this programme of research as there is evidence the patterns of good nutrition and physical activity established in early life can be beneficial into adulthood. School gardens are a means of connecting children and adolescents with the process of growing fruit and vegetables and, in some schools, also to have the opportunity to cook and share this produce with friends and family.

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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UK’s commitment to children’s rights doesn’t go far enough – UK Parliamentary Committee

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – The Report also points to areas, such as immigration, legal aid and children in custody, where some policy developments have actually worked against the best interests of children, despite the Government’s specific commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) made in December 2010.

Government’s statutory duty

The Committee expresses its disappointment that, during the current period of austerity, children – particularly disadvantaged children – have in certain areas suffered disproportionately, and concludes that the Government’s statutory duty to eliminate child poverty by 2020 should be treated as a human rights issue.

The Committee also states that the Government should move to ratify the Optional Protocol to the UNCRC which would allow children in the UK the right to individual petition to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in the same way that applies under the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Committee also believes that the children’s rights portfolio in Government should be carried at a more senior level, as is the case with the Women and Equalities brief held by a Secretary of State, notwithstanding the personal commitment to children’s rights clearly shown by the current Children’s Minister.

The Committee in its Report also:

Notes that the Government’s recent changes to legal aid provision represent a black mark on its children’s rights record;
Calls on the next Government to review the legal definition of the age of a child in the UK.
Recommends that the Government undertakes to look into how the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England might be given the powers and resources to examine individual cases, as her counterparts in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland are empowered to do.
Recommends that its successor Committee should look into the issues of reasonable punishment of children and of under-18s in the armed forces in the light of the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to be issued in 2016.
Concludes that a UK-wide examination of the impacts of devolution on the protection and promotion of human rights is required after the Election in order to provide reassurance that there is a sufficiently consistent approach to children’s rights across the four countries of the UK, and that the different arrangements which very properly have been adopted in those countries do not reduce the level of protection for children but, where they have increased that protection, rather provide useful best practice for the rest of the UK to follow.

Chair’s comments

The Chair of the Committee, Dr Hywel Francis MP, said:

“The 2010 commitment by the Government to have due regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child when making policy and law was a bold and welcome step. In many areas things have improved for children over this Parliament as a result, although the momentum set in train in 2010 has slowed considerably in some areas. We hope the new Government will renew that commitment and that our successor Committee will monitor how children’s rights are fully take into account in new law and policy.

The different approaches of the devolved administrations to children’s rights and the challenges presented in achieving a coherent overarching implementation of the Convention is something our successor Committee needs to take account of in its work, and which the Government must address as the changes brought into place by the devolutionary settlement in the UK continue.”

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Lowest number of youth in court in 20 years

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: National Party – Lowest number of youth in court in 20 years

The number of young people (aged 10 to 16 years old) appearing in court has more than halved since 2007, Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams announced today.

The latest Conviction and Sentencing and Child and Youth Prosecution Statistics for 2014 show the number of children and adults facing charges in courts is decreasing.

“More than 400 fewer young people appeared in court than in 2013. This is the lowest point in more than 20 years and more than 50 per cent lower than its peak in 2007,” says Ms Adams.

“While in the adult jurisdiction, the number of people appearing in court has reduced by nine per cent, which translates to over 8,000 fewer individuals over the last year.

“The total number of adult charges laid in court is down 12 per cent or nearly 30,000 charges, and that’s 125,000 less than at its peak in 2009.”

“Studies of people born in 1970 show that those who received a criminal conviction before they were 20 years old were responsible for 80 per cent of convictions of those born in the same year. So it’s very important we support our at-risk young people to move away from a lifetime of crime,” says Ms Adams.

“A vast majority of young people apprehended by Police are dealt with by Youth Aid officers, Family Group Conferences and other methods aimed at preventing them from reoffending.”

The Government has also introduced the Youth Crime Action Plan, a ten-year strategy to reduce crime and offending by young people and help those who offend to turn their lives around.

“Under the plan, twenty communities across New Zealand are developing or have developed their own local solutions for youth offending problems. The plan is about supporting the youth services, frontline staff, service providers and volunteers that are working with youth in the community,” says Ms Adams.

“Every year, the number of youth and adults appearing in our courts goes down and this is testament that New Zealand is becoming a safer place. We’ll continue to monitor these statistics to ensure they continue to trend down.”

Trends in Child and Youth Prosecutions 2014 infographic: www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Trends-in-Child-and-Youth-Prosecutions-2014-infographic.pdf

Trends in Conviction and Sentencing 2014 info graphic (pdf)

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New Zealand’s spying on Solomon Is hypocritical – officials

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI Analysis – Pacific Media Centre/Pacific Media Watch – New Zealand’s spying on Solomon Is documents hypocritical – officials

Graphic: Scoop Media

AUCKLAND (Radio NZ International/Pacific Media Watch): Former officials in the Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s Office have accused New Zealand of hypocrisy in the wake of the spying revelations.

Documents released by the US whistleblower Edward Snowden show that New Zealand set up a listening post in its embassy in Honiara to tap the mobile phone network and collect emails from named government employees.

The New Zealand Foreign Minister says the documents cannot be trusted, but those named in them have demanded he provide a better response.

Alex Perrottet, a former Pacific Media Watch editor, reports for RNZI’s Dateline Pacific:

Former and current government employees were named in the document that lists email addresses that were monitored. They include the former chief-of-staff to Gordon Darcy Lilo, Robert Iroga, the PM’s special secretary, Dr Philip Tagini, as well as the current permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Barnabas Anga and Charge d’Affairs, Fiona Indu, who worked in the Solomon Islands Embassy in New Zealand and now in Australia.

New Zealand investigative journalist, Nicky Hager, who researched the papers after their release, says he was shocked that such people were on New Zealand’s radar.

NICKY HAGER: I found that it’s probably the most shocking thing I discovered in the Pacific, which was that these were not terrorists, or highly corrupt politicians or any excuse like that. These seem to be extremely respectable people who were working in the best interests of their country, either as public servants or in one case as an anti-corruption campaigner. And it doesn’t look good for the New Zealand spy agency that they were targeting them.

Robert Iroga says New Zealanders needs to ask themselves if it would be appropriate for Solomon Islanders to spy on them, and if not, to ask their foreign minister why it was done.

ROBERT IROGA: McCully shouldn’t be underplaying this. This is a serious issue and his government is spying on another sovereign state. Imagine if Solomon Islands was doing that to New Zealand, what the reaction would be. So we don’t have any hard powers, we don’t have any strong soft powers to counter what New Zealand is doing but they should be ashamed of what they are doing. McCully should be ashamed of himself for spying on our people.

Robert Iroga says the Solomon islands government needs to immediately remove the spying equipment. Dr Philip Tagini, who now works as a lawyer, says the exposure is a breach of his constitutional rights.

PHILIP TAGINI: I do not expect New Zealand to be spying on officials like myself and others who are actually working with very certain intentions to protect our country but as well to work with New Zealand and Australia to advance the common agenda of the region. To spy on officials and the government, I think that’s deplorable, that’s not acceptable.

Dr Tagini says there are clear lines of communication and he can’t understand why emails were gathered. The Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, sent this statement via email:

MURRAY MCCULLY: The government will not be responding to claims made from documents stolen by Edward Snowden. The Snowden documents were taken some time ago and many are old, out of date, and we can’t discount that some of what is being put forward may even be fabricated.

Nicky Hager has strongly denied anything was fabricated, and says the Snowden documents have been publicised and debated in many other countries without the authorities claiming they might be fabricated. He says the date of the documents doesn’t change the fact that spying did occur, and the New Zealand officials should act more professionally and address the issues.

But Iroga has gone further and says he suspected New Zealand was spying long before the revelations. He says he was often frustrated in bilateral meetings with staff from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said they had information about the plans of how the Solomon Islands was using aid from Taiwan when New Zealand encouraged the Solomon Islands to be transparent in its dealings with China, and believes New Zealand shared those communications with China.

ROBERT IROGA: New Zealand was bullying us in a lot of our negotiations. I was quite surprised that some of the information that they shouldn’t know, they know already in some of the discussion and I won’t tell what the information is but this all goes to tell you that they read exactly word for word what our discussions were and they had the upper hand.

Robert Iroga says he challenges Murray McCully to live up to the standards of transparency that his country demands of others.

The director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at Canterbury University, Professor Steven Ratuva, says the relationship between the two countries will take a hit.

STEVEN RATUVA: I think it’s quite unprecedented in the history of the Pacific. It raises a whole lot of questions in relation to New Zealand’s relationship with Pacific Island States. It’s something which I would call very subtle diplomatic bullying, because a small island state like Solomon Islands has no way to respond to spying. I mean if you do it to the Chinese and Russians, they can respond in kind.

There has been no further statement from McCully, other than to say he is happy with the measured reactions that have been evident.

But Nicky Hager says that’s far from the truth, and if there’s measure in official responses, there’s also a reason for that.

NICKY HAGER: I think it is rather hypocritical of Murray McCully to talk about a measured reaction from the South Pacific when his government has spent nearly two years going around and pressuring and persuading these governments not to say anything when the revelations came out. So what’s really gone on around the South Pacific is that many people who were not happy with what they heard, I believe, had been leant on and persuaded that it wasn’t in their interests to offend New Zealand by speaking up at this time.

Nicky Hager says he doesn’t have documentary proof of the allegation that governments have been pressured to keep quiet. Steven Ratuva says the fact that the official reponses from Pacific Island countries has been muted may have more to do with their dependence on New Zealand aid.

STEVEN RATUVA: A lot of them rely on New Zealand and Australia for aid. And aid is a very very powerful leverage to keep the small island states under control. So for McCully to say the response has been measured does not mean that they are not angry, it simply means that maybe they are trying to play politics at that level, initially.

Dr Ratuva says the Pacific Islands Forum meeting this year may have some difficult moments if the spying scandal is raised.

– RNZ Dateline Pacific

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence.

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UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom sees Ebola response on Liberia visit

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: United Nations – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom sees Ebola response on Liberia visit

23 March 2015 At the end of a four-day visit to Ebola-affected communities in Liberia, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador and actor Orlando Bloom praised the efforts of people there who have been combatting the deadly virus.

“Everyone I met was determined to beat Ebola so that they can resume their normal lives,” said Mr. Bloom after meeting with religious and youth leaders in the capital, Monrovia. “Communities have been at the centre of the fight against Ebola and must continue to be supported because of their crucial role in getting to zero cases.”

Mr. Bloom met representatives of A-Life, a peer education project in a poor and densely populated neighbourhood in Monrovia. Representatives of A-Life explained how their volunteers had reached more than 25,000 people, including adolescent girls and boys, raising awareness on how community members could avoid getting ill and stop the spread of the virus.

He also visited a primary school in a severely affected community on the border with Sierra Leone, where he saw Ebola school safety protocols in action, having been introduced when schools reopened after a seven-month shutdown.

The protocols, introduced with UNICEF support, aim to reduce the risk of transmission of a disease that has infected more than 24,000 people – including over 5,000 children – and has killed nearly 10,000. They involve taking children’s temperatures when they arrive at school and making them wash their hands before entering the classroom.

While Ebola cases have been declining in the sub-region, the battle is far from over. As the fight to eradicate the disease continues, efforts to rebuild health, education and social protection systems are being prioritised.

“Because of this outbreak, a million children in Liberia have had their school year cut in half,” said Mr. Bloom. “They’re excited to be back in the classroom but the precautions that every single one of them must follow every day are a reminder of the need to remain vigilant.”

The actor, well-known for roles in blockbuster films such as “The Lord of the Rings” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in October 2009, and his trip to Liberia follows a visit to Jordan in 2014, where he met children and families impacted by the Syrian crisis.

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Plan for Northwestern closures at Waterview in Auckland

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – New Zealand Transport Agency – Plan for Northwestern closures at Waterview

The Transport Agency says the planned closures are linked to the current series of highway motorway improvements to connect the Northwestern and Southwestern (SH20) motorways and complete the Western Ring Route.

The closures are happening overnight when traffic volumes are lightest to reduce disruption to people travelling. The time of the closures varies. Detours are in place for drivers at each location.

Monday, 23 March

Full motorway closure westbound from the St Lukes interchange for drainage works. The St Lukes westbound on-ramp will also be closed (11pm-5am).
Great North Road westbound on-ramp closed for interchange construction work (9pm-5am).
Great North Road east, or city bound exit closed for preparation work to re-align traffic lanes (9pm-5am)

Tuesday, 24 March

Full motorway closure westbound from the St Lukes interchange for drainage works. The St Lukes westbound on-ramp will also be closed (11pm-5am).
Great North Road westbound on-ramp closed for interchange construction work (9pm-5m)
Great North Road east, or city bound exit closed for traffic re-alignment (9pm-5am)

Wednesday, 25 March

Full motorway closure westbound from the St Lukes interchange to install motorway gantries. The westbound on ramp at St Lukes will also be closed (11pm-5am)
Great North Road westbound on-ramp closed for interchange construction work (9pm-5am)
Great North Road east, or city bound exit closed for traffic re-alignment (9pm-5am)

Thursday, 26 March

Full motorway closure westbound from the St Lukes interchange to install motorway gantries. The westbound on ramp at St Lukes will also be closed (11pm-5am)
Great North Road westbound on-ramp closed for interchange construction work (9pm-5am)

Connecting the Southwestern and Northwestern Motorways at Waterview will complete Auckland’s Western Ring Route, a 47-kilometre-long motorway between Albany on the North Shore and Manukau in the south.

The Waterview Connection project is planned to open to traffic in early 2017. It is being delivered by the Well-Connected Alliance which includes the Transport Agency, Fletcher Construction, McConnell Dowell, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Beca Infrastructure, Tonkin & Taylor and Japanese construction company Obayashi Corporation. Sub-alliance partners are Auckland-based Wilson Tunnelling and Spanish tunnel controls specialists SICE.

Key links:-
www.facebook.com.alicetbm
www.youtube.com/wcnow
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/waterviewconnection

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Redcliffs School closure plan wrong – Labour

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Labour Party – Redcliffs School closure plan wrong

The Government’s proposal to consult on the closure of Redcliffs School not only goes against the best geotechnical advice, but more importantly goes against the best educational outcomes for Redcliffs children and the health of our community, Port Hills MP Ruth Dyson says.

“I have seen several geotechnical reports which show that the Redcliffs school site is safe. Of course there is some remedial work required and no-one would want their children at school in a site where there is a risk of harm, but Hekia Parata has made the wrong call.

“Residents and parents will be devastated and they will be angry, something that will undoubtedly be reflected in their submissions.

“The site can be made safe and the school returned to being the heart of the community, of growing and learning together and of leading a strong community in the future.

“Ms Parata is well known for making decisions that go against the wishes of our communities. Redcliffs School should not be another victim of her faux consultation process,” Ruth Dyson says.

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Commission closes investigation into Wilson Parking’s acquisition of Tournament

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Commerce Commission – Commission closes investigation into Wilson Parking’s acquisition of Tournament

Commission closes investigation into Wilson Parking’s acquisition of Tournament

24 March 2015

The Commerce Commission is taking no further action in its investigation into Wilson Parking New Zealand Limited’s acquisition of rival Tournament Parking Limited’s parking assets.

The Commission’s investigation focused on areas in city centres where the loss of Tournament following the acquisition in July 2013 reduced the competition Wilson faced. The most acute of these were Auckland’s Parnell Rise and Symonds Street areas.

The Commission’s view was that the acquisition removed a competitive constraint. However, customer survey results suggested public transport may be enough to curb daily and monthly car parking prices in both locations. When asked how they would respond to a five per cent price increase, enough consumers said they would switch to the bus to make this price increase unlikely.

Commerce Commission Chairman Dr Mark Berry said the case highlighted the complexities involved when investigating narrow markets.

“The intent of customers to switch to public transport if car park prices rise is inconsistent with comments from industry participants, and it isn’t our view that public transport will always curb car parking prices. However, we did not uncover strong evidence to contradict the survey results in these specific areas, where public transport is well-used and convenient.

“In our view, the evidence does not support a conclusion that Wilson Parking’s purchase of Tournament substantially lessened competition in the areas where we had concerns,” Dr Berry said.

In other areas where Wilson and Tournament competed, including Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, the Commission concluded there was enough existing competition from other operators in those markets.

“This investigation has been lengthy, as it was important we were thorough and took the time to gather evidence and undertake the economic analysis we needed to make the right decision. While court action ultimately can’t be justified in this case, we take potential breaches of the Commerce Act seriously. If there’s a chance a merger could substantially lessen competition in a market, businesses should seek a clearance from us for the acquisition to proceed rather than risk an investigation after the fact,” Dr Berry said.

A copy of the full investigation report outlining this decision can be found on the investigation reports page.

Background

Mergers that substantially lessen competition in a market are prohibited under section 47 of the Commerce Act 1986.

If a business is concerned that its proposed merger with a competitor might be viewed as anti-competitive, it can seek prior approval from the Commission for the merger to proceeds. This is known as a clearance.

The clearance regime is voluntary. However, if the Commission becomes aware of a merger that does not have clearance approval and that may be likely to substantially lessen competition in a market, it may investigate the merger. If the Commission concludes that the merger has, or likely has, resulted in a substantial lessening of competition in a market, the Commission can take enforcement action under the Commerce Act 1986. This can result in significant penalties and the court may order the merger to be reversed.

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Is the GCSB trade team spying on New Zealand’s TPPA negotiating partners? – Kelsey

By Selwyn Manning -

March 24, 2015

Professor Jane Kelsey.[/caption]‘The latest revelations about the GCSB pose a stark question: is the GCSB’s “trade team” spying on governments with whom New Zealand is negotiating international deals, especially the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA)?’, asked University of Auckland law professor Jane Kelsey. The following facts put the burden of proof on the government to show they are not:

· The GCSB has a specialist ‘trade team’ whose existence apparently preceded the project to spy on Tim Groser’s rivals for the position of WTO Director-General. · The GCSB has been spying on other governments, their political leaders and senior officials, including Pacific Island states and China. · The GSCB conducts this surveillance, in part, because of its New Zealand’s membership of ‘Five Eyes’ and shares the data it captures with the other governments. · Three of those partners – Australia, the US and Canada – are also parties to the TPPA negotiations. · In November 2013 The Guardian published documents from Edward Snowden that showed the ‘customers’ of the US spy agency the NSA included the US Trade Representative. That fact, along with spying on Europe’s political leaders, torpedoed trust in the US-EU negotiations. · Eight countries negotiating the TPPA are not part of Five Eyes. They include Japan, where the Prime Minister is about to visit to talk with Prime Minister Abe about finalising the deal. ‘If I were the other TPPA countries, especially Japan, I would be demanding direct answers from New Zealand and its Five Eyes counterparts before taking the negotiations any further.’ ‘Have they been spied on in their capitals, or when their officials and ministers have attended negotiating meetings, most of which have been held in the US or Australia over the past year?’ ‘Is sensitive information about TPPA (or other) negotiations being shared among the Five Eyes group?’ and “Why should we trust you?’ –]]>

Tonight on EveningReport.nz March 23, 2015

By Selwyn Manning -

March 23, 2015

Exclusive Feature Documentary Feature Documentary: Morality of Argument – Sustaining a state of being nuclear free EXCLUSIVE: For the first time publicly, this documentary webcasts exclusive to Evening Report. Documentary: Morality of Argument – Duration: 1:39 Director/Producer: Selwyn Manning Interviewees include: Bunny McDiarmid, Commander Robert Green, Dr Kate Dewes, Dr Paul Buchanan. Footage includes previously unreleased recordings of an interview between Selwyn Manning and former New Zealand prime minister David Lange on the nuclear free policy and the Pacific. LEAD REPORT:

Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew Has Died Drawing Respect From Region’s Leaders

Evening Report – SINGAPORE’S FOUNDING LEADER and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has passed away at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3.18am Monday, Singapore time.

He was 91 years-of-age. Singapore’s Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong issued a brief statement announcing the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and the Government has declared a period of National Mourning from 23 March (Monday) to 29 March (Sunday).

ANALYSIS AND COLUMNS: Five-Eyes Scandal: How Far Does National-led Govt’s GCSB Spying Go?

MIL OSI – How far does GCSB ‘trade team’ spying go? “Revelations this morning that the GCSB was spying on Trade Minister … FULL ARTICLE IPCA Roastbusters Report: Why I’m Not Reassured

By Catriona Maclennan IS THE POLICE MISHANDLING of the investigation into alleged sexual offending against young women in Auckland a one-off failure or a nationwide problem ? Economic Outlook: Growth or Slowth?

MIL OSI Analysis – Source: Keith Rankin – Analysis-Reportage: Headline: Economic Outlook: Growth or Slowth? New Zealand’s latest economic growth figures – 3.3% annual – were released on Thursday… BREAKING NEWS AND POLITICS: Phil Goff: Council can stop Port’s encroachment on harbour Police warn Coromandel fugitive should not be appraoched Unexplained death under investigation in Coromandel State house sell-off fiasco a gift for developers – Labour GCSB: Groser’s Competition Scuttling Bureau – Labour BUSINESS NEWS NewsRoom Digest: Top NZ News Items for March 23 2015

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains six media release snippets and four links of the day from Monday 23 March. Top stories … FULL ARTICLE TPPA Investment chapter in NZ Korea another handcuff on NZ governments – Kelsey Christchurch retail spending reaches $2 billion WORLD NEWS: Operation Safe Centres cracks down on drugs in detention – Australian Customs and Border Protection Service

MIL OSI – Source: Australia Government Statements – Operation Safe Centres cracks down on drugs in detention – News – Australian … FULL ARTICLE Ebola one year on: Hearts and homes were key to breakthrough – Oxfam China’s Inner Mongolia – Ex-police chief held over death of woman UN envoy tells Security Council Yemen on rapid downward spiral –]]>

NewsRoom Digest: Top NZ News Items for March 23 2015

By Selwyn Manning -

March 23, 2015

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains six media release snippets and four links of the day from Monday 23 March. Top stories in the news cycle include, the founder of modern Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, dying at the age of 91, Finance Minister Bill English defending the Government’s social housing policy from Labour Party accusations that it is in tatters, and a test case to try and retrieve money from an investor who benefited from New Zealand’s largest Ponzi scheme coming up before the High Court in Wellington. SNIPPETS OF THE DAY NZ/KOREA Trade Free Agreement: Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Korea opens a new chapter in the two countries’ relationship. Mr Key and President Park Geun-hye of Korea witnessed the signing of the Agreement by Trade Ministers Tim Groser and Yoon Sang-jick in Seoul today. “Korea is one of New Zealand’s biggest and most important trading partners. This Agreement makes it easier for Koreans and Kiwis to do business with each other, and the removal of tariffs will benefit consumers in both countries, “ says Mr Key. Workers Question NZ-Korea Deal: Workers are questioning what the benefits will be of the recently confirmed free trade agreement with South Korea. “The free trade agreement with South Korea is weak on trade benefits, but deals New Zealand into giving another set of overseas investors the right to sue the government if their profits are threatened,” says CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg. “Trade Minister Tim Groser admits that the agreement is far below what New Zealand usually seeks on access for New Zealand’s agricultural goods. Tariffs will remain on milk powder, one of New Zealand’s largest exports. Many tariffs, including on wood and beef, will be phased out over long periods of ten to fifteen years. The truth is that the Government signed this lame deal because others such as Australia had done lame deals too,” Rosenberg says. Cyclone Aid Upped To $3.5 Million: Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will contribute a further $1 million to the Cyclone Pam response and will also help transport Fiji disaster response personnel to Vanuatu by RNZAF C-130 Hercules. “The additional funding we have announced today will be split between Vanuatu and Tuvalu,” Mr McCully says. “The $500,000 we are providing to Vanuatu will allow New Zealand Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) personnel to deploy and will enable us to respond to additional requests for assistance from the Vanuatu Government. “The 10 person New Zealand USAR team will assist with the production of clean drinking water, clearing roads, and limited building demolition. Proposed Airline Alliance: Air New Zealand and Air China have released details of a proposed alliance on services between China and New Zealand. The alliance, subject to regulatory approvals, would see Air China introduce a daily direct service between Beijing and Auckland. The Chinese flag carrier would also continue to codeshare on Air New Zealand’s daily Shanghai – Auckland service which will be operated exclusively by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from late August. Consumer Confidence Increase: New Zealand consumer confidence rose in the first three months of the year, as Kiwis enjoyed cheaper fuel prices and lower fixed home-loan rates, and became more upbeat about the near-term outlook for the economy. The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index rose to 117.4 in the latest survey from 114.8 three months earlier. The present conditions index gained 1.8 points to 113.2 and the expected conditions index rose 3 points to 120.1. NZ Dollar Setting New Records: The New Zealand dollar set new records against the euro and the Australian dollar as investors sold the greenback on concern the US may hike interest rates later than previously expected. Over the weekend, the kiwi touched a post-float record 97.46 Australian cents, beating its previous high of 97.22 cents from earlier this month. LINKS OF THE DAY DEADLINE NEARS FOR BY-ELECTION: If you want to vote in the Northland by-election and you’re not enrolled, time is running out. That’s the message from Northland Registrar of Electors Deborah Darton, with just a few days to go until the by-election this Saturday, 28 March. “Everyone enrolled in the Northland general electorate should have received their EasyVote packs in the mail by now,” she says. “If your EasyVote pack hasn’t turned up in your letterbox, you need to enrol or update your details now. Remember, only those enrolled on the general roll in the Northland electorate can vote in the by-election.” More information about enrolling to vote is available at: www.elections.org.nz CHRISTCHURCH RETAIL SPENDING REACHES $2 BILLION: Christchurch city’s retail and hospitality spending reached $2 billion for the first time, Statistics New Zealand said today. Retail and hospitality sales in Christchurch for the December 2014 quarter were $2 billion, a 4.1 percent increase compared with the same quarter in 2013. This compares with an increase of 4.7 percent at the national level (see Retail Trade Survey: December 2014 quarter). For more information about these statistics: http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/RetailTrade/ChristchurchRetailTradeIndicator_HOTPDec14qtr.aspx NEW DAIRY WORK ACCORD: A new dairy industry workplace accord will be launched in May as part of a range of industry actions aimed at helping farmers attract and retain skilled people to work on farms. “The Quality Workplace Accord is a commitment to improving the work environment of dairy farms,” says DairyNZ’s strategy and investment leader for people and business, Mark Paine. Find the full story below: http://www.dairynz.co.nz/news/latest-news/workplace-accord-lifting-our-game-so-dairy-farmers-can-attract-good-staff/ ALGAL BLOOM WARNING LIFTED: The Community and Public Health division of the Canterbury District Health Board has lifted its algal bloom health warning issued for the Ashburton River at State Highway 1. Recent river bed surveys have shown that the quantity of potentially toxic blue-green algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in this river has decreased below levels that are of concern to public health. For further information visit: http://ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/swimming-water-quality/Pages/river-warnings.aspx And that’s our sampling of the day that was on Monday 23rd March 2015. Brought to EveningReport by Newsroom Digest, Monday March 23, 2015. –]]>

Five-Eyes Scandal: How Far Does National-led Govt’s GCSB Spying Go?

By Selwyn Manning -

March 23, 2015

MIL OSI – How far does GCSB ‘trade team’ spying go?

“Revelations this morning that the GCSB was spying on Trade Minister Groser’s opponents for the top job at the world Trade Organization raise the question about other activities of the GCSB’s ‘trade team’.

‘In particular, does their mandate extend to international communications between critics of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and similar negotiations?’, asked Professor Jane Kelsey, whose is part of a network of analysts who monitor these secretive negotiations.

‘For many years, we have warned that the Security Intelligence Service can use its very broad mandate – which allows them to spy on activities that “impact on New Zealand’s international economic well-being” – as a justification for conducting domestic surveillance on the lawful activities of such critics’.

Professor Kelsey recalled how the SIS was caught in a botched burglary of Aziz Choudry’s home during an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Christchurch in 1996, relying on an interception warrant issued by Jim Bolger. The government ended up paying a large, undisclosed settlement and apologised.

The Snowden papers have shown the government is spying on other countries, which presumably also extends to their ongoing negotiations in economic and other areas. ‘That likely includes Pacific Islands countries in the current ‘PACER-plus’ (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations) negotiations’.

‘Joining the dots, it seems likely the GCSB is monitoring the communications of non-government networks who are seeking to promote informed public debate in secretive deals that the governments are determined to keep out of the public eye – and it is sharing that information with other TPPA governments within the Five Eyes network.

‘In the process, they will also be spying on New Zealand citizens, such as me’.

‘We need assurances from the Prime Minister, or his proxy minister in charge of the GCSB, that they are not conducting this kind of surveillance. Sadly, such assurances seem as unlikely as them releasing any information on the negotiations themselves’, said Professor Kelsey.

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TPPA Investment chapter in NZ Korea another handcuff on NZ governments – Kelsey

By Selwyn Manning -

March 23, 2015

MIL OSI – TPPA Investment chapter in NZ Korea another handcuff on NZ governments

‘Cheerleading around the New Zealand Korea free trade deal fails, yet again, to understand that these agreements are not simply about kiwifruit and wine’, warns Auckland University law professor Jane Kelsey.

‘The investment chapter puts another set of handcuffs on the ability of future governments to regulate in the public interest, and allows Korean investors to enforce their new rights directly against New Zealand in a dubious offshore tribunals’.

There is a massive international backlash against this system of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). The number of claims and awards of hundreds of millions of dollars have got totally out of control. The panels of judges have no conflicts of interest rules, there is no consistency of rules from case to case, and is no system of appeals.

Countries like Germany and France are refusing to agree to ISDS in the mega-agreement being negotiated between the EU and the US.

South Africa and Argentina, among other countries, are exiting these obligations where they can and not signing new agreements that contain them. Brazil has never entered into one, and has not suffered from lack of investment as a result.

The New Zealand Korea deal is reportedly ‘playing catch-up’ with countries like Australia and Canada, although it has secured a lower level of market access than they did.

‘We need to ask why New Zealand is signing up to more ISDS provisions when we are fortunate to have relatively few of them. The answer may lie, once again, in the preoccupation with the agriculture parts of these deals without considering how real the gains are over how long and what trade offs are involved’, Kelsey said.

The recent Australia Korea free trade agreement has a similar chapter, while the Australia Japan one did not. The parliamentary record made it clear that Korea insisted on including ISDS, in return for market access, because it already has it in the FTA with the US.

‘Their select committee was deluged with submissions opposing ISDS.’

Professor Kelsey predicts that ‘the government can expect a similar response in New Zealand, at the same time as people support the New Zealand First Bill that would stop future governments giving foreign investors these powers in future agreements’.

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Phil Goff: Council can stop Port’s encroachment on harbour

By Selwyn Manning -

March 23, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Labour Party – Council can stop Port’s encroachment on harbour

[caption id="attachment_2163" align="alignright" width="250"] Phil Goff.[/caption]As owner of the Port of Auckland, Council can stop the wharf extension and reclamation if it wants to, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Goff.

‘As owner the council is custodian of the port and harbour on behalf of all Aucklanders. It has the right and the power to protect the harbour from damage by further commercial encroachment.

‘A clear statement from Auckland Council that it does not want Bledisloe Wharf to encroach further on the harbour should be sufficient to stop the extension of the wharf and further reclamation.

‘Whatever the legal restrictions on its power as regulator, Auckland Council is also the Port’s owner. It would be an extraordinarily unwise Port Authority that would contradict a clear and strong statement by its owners.

‘The directors of the Ports are appointed by Council. If they were to thumb their noses at such a council directive, they can and should be replaced.

‘Aucklanders have expressed their views that they don’t want further infilling of the harbour. The breadth of opposition has been demonstrated by the diversity of those who have publicly stated their opposition, including some of Auckland’s foremost business leaders.

‘Ports of Auckland has not demonstrated the need to extend the wharf. Nobody believes that infilling the harbour to provide further storage space for imported cars is a good idea and that there are not other more acceptable alternatives worth considering,” Phil Goff said.

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Christchurch retail spending reaches $2 billion

By Selwyn Manning -

March 23, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Statistics New Zealand – Christchurch retail spending reaches $2 billion

Christchurch city’s retail and hospitality spending reached $2 billion for the first time, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Retail and hospitality sales in Christchurch for the December 2014 quarter were $2 billion, a 4.1 percent increase compared with the same quarter in 2013. This compares with an increase of 4.7 percent at the national level (see Retail Trade Survey: December 2014 quarter).

For Christchurch city, after seasonal fluctuations are removed, retail and hospitality sales increased 1.1 percent in the December 2014 quarter, compared with an increase of 1.6 percent at the national level.

“Robust spending in hospitality businesses have contributed to the city’s total growth this December quarter,” business indicators manager Neil Kelly said.

Looking at the longer-term picture, the trend for retail and hospitality sales in Christchurch has risen 26 percent since the June 2010 quarter (before the quakes began). This compares with a 19 percent rise at the national level.

The Christchurch retail trade indicator series is an experimental series that measures activity in the retail and hospitality industries. Statistics NZ releases it to provide information on the state of these industries after the Canterbury earthquakes that began in September 2010.

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State house sell-off fiasco a gift for developers – Labour

By Selwyn Manning -

March 23, 2015

The Government’s property developer mates are the only people who can salvage National’s state house sell-off now the Salvation Army has torpedoed the policy, Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says.

“Having been cynically used by the Government as the poster child for its ill-conceived policy, the Salvation Army says it can’t buy any of the 8000 homes to be put up for sale.

“Other community housing organisations say if it doesn’t stack up for the Sallies they doubt others can make it work

“So who is left? Property developers and financiers.

“The Government can no longer hide behind the good name of the Salvation Army. Its policy is revealed for what it is: A $2 billion dollar state house flog off to whoever will buy them and an ongoing subsidy for landlords.

“The policy was half-baked from the beginning. The Government didn’t know who would buy the houses, how they’d be financed, or how much they’d cost. It still can’t answer those questions.

“Most damning is that the Salvation Army – our most respected social agency – has taken a detailed look at the policy and doesn’t believe the lives of tenants would be improved by the state house sales.

“The victims of this ineptitude are tens of thousands of our poorest and most vulnerable families who have had to put up with uncertainty and stress. National is playing politics with people’s lives,” Phil Twyford says.

—

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Operation Safe Centres cracks down on drugs in detention – Australian Customs and Border Protection Service

By Selwyn Manning -

March 23, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Australia Government Statements – Operation Safe Centres cracks down on drugs in detention – News – Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Online Newsroom Officers from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) have today continued the work of Operation Safe Centres – a
multi-agency operation to crack down on contraband in immigration detention centres and ensure the safety and good order of the facilities.

DIBP Deputy Secretary Immigration Status Resolution Cindy Briscoe said today’s search at the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) in Melbourne was the second in three days, with a successful search of key compounds at Villawood IDC in Sydney on Monday.

“Operation Safe Centres is about ensuring all those people who reside at, visit or work in immigration detention centres can feel safe in those facilities, without the threat of any sort of contraband, including illegal drugs and weapons,” Ms Briscoe said.

“We have a zero tolerance to any violent or illegal behaviour in our centres and detainees and visitors should be put on notice – any contraband hidden inside a detention centre will be found.”

A recent incident at Perth IDC highlighted the importance of Operation Safe Centres, with service provider Serco staff responding quickly to a person throwing substances, believed to be illegal drugs, over a fence to detainees inside the facility.

“We have combined the resources of DIBP and its service provider, Serco, as well as the specialist capabilities of ACBPS officers and members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and local police forces to ensure this sort of behaviour is stopped,” Ms Briscoe said.

Ms Briscoe said the operation is an unprecedented multi-agency approach based on intelligence gathered by the Department, Serco Australia and ACBPS.

“Operation Safe Centres demonstrates the Immigration and Border Protection portfolio’s uncompromising approach to criminal behaviour and threats to our border of any kind,” Ms Briscoe said.

“It’s also an excellent example of the success possible when our agencies work together and an indication of the sort of achievements we can look forward to with the establishment of the new Department of Immigration and Border Protection and Australian Border Force, from July 1.

“I would like to thank New South Wales Police, Victoria Police and the AFP for their invaluable assistance and cooperation during this operation, as well as the ongoing support from our service provider, Serco Australia.”

Contraband items were confiscated at both centres and referred to local police. These items included drugs and drug paraphernalia, including pipes and syringes and other prohibited items.

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Police warn Coromandel fugitive should not be appraoched

By Selwyn Manning -

March 23, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Police – Police warn Coromandel fugitive should not be approached. Monday, 23 March 2015 – 1:52pm

Waikato Police searching for an offender on the run from the Coromandel warn he is dangerous and should not be approached and highlight that anyone aiding him to avoid capture is likely to face charges as well.

Detective Chris Cummings of the Ngaruawahia CIB said 37-year-old Rodney George MARTEL had been on electronic bail in Coromandel township while awaiting sentencing in relation to methamphetamine manufacturing and supply charges.

“MARTEL was due to appear in the Hamilton District Court for sentencing on 12 March but cut off his ankle bracelet the day before and failed to appear in court.

“As a result he is now wanted on 19 warrants to arrest in relation to breaching court bail, firearms and drug manufacturing, possession and supply charges.”

A male Caucasian of medium build and about 173cm tall, MARTEL is known to have links throughout the Auckland, Waikato and Coromandel areas.

“MARTEL has a history of drug use and possession of firearms and is currently assessed by Police as being a person who is dangerous and should not be approached.

“Anyone aiding MARTEL while he is unlawfully at large needs to be aware that by doing so they make themselves liable for the offence of being an accessory after the fact. Police urge anyone who sights MARTEL not to approach him but instead ring 111.”

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Mr CUMMINGS at the Ngaruawahia Police Station on 07 211 7291, your anonymity will be respected.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with the independent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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