In this week’s New Zealand Report: The International Criminal Court is lobbying for the UN Security Council to authorise it to investigate ISIS crimes against humanity. Also, Apple’s Siri is catching on to the Kiwi lingo. Recorded live on 10/04/15 Correspondent: Selwyn Manning Hosts: Mark Aiston and Jane Reilly. ITEM ONE: (ref. EveningReport.nz) The New Zealand Government has an opportunity to demonstrate it maintains an independent foreign policy after the International Criminal Court yesterday began lobbying UN-based diplomats to support an investigation into ISIS crimes against humanity. The president of the International Criminal Court and its chief prosecutor are currently in New York to highlight how they cannot investigate ISIS’ crimes committed in Iraq and Syria because both countries do not recognise the ICC and refuse to sign up to its statute. But if the UN Security Council authorises the ICC to investigate the crimes, it is then legally able to do so. New Zealand was voted onto the UN Security Council after campaigning on an independence and human rights ticket. However, since it assumed its seat on the Security Council, New Zealand has kept quiet on matters of global importance. The question remains open as to whether New Zealand will rise to the occasion. [… In May, NZ’s ambassador to the UN will change from a National Party appointee (former deputy leader of the Nationals, Jim McLay) to a career diplomat, Gerard van Bohemen). This new appointment will be significant. The career diplos are in their ascendency over the politicians…] ITEM TWO: Here’s a little tech-trivial nonsense… (ref. Stuff.co.nz) After more than three years of the iPhone misunderstanding the Kiwi accent, Apple has programmed Siri (its voice activated personal assistant) to understand Kiwi vowel sounds! Apparently, the big test was the sentence “Can I get some fish and chips for six tonight?” And Siri passed the test, even though it speaks back to Kiwis with an Australian twang. According to a Fairfax report, iPhone’s Siri failed when attempting to understand when asked for help at ‘fixing a deck’. The report states New Zealand Maori is not yet supported. New Zealand Report broadcasts live on FiveAA.com.au and webcasts on EveningReport.nz.]]>
NewsRoom Digest: Top NZ News Items for April 9, 2015
This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains five media release snippets and six links of the day from Thursday 9th April.
Top stories in the current news cycle include the parent company of several fast food chains, bows to union pressure and moves to scrap zero hour contracts, police searching for a missing Southland boy say evidence points towards a murder suicide, and people in rural West Auckland ask why no air quality research is being conducted there, despite plans by a factory that emits dangerous dust particles to double in size.
SNIPPETS OF THE DAY
Zero Hour Contracts Scrapped: Union members have won the removal of zero hour contacts in negotiations with fast food giant Restaurant Brands (owner of KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl’s Jr and Starbucks).
“Members of Unite Union have campaigned successfully – they’ve highlighted what the reality of zero hour contacts mean and how impossible it is to pay bills and make plans when you have no security of income,” CTU Secretary, Sam Huggard said. “This is a win against a one of the world’s fast food giants and a real example of how powerful workers can be when they stick together.”
Labour To Resubmit Paid Parental Leave Bill: John Key’s insistence on using a financial veto to stop Labour from working with other parties to deliver 26 weeks paid parental leave for families smacks of arrogance and double standards, says Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson Sue Moroney. “National has lost a lot of credibility on financial responsibility after its failed attempt to bribe Northland voters with $70m of new unplanned bridges. My Bill to extend paid parental leave to 26 weeks was defeated 60-60 just four weeks prior to National losing the Northland by-election. I will now submit an updated version of the Bill into the next Member’s Bill ballot” said Ms Moroney.
Prison Restructure Proposal: Department of Corrections Chief Executive Ray Smith has today proposed that over the next year parts of three prisons will close. “While overall the number of beds for prisoners will increase by 433 this year, they’ll be modern, safe and focused on rehabilitation, unlike the units in Waikeria, Tongariro/Rangipo and Rimutaka Prisons that are proposed for closure. Over the next year we expect around 260 Corrections staff will be affected and Corrections will help them move to other prisons if they wish.
Fruit Flies Could’ve Been Avoided: New Zealand First is concerned the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) have admitted they are in for the long haul with their fight against the Queensland Fruit Fly. “Our concern is based on the fact that this could’ve been avoided and this surely should be a huge learning opportunity for the government,” says Richard Prosser, Primary Industries Spokesperson. “Something like nine million people have come through the Green Lane without any kind of inspection since 2012.
NZ Firms Open Marketing Office In China: Primary Collaboration New Zealand, a group of New Zealand primary sector firms, has opened a joint marketing office in Shanghai, completing a three-year gestation to make life easier in breaking into the world’s second biggest economy. PCNZ’s members include fishing group Sealord, meat processor Silver Fern Farms, dairy firm Synlait Milk, vintner Villa Maria Estate, seafood company Kono and horticulture collaboration Pacific Pace.
LINKS OF THE DAY
CROWN MANAGER REPORT: Local Government Minister Paula Bennett and Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the publication of the final report of the Crown Manager for Christchurch City Council’s building consenting functions. “Substantial progress has been made during Doug Martin’s tenure, with the Council now processing consents on time and to a high quality standard, leading to their reinstatement by International Accreditation New Zealand as a Building Consent Authority in December,” says Mrs Bennett. Link to report: www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Resource-material-Our-Policy-Advice-Areas-Local-Government-Policy?OpenDocument#crownmanagerECONOMIC ACTIVITY MEASURED: The ANZ Truckometer is a measure of economic activity using real-time traffic data. It is timely and contains hard activity data as opposed to measuring sentiment. The ANZ Heavy Traffic Index fell 0.4% in the month of March, but is up 0.8% in the first quarter of the year (seasonally adjusted). The ANZ Light Traffic Index leads GDP by six months. It was flat in March, though is up 1.6% in Q1 (sa). See the attached report for full analysis: http://www.anz.co.nz/about-us/economic-markets-research/truckometer/
STEWARDSHIP LAND REVIEW: Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, has called for the Department of Conservation to pick up the pace in reviewing stewardship land. Today Dr Wright released an update to her 2013 report Investigating the future of conservation: The case of stewardship land. About one third of the conservation estate is categorised as ‘stewardship land’. The Commissioner said she was pleased that the Minister of Conservation has accepted her recommendations regarding stewardship land and has moved to implement them. Find the update report here: http://www.pce.parliament.nz/assets/Uploads/Update-report-Investigating-the-future-of-conservation-Web.pdf
NUTRIENT LOSS REDUCTION COSTS: Case studies of dairy support farms in the Upper Waikato River catchment indicate that the effect on profits of reducing their nutrient losses to water is as variable as the systems themselves and could potentially be minimal. Improvements in productivity and efficiency could hold the key to minimising any negative financial impact from reducing such losses, the studies found. The information will be made available to farmers to help improve their business efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of their operations, as well as to other interested parties. A full copy of the dairy support case studies report is available at: http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/tr201514
NZ RANKED 5TH FOR SOCIAL PROGRESS: New Zealand is the world’s 5th most socially advanced nation according to the Social Progress Index 2015 published today by US-based nonprofit,the Social Progress Imperative, and released at the 2015 Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship. The full, interactive dataset from the Index can be found here: http://www.socialprogressimperative.org/system/resources/W1siZiIsIjIwMTUvMDQvMDgvMTUvMjkvNTQvNTkyL1NQSV8yMDE1X0VYRUNfU1VNTUFSWS5wZGYiXV0/SPI%202015%20EXEC%20SUMMARY.pdf
SAFETY ON QUADS: Farmers are being urged to take special care on quad-bikes after two fatalities this week. A farmer died on his Wairarapa farm on Tuesday, while a 17-year-old died today on a farm in Kaikohe. “These two tragic events are a reminder to the farming community that while quad-bikes are a useful tool on the farm, they need to be used safely,” says Francois Barton, Manager of National Programmes at WorkSafe New Zealand. For more information on staying safe on farms, go to: www.saferfarms.org.nz
And that’s our sampling of the day that was on Thursday 9th April 2015.
Brought to EveningReport by Newsroom Digest. –]]>Moment To Shine – Security Council Urged To Authorise Investigation Into ISIS Crimes
Editorial By Selwyn Manning. The Issue: ISIS Crimes Outside International Criminal Court Jurisdiction – Unless UN Security Council Orders Inquiry
TODAY IN NEW YORK the chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court began lobbying diplomats based at the United Nations to agree to lobby for it to investigate crimes against humanity – crimes committed on a grand scale by ISIS within Iraq and Syria – within territory which the ICC has no jurisdiction.
The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s chief prosecutor Judge Fatou Bensouda’s plea lays bare how member states of the UN Security Council have to permit the international body to begin an investigation into crimes, it describes as “of unspeakable cruelty”. (ref. ForeignAffairs.co.nz)
The (International Criminal) Court may only exercise jurisdiction over international crimes if (I) its jurisdiction has been accepted by the State on the territory of which the crime was committed, (ii) its jurisdiction has been accepted by the State of which the person accused is a national, or (iii) the situation is referred to the Prosecutor by the Security Council acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
That’s where New Zealand can play a progressive part. As a member of the UN Security Council New Zealand has the power to argue for the Security Council to refer these crimes to the ICC so it can begin a large-scale investigation into these (and the crimes of others inside Iraq and Syria).
New Zealand was appointed to the UN Security Council on the basis of its advocacy for human rights and justice. One cannot imagine a more grave issue developing that advocates a large-scale and coordinated international policing and judicial response.
New Zealand Government ought to be mindful, that victims of these crimes may not be exclusive to citizens of other countries, that New Zealander/s too could be shown to have fallen to the perpetrators of these crimes. It isn’t as if the International Criminal Court is shying away from doing what it was set up to do.
The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said today: “As Prosecutor of the ICC, I stand ready to play my part, in an independent and impartial manner, in accordance with the legal framework of the Rome statute.”
Taking this on board, surely the ISIS crimes, and those of other militia in this retched theatre, ought to compel the New Zealand Government to make use of its proud history of advocacy for human rights and justice.
As such, New Zealand ought to bare a burden here and speak to the world’s powers via its membership of the UN Security Council and argue that in times of war, victims – whether in memory or in fact, whether in person or on their behalf – especially deserve recourse to international courts of justice. The New Zealand Government has an opportunity to mean something here. If it chooses to, it can:
- Stand up as a newly appointed member of the UN Security Council
- Declare the actions of ISIS as gross crimes against humanity
- Speak to the ideals of recourse, investigation, identification, and conviction
- Demand that the UN Security Council refer the matter to the International Criminal Court prosecutor so that an international judicial response be initiated.
New Zealand would not be alone on this matter. Already France and Switzerland have lobbied for the UNSC to authorise an ICC response. (ref. See today’s New York Times) It is an absurdity that the New Zealand Government has not done this already. It is after all a signatory to the ICC Rome Statute, and part of the very body that can order judicial process to progress. If the New Zealand Government refuses to do so, the question remains as to why it was appointed to the UN Security Council in the first place.
The ICC has opened investigations in:
- Uganda; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Darfur, Sudan; Central African Republic; Kenya; Libya; Côte d’Ivoire and Mali. The Office is also conducting preliminary examinations relating to the situations in Afghanistan, Colombia, Georgia, Guinea, Honduras, Iraq (alleged abuses by UK forces), Nigeria, Palestine and Ukraine.
David Robie on New Dawn FM and the Bougainville mining lobby machine
By David Robie – Café Pacific
[caption id="attachment_3185" align="alignleft" width="300"]
PNG: Panguna Mine.[/caption]
PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH’S Alistar Kata has just filed an interesting report about the virtual “shut out” of no-mining critics in Bougainville in the lead-up to the elections next month. The report was about a head-to-head interview with the Bougainville Freedom Movement’s long-time campaigner Vikki John and New Dawn FM broadcaster Aloysius Laukai, both past award winners for their contrasting roles.
John claimed the “ownership” of news websites was hampering opposition news, saying this was another form of “brainwashing” by the company that is angling for resumption of copper mining at Panguna, the mine which triggered the 10-year Bougainville civil war. However, Luakai was at great pains to reject any alleged links to the powerful Bougainville Copper Limited mining lobby.
Last month’s new mining law passed by the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s legislature last month has paved the way to make reopening of the mine possible.
“No, we have no links and that’s why we have put up heaps of stories and cover events such as the mining forums,” Laukai told Kata. “There must be some confusion with us and another Bougainville news website.”
He was probably referring to Bougainville24 news website, which is produced by Bougainville Copper Ltd. But that isn’t the end of the story.
According to the European Shareholders of BCL, they have been backing New Dawn FM and have promoted an appeal to channel funds to the community broadcaster, founded in 2008.
A link to this was revealed in a posting on the Pacific Media Centre website today, which referred to ABG and Bougainville Copper Foundation funding for New Dawn. The European Shareholders webpage goes like this:
Late last year, the BCL mining website announced that New Dawn FM had turned to modern mobile phone apps and social media to cover news in remote parts of Bougainville region. “Station manager Aloysius Laukai now has 15 staff members working under him as the team seek to build awareness on the biggest issues affecting Bougainville,” reported the BCL website. “Laukai and his reporters use WhatsApp and Viber, cross-platform mobile apps, to exchange information and file stories.” It was also reported that a radio infrastructure upgrade was being funded to enable FM coverage across the whole region. Who was paying the bills? “Jointly funded by the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Bougainville Copper Foundation,” said the BCL website. Bougainville’s two-week regional elections next month begin on May 11. –]]>RADIO NEW DAWN NEEDS YOU! Radio New Dawn on Bougainville has been founded a couple of years ago. It is the first free network made by Bougainvilleans for Bougainvilleans. At the present, the radio station is in threat of shutting down.Small revenues from local businesses and the Autonomous Bougainville Government cannot guarantee its existence. Bankruptcy would be fatal. Radio New Dawn is the only genuine voice of Bougainville compared to all other media who report from PNG’s capital Port Moresby – some 1000 kilometres away. Aloysius Laukai, manager and chief editor, [has] been honored for his work in the past. But honors alone cannot assure the broadcaster’s survival. The ESBC appreciate a lot [of] the crew’s information work. After years of uncertainty during the Bougainville crisis, Radio New Dawn created a new public awareness and self-confidence on the island. Therefore, the European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper (ESBC) are proud of supporting this shining project. This is in the interest of locals and all those from abroad who benefit from Radio New Dawn’s internet blog that updates information on the positive development in Bougainville. Financial funding will be highly welcome. We strongly hope that our initiative will be successful and help to maintain Radio New Dawn’s services in future. Please find our account information here! You also can send funds directly to Radio New Dawn on Bougainville.
Catriona MacLennan on Mobile truck shops
By Catriona MacLennan – lawyer and women’s rights advocate.
DRIVE AWAY from Mangere Town Centre in South Auckland into the streets fanning out from the suburban hub and it takes only 5 minutes to spot a mobile truck shop.
The trucks are large and their paint jobs in bright blocks of colours – yellow, red and navy – make them highly visible. The vehicles trawl the streets in low income areas, selling clothes, bedding, furniture and electronic goods and more recently food.
The companies running the trucks have been operating for many years in South Auckland and Porirua but have started in other centres including East Cape, Napier, Rotorua, Whangarei and Whakatane. The prices of the goods they sell are much higher than in shops.
[caption id="attachment_3194" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Vai Harris, Vaiola P. I. Budgeting Service.[/caption]
Vai Harris, service manager at Vaiola P. I. Budgeting Service, pithily sums up the crucial reason for the vehicles’ success: cash is not required. The companies all offer credit, meaning people can obtain food immediately even if they don’t have ready money.
Ms Harris says the other attractions of the trucks are they don’t do credit checks and they come to people’s homes. Families may not have a car, or it may be unreliable, or there may be no money for petrol, making going to the shops difficult.
Payment trap
Both the companies and the customers focus on weekly repayments required when goods are bought, rather than on the total amount to be repaid. Purchasers may not be aware of how much they will pay altogether: their emphasis is on the fact they believe they can meet the $20 or $30 a week payments.
This explains why people sign agreements to pay inflated prices for items they could buy far more cheaply in shops. Ms Harris has seen contracts charging $20 for a can of corned beef, $35 for a packet of noodles and $66 for powdered milk.
A 2014 Lync (NZ) Co Ltd contract obtained by Nga Tangata Microfinance Trust budgeter Linda McCallum lists prices ranging from $23.99 for a packet of biscuits to $49.99 for 1 packet of rubbish bags (see “Overpriced”). A Shoppers Stop Lifestyle Ltd document records the prices of shoes as $100 and 3 pairs of socks at $30.
Mangere MP Su’a William Sio says there are cultural imperatives at play. “The biggest thing in most of our communities is the cultural aspect of not wanting to say no. It’s being hospitable to people who come up to the doorstep. As a result of that, these salespeople take advantage of that. It’s often worse when it’s somebody [the customer] knows because they feel an obligation and because there’s a sense I should trust this person because he is one of ours.”
Mr Sio says trucks selling food has a lot to do with poverty, inequality and families not having regular work hours. They might receive a week’s pay one week, but only a day’s pay the following week.
Ms Harris says prices charged for non-food items are also high. She had one Mangere client charged $990 for a 32-inch television when a 45-inch television could be bought in Manukau for $620. Another client bought 2 mobile phones for a total of $4500. When Ms Harris told her the items could be bought much more cheaply in a shop, the client replied she had no cash. A mother signed up to buy a bed for her daughter for $990, more than twice the price at a retailer. Ms Harris says that woman’s mortgage payment is the same amount as her income.
The documents often state the item won’t be delivered until after the purchaser has made 10 or 12 payments. Budgeters say sometimes items are never delivered. Free gifts promised may also fail to materialise. One of Ms Harris’ clients had paid $770 towards a TV but hadn’t received it. When Ms Harris spoke to the company, she was told the television was still on order.
Kevin Main of Budget Advisory Service (Whakatane) has recently dealt with cases in which the original documents have differed from the carbon copies. He says between $200 and $400 has been added to the debts owed for goods the customer didn’t purchase.
Mr Main’s budget service tries to cancel transactions and asks banks to place a note on accounts stating direct debits are not to be re-activated but he says banks are reluctant to do this.
Banking Ombudsman Deborah Battell says she’s been informed by Auckland-based budgeting services about companies getting people to sign multiple direct debits and has spoken to banks and officials about the problem. “The customer’s own bank will not know that multiple direct debits have been signed … it’s clear the public needs continued warnings about the practice.”
Industry compliance
The Commerce Commission says there are 40 companies operating mobile trucks.
Home Direct Ltd is the most established. It’s been operating since 1973 and has 150 staff and 72 trucks. Some companies are owner-operated businesses, operating under just-in-time principles so they only buy goods once a customer has committed to a purchase.
It’s not always clear what legal transaction the deal actually is. Some documents describe the transaction as a “rent to own agreement”. There is no such legal entity. Other transactions have characteristics of a layby sale, a consumer credit contract or a consumer lease but do not appear to fully comprise any one of these.
Consumer credit laws were tightened by the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003. The Act aimed to provide better protection to consumers after the Credit Contracts Act 1981 proved ineffective.
However, the 2003 law is also wanting and the government has had another go at reform. Part of the new law came into force in June last year and the rest – including a new responsible lending code – will take effect in June this year.
Recent law changes also introduced rules about door-to-door sales. However, the Commerce Commission’s opinion is these rules don’t apply if a mobile truck drives into a street and waits for people to come out to the truck, rather than the sales rep knocking on people’s doors. This is a significant loophole.
Commission investigation
The Commission began a 12-month project focusing on mobile trucks last year. Commission manager, competition, John Lyall, says the project aims to find out what’s happening in the mobile truck industry. A report is due in June.
Mr Lyall and senior investigator Jo Tilley say checks carried out during visits to traders indicate issues of non-compliance with the law. Some are minor but other traders are under investigation where breaches are likely to lead to enforcement action.
Ms Tilley says key issues are highly inflated prices and the quality is not what would be expected. It can also be difficult for consumers to find out total prices. She says the trucks target lower socio-economic areas. Companies get customers to complete multiple direct debit forms so if one is cancelled, another can be activated.
Other issues identified by the commission are high fees, ambiguous payment plans that do not include end dates and difficulties for purchasers in contacting the companies. The fee to get out of a $1300 deal can be as much as $600.
Ms Tilley says since the new laws took effect, the commission has been contacting mobile trucks to educate them about the provisions and check they’re complying.
Mobile trucks are also on the radar of some politicians. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith visited the East Tamaki premises of a mobile truck company last December after hearing of widespread concerns about practices in the industry. A spokesperson for the minister says one of the problem areas in the money lending sector is irresponsible lenders offering loans to people who clearly cannot afford to repay. “That puts people and their families into impossible situations. The government is determined to crack down on unscrupulous lenders who take advantage of vulnerable borrowers and leave families in positions of incredible hardship.”
The spokesperson says it’s impossible to state with certainty whether all mobile trucks are compliant with the law, how many are not, or what breaches – if any – there are. He says the government has no plans to shut down mobile trucks. “It has, however, taken a number of actions recently to better regulate the activities of lenders, including door-to-door salespeople and mobile trucks.”
East Coast MP Anne Tolley says the issue is important to her as a local MP but believes it’s a problem for local government.
“[We] know of the long-term debt many of our vulnerable families on the East Coast incur as a result of mobile vendors. I believe local councils are best placed to deal with these trucks. I have written to the mayors in the Eastern Bay of Plenty part of my electorate and I am looking forward to working together on measures to curb the negative effects in the region, particularly in the suburban areas,” Ms Tolley says.
Exactly what role local councils could play to regulate these companies remains unclear.
Education efforts
Budgeters are divided on the efficacy of education about mobile trucks and financial literacy in preventing people from signing up to expensive deals.
Murupara Budget Advisory Service Trust manager Carolyn Meihana says educating the community is key. She advises clients to tell salespeople they need to speak to their budgeter before committing to buying. “Nine times out of 10, they leave then.”
She dealt with a case in which a small tablet computer was going to cost a total of $2500. When Ms Meihana queried the deal, the salesperson told her to beat it. “My client said ‘She’s my budgeter. You beat it.’ And she did.”
The service’s slogan is “Before you sign on the dotted line, think twice. Get budget advice”. Staff working in the centre have T-shirts with the slogan emblazoned on them.
However, Ms Harris and Mr Sua are less optimistic about the role of education. They say, as long as incomes are low and rents are high, desperate people will continue to sign up to expensive deals.
Consumer.org.nz says:
- Companies operating mobile shopping trucks are targeting some of the most vulnerable consumers.
- The Commerce Commission should take enforcement action against these companies where there’s a clear breach of the law.
- Door-to-door sales rules need to be strengthened so they cover trucks which drive into streets and wait for customers to come to them.
Keith Rankin on Nuanced Economic Growth
By Keith Rankin – first published today on Scoop.co.nz.
ON TUESDAY I listened to Eric Crampton (of the New Zealand Initiative) discussing on Radio New Zealand the virtues of economic growth. It was a good discussion, and Crampton’s view was much more nuanced than those of many growth advocates.
Some points though. Crampton, like many economists emphasises average growth of new output per capita, not outright growth of new output. Thus, if population is falling, we could have economic growth without having more aggregate output.
More importantly, the underlying concept enunciated is the growth of average living standards, not the growth of output. It’s just that Crampton defends the use of GDP (gross domestic product) per person as a good proxy for average living standards. Others don’t. And of course others note that, due to high wealth and income inequality, average living standards are not the same thing as typical living standards.
It’s also true that, while income inequality may be increasing within countries, it is decreasing on average between countries. Global growth has certainly decreased material poverty in China, though the pollution there has substantially offset increases in the material living standards of many Chinese. Crampton places excessive faith in the continuance of the historic ‘Kuznets Curve’, whereby addressing and mitigating issues such as pollution became part of the growth process. Essentially he said that with growth we become better equipped to deal with any adverse consequences of growth.
In this view, modern economic growth essentially becomes a process of sustainable technological innovation. Thus there is no necessary endpoint, especially if declining population also becomes a part of the long-run per capita growth process. Crampton clearly sees both sustaining technological innovation (beginning with the industrial revolution) and fertility decline as essential features of modern growth.
Important issues arise from what Crampton did not say. The industrial revolution in Britain 200 years ago was itself an outcome of a sustainability crisis, especially a crisis of deforestation and therefore shortage of traditional fuels. The turning to coal as a substitute for wood (and later oil and gas as other fossil fuels), combined with the huge extension of lands opened to western capitalism enabled and initiated modern economic growth. We have long hit the limits to land expansionism through invasion (though other forms of imperialism, mainly private land imperialism, continue), and we are now hitting the limits to the fossil fuel economy. We cannot extrapolate the future of growth from its 200-year recent past.
The key concepts we must focus on are inputs (rather than outputs) and productivity (ratio of outputs to inputs). In Crampton’s benign economist version of growth, we economise on inputs, especially land (natural resource) and labour (declining fertility). Established capitalists and policymakers see growth differently.
We need to be much more explicit about inputs rather than outputs in our 21st century discussion on growth. The concern is that both the political process and the business worldview sees all output growth as good, whether that output growth arises from productivity growth or from increased use (‘dis-economising’) of inputs.
Indeed macroeconomic policy is all about increasing the exploitation of inputs: expanding labour supply by making welfare benefits more conditional and by pressuring people to retire at older ages; increasing natural resource exploitation by searching for evermore fossil fuels; and austerity policies, meaning (somehow) rapidly growing our capital resource base (built environment and machinery) while barely increasing our consumption of (private and collective) goods and services.
If we are to raise productivity and to expand the supplies of labour, land and capital inputs, then we are pursuing a future of accelerated unnuanced growth. This is not the benign growth that Eric Crampton sees.
In our critique of economic growth, first we must focus on raising productivity while economising on input use; economising on the use of traditional labour and non-renewable land inputs, economising on the use of inputs that pollute, economising on the use of capital inputs by increasing the productivity of capital inputs (such as factories) rather than increasing their sheer physical presence. Second, we need to remind ourselves that living standards are based more on the life-enhancing stocks that we have access to (including intangible stocks of family capital, of knowledge, of ideas and of culture) than on the flows of new goods and services.
Economic growth, in itself, is neither bad nor good. The particular growth policies that governments around the world are pursuing are, however, very bad. Governments and their business allies are relentlessly pursuing input-driven unsustainable growth. The only good news is that such input-expansionist policies, based on principles of austerity and labour-land exploitation, can only fail. Austerity only equated to ‘more factories’ in Stalinist Russia and Maoist China.
Good things that do happen in the next few years – and there will be many of them – will be despite these input-expansionist macroeconomic policies, not because of them.
—
]]>iPredict: Groser Set For Washington as Hopes for TPP Fade
New Zealand Weekly Economic and Political Update
GROSER SET FOR WASHINGTON AS HOPES FOR TPP FADE
Trade Minister Tim Groser is set to become New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States as hopes of a successful outcome to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations fade, according to the combined wisdom of the 8000+ registered traders on New Zealand’s predictions market, iPredict. There is now only a 35% probability New Zealand will sign the TPP in 2015 and just a 29% probability it will be ratified by the US Congress before 1 July 2017. NZ First is expected to hold the balance of power after the next New Zealand general election and allow a National-led government to be formed. However, John Key is not expected to remain prime minister through to the end of 2017 with Paula Bennett favoured to replace him, well ahead of Steven Joyce and Simon Bridges. Expectations for the Official Cash Rate and the Fonterra’s next two payouts have eased. In the United Kingdom, the UK Independence Party is no longer expected to hold a significant number of seats in the House of Commons after next month’s general election, at which the Conservatives’ David Cameron is expected to win a second term.
New Zealand Politics:
· John Key is expected to remain National leader until at least the end of 2016 (85% probability, up from 79% last week) but has just a 25% probability of remaining National leader until at least the end of 2017 (up from 23% last week). Mr Key has a 73% probability of being National leader on Nomination Day before the next General Election (steady compared with last week)
· Andrew Little is expected to remain Labour leader until at least the end of 2016 (95% probability, steady compared with last week) and has a 68% probability of remaining Labour leader until the end of 2017 (steady). Mr Little has a 90% probability of being Labour leader on Nomination Day before the next General Election (up from 90% last week)
· Paula Bennett remains the clear favourite to become National Party leader if a vacancy arises (37%, up from 35% last week), followed by Steven Joyce (10%, down from 13%) and Simon Bridges (10%, up from 6%)
· Stocks on who is favoured to become Labour Party leader if a vacancy arises will be launched in the near future
· Kevin Hague remains strongly expected to be the next co-leader of the Green Party (80% probability, down from 82% last week), followed by James Shaw on 18% (up from 14%)
· Judith Collins is not expected to be appointed to Cabinet before next election (only 49% probability she will be, down from 55% last week)
· Tim Groser is expected to be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States (85% probability) and Maureen Pugh is expected to become eligible to be a list MP before the next election (73% probability)
· Next election expected in 2017 (92% probability, steady compared with last week) with a turnout of 75%
· Forecast party vote shares at next election:
o National 43.7% (down from 44.2% last week)
o Labour 33.1% (up from 32.8%)
o Greens 10.9% (down from 11.0%)
o NZ First 7.3% (up from 7.2%)
o Others 5.1% (up from 4.8%)
· NZ First has a 68% probability of holding the balance of power after the next election. If NZ First does hold the balance of power, there is a 49% probability it will back National on confidence and supply and a 32% probability it will back Labour on confidence and supply (new stocks)
· National narrowly expected to form a government after 2017 General Election (54% probability, up from 53% last week)
· Almost no chance Wellington councils will be amalgamated by end of 2015 (only 5% probability they will be, down from 7% last week)
New Zealand Economics:
· Fruit-fly outbreak expected to be contained with fewer than 20 Queensland fruit-flies expected to be found in New Zealand as part of current outbreak (85% probability, up from 82% last week)
· New Zealand dollar expected to reach parity with Australian dollar by the end of 2015 (73% probability, up from 55% last week), with a 62% probability if will do so before July 2015 (up from 20% probability last week)
· Quarterly GDP growth expected to be:
o 0.75% in the March quarter (steady compared with last week)
o 1.10% in the June quarter (steady)
o 1.10% in the September quarter (steady)
o 1.10% in the December quarter (steady)
· Annual growth expected to be 4.12% in the 2015 calendar year (steady compared with last week)
· Unemployment expected to be:
o 5.41% in the March quarter (steady compared with last week)
o 5.29% in the June quarter (steady)
o 5.25% in the September quarter (steady)
o 5.30% in the December quarter (steady)
· Current account deficit expected to be:
o 3.61% of GDP in the March quarter (steady compared with last week)
o 3.56% in the June quarter (steady)
o 3.39% in the September quarter (steady)
o 3.49% in the December quarter (new stocks)
· Annual inflation expected to be:
o 0.24% to end of March 2015 quarter (down from 0.30% last week)
o 0.40% to end of June 2015 quarter (steady)
o 0.59% to end of September 2015 quarter (steady)
o 1.05% to end of December 2015 quarter (steady)
· Official Cash Rate priced to be:
o 3.480% on 30 April (down from 3.488% last week)
o 3.452% on 11 June (down from 4.75% last week)
o 3.427% on 23 July (down from 3.458%)
o 3.377% on 10 September (down from 3.424%)
o 3.358% on 29 October (down from 3.405%)
o 3.329% on 10 December (down from 3.387%)
o 3.319% on 28 January 2016 (down from 3.377%)
o 3.316% on 10 March 2016 (down from 3.374%)
o 3.306% on 28 April 2016 (down from 3.364%)
o 3.296% on 9 June 2016 (down from 3.354%)
· This implies the OCR is more likely than not to be cut on 29 October 2015 to 3.25% (compared with 28 January 2016 last week) and to remain at that rate until at least 9 June 2016 (steady)
· 23% probability of a fiscal surplus in 2014/15 (down from 28% last week)
· Fiscal balance expected to be:
o -0.19% of GDP in 2014/15 (down from -0.14% last week)
o 0.80% of GDP in 2015/16 (steady)
o 1.98% of GDP in 2016/17 (steady)
o 2.32% of GDP in 2017/18 (down from 2.43%)
· Fonterra’s final payout (before retentions) expected to be:
o $4.71 in 2014/15 (down from $4.79 last week)
o $5.62 in 2015/16 (down from $5.86)
o $6.43 in 2016/17 (steady)
· Stocks on tourism arrivals and gender and ethnic pay gaps have been launched this week.
Foreign Affairs/Constitution:
· Next UK Parliament expected to consist of:
o Conservatives 43.2% of seats in the House of Commons (up from 37.9% last week)
o Labour 40.2% of seats (up from 35.3%)
o Nationalist parties 7.5% of seats (up from 7.1%)
o Liberal Democrats 4.1% of seats (down from 5.2%)
o UKIP and similar 1.0% of seats (down from 6.0%)
o Unionist parties 1.0% of seats (down from 2.2%)
o Green and similar 1.0% of seats (down from 2.1%)
o Independents and Speaker 1.0% of seats (down from 2.1%)
o All others 1.0% of seats (down from 2.2%)
· David Cameron expected to be prime minister after next UK election (57% probability, down from 58% last week)
· Boris Johnson expected to be elected to UK House of Commons this year (99% probability, up from 91% last week)
· Socialist Workers’ Party expected to defeat People’s Party in next Spanish election (73% probability, down from 75% last week)
· All Eurozone countries, including Greece, expected to remain in Euro in 2015 (20% probability of an announcement of a departure this year, down from 21% last week)
· Tony Abbott expected to remain leader of the Australian Liberal Party until 1 July 2015 (only 18% probability of departing before then, down from 23% last week) but be replaced as leader of the Australian Liberal Party by nomination day (50% probability Malcolm Turnbull will be leader on that day, down from 53% last week)
· Bill Shorten expected to be Labor leader at next Australian Federal election (86% probability, steady compared with last week)
· Liberals marginally ahead of Labor for next Australian Federal election in 2016 (53% probability of Liberal win, steady compared with last week)
· Hillary Clinton is favoured to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for US president in 2016 and to be elected to that office (50% probability, up from 49% last week). Jeb Bush has a 39% probability of being the Republican nominee down from 45% last week) followed by Scott Walker (21% probability, up from 20%) and Rand Paul (18% probability)
· There is a 38% probability New Zealand will sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership this year (down from 48% last week), but the Trans-Pacific Partnership is not expected to be ratified by the US Congress before 1 July 2017 (only 29% probability it will be, down from 33% last week)
· Helen Clark’s prospects of being the next UN Secretary General are 26% (up from 25% last week)
· There is a 10% probability New Zealand will become a republic by 2020 (steady compared with last week)
· Ireland to vote in favour of same-sex marriage before July 2015 (95% probability, steady compared with last week)
· There is a 17% probability Kim Jong-Un will cease being leader of North Korea before 2017 (down from 18% with last week)
Notes:
· iPredict Ltd is owned by Victoria University of Wellington. Details on the company and its stocks can be found at www.ipredict.co.nz.
· The weekly economic and political update is prepared by Exceltium Ltd on a pro bono basis and is based on a snapshot taken at a random time each week. This week’s was taken at 2.02 pm today.
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]]>President Zuma rolls out red carpet for Mugabe
MIL OSI Analysis – Source: South Africa News Agency – Report:
Headline: President Zuma rolls out red carpet for Mugabe
[caption id="attachment_3218" align="alignleft" width="257"]
Robert Mugabe.[/caption]
Pretoria – Despite the dreary weather on Wednesday morning, visiting Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been given the royal treatment at the Union Buildings.
The red carpet was rolled out and President Jacob Zuma and his wife Thobeka Zuma were on hand to receive their visitors.
Access around the Union Buildings is strictly controlled with police patrolling the area.
The motorcade carrying Mugabe and his wife Grace arrived at the Union Buildings shortly after 9:30am at the west wing of the buildings. The two had had touched down in Pretoria at the Waterkloof Air Force Base on Tuesday evening for the two-day state visit.
But due to the weather, the other parts of the welcoming ceremony – including the national ceremonial guard of honour by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) – were moved indoors.
To welcome the Mugabes, the SANDF band played the anthems of Zimbabwe and South Africa, and the two Presidents took the salute from the national ceremonial guard, which was marked by a 21–gun salute.
President Zuma then proceeded to introduce President Mugabe — who is also the current chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) — to a number of his Cabinet Ministers and deputies at the Union Buildings, which is framed by the national flags of both countries.
President Zuma also shook hands with senior officials from the Mugabe administration. He then ushered his counterpart away from the red-carpeted and flower-bedecked amphitheatre for bilateral talks.
The two Presidents are expected to discuss issues around strengthening economic relations and matters of mutual interest, among others. Stability in the region and the continent, industrialisation and economic development of the SADC region are also expected to feature in talks.
According to the official programme, President Zuma and President Mugabe will address the media just after 12pm on the outcomes of their talks.
They will also witness the signing of several agreements including the Bi-National Commission (BNC) Agreement, whose objective is to elevate the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Others include the Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic Consultations, the agreement regarding mutual assistance between the customs administrations of the two countries as well as an agreement on water resource management and the establishment and functioning of the Joint Water Commission. The agreements will be signed by relevant ministers from both countries.
South Africa and Zimbabwe already share common historical and cultural bonds anchored on Zimbabwe’s support for South Africa’s liberation struggle.
Economic cooperation between the two countries has grown well over the past decade as evidenced by the presence of a large number of South African companies in Zimbabwe as well as the increasing trade volumes.
In 2014, South Africa’s exports to Zimbabwe amounted to R24.8 billion, while Zimbabwe’s exports to South Africa reached R2 billion.
After the media briefing, President Mugabe will receive a courtesy call from Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at his hotel before being treated to a state banquet at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse.
On Thursday, a South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Forum will be held at the Sheraton Hotel. The forum will highlight trade and investment opportunities. – SAnews.gov.za
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White Poppies for Peace Appeal, order soon! – GPJA
MIL OSI – Source: Global Peace and Justice Auckland – Press Release/Statement
Headline: White Poppies for Peace Appeal, order soon!
Please forward on through your networks, thank you. Apologies for cross posting
2015 White Poppies for Peace Appeal, order soon!
A reminder that the White Poppies for Peace appeal ( www.whitepoppies.org.nz ) – the main fundraiser for the White Poppy Peace Scholarships ( www.peacescholar.org.nz) – is held annually from 17 to 24 April. This message has information about how you can support the Appeal and how you can order poppies.
a) Helping with a street collection in Wellington, the Kapiti Coast and Dunedin: the street collections in Wellington and Dunedin this year are on Wednesday, 22 April, and will be held on the Kapiti Coast during the appeal week.
If you can help with a street collection, please email whitepoppies as soon as possible and let us know what time/s you are available on 22 April if you are in Wellington or Dunedin, or what days and times you are available if you are on the Kapiti Coast, and include your phone number in your message, thank you. Please note: contact details for collectors in Dunedin and the Kapiti Coast will be passed on to the local collection coordinator.
b) White poppies collection boxes: You could:
i) have a white poppies collection box: at your work, school, church or other community place during the Appeal week (this will be delivered to you in the week before the Annual Appeal if you are within the Wellington area, or posted to you if you are elsewhere); or
ii) organise a special or one-off collection: ask your church or other place of worship if they would consider having a white poppy collection during the Appeal week, or arrange a collection at any scheduled community group meeting around the time of the Appeal.
If you would like to be sent a white poppies collection box, please email whitepoppies as soon as possible and let us know: how many collection boxes you require; the approximate number of white poppies you would like; and your name and postal address – please also let us know if we can put a note on your parcel saying it is to be left in your mailbox / on the porch (or wherever is a safe place for it to be left) if no-one is home when it is delivered.
Each collection box contains white poppies and white poppy information cards, as well as guidelines for collectors, a parcel post SAE to return the box, and a standard SAE to return the money collected (account details are included if you would prefer to do a bank transfer). Please note: the deadline for ordering a collection box is Monday, 13 April.
c) Ordering white poppies: white poppies are available for a donation to the White Poppy Peace Scholarships – if you would like to order white poppies for yourself or your group, please email whitepoppies for details or use the form available at www.converge.org.nz/pma/poppiesform.pdf
d) How you can support the White Poppy Peace Scholarships: You can support the Peace Scholarships by making a donation during the Annual Appeal or at any time during the year – your generosity will help to promote peace by directly supporting research into the impacts of militarism, militarisation and warfare; alternatives to militarism, militarisation and warfare; or media coverage of militarism, militarisation, military deployment and / or armed conflict. To make a donation by cheque, please use the form available at whitepoppies for the details – a tax credit receipt is sent for all donations. Thank you.
White Poppies for Peace, c/o Peace Movement Aotearoa, PO Box 9314, Wellington 6141; tel whitepoppies – http://www.whitepoppies.org.nz
Related
<!– –> –]]>Kelvin Davis says Gutting of prison jobs a gift to private prison provider
Today’s announcement that sections of three prisons are to be closed is the thin end of the wedge for the privatisation of the country’s prison service, says Labour’s Corrections spokesperson Kelvin Davis.
It’s estimated that 260 prison officers will lose their jobs and these are officers that have been trained at the taxpayer’s expense.
“What makes it worse is that these closures are to justify the existence of the new private prison at Wiri.
“Serco the owners of Wiri will now be laughing all the way to the bank. They will now be able to hire the officers that will be laid off.
“This means that 20 per cent of our prison population will now be housed in private facilities.
“I suspect this makes the goal of getting a 25 per cent reduction in reoffending even more difficult .
“The proposed changes are simply a gift to a private prison,” says Kelvin Davis.
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Waihi paua poacher tries to hide behind customary permit
A Waihi man who obtained a customary permit to try and justify his paua poaching near Whangamata pleaded guilty to fishery offences in the Waihi District Court yesterday (8 April).
Police seek public’s help in locating fleeing driver
Canterbury farmer pleads guilty to ill treatment of dairy cows
Leeston dairy farmer Clyde McIntosh today pleaded guilty to three charges brought under the Animal Welfare Act by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in the Christchurch District Court.
Radio: ER on FiveAA Australia – Nationals Annihilation in Northland – Can NZ First Become The Rural NZ Party?
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[caption id="attachment_1205" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Peter Godfrey and Selwyn Manning.[/caption]FiveAA Australia – Nationals Annihilation in Northland – Can NZ First Become The Rural NZ Party? Recorded on 9/04/15. – Peter Godfrey and Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across The Ditch, and this week they discuss whether the New Zealand First Party, led by Winston Peters, could become the option for rural Kiwis… NZ’s version of Australia’s National Party.
Also discussed is a story of hope, of how after ten years disappearance, a man called Danny phoned his family to say he is happy and well.NewsRoom Digest: Top NZ News Items for April 7, 2015
This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains seven media release snippets and five links of the day from Tuesday 7th April.
Top stories in this news cycle currently include the New Zealand dollar approaches parity with the Australian dollar, New Zealand’s richest man, Graeme Hart, plants to float most of Carter Holt Harvey in what could be the biggest IPO this year, and Auckland real estate agency Barfoot & Thompson reports a record month for prices and sales.
SNIPPETS OF THE DAY
NZ Dollar Approaches Parity With Australia: The New Zealand dollar will likely reach parity with the Australian dollar this afternoon when the Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to drop its key interest rate. The kiwi was at 99.37 Australian cents as at 8:30am this morning, and had rose to 99.78 cents yesterday.
NZDF Iraq Contingent Train In Australia: About 120 members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) departed from the Ohakea Air Force Base this morning for a Mission Readiness Exercise in Australia. The group includes a large number of personnel who will deploy to Iraq in the Building Partner Capacity training mission, as well as exercise support staff. The three-day exercise at Enoggera military camp near Brisbane will include a series of scenarios designed to ensure the trainers in the Building Partner Capacity mission are ready, and to demonstrate to their senior commanders that they are fully prepared for the tasks and environment they will face in Iraq.
Fonterra $250 million Bond Sale: Fonterra Cooperative Group, the world’s biggest dairy exporter, may sell $250 million of six-year bonds in what would be its third security listed on the NZX debt market. The Auckland-based dairy company would sell the bonds, expected to mature in October 2021, to New Zealand institutional and retail investors. Proceeds would be for general corporate purposes, it said. Fonterra has $150 million of March 2016 bonds that carry a coupon of 6.83 percent and were last quoted at a yield of 3.9 percent and $35 million of perpetual notes that pay 5.59 percent annual interest.
Barfoot Auckland Housing Sale Record: Auckland house sales volume and average prices rose to a record last month, with buyers undeterred by soaring prices in the face of relatively low borrowing costs, according to Barfoot & Thompson, the city’s largest real estate agency. The average sale price rose 3.9 percent from February to $776,729, beating the previous record set in December by $17,000, it said in a statement. The 1,597 homes sold in March was a monthly record for the firm.
Trade Me Jobs Listings Rise: The New Zealand employment market is in excellent health and set for another solid year of growth, according to an analysis of over 54,000 roles listed on Trade Me Jobs in the first quarter of 2015. Head of Trade Me Jobs, Peter Osborne, said the number of job listings across the country increased 8.5% year-on-year, with solid growth in 12 out of 15 regions.
Rhodes Scholarships For Chinese Students: For the first time, mainland Chinese citizens will have the opportunity to be awarded Rhodes Scholarships in China to study at Oxford University. The first cohort of Chinese Rhodes Scholars will be selected in 2015 and join the class of 2016 for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Funded by donors from mainland China and Hong Kong, as well as the University of Oxford, the Rhodes Scholarship for China will cover all University and College fees, a personal stipend for room and board, as well as health insurance and travel.
More than 3 million arrivals and departures: Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says the 2014-2015 summer season saw record numbers of passengers and goods cross New Zealand’s border. “The Government’s investment in border processing technology is paying off with Customs able to process record numbers of passengers over the busiest summer season so far,” Ms Wagner says. “Over three million international passengers arrived to and departed from airports between December and February – an increase of over six per cent compared to the same time last year.
LINKS OF THE DAY
FRUIT FLY ERADICATION: The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) remains confident that the isolated population of Queensland fruit fly will be eradicated from Auckland. Since the first male fruit fly was trapped in Grey Lynn in mid-February, 14 adult flies have been located. The last find was over a month ago on 6 March. The last detection of larvae in fruit collected from the affected area was on 13 March. MPI’s Director of Response, Veronica Herrera says this is good news but is not yet an indication that the flies are gone for good. Find out more at more:
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/pests/queensland-fruit-fly/2015/auckland-fruit-fly-2015-MPI-approved-retailers-in-controlled-areas.pdf
MAORI & PASIFIKA TRAINING INITIATIVE: The Government today announced further expansion of the Māori & Pasifika Trades Training initiative with the selection of three new consortia to join the scheme. The three join 12 providers already chosen to assist young Māori and Pasifika people to gain qualifications, New Zealand apprenticeships and employment in trades that are in demand across the country. More information is available at:www.mbie.govt.nz/what-we-do/business-growth-agenda/skilled-safe-workplaces/maori-pasifika-trades-training-initiative
RISE IN BUILDING CONSENTS: The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment released the latest edition of the New Zealand Housing and Construction Quarterly today. The report shows an increase in the number of new building consents issued last year, with new dwelling consent numbers rising to their highest levels since 2007. Download the reports here:
http://dbh.govt.nz/nz-housing-and-construction-quarterly-open-data.
NZ SALARY GUIDES: The 2015 Hudson New Zealand Salary Guides has been released, providing essential salary information for hiring managers, job candidates and anyone curious about what they are currently worth. See:http://nz.hudson.com/salary-guides?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=EmailToBus&utm_campaign=SalaryGuides
‘EXTINCT’ NATIVE PLANTS REDISCOVERED Department of Conservation rangers have rediscovered a native herb that was believed extinct and another herb thought to be extinct in the wild. Dysphania pusilla, or pygmy goosefoot, was found in Canterbury’s McKenzie Basin and in Molesworth Station in South Marlborough last summer. Also found in Molesworth was Leptinella filiformis, or slender button daisy, which hadn’t been seen growing wild since the late 1990s. Read the full release and view photos of the plants at:http://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2015/extinct-native-plants-rediscovered/
And that’s our sampling of the day that was on Tuesday 7th April 2015.
Brought to EveningReport by Newsroom Digest.
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Restaurant Brands to end zero hour contracts – Unite Union
Secure Working Hours – Unite Union.[/caption]
Restaurant Brands which owns the KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl’s Jr and Starbucks chains has committed to end zero hour contracts by July this year in a new collective agreement negotiated with Unite Union.
Unite has 2000 members at the chain and is recommending the new terms to members in a vote to be held over the next week or so.
The Unite bargaining team was unanimous in its support for the proposal which promises staff at least 80% of the average hours will be guaranteed using a three month rolling average of hours worked up to a maximum of 32 hours a week.
“This is a gigantic step forward for workers in the fast food industry” says Unite National Director Mike Treen.
Unfortunately McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s are still refusing to move meaningfully on the issue.
Union members at all three chains have now voted in support of an industrial and public campaign to try and convince these companies that they have to end zero hour contracts also.
Unite is appealing for members of the public to help them in this campaign.
“It is time for New Zealanders to tell these profitable multi-national chains that they need to stop taking advantage of their often young and vulnerable workers and put an end to a labour practice that the people of New Zealand have made clear they find unacceptable.
“Tomorrow we are asking people to go to our website at www.unite.org.nz and sign a letter that will be forwarded to the three holdouts. They may think they can ignore their own workers but they won’t be able to ignore tens of thousands of fair minded Kiwis who need to tell them to end zero hour contracts now. If Restaurant Brands can do it so can McDonald’s, BK and Wendy’s.”
Unite members will also be joining the international day of action by fast food workers on April 15.
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]]>FIJI: ‘Shocked’ SPC offers condolences to McGowan family
MIL OSI Analysis – Pacific Media Centre/Pacific Media Watch
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Item: 9196
Telebula Kate [caption id="attachment_3130" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Fiji: Usaia Kilaiverata.[/caption]
SUVA (The Fiji Times/Pacific Media Watch): Journalist Losana McGowan, who died tragically on Easter Saturday, had earned the respect of her Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) colleagues, in particular within the Geoscience Division and the SPC’s North Pacific Regional Office, as well as winning the trust of partners at the European Union and at the country-level, the SPC has said in a statement.
The SPC extended deepest condolences and sorrow to the family and close friends of McGowan.
The statement said the SPC staff were shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of McGowan, an accomplished journalist, event manager and communications specialist.
It said she would be remembered as a dedicated and talented SPC staff member with a strong team spirit who regularly shared ideas. She was a valued member of a SPC-wide communication working group on climate change and disaster risk management.
McGowan, 37, joined SPC in Suva in September 2014 to lead communications for the Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific Project, a partnership initiative with the European Union covering 15 Pacific countries and territories.
Remanded in custody
The Fiji Times reported de facto husband of McGowan has been remanded in custody after appearing in court yesterday charged with her murder.
Usaia Kilaiverata, 28, appeared before Magistrate Margaret Mua yesterday.
Police prosecutor Corporal Apenisa Keresoni objected to bail and told the magistrate that the charge was an indictable offence and should only be tried in the High Court.
Mua agreed with Corporal Keresoni and transferred the case to the High Court. She told Kilaiverata that any bail application he wished to make should be made to the High Court.
Kilaiverata will appear in the High Court in Suva on April 17.
Kilaiverata is alleged to have assaulted McGowan, causing her death.
Fijian Media Association laments loss of Losana McGowan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence. –]]>
African Union-UN mission condemns bombings in central Darfur
MIL OSI – Source: United Nations African Union-UN mission condemns bombings in central Darfur The Joint African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has confirmed the dropping of 10 bombs which led to the killing of 14 civilians and the wounding of 18 others in Rowata, Central Darfur, on 1 April. According to a UN spokesperson, yesterday, a verification patrol was dispatched to Rowata. While at the village, the team witnessed another aerial bombardment, consisting of five bombs dropped close to where they were standing. “The UN Mission strongly condemns such aerial bombings, which cause widespread death, destruction and displacement of populations,” the spokesperson said. –]]>
Yemen: UN relief agencies rush assessment teams, supplies to crisis-torn country
MIL OSI – Source: United Nations – Yemen: UN relief agencies rush assessment teams, supplies to crisis-torn country 7 April 2015 Amid ongoing heavy fighting in Yemen, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that a plane carrying humanitarian staff landed yesterday in the capital, Sana’a, and two more planes carrying medical supplies are expected later this week. Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said today OCHA announced plans are also underway for surgical teams to sail from Djibouti to Aden as soon as possible. “In the last 24 hours, about 12 metric tonnes of medical supplies have arrived in Aden from Al Hudaydah, and distributed to health centres and hospitals,” he said, adding that medical assistance has also been delivered in Sa’ada. Monthly food supplies have been distributed to more than 300 displaced families in Hajjah. OCHA reports that some 159 stranded Ethiopian migrants have returned home from Djibouti, including 131 people who had been stranded en route to Yemen, and 28 who were evacuated from Yemen by sea. Meanwhile in Geneva, Christophe Boulierac, for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said with conflict escalating in many parts of Yemen, children continue to be killed, injured, displaced and put at increasing risk from disease. He emphasized that those children should be immediately afforded special respect and protection by all parties to the conflict, in line with international humanitarian law. He said that wherever security conditions permitted, UNICEF teams were working with partners to provide families with safe water and essential health services. The agency is providing fuel for the running of water supply pumping in three cities in the south, including Aden, where water systems had been repeatedly damaged in the fighting. UNICEF is providing diesel to power generators to keep vaccine stores safe. Supplies prepositioned by the children’s organization in various cities are being put to use and supplies of therapeutic food for young children and oral rehydration salts – a simple but highly effective treatment for diarrheal disease – were being procured. “The conflict is exacerbating the already precarious situation for children in one of the region’s poorest countries, with much of the country prone to food insecurity and with severe acute malnutrition widespread among young children, and with an increasing number for violations of child’s rights these last years,” said Mr. Boulierac, reiterating UNICEF’s warning that in the coming weeks, the discontinuation of basic health services and the deteriorating water and sanitation situation would lead to an increase in health needs, especially among women and children. The situation in Yemen has been rapidly deteriorating since the country formed a new Government in November 2014 aimed at ending a period of political turbulence and bringing about a full transition towards democracy. The country continued to be plagued by violence and political demonstrations despite UN efforts to bring about a peaceful political resolution. –]]>
KPMG urges banks to ‘switch on’ to Gen-Y now
MIL OSI – Source: KPMG – Why banks need to ‘switch on’ to Gen-Y now KPMG Australia’s second report in its series, Banking on the Future: The expectations of the Gen-Y professional, is based on a study undertaken by the firm into the banking and wealth desires of Gen-Y professionals. It has revealed a fundamental change in the way this generation is thinking about banking – and highlights significant implications for banks. “Generations X and Y will dominate the financial space of the next few decades. Their share of financial assets, which sat at just 36 percent in 2010, will jump to 70 percent in 2030. For Gen-Yers, it’s only the beginning of what will be a 40-50 year experience as workers, consumers, savers, borrowers and investors,” said Daniel Knoll, the report’s co-author and Head of Financial Services Management Consulting for KPMG Australia. “The men and women we questioned are particularly interesting as they are all university educated, relatively well paid and are a strong representation of a group that will dominate the financial services profit pools in the future. And they’ve told us their needs are not being well met by the banking community today.” “The bottom line is young professionals are very demanding and value conscious,” he said. In addition to expectations of a seamless digital experience, cost and fee related benefits dominate the most valued attributes of a bank, according to respondents. Almost 50 percent of the young professionals said they stayed with their banks on the basis of low account fees and free ATM withdrawals. “Importantly, none of this should be about chasing other banks to the bottom,” warned Mr Knoll. “Rather, it should be about making every product a competitive one, improving customer experience and leveraging digital channels hyper effectively.” “Interestingly, the levels of knowledge and engagement around tools and services that the banks have developed over the last couple of years are surprisingly low,” commented Mr Knoll. “Banks need to do more than build these tools – they need to drive awareness, engagement and usage by Gen-Y professionals.” According to fellow report author Kristina Craig, herself a Gen-Yer and an Associate Director of KPMG Australia, some interesting and unexpected findings were uncovered. “We had some really interesting results from this future ‘mass affluent’ segment – particularly around cyber security, social media, and wealth and investing,” she said. “For example, 70 percent said they don’t foresee themselves using social media channels to bank in the future. The majority said they were concerned about too much security, which was a marked change from our 2012 report where data privacy and fraud were primary concerns.” “While 95 percent said they don’t currently have a financial planner, and 84 percent think they don’t need financial advice – 65 percent would value some kind of financial coaching. And while they use online and mobile banking as their primary channels, when Gen-Y are forced into traditional channels such as bank branches for home loans, their expectations are largely unmet. In this fintech age there are now many innovative options for banks to address these issues and reap the rewards from this growing customer segment,” she said. Key insights:
- Banks must understand Gen-Y to be successful in attracting their key customers of the future. The Gen-Y cohort is surprisingly heterogeneous – and will require personalisation and targeting at a micro level.
- Digital will remain king –Gen-Y has learnt to expect highly sophisticated digital capabilities and shows little interest in anything less than seamless. Banks should drive discovery through digital marketing and continue to invest in innovative digital solutions.
- Understanding behavior is necessary to drive adoption – Understanding both the drivers and the necessary changes required to alter consumers’ behavior and grow broader adoption will be more important than ever before for succeeding with this segment.
- Online research is the prevailing way Gen-Y chooses financial products – Delivering valuable content and a strong user experience will be vital to growing engagement and conversion. Most of the research sources used by this group are outside the direct control of the banks. Investing in targeted search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and social media will become more important in driving discovery.
- Leveraging social media in creative ways will give banks an edge – Social media will play a key role for customer insight, marketing and embedding social elements of the user experience (peer comparisons, social leaderboards etc).
- Gen-Y wants to stay in control and be empowered with their own finances – Banks’ opportunity is to design advice offers tailored to a DIY or collaboration approach.
- Invest in invisible security – Banks need to better balance security with customer experience.
- Savings first, wealth later – Banks have a role to play to guide and educate Gen-Y professionals on the benefits of investing to accelerate savings – they currently believe they do not have enough starting capital to make it worthwhile to invest. They are also skeptical about banks’ ability to match their own digital research skills when it comes to investment choices.
- Young professionals are value conscious – To penetrate the young professionals market, banks need to be designing attractive offers that meet the many varied needs of this segment coupled with competitive financial incentives. In order for banks to remain profitable in light of reduced market pricing, there will need to be a focus on reducing operating costs while also exploring innovative monetisation strategies.
- Not-so-sticky banks – Bank loyalty is declining. Young professionals are shifting towards holding more financial products with more banks. And this provides both an opportunity and a risk for banks. Banks need to be considering incentives to attract customers, while minimising exploitation of rewards. Banks also need to be awake to more nimble fintech providers ‘cherry picking’ higher value services from this increasingly fickle group.
- intuition (pre-empting customers’ needs)
- convenience (easy and seamless access to products, information and support)
- progressiveness (innovation) and
- results orientation (deliver value for money).
Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Clear message handed to nuclear states – Goff
The Tsar Bomb of October 30, 1961 test remains the most powerful artificial explosion in human history, created by the Soviet Union it was measured as the equal of 50 megatons of TNT.[/caption]
MPs Phil Goff, Shane Reti and Marama Fox are due to meet with diplomats from the United Kingdom, Russia, the United States, China and France tomorrow to hand deliver a letter calling for their countries to disarm their nuclear weapons.
The letter, with more than 60 signatures attached, is signed by MPs from every political party in Parliament.
Chair of the New Zealand Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Phil Goff said the letter was directed at the five official nuclear states who signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1970.
“Forty five years ago, in recognition of the destructive power of nuclear weapons, which have the potential to destroy civilisation, a grand bargain was struck between the then five states with nuclear weapons and other nations.
“The non-weapon states agreed not to seek to acquire nuclear weapons while nuclear states agreed as a quid pro quo to implement disarmament.
“By and large non-proliferation has been successful, although India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea have since acquired nuclear weapons
“Despite repeating an unequivocal undertaking to disarm, the nuclear states have failed to fulfil their side of the bargain, and there are now 17,000 nuclear war heads in existence – far more than is needed as a deterrent and enough to destroy the world many times over.
“Later this month the Non-Proliferation Review Conference will see all the signatory states meeting in New York to review progress and set plans for the future.
“Our letter bluntly calls on the nuclear states to fulfil their promise and begin the process of nuclear disarmament now or risk the breakdown of the NPT process.
“In delivering the message directly to the representatives of those states we will leave them in no doubt as to the strong views held by the New Zealand Parliament and this country, and our expectations of them at the forthcoming conference,” Phil Goff said.
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Bill English says State Housing Action Network comments wrong
Bill English.[/caption]
Comments from the State Housing Action Network that the Government is abdicating its responsibility to social housing tenants are completely incorrect, Finance Minister Bill English says.
“Our social housing reforms will provide more social housing for New Zealanders in need, and we will grow the community housing sector while maintaining Housing New Zealand as by far the largest provider of social housing,” Mr English says.
Community housing providers already own or manage around 5,000 properties around New Zealand, and have a proven track record of delivering services for their tenants. Their core business is providing safe, affordable social housing for New Zealanders in need, which is why we want to work with them to provide more quality social housing.
“Resolving some of New Zealand’s longstanding social challenges requires the Government to be open to working with community groups, non-government agencies and the private sector,” Mr English says. “We don’t have a monopoly on good ideas.”
“The Government has set bottom-line commitments about the social housing changes which will help ensure there is greater support for tenants, including:
- Housing New Zealand and community housing providers will collectively provide more social housing places than there are now.
- Properties will be sold only if this results in better services for tenants and fair and reasonable value for taxpayers.
- Tenants in properties that are sold will continue to be housed for the duration of their need.
- The Government will spend more on income-related rent subsidies and ensure that Housing New Zealand has enough capital to build new social housing and to develop its existing properties.”
Four-day UN Youth Declaration launched in Auckland today
Youth Affairs Minister Nikki Kaye.[/caption]
Youth Minister Nikki Kaye was pleased to address the opening of the four-day UN Youth Declaration in Auckland today.
“This is a great opportunity for young people to have a say on matters that are important to them, and for their voice to be heard,” says Ms Kaye.
Over the four days, participants take part in workshops and debates covering a range of public policy areas, from education and the environment to foreign affairs, law and order and social development.
“The recommendations that flow out of these workshops and debates are compiled into a declaration that is presented to various stakeholders.
“I told the young people this morning that their recommendations will be taken seriously by the government.
“For example, issues raised in the 2013 declaration included bullying, pressures on young people, youth suicide and mental health.
“Since then various actions have been taken to address these issues, and the declaration has at times reinforced the importance of policies in these key areas.
“Some initiatives that have happened include a bullying prevention guide for schools, a youth crime action plan, a self-help, e-therapy tool to help young people combat depression and anxiety, and cross-agency work to address family and sexual violence.
“I’ve committed to sharing this year’s declaration with my colleagues and making sure it’s passed on to officials within our ministries.
“Events such as the declaration are an important way to help develop tomorrow’s leaders, and enable the views of young people to be reflected in policy-making.
“This year is particularly notable, as it sees the 20th anniversary of the United Nations World Programme of Action for Youth.
“The occasion is being marked by a #YouthNow campaign, and I encourage young people to be part of this by joining or leading online conversations, writing blogs, hosting events and raising awareness of youth issues on social media.”
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MBI – Short-term employment growth set to grow by more than 141,300 jobs over next three years
Parity is no party for export businesses – Labour
3 months to February Exports to Australia NZD/AUD average 2012 2,289,946,273 0.769 2013 2,050,450,381 0.802 2014 1,879,008,251 0.925 2015 1,720,683,033 0.947 Source: Statistics New Zealand Overseas Merchandise Trade series and Reserve Bank of New Zealand exchange rate series — ]]>
AA PetrolWatch – Mar 2015: Fuel prices ebb and flow
After climbing 16 cents per litre during February, petrol prices continued to rise during March before falling later in the month. They initially rose 4 cents per litre before falling 4 cents to end the month on $1.92 per litre for 91 octane at most outlets. Diesel prices fell 2 cents in March to $1.20 per litre in the main centres.
“Despite the increases of the last few months, retail prices are still the lowest in over four years,” says AA PetrolWatch spokesperson Mark Stockdale.
“Since mid-January, the commodity price for petrol has risen nearly 30 per cent, or US$16 a barrel, while the New Zealand dollar has fallen nearly 4 cents against the US dollar. At the same time, the commodity price for diesel has risen US$9 a barrel. In that time, petrol pump prices have increased 20 cents a litre, with diesel up 13 cents per litre,” Mr Stockdale added.
Shop around for lower prices. The AA advises motorists to be on the lookout for lower fuel prices, with many service stations in parts of the North Island discounting prices. In some cases, 91 octane petrol is being retailed for $1.60 per litre, more than 30 cents below average.
“New Zealand does not have a single national fuel price, and with most service stations being independently owned, the owners can set their own price. Even company owned stations will adjust prices locally to match competition,” AA PetrolWatch spokesperson Mark Stockdale says.
“The AA’s advice to motorists is to keep an eye out on the price boards and shop around for the lowest prices. Don’t assume that all service stations in a region will be charging the same price.
“If you use premium grade petrol, check the price on the pump – even if the price of petrol is being discounted, it often only applies to 91 octane and not premium grades.”
The AA says if service stations displayed the price of premium fuels on their price boards, it would improve premium petrol price competition and consumer choice. The AA wants the government to make it mandatory for service stations to display the price of all fuels on the price boards.
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Buyers beware Waikato Police warn the public following Facebook robberies
National News – Western Waikato Police investigating a series of aggravated robberies linked to the sale of motorbikes on social media are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a man they warn is dangerous and should not be approached.
Waikato DHB CEO thanks police for apprehending patients
Waikato District Health Board Chief executive Dr Nigel Murray.[/caption]
Waikato District Health Board chief executive Dr Nigel Murray has thanked the NZ Police for their work in apprehending the two patients who escaped from Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre in Hamilton earlier this week (see earlier release below and police release today).
“We are looking forward to getting them back so that we can continue their rehabilitative care,” he said.
“In the interim, I am thinking very carefully about the terms of reference for the external review I signalled I would undertake on our mental health services.”
This independent review will look at clinical practice, systems and processes and if there are any physical issues with the Centre itself. It will also consider any similarities between recent incidents in which patients have left the Centre.
“With regard to Nicholas Stevens’ tragic death, I again extend my deepest condolences to his family. I want to be totally transparent. I will be meeting with Nicholas’ family when I have the information I need. The meeting will occur as soon as practicable.
“I can confirm we have included in the review of Nicholas’ death an independent psychiatrist and mental health nursing leader. The review will be conducted under standard Health and Quality Safety Commission guidelines. The matter has also been referred to the Coroner.”
ends
AWOL patients recovered
08 April 2015 Waikato Police are thanking members of the public for their assistance following the surrender of two men AWOL from a Hamilton mental health care facility to Coromandel Police this morning. Shift Manager, Senior Sergeant Lance Tebbutt, of the Waikato District Command Centre said the two men were brought in to the Coromandel Police Station by a relative about 9.30am. “The 28 and 21-year-olds had been on the run since absconding from the facility on Hamilton’s Selwyn St about 9pm on Monday. “As a result of appeals for sightings of the pair Police received several calls from members of the public and they were identified as being in the Kennedy Bay area. The priority now for Police is getting the pair assessed and assigned the appropriate level of care required.” EndWaikato DHB launches external review
Waikato DHB chief executive Dr Nigel Murray says two patients absconded from a mental health medium security rehabilitation unit in the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre soon after 8.40pm yesterday. See release below They were able to get through a security door into the courtyard and used outdoor furniture to scale the external fence. They were seen running down Selwyn Street by a member of the public who contacted the police. About the same time staff in the unit reported the two patients as missing and also alerted the Police. “We appeal to the public for information and urge anyone who knows where these two are to contact the police. We have provided the police with everything we know and made a senior psychiatrist available to them. “I intend to launch an external review of our service immediately. The public has every right to expect we provide the best service we can for our patients.”Police warn AWOL pair should not be approached
07 April 2015 Waikato Police are seeking the public’s help in locating two men who absconded from a mental health facility and warn they should not be approached. Senior Sergeant Andrew O’Reilly of the Waikato District Command Centre said 28-year-old Benjamin Thomas MANUEL and 21-year-old Morgan HAMIORA-SMITH were reported absent without leave from the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre on Selwyn St about 9.23pm yesterday. “Both men were being treated as in-patients under mental health legislation before they absconded. “The pair were reported to Police as having climbed a fence at the centre and fled and were seen walking down Selwyn and then Alison Streets. Both had red school backpack bags on their backs.” Mr O’Reilly said reports from members of the public who encountered them suggested the pair intended to hitch-hike out of the City overnight, possibly heading to Thames. MANUEL is described as a male Maori of medium build about 172cm tall while HAMIORA-SMITH is a male Maori of medium build and about 180cm tall. “Both are known to have contacts throughout the Waikato and Bay of Plenty with MANUEL having links to the Whakatäne, Kawerau and Tokoroa areas. “Advice from medical staff suggest neither man poses specific risk to the public however both have a history of violence and Police advise the public not to approach them but to ring 111 if they are seen.” ENDS — ]]>Northland By-Election Official Results Released
MIL OSI – Source: Electoral Commission – Northland By-Election Official Results Released The Electoral Commission has released the official results for the 28 March Parliamentary by-election in the electorate of Northland.
|
Northland By-Election Preliminary Results, 28 March 2015 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate Name | Party | Number of Votes |
| Bonner, Adrian Paul | Independent | 17 |
| Carr, Joe | Focus New Zealand | 113 |
| Grieve, Robin | ACT New Zealand | 68 |
| Herbert, Maki | Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party | 94 |
| Holland, Adam | Independent | 16 |
| Osborne, Mark | National Party | 11,648 |
| Painting, Rob | Climate Party | 39 |
| Peters, Winston | New Zealand First Party | 16,089 |
| Porter, Rueben Taipari | MANA Movement | 60 |
| Prime, Willow-Jean | Labour Party | 1,380 |
| Rogan, Bruce | Independent | 24 |
| Candidate Informals | 42 | |
| TOTAL | 29,590 | |
- 45,955 people enrolled.
- A total of 30,047 votes cast.
- 13,869 advance votes.
- 1,579 special votes, including 65 overseas votes.
AWOL pair recovered
Waikato Police are thanking members of the public for their assistance following the surrender of two men AWOL from a Hamilton mental health care facility to Coromandel Police this morning. Shift Manager, Senior Sergeant Lance Tebbutt, of the Waikato District Command Centre said the two men were brought in to the Coromandel Police Station by a relative about 9.30am. “The 28 and 21-year-olds had been on the run since absconding from the facility on Hamilton’s Selwyn St about 9pm on Monday. “As a result of appeals for sightings of the pair Police received several calls from members of the public and they were identified as being in the Kennedy Bay area. The priority now for Police is getting the pair assessed and assigned the appropriate level of care required.” —
