Across The Ditch – Evening Report

Across the Ditch: Caregivers Get $2b Deal From Govt + Survival Story + The Finale

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 20:30:12 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver the final of their weekly bulletin, Across the Ditch. FIRST UP: Weather + Headlines + ITEM ONE: The New Zealand Government announced a $2 billion deal that will see caregivers in NZ receive a significant wage increase. ALSO: A wonderful survival of an eight year-old girl who was in a boating accident yesterday on the Manukau Harbour and treaded water for over two hours before being rescued by Coastguard. She has now been released from hospital and is back home with her family. The search for a 52 year-old relative continues today. In Depth – It must be election year in NZ The Prime Minister Bill English announced this week that 55,000 workers in New Zealand’s caregiver sector will get a significant lift in their weekly wages. The Prime Minister said the deal will cost the Government $2 billion and addresses gender inequality in the female dominated sector. There’s an irony in the background to this announcement. Those advocating the interests of the caregiver sector sought a government commitment to addressing the gender inequality. Basically, they argued that if the sector was dominated by male employees, the wages would be significantly higher. The Government fought tooth and nail through the courts, lining up some of the best Crown lawyers to be found. But that was when John Key was prime minister. It appears the new PM, Bill English, is determined to brand his leadership as being fiscally prudent but fair. English even went as far as to applaud the caregivers, advocates, and unions for the way they negotiated with Government, and acknowledged that they had been underpaid for too long. The $2 billion deal is costed over five years and will see caregivers hourly rate increase from $16-$18 up to between $19 and $27. The band is determined by the caregiver’s skill and experience grade. The Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said the costs of residential care will likely lift beyond the government subsidies paid to private providers operating in the aged and continuing care sector. Coleman said this increase, paid in many cases by the elderly or their families could go up by around $100 per week topping out at just short of $1000.00. ITEM TWO – And it’s goodbye from him It’s the last episode of Across the Ditch. Peter Godfrey and I have been doing our weekly bulletin for over a decade, pretty close to 12 years by our recollection. It has been fun, rewarding, and an honour. I thought we could highlight some of the things we have talked about. There was the Christchurch earthquake that killed 185 people. The quake struck at 12:51pm on February 22 2011 and registered 6.3 on the Richter scale. New Zealanders were humbled by the help and support that flooded in from overseas, and the first of our global friends to arrive were from Australia. Due to my preoccupations, we have talked a fair bit about politics. But it always interests me how your state and New Zealand share many common issues. So, analysing the substance of solutions seems progressive. There were some lighter moments too. Like when we were doing a live talk while I was in hospital. We were about 10 minutes into our talk when a nurse injected into my IV line morphine. As far as I could tell we got through the bulletin without your audience realising too much was amiss. But there was no hiding from a coughing fit I once had on air. And also the inevitable technical hiccups when a telco seemed determined to cut us off after 15 minutes. Oddly, it seemed to occur almost every time we spoke about spies and intelligence issues. There was the time when we were discussing something or rather, and suddenly there was a deafening squawking sound. You thought I had a Kookaburra in the room with me! The truth was I hadn’t fed the dog his marmite sandwich for his breakfast, so ole Blake the Greyhound protested. He stormed into the home office with his squeaky toy, Lance, and dominated the remainder of the bulletin. Perhaps that was the most poignant account of life across the ditch here in New Zealand. Thanks for sharing your time with us Peter. Kia Ora, Ka kite No, Haere ra. Take care.]]>

Across the Ditch: Remants of Cyclone Debbie Drenches New Zealand + Ram Raid Artwork Heist

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 20:32:23 +0000

ITEM ONE – Debbie Deluge Hits New Zealand New Zealand has been whacked by what is left of Cyclone Debbie, with heavy rainstorms and gales causing havoc mainly in the North Island. – Landslips occurred in Auckland suburb Kohimarama, initially sparking fears two people were buried under metres of mud. Residents of apartments in the area want to know if the cliffs around Auckland’s eastern city suburbs are stable and safe. – On Auckland’s North Shore, some homes with multimillion dollar views on the cliff’s edge were in danger of slipping into the sea. A resident reported Wednesday that he woke up to realise half of his backyard was gone and had collapsed into the Hauraki Gulf. – Flooding occurred in Whanganui on the Central North Island’s west coast. It is the second time in two years that a supposed one in two hundred year storm has caused floods and a state of civil emergency in that region. The Whanganui River has come close to breaching its 9 metre banks. People have been evacuated from their homes. A woman driving beside the Waikato River near Ngaruawhahia, about an hour south of Auckland, had her car slide into the river. She managed to get out and get to the river bank before her car was submerged. Sadly, Police said, no one came to her aid and one person Stodden there filming the woman’s plight on their cellphone. ITEM TWO – Art Ram Raid Heist Two art works depicting Maori portraits and valued at around $1 million combined, were stolen this week during a ram raid on an Auckland international art dealership shop. It’s an interesting story that has caused local Maori to question whose relatives were the subjects in the portraits.

Here’s a link to the article in the NZHerald.

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Across the Ditch: Book Alleges Coverup of New Zealand SAS Soldiers Involved in Afghanistan War Crimes

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 19:24:06 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin. This week Selwyn details the allegations made in a book called Hit and Run by Jon Stephenson and Nicky Hager that suggest there was a coverup over the actions of New Zealand SAS soldiers – actions that if found true could lead to war crimes charges. First up: Weather + Headlines roundup. ITEM ONE – Hit and Run: Across the Ditch: Book Alleges Coverup of New Zealand SAS Soldiers Involved in Afghanistan War Crimes Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Bill English to initiate a commission of inquiry into allegations that New Zealand SAS commandos were involved in, or committed, war crimes in Afghanistan in 2010. The allegations were detailed in a book called Hit and Run which was released here in New Zealand on Tuesday. The authors of Hit and Run, investigative journalists Jon Stephenson and Nicky Hager, wrote that NZ SAS soldiers committed a revenge operation against a village in Baghlan province in Afghanistan after New Zealand soldier Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell was killed after a roadside IED was exploded by Taliban insurgents. The claim is the NZ SAS gathered intelligence, planned the operation, led the command chain of the operation requesting and using US black hawk and Chinook helicopters and crew as part of their night mission. It appears they believed the insurgents were staying in the village. But within ten to twenty minutes of the attack commencing six civilians were dead and 15 civilians were injured. One of the dead was Fatima, a three year old girl, who was killed while carried in her mother’s arms as women, children, and elderly civilians attempted to run for their lives. Once the attack ended, the Kiwi SAS soldiers began to systematically burn and blow up the village’s homes. The book claims, there were no insurgents at the village at the time. The book also asserts that the NZ SAS then covered up the civilian deaths and claimed in statements at the time, again in 2011, and 2014, and again this week, that those killed were all insurgents. Sources for the book include former members of the SAS who took part in the attack. Motivated perhaps by a wish to clear their consciences – and frustrated by an apparent coverup by NZ Defence Force officials (and perhaps the Government). A week after the raid on the village the SAS returned to destroy another of the village’s homes that was being repairs. Some time later, the SAS captured one of the insurgents believed to have been involved in the killing of Lt O’Donnell. The book alleges that while blindfolded and flexitide in a vehicle, a SAS commando beat him severely. They then handed him over to Afghan security officers knowing that he would be tortured, which he was – he was electrocuted and suffered other forms of torture. The Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett said on Radio New Zealand on Wednesday that she had been briefed on the claims and that there was nothing that concerned her. She said she trusted the Defence Force officials. The Prime Minister Bill English would not rule out an inquiry but said on Wednesday that the claims in the book were in part politically motivated. ITEM TWO – The Beib is in town American singing sensation Justin Beiber is touring the country. After a weekend in Auckland getting around on a rickshaw and singing get out of the way bitch, he has been thrill seeking down in the South Island, doing a backward falling Bungy jump over the Shotover River. See Stuff.co.nz ]]>

Across the Ditch: Headlines + Key To Exit Parliament + Cartoonist Murray Ball Passes Away

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 19:15:35 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch. This week: Weather + Headlines + John Key set to exit Parliament next week + a tribute to Footrot Flats creator and author Murray Ball. Weather + Headlines ITEM ONE: John Key Set To Exit Parliament – So what’s his legacy? Former prime minister John Key is formally nearing the end of his political career – on Wednesday next week he will deliver his valedictory speech and then it is Haere ra to Parliament. Key has stayed just long enough to prevent a by-election being forced on the National-led Government. If an MP resigns within six months of a general election, a by-election is not required. Key resigned his prime ministership in December, surprising even his closest Cabinet colleagues. Rumours have abounded about why he really stood down, but to date nothing has surfaced that substantially offers an explanation beyond what Key had said at the time, that he had no more fuel in the tank. His popularity reached its zenith in 2011 when the Colmar Brunton Poll suggested over 60 percent of those polled preferred Key as their prime minister. By November last year, his popularity based on the same methodology had fallen to 36 percent. So what of his legacy? While successfully navigating New Zealand’s economy through the wake of the global financial crisis, the Key Government saw poverty in New Zealand worsen. Homelessness, and drastically reduced disposable incomes (after housing or accommodation costs) have seen millions of New Zealanders become worse off than they were before he came to power. For the five percent of the richest people living here, they, however, have prospered. Investors have also done well. The rise of residential house prices in Auckland have cooled in the last six months. But the average price for a home in Auckland is now over $1million. A house bought for $720,000 in 2008 when Key’s National’s came to power, now would sell for more than $1.45 million. Such steep climbs have placed considerable hardship even on middle income Kiwis. Despite upward pressure on housing prices, Key’s Government insisted on taking a hands off approach to foreign investors, that in part, coupled with a short supply of housing stock, caused concerns of economic instability and potential catastrophe should the housing bubble burst. Once labeled the Smiling Assassin by his colleagues at Merrill Lynch in the USA, the New Zealand public most often saw a comedic version of John Key. This made him popular with many, and loathed by his opponents. He governed by polling the public mood, and ultimately sniffed the breeze and realised his fun was over. No doubt, controversy will continue to surface and surround this odd political figure despite his exit from politics. And already, one gets the feeling that many here in New Zealand, when considering the past eight years, are wondering, what was that all about? ITEM TWO: Cartoonist Murray Ball passes away The celebrated author and cartoonist Murray Ball died this week aged 78 years of age. Murray Ball was loved by more than just his generation of Kiwis but was celebrated for actually defining a cultural element of what it meant to be a New Zealander. His cartoons, including Footrot Flats and Stanley were fun, funny, and always expressed a strong message for those who also like to ponder. He was sincerely political, egalitarian, even arguing the merits of socialism if untainted by totalitarianism. And his cartoon creations Wal, Dog, Horse, and Cheeky Hobson are characters that so easily resemble so many characters that you may come across when venturing around these islands. Across the Ditch broadcasts live each week on Australia’s radio FiveAA.com.au and webcasts on EveningReport.nz and Livenews.co.nz and ForeignAffairs.co.nz.]]>

Across the Ditch: NZ Labour Has New Dep Leader + Lorde’s New Album Released Friday

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 19:23:12 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin, Across the Ditch. This week: Weather + Headlines + NZ Labour Has New Dep Leader + Lorde’s New Album Released Friday + Cricket! New Zealand and South Africa set for a decider on Saturday in the five match one day international series. ITEM ONE – Labour signals a generational shift promoting Jacinda Ardern to deputy leader one week after her significant and defining win in Auckland’s Mt Albert by-election last weekend. ITEM TWO – New Zealand’s international singing sensation LORDE has announced her second album will be officially released 8am NZ time this Friday. But the singer kept true to her Auckland fan-base on Wednesday night, dropping hints that a sneak preview may be had at several locations around the city. It was like a treasure hunt of sorts after Lorde, Ella Yelich O’Connor, tweeted to her 4.5 million followers locations on a map graphic. Within minutes images appeared of an eery green glow emitting from a car, another saw a green script depicting a lyric projected onto a wall and the first sound of a yet-to-be released single, Green Light, played on a loop. Overseas she is quite a big deal too. Elton John referred to her as the future of pop music. And last year she was chosen to perform in honour of the late David Bowie at the Brit Awards where she sang a haunting rendition of Bowie’s Space Oddity. ITEM THREE – It a nail biter of a one day international series against South Africa who are touring here at the moment. The Blackcaps have played four matches so far, and both sides have won two matches each. NZ had a big win Wednesday night with Martin Guptil driving the side to a strong win with his 180 runs. Now it is to the deciding fifth match in a five game series to be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday!. Across the Ditch broadcasts live on Australia’s FiveAA.com.au and webcasts on EveningReport.nz and Livenews.co.nz and ForeignAffairs.co.nz.]]>

Across the Ditch: High Court Rules on Dotcom Case Technicality + NZ Cricket Beats Sth Africa

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 19:20:41 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin of news and events from each side of the Tasman. This week: The New Zealand High Court rules on a technicality supporting the Dotcom defence claims. ALSO< New Zealand beat South Africa in the Cricket, levelling the five match series with one-win-each. The third of the five match one day international series will play at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on Saturday. INTRO: Weather comparison + FX + Headlines Roundup + Any topic you may want to raise ITEM ONE: – Kim Dotcom Case A new High Court judgment suggests the charges laid against Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom and colleagues were civil in nature rather than criminal (as the original arrest and search warrants stated. The technicality is a serious breach by the Crown and one which may see Dotcom have the case of alleged copyright infringement and money laundering thrown out of court. See David Fishers’ report (NZHerald.co.nz) ITEM TWO: Kiwi’s level with South Africa 1 match each in a five match ODI series. Just when we thought the Blackcaps had met their match against South Africa, the Kiwis pulled off a win against the tourists deep in earthquake country at Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday (Wednesday). The match was played on the sixth anniversary of the deadly Christchurch earthquake which killed 185 people. The Boss, Bruce Springsteen played a concert there the night before. The two events presented an opportunity for the city and its peoples to remember the events of six years ago when the quake struck at 12:51pm NZ time. And, gave opportunity to celebrate the good things in life. The Kiwi Cricket side, with a good competitive win against the Proteas, will be trying to reclaim its winning form with solid batting and bowling performances on New Zealand soil this summer – when it plays South Africa again on Saturday at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium.]]>

Across the Ditch: Fires Blaze Out of Control Near Christchurch + PM Decides In Favour of Pike River Mine Families

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 19:22:17 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch. This week: Weather + FX + Fires blaze out of control near Christchurch. ITEM ONE – Civil Emergency in Christchurch The Government has declared a civil emergency in Christchurch after a scrub fire in the Port Hills bordering south Christchurch blazed out of control. It is believed that the fire was deliberately lit. Wednesday night saw hundreds of families evacuated from their homes as the blaze spread northward toward Christchurch City’s residential areas. On Wednesday morning it was confirmed that one helicopter pilot who was part of the firefighting effort was killed. It was also confirmed he was a former NZ Defence SAS special operations soldier who had serviced in Afghanistan. ITEM TWO – Pike River Mine Disaster Last night families of those who died in the Pike arrived coal mine disaster met with new Prime Minister Bill English in an attempt to stop Solid Energy from sealing the entrance to the mine. Solid Energy is the Government owned company that owns Pike River Mine. The families have been maintaining a picket outside the entrance to the mine, in a move to stop contractors from permanently sealing the entrance. The bodies of their loved ones are still inside the mine. The former Prime Minister John Key had initially promised the families that the bodies of their loved ones would be recovered. That promise was reneged upon, even though mining experts have said it is now safe enough inside the mine for a recovery operation to commence. However, late last night (Wednesday) new Prime Minister Bill English told the victims’ families that the entrance to the mine will NOT be sealed. His decision is expected to lead to another evaluation of whether a recovery operation can now safely commence. ITEM THREE – Oddities Over the last few weeks ending the holiday and anniversary weekend season, roads and highways around Auckland (north and south) have been predictably at gridlock. But recently, things went from bad to worse. First a car pulled over in the fast lane and suddenly went up in flames. Then a day later, a cat caused the vehicles of tens of thousands of commuters to a standstill as it strolled down the motorway. The cat became a bit spooked and it took highway patrol officers quite a while to pick it up and clear the backlog of traffic.]]>

Across the Ditch: Headlines + Former Aussie PM Visits + Mortgage Rates + NZ Beats AU in Cricket

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 19:16:38 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch. This week: Australia gets 40 degrees-+ temperatures and NZ gets rain! + Former Australia PM John Howard visits New Zealand + NZ Finance Minister warns mortgage interest rates will likely increase + New Zealand beats Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee ODI cricket series. Weather + FX + Headlines ITEM ONE – AU PM Visit Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard is in New Zealand and attended the first sitting of the New Zealand Parliament for 2017. Howard was reluctant to speak to media but sat as a guest in the debating chamber during the Question and Answer session. He is in New Zealand as a key speaker at a Australian High Commission black tie event. ITEM TWO – Mortgage Interest Rates New Zealand’s new Finance Minister Steven Joyce has warned home mortgage holders to be prepared for interest rate increases. He said there were signs the overlooked residential housing market has eased and the rate of house price increases has slowed. But the house price-proportion of mortgage-household income ratios remain on the unaffordable end of the affordability scale. This means if mortgage interest rates climb, many families may find they cannot afford to pay their mortgage payments. Joyce said the Reserve Bank of New Zealand is expected to hold the Official Cash Rate at 1.75% but that the market has factored in that it may actually increase the OCR this year. He said bond rates have increased and interest rates in the USA had increased so home owners should budget for increases this year. ITEM THREE – Cricket Oh Peter, New Zealand won the Chappell-Hadleign one day international Cricket series. The win occurred after heavy rain caused the second of the three match series to be cancelled. The series win has contributed to a successful home summer season with New Zealand having won series against Pakestan, Bangladesh and now Australia. But there’s no time to gloat! The Kiwis now sharpen their focus to take on South Africa.]]>

Across the Ditch: Headlines + Earthquakes rock NZ & South Australia + NZ Beat Au in Cricket!

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 19:42:25 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch. This week: Weather + Headlines + Earthquakes rock NZ & South Australia + NZ Beat Au in Cricket! ITEM ONE – Elections New Zealand Election Date Set – Prime Minister Bill English has announced a general election will be held on September 23. The announcement followed one day after the Labour and Green parties jointly held a state of the nation address, where they committed to a memorandum of understanding that they would Partner up to change the National-led Government. And throughout this week the PM has been criticised for lacking leadership skills necessary to run the country. The criticisms spread and went viral after English was slow to comment on the US President Donald Trump’s Muslim-ban executive order. Meanwhile, the other smaller parties are juxtapositioning to maximise their chances. And there are a few surprise defections… August 17 – last day of Parliament September 6 – overseas voting starts September 11 – advance voting starts September 23 – general election ITEM TWO – Trans-Tasman Cricket Ouch Peter! We beat you guys in the Cricket this week!!! That’s akin to the Wallabies beating the All Blacks in Rugby. I have to ask you… What went wrong? Australia plays New Zealand in the second of three One Day Internationals at Napier in New Zealand today (Thursday, Feb 2) and plays the final in the Chappell-Hadleigh series on Sunday (February 5).]]>

Across the Ditch: Weather + FX + Petrol / litre + Headlines + Why Is Au + NZ Soliciting China’s Entry into the TPP

Selwyn Manning — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 21:53:20 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin. This Week: Weather + Petrol Prices + FX + Headlines Roundup + Indepth Item: Why are Australia and New Zealand soliciting China’s entry into the Trans Pacific Partnership? PLUS: 10 year-old surfer escapes Jaws! Weather + FX + Petrol / litre + Headlines IN DEPTH – ITEM ONE There are signs that considerable effort is occurring behind the public’s gaze to resurrect the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement after US President Donald Trump formally withdrew the USA from the multilateral agreement this week. Trump added that his administration will advance a preference for bilateral free trade agreements. The comment has rekindled hope within NZ Government circles that a US-Kiwi FTA may yet come to pass. But the day before Malcolm Turnbull commented that the Trans Pacific Partnership may be extended to invite China into the pact, New Zealand’s new Prime Minister Bill English tested the waters suggesting the TPPA may be given some CPR. The question remains, will the Chinese play ball after being ignored by the two US leaning APAC nations (Australia and New Zealand) that both have bilateral FTAs with China and wanted a slice of the USA economic pie. The TPP nations are desperate sellers, and China is in the box seat. It seems Australia’s DFAT and New Zealand’s MFAT have a massive challenge on their hands. ITEM TWO And this Aussie news story is getting some attention over this side of the ditch: NZHerald.co.nz It’s about the ten year old NSW surfer who unknowingly surfed close to the jaws of a Great White. It’s a reminder to us all to be really vigilant while out on the water this summer. Any shark tales Peter?]]>

Across the Ditch: Last Bulletin for 2016 + Big Events of 2016

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 19:33:30 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their last bulletin for the year and discuss some of the big issues that have impacted on Kiwis in New Zealand throughout 2016.

FIRST UP: Weather comparison + Currency market + News roundup

BIG EVENTS OF 2016:

* Solid Energy (a Government owned company) announced that it will seal the entrance to the Pike River coal mine,Back in November 2010, a series of explosions inside the mine killed 29 miners and contractors. Their bodies still lie inside the mine. Despite mine experts asserting that the mine is now safe to enter and safe enough for the bodies to be retrieved, Solid Energy has insisted that the entrance to the mine be permanently seals. The families of the dead men have kept up a blockage in recent months preventing contractors from being able to seal it off.

* Former leader of the Labour Party, former minister of foreign affairs, minister of trade, minister of defence, Phil Goff winning the Auckland mayoralty.

* The 2016 Kaikoura earthquake was a magnitude 7.8 (Mw) earthquake in the South Island of New Zealand that occurred two minutes after midnight on 14 November 2016. The quake tore apart multiple fault lines and caused devastation both inland and along the coast around Kaikoura – the seabed rose and the coastline remains 1.5 meters higher than it was prior to the quake. State Highway One and the main trunk rail line were destroyed and remain unusable. No one was killed in the quake, but communities were isolated and in some cases destroyed. The cost of the rebuild is a work-in-progress and couple be in excess of $10 billion.

* Other locations were also shaken. Wellington suffered significant damage with buildings rendered unsafe. For example, the New Zealand Defence HQ began to lean, and is now being deconstructed. The Inland Revenue Building was evacuated after stress and cracks were identified.

* Just after two week’s later National Party leader and Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, announced that he would resign as PM in early December and exit politics in 2017. He was Prime Minister of New Zealand for eight years and was for much of that time one of the most popular political leaders in NZ’s history peaking in 2011 when around 60 percent of people polled preferred Key as their prime minister. His popularity sank to to around 36 percent in November this year – perhaps due to the domestic economy showing signs of concerns, homelessness being at its worst ever, the price of housing being well beyond reach for most Kiwis, and a palpable indifference to using his leadership to drive ahead with hands on interventionist solutions to the countries economic and social challenges.

And now, New Zealand now has a new prime minister, Bill English who last week was our finance minister and now finds himself in the hot seat. After numerous National MPs expressed interest in campaigning for the leadership, back room deals and number counting saw English formerly elected uncontested by the Nationals caucus, as was his deputy Paula Bennett. The new cabinet ail be announced next week.

In sport, the All Blacks reached a new world record with the most unbeaten run of international class A tests in the history of the game (18 tests). The All Blacks were beaten by Ireland in a game in November played in Chicago.

New Zealand athletes notched up the most medals ever won at an Olympic Games with 18 medals, including four golds, nine silvers, and five bronze medals.

And our international singing sensation Lorde is expected to release her long awaited second album some time soon!

Across the Ditch is broadcast live weekly on Australia’s radio FiveAA.com.au and webcasts on EveningReport.nz LiveNews.co.nz and ForeignAffairs.co.nz.

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Across the Ditch: NZ In the Grip of a New Seismic Phase + Blackcaps in Australia

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 19:26:28 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch – This week, some geologists suggest New Zealand has entered into a new and very active seismic phase not experienced in over two generations. Also: New Zealand Cricket’s Blackcaps are in Australia preparing for the Chappell-Hadleigh ODI series against Australia. The fist test kicks off on December 4, December 6, and December 9.

First up: Weather, currency, headlines roundup.

ITEM ONE – A New Seismic Phase

New Zealand is in the grip of a significant seismic phase – this week thermal activity in Lake Rotorua (in the central North Island) caused a geyser to appear in the lake shooting boiling water, steam, and mud 30 metres into the air. The newly formed geyser has continued to be active through this week.

Meanwhile, people isolated in Kaikoura have been able to reunite with their children this week. The children were mostly evacuated in the day after the 7.8 M quake two weeks ago.

And on Wednesday, drone footage revealed how the quake has caused a huge new canyon inland of Kaikoura.

ITEM TWO – Sport

New Zealand beat Pakistan winning both tests in a two test series. And the Black Caps are now in Australia preparing for the Chappell-Hadleigh One Day Series. They are in test form, but we shall see whether they can pull off a One Dayer win or two against you guys on your own turf.

Across the Ditch broadcasts live weekly on Australia’s FiveAA.com.au and webcasts on EveningReport.nz, LiveNews.co.nz, and ForeignAffairs.co.nz.

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Across the Ditch: Trump Wins US Presidency – Reactions In New Zealand

Selwyn Manning — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 00:14:56 +0000

US ELECTIONS FALLOUT – Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning discuss the reaction to new Donald Trump has won the US Presidency. Will the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement be canned now Trump is destined to enter the White House? SPORT: Also, in sport the New Zealand All Blacks were beaten by Ireland last weekend, ending their world record run of 18 international test wins. This weekend the AllBlacks play Italy, then Ireland the following week and France the week after that.]]>

Across the Ditch: NZ Headlines + Meth Scourge + All Blacks V Wallabies Saturday

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 22:38:45 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch. This week: Weather + Headlines IN-DEPTH: Peter and Selwyn take an in-depth look at how over 40% of homes tested for meth contamination tested positive. SPORT: Also, the All Blacks take on Australia’s Wallabies rugby team at Eden Park in Auckland. The Wallabies haven’t beaten the All Blacks at Eden Park since 1986, but this weekend Australia will be wanting to break that curse and also shatter the All Blacks’ hopes of extending their world record winning streak of 17 international tests. Across the Ditch broadcasts live weekly on Australia’s FiveAA.com.au and webcasts on EveningReport.nz LiveNews.co.nz and ForeignAffairs.co.nz.]]>

Across the Ditch: Headlines Roundup + Euthanasia Debate + Sport

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 19:19:33 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch. This week Peter and Selwyn go deep on the euthanasia debate. New Zealand politicians are hearing verbal submissions on the pros and cons of euthanasia. But should we be cautious about letting politicians legislate on this very very very important issue? FIRST UP Weather comparison Currency comparison Headlines roundup ITEM ONE: Euthanasia – The NZ Parliament has begun hearing submissions on euthanasia, largely from people wishing to give a verbal rationale on whether politicians ought to consider making euthanasia legal in New Zealand. Political parties in New Zealand are warming to the idea of getting a bill before the house that would make it legal for people in New Zealand to receive assistance with ending their lives. For background, here is a link to an editorial I wrote on euthanasia. I have written editorials against euthanasia, basing my argument on investigative reporting I did in the 1990s when the then National led Government brought in (through stealth) exclusion criteria affecting those seeking life saving treatments like dialysis. The back then, doctors treating people suffering end stage renal failure were presented with criteria that excluded their patients from accessing renal dialysis treatment if they were blind, had a history of mental illness, intellectual disability, displayed antisocial behaviour, had a criminal conviction, were over 65 years of age. The government’s move to stop people getting this life saving treatment was largely fiscally motivated. The criteria was supposed to remain secret. I discovered the Minister had authorised it and had the government’s health finding authority present the criteria to doctors as an ethical framework through which they could ascertain what categories of people would be prevented from accessing dialysis. The reportage caused a political furore. Urgent Parliamentary debates followed… In the end the then Minister of Health Jenny Shipley (later prime minister) was forced to ditch the exclusion criteria policy and disestablish the Core Health Services Committee that she set up to drive such policies. At that time, the National Government was able to legally exclude people on this basis as it had passed a law that excluded government entities from having to work within the ‘constraints’ of the human rights act. Leaked official documents I obtained back then revealed how the Health Minister was about to roll out exclusion criteria for coronary care, oncology care, basically all areas of health care where it was considered a heavy fiscal burden on the State. On euthanasia… My argument is, that based on the experiences of reporting the exclusion criteria issue in the 1990s, my concern today is: euthanasia laws, while well meaning, could be used by future governments as a means of addressing fiscal pressures and a way to reduce the State’s continuing care cost-burdens. If the politicians really want to debate the merits of euthanasia, I say, first, let them answer this: As the baby boomer generation ages, at what point does the fiscal burden on the State become politically unsustainable? Here in New Zealand it does appear that point is getting closer. ITEM TWO Sport – While Australia’s Wallabies played themselves back toward respectability last weekend beating Argentina’s Pumas 31 – 21… Spare a thought for the poor ole Springboks. The All Blacks beat them in Durban 57 -15! The win notched up a rugby world record with the All Blacks having now won 17 international tests without any losses. Even the POMEs are saying this is the best international team ever to play the game, and Aussie rugby great Marc Ella says the Kiwis can’t be beaten when Australia turns out for a hiding at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday October 22. To lay it on thick, Australia hasn’t beaten New Zealand at rugby at Eden Park since 1983. That’s 33 years! Can you guys do it? Well, let’s wait and see. Don’t worry though, the Cricket season will soon be upon us :)]]>