Waitemata Police appeal to public for info on alleged sexual assaults

March 17, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Police – Waitemata Police appealing for further information following alleged sexual assaults Waitemata Police investigating alleged sexual assaults against teenage boys by a 35 year-old Security Guard are appealing to the public for further information.

Mikaele Sipiti, who also uses the first name Mike, has been charged with two charges of sexual violation and five charges of indecent assault. The charges relate to alleged offending against two 13 year-old boys and another 14 year-old boy, between March 2014 and February of this year. The accused has held a security licence since March 2013 and has been employed as a security guard. He has been employed by a number of different security companies and has been deployed to various events and patrols across the Auckland area, including as a static guard at the Ranui and Sturges Road train stations. Sipiti has been remanded in custody and will reappear in the Waitakere District Court on Friday 27 March. The investigation into the alleged offending is ongoing, and Police would like to hear from anyone with information that may assist the enquiry. Anyone with information should call Detective Kelly Farrant at the Waitemata Police on 021 191 4375. —

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Celebrate St Patrick’s Day by being a good mate – Police

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Police – Celebrate St Patrick’s Day by being a good mate Canterbury Police staff patrolling in Christchurch City this morning and over lunchtime reported there was a happy family atmosphere in the city with a few people enjoying an Irish themed breakfast and entertainment at licensed premises.

Inspector Paul Fremaux, who is overseeing today’s District-wide Operation, says “This is the first St Patrick’s Day with the lower alcohol limit and we urge revellers to drink responsibly and think about how they are going to get home if they are intending on drinking alcohol. We have additional prevention and road policing staff rostered on to undertake high-visibility patrols in the entertainment areas to make sure everyone has a good reason to remember their St Patrick’s Day celebrations” “We are expecting tonight to be almost as busy as a typical Saturday night in some of the licensed premises in the District. Alcohol is a major contributor to crimes such as disorder, violence and sexual assaults with a third of all recorded offences in New Zealand committed after an offender has consumed alcohol. An intoxicated person is at risk of making poor decisions and ending up becoming an offender or victim of crime or crashes” explained Inspector Fremaux. Additional staff will be deployed from 12 noon until early tomorrow morning and checkpoints will be in operation across the District to target drink-driving. Canterbury Police take an anytime anywhere approach to breath testing and every driver stopped will be breath-tested, enforcing the new lower alcohol limits of 250mg of alcohol per litre of breath that came into effect last year. There is still a zero alcohol limit for drivers under 20 years old and this will also be enforced. “No matter where you celebrate St Patrick’s Day, rurally or in the city, don’t think you can ‘get away’ with another alcoholic drink if you’re driving. You are not only putting yourself at risk but other road users and members of your community. If you plan on leaving your vehicle parked up overnight, park in a safe area and make sure you secure any valuables out of sight and lock doors and windows” said Inspector Fremaux. Stay safe and don’t become one of our statistics. “The two most effective ways to control the effects of alcohol, without moderating your drinking, is to eat food and drink water regularly. We want St Patrick’s Day 2015 to be remembered for the right reasons in the District. Be a good mate, look out for others in your community and take one for the team by being a sober driver” —

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Motorists advised to postpone all non-essential travel on SH35 around East Cape due to Tropical Cyclone Pam

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Motorists advised to postpone all non-essential travel on SH35 around East Cape due to Tropical Cyclone Pam

Rain and strong winds continue to hit the area and are making conditions potentially dangerous for all road users.

Storm surges have thrown driftwood and other debris, including rocks from a sea wall, onto sections of State Highway 35 (SH35) between Hawai to east of Waihau Bay.

High surf continues to break on the highways in some areas and the situation is expected to worsen at 3pm today due to the high tide and expected high winds.

Areas previously cleared may be inundated with driftwood and other debris as sea swells increase.

Contractors have worked hard to clear the highway up to Raukokore, removing trees and other debris.

They are currently working their way through to the Gisborne boundary where there are unconfirmed reports of multiple trees on the road between Hicks bay and just north of the town.

The Transport Agency is working with local authorities and emergency services to keep roads open and safe for travellers.

Electronic signs will be used to keep road users informed of conditions ahead.

Road maintenance and other works scheduled for this week have been postponed due to the weather. The Transport Agency will provide updates on these works when possible.

For real time information on highway conditions and incidents visit www.nzta.govt.nz or call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or follow @nztawaibop on twitter.

For personalised information about driving conditions on their frequently used routes, motorists can check out and sign up to On The Move at www.onthemove.govt.nz

For more information please contact:

Natalie Dixon
Waikato / Bay of Plenty Media Manager

T: 07 928 7908
M: 021 928 413
E: natalie.dixon@nzta.govt.nz

The NZ Transport Agency works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and local roads.

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NZ Super Fund performance improving – Report

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

MIL OSI – NZ Super Fund performance improving – Report The New Zealand Superannuation Fund has released its monthly performance and portfolio report for February 2015. Key points:

Fund size: $28.98 billion (record high for month end and up from $27.78 billion at end January)
February return: 3.91%
Return since inception:10.30% p.a.
Last 12 months: 18.23%

Performance returns are unaudited and provided after costs, before NZ tax. Full Performance Report. –]]>

PM to attend Gallipoli Anzac Day commemorations

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – PM to attend Gallipoli Anzac Day commemorations Prime Minister John Key is to lead a New Zealand delegation at the centenary commemorations of the ANZAC landings in Gallipoli, Turkey. “On 25 April 2015, we mark 100 years since the first New Zealand troops came ashore at Gallipoli,” says Mr Key. Gallipoli was the first major combat role for New Zealand forces in the First World War and was where 2721 New Zealanders were killed, representing a quarter of the total New Zealand forces sent to the peninsula. “At these commemorations we’ll be honouring their sacrifice and remembering all New Zealand veterans of conflict. “The significance of this event is of course felt strongly by New Zealanders, with 2,000 Kiwis expected to travel to Gallipoli through the ballot system,” says Mr Key. Mr Key will attend a number of commemorative services on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 24 and 25 April, including the Dawn Service, the New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair and the Australian Service at Lone Pine. Prime Minister Key and Australian Prime Minister Abbott will jointly attend the Anzac Day services on 25 April. “We are delighted the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, will also be attending Gallipoli services in Turkey on the 24th and 25th of April.” The Prime Minister’s official delegation includes Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss, Opposition Leader Andrew Little, Chief of Defence Force Lt Gen Tim Keating and other senior Defence personnel and RSA President Barry Clarke. Also in the official party will be 25 youth ambassadors, highly decorated New Zealand veteran Brigadier Neville Reilly and historian Dr Chris Pugsley. “Gallipoli is hugely significant for New Zealand, Australia and Turkey. It’s where the Anzac relationship was cemented and it also a very important chapter in Turkey’s history. “The Anzac spirit lives on in the way that New Zealand works collaboratively and respectfully with Australia, together with our Turkish hosts to hold the Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli every year. “Turkey commits significant resources to ensuring these important commemorations are undertaken safely and respectfully, and we are grateful for their hospitality.” Throughout the week there will be a number of significant events culminating in Anzac day services around New Zealand. –]]>

Prince Harry to visit New Zealand

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – Prince Harry to visit New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the news of a planned official visit to New Zealand by Prince Harry, the grandson and fourth-in-line to Queen Elizabeth II. “I am thrilled New Zealand will have the opportunity to welcome the Prince, who today confirmed he will visit New Zealand in May, after a four-week secondment with the Australian Defence Force,” says Mr Key. “This is Prince Harry’s first visit to New Zealand and we are very keen to show him as much of the country as possible.” The Prince’s visit follows a very successful tour by his father, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2012 and the latest visit by his brother, Prince William in 2014. Prince William was accompanied by the Duchess of Cambridge and their son, Prince George on their first trip to New Zealand. The visit is still in the planning stage and further details regarding dates and regions to be visited will be released closer to his arrival. –]]>

Inequality is not ‘flat to falling’, Minister

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Council Of Trade Unions – Inequality is not ‘flat to falling’, Minister – CTU Assertions by the Finance Minister about inequality are not borne out by the facts, the CTU said today. Bill English told TVNZ’s Q+A programme on Sunday that inequality in New Zealand is ‘flat to falling’. Yet an analysis by the CTU on the incomes of those at the very highest shows that rather than falling, it is skyrocketing. Income data recently released by Inland Revenue shows that in the two years to March 2013 (the latest available data) shows a sharp rise in inequality due to rapid rises in high incomes.“ The average income of the top 1% has risen steeply since 2011,” said CTU Secretary Sam Huggard. “For this group, the average income rose from $298,000 in the year to March 2011 to $382,000 in the year to March 2013.” “This is an increase from 8.5 times the average income to 9.7 times.” “The average income of the top 0.1% is estimated to have risen from $665,000 to $892,000 over the same period, from 19 times the average income to 23 times.” “How this can be described as ‘flat or falling’ beggars belief.” “Unions will continue to push for a more equal society and lifting wages is the single most effective way to achieve this.” “Across the country workers will be making their case for a decent payrise this year. They are due for a catch-up after several years of low increases which were below what the economy can afford. That is especially true for workers such as those in health care whose pay went up by only 0.7% on average in the last year,” Huggard said. –]]>

10 year plan for Wellington region released for consultation

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Greater Wellington Regional Council – 10 year plan for Wellington region released for consultation Residents from the greater Wellington region are being urged to have their say about what major projects should be funded in their communities over the next 10years. Open days are being held around the region through March and April where Councillors and staff will help the public understand what is included in Greater Wellington Regional Council’s draft 10 Year Plan 2015-25. Visitors to the open days will have the opportunity to identify the projects they think should be prioritised through a novel voting system set up for the occasion. There are currently six main projects in the draft plan and council Chair Fran Wilde says it’s important that these ideas are tested with the public before they are locked into place. “We’ve identified what we believe are the priorities, locally and regionally, and included them in the draft 10 Year Plan. Now we need our communities to tell us what they think,” she says. The six main projects are:

Investing in public transport infrastructure to improve service levels
Implementing major initiatives to increase the number of public transport users
Increasing programmes aimed at getting more people walking, cycling, carpooling and using public transport
Taking a strong leadership role in ensuring improved water quality across the region
Investing in flood protection infrastructure to protect the community from flood risk
Increasing the region’s ability to withstand an emergency, particularly through a number of projects to provide emergency water following a major event.

To pay for the initiatives included in the draft 10 year plan, the regional council is proposing an average annual rates increase of about $38 for the average residential home in the 2015/16 financial year. That’s 9.8% and equates to 73 cents a week for the average home. Included within this is a 1.1% proposed rates increase to maintain its “business as usual” or existing services. The council has also proposed freezing public transport fares for another year as part of the 10 Year Plan. This has been made possible in part due to savings made through more people using trains following the introduction of the Matangi train fleet on the Hutt Valley, Kapiti and Johnsonville lines. “By keeping fares at the same price, we’re hoping to help get more people onto trains, buses and the harbour ferry,” Ms Wilde says. “Public transport not only frees up the roads, it also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is critical given the challenges the region faces from climate change. “We’ve also just released our Draft Strategy on Climate Change and we’d like people to think about things like reducing greenhouse gas emissions when making submissions on the 10 Year Plan.” A “Shape Your Region” brochure will be mailed this week to Wellington region residents with details about the open day events and how to make sure they have their say. Submissions are open from 16 March to 20 April and the council will use the feedback to develop its final 10 Year Plan for the region. The council is also consulting on its draft Revenue and Financing Policy, Rates Remission and Postponement Policies and proposed amendments to the Resource Management Charging Policy. These policies can be viewed on the GWRC website. For more information visit www.gw.govt.nz/have-your-say Note

Open Days

Kapiti Coast: Coastlands, Wednesday 18 March, 11am-2pm Upper Hutt: March Madness Fair, Saturday 21 March, 10am-1pm Porirua: North City Plaza, Tuesday 24 March, 11am-2pm Wellington: Harbourside Market, Sunday 29 March, 9am-12pm and Johnsonville Mall, Tuesday 14 April, 11am-2pm Lower Hutt: 274b Jackson Street, Petone, Thursday 9 April, 11am-2pm Wairarapa: Greytown Library, Saturday 18 April, 10am-1pm –]]>

VANUATU: Cyclone Pam leaves 24 dead, thousands displaced in wake

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

PMC-logo MIL OSI Analysis – PMC – Vanuatu blames tropical cyclone Pam devastation on climate change.

Interview with Alex Mathieson, former Vanuatu country director for the aid group Oxfam. Video: DemocracyNow

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Item: 9161

PORT VILA (SBS/Pacific Media Watch): Twenty-four people have been confirmed dead days after a massive tropical cyclone lashed the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. “There are 24 confirmed fatalities, 11 from Tafea, eight from Efate and five from Tanna,” the UN’s Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a situation report. SBS correspondent Stefan Armbruster is in Port Vila and reports here. The storm hit the archipelago on Friday night, damaging up to 90 percent of homes in the capital, with aid agencies warning that conditions were among the most challenging they have faced. “Despite reports of severe and widespread damage, Shefa remains the only province declared an emergency at this stage,” said OCHA, referring to the region that includes Port Vila. More than 3000 people were in 37 evacuation centres, and aerial assessments have been conducted by military aircraft from Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. “Radio and telephone communications with outer islands is yet to be established,” said OCHA. Water restored In Port Vila, access to water has been partially restored, stores have begun reopening and the town’s airport has finally begun accepting flights. Aid workers have started streaming in to take the measure of what many have said might be one of the region’s worst weather disasters. “It lasted for hours, it was endless,” said one taxi driver in the capital, still visibly in shock from the storm that hit the island chain on Friday night. “The cyclone terrified us. I have never seen anything like it,” he said. His house was flooded, but not destroyed like many of the others in the town. Around him, trees, metal roof sheeting and all manner of debris littered the road from Port Vila’s international airport to the town. At the beach, several boats lay on their side. Bigger and more solidly constructed buildings largely remain standing but almost all have suffered some damage. President Baldwin Lonsdale ... cyclone Pam "a monster". Image: DemocracyNow

President Baldwin Lonsdale ... cyclone Pam "a monster". Image: DemocracyNow

Vanuatu President Baldwin Lonsdale, currently in Japan for a conference, described the cyclone as “a monster” and appealed for international aid. “This is a very devastating cyclone in Vanuatu. I term it as a monster, a monster,” he said. “It’s a setback for the government and for the people of Vanuatu. After all the development that has taken place, all this development has been wiped out.” He said he could not reach his family due to the breakdown in communications. Vanuatu blames global warming

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

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Joan Withers appointed new chair of TVNZ

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – Joan Withers appointed new chair of TVNZ

Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams today announced the appointment of Joan Withers as the Chair of Television New Zealand (TVNZ).

“Ms Withers is a highly experienced director, having held several challenging and high profile positions in some of New Zealand’s most iconic companies,” says Ms Adams.

“Her background and expertise in media positions her well to take the helm of TVNZ at a time when it’s growing its online presence.

“As Deputy Chair of the TVNZ Board since 2009, Ms Withers brings continuity, solid industry knowledge and significant governance leadership experience to the role.”

Currently the Chair of Mighty River Power, Ms Withers sits on the board of the ANZ. She formerly chaired Auckland International Airport and was previously Chief Executive of Fairfax Media New Zealand.

Her term runs from 1 May 2015 to 30 April 2016.

Ms Adams thanked the retiring chair, Wayne Walden, for his stewardship of TVNZ over the last four years.

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First hand storm experience for visiting Solomons Harbour Master

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

Solomon Islands Harbour Master Billy Bobby (left.[/caption]Solomon Islands Harbour Master Billy Bobby has had a bit more than he bargained for when he arrived in Tauranga for his two week experience in New Zealand waters. His visit, organised by Maritime NZ as part of a regular programme to increase knowledge and capability for our Pacific neighbours, has come in the midst of Cyclone Pam, and it means he’s been able to see how our maritime services operate during a major storm. Mr Bobby’s job back in Honiara is a one man band – he’s the Harbour Master, pilots the tug and works for the Port Authority. Last month he was delivering a ship to Japan. While the Solomons were not affected by Cyclone Pam, he’s seen the destruction in Vanuatu and other island nations. He’s been a seaman for 20 years and has always loved the sea. It’s all he’s ever wanted to do since he was a boy. The visit will allow him to observe and learn operations in New Zealand coastal waters. The Pacific mentoring programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is administered by Skills NZ. It allows a Pacific-based maritime officer to be attached to the Tauranga Harbour Master’s Office and the Port of Tauranga. Mr Bobby works with the Harbour Master’s office for a few days, as an understudy for Port of Tauranga pilots and tug masters for ship navigation and berthing. The programme will show the Honiara Harbour Master Port operations, practices and procedures in a busy New Zealand port. He will be piloting and berthing vessels in and out of the Port by day and night, as well as learning plenty from his counterparts in Tauranga. At the end of his secondment he’ll have more awareness of port operations, practices and processes that he can adapt for Honiara. This knowledge will be invaluable in increasing safety at his home port, as well as developing valuable networks for the future. Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Regional Harbour Master Peter Buell said the programme was invaluable in boosting the skills of Pacific-based staff. Last year the participant was the Harbour Master for the Port of Avatiu, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. “As well as showing him the work we do here in Tauranga we will also be taking him to Rotorua Lakes and looking at the differences there, and to Whakatane. And getting here during a storm will be useful learning.” – – ]]>

RNZAF personnel load the C-130 Hercules bound for Vanuatu

By Selwyn Manning -

March 17, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Defence Force – RNZAF personnel load the C-130 Hercules bound for Vanuatu

15 March 2015 A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130 Hercules from 40 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland has arrived in Vanuatu with a first consignment of aid for the stricken country in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Pam. The consignment included first aids kits, tarpaulins for emergency shelter, water containers, chainsaw packs and generators. Specialist personnel from New Zealand Government agencies and the New Zealand Red Cross were also aboard the Hercules, to assist in providing advice to the High Commission and to help carry out a needs assessment which will shape further assistance. Head of Air Force operations Air Commodore Kevin McEvoy said that the Air Force is well trained and equipped for such missions. “Pacific nations such as Vanuatu are our friends and neighbours and we’re happy we can help at times of need. The C-130 Hercules is an ideal platform for operating into areas that may not be accessible to commercial aircraft. With the main airport being closed to civilian transport, a Hercules load makes a real difference in situations like this. “The work we do with other agencies in exercises and training pays off at times like these, getting equipment and personnel to where they are most needed as quickly as possible, and the whole-of-government planning has gone well,” he said. “Aerial reconnaissance is another unique capability we provide at times like this and an RNZAF P-3K2 Orion has returned home today after providing reconnaissance support at the request of the Tuvaluan Government to assist with their disaster needs assessment. The aircraft was already in the Pacific Islands after successfully locating a vessel in distress and assisting with its rescue off Tonga on Friday.”

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Documentary: Tokelau Still Afloat on the High Seas

By Selwyn Manning -

March 16, 2015

DOCUMENTARY: Tokelau – Still Afloat on the High Seas, remains relevant today. Here, the people of Tokelau speak of how climate change has impacted on their atolls, on their homes, and lifestyle. They speak of how when cyclones hit, the storms are now stronger in their intensity, and the cyclones track through their remote area of the Pacific more frequently. Tokelau’s message is common among the people of the Pacific. They are determined to be an example of climate change adaptation rather than become an example of catastrophe.

Genre: Documentary

Director/Producer: Selwyn Manning

Date: November 2007. –]]>

Cyclone Pam – National Crisis Management Centre has been activated

By Selwyn Manning -

March 16, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Civil Defence Emergency Management – Cyclone Pam – National Crisis Management Centre has been activated Cyclone Pam is still moving south east and is expected to maintain its intensity, or may even intensify slightly, reaching the Chatham Islands around midday Tuesday. A warning is now in place for severe gales, heavy rain and heavy swells for the Chatham Islands. Also, the Mayor of the Chatham Islands, Alfred Preece, has declared a state of local emergency on the Islands at 1:35pm Chatham Islands Time, 16 March 2015. The reason for the declaration is the imminent arrival of Cyclone Pam combined with rural fires on the Islands. The declaration will be used to protect public safety and coordinate the emergency response. Updates 16 Mar 2015 05:45 PM Cyclone Pam is still moving south east and is expected to maintain its intensity, or may even intensify slightly, reaching the Chatham Islands around midday Tuesday. A warning is now in place for severe gales, heavy rain and heavy swells for the Chatham Islands. Update at 5.45pm, Monday 16 March 2015 Cyclone Pam is still moving south east and is expected to maintain its intensity, or may even intensify slightly, reaching the Chatham Islands around midday Tuesday. A warning is now in place for severe gales, heavy rain and heavy swells for the Chatham Islands. The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) was activated at 6am today to support affected Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups. National agencies, including the emergency services and Government departments continue to monitor the situation. The weather system has passed Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions and has caused only minor damage. However, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Chatham Islands are still forecast to experience severe weather conditions until Wednesday. In Gisborne, more than 100 people in total have now moved out of their homes at Te Araroa, Waima (Tokomaru Bay) and Anaura Bay as rain, high winds and large swells continue to affect the district. Hawke’s Bay is continuing to monitor the situation, with large swells possibly coinciding with high tide overnight. A state of local emergency was declared at the Chatham Islands this afternoon to protect public safety and coordinate the emergency response to Cyclone Pam combined with a number of rural fires. People in low lying areas have been evacuated to the welfare centre at Kopinga Marae and Chatham Islands Civil Defence is continuing to monitor the situation. The Council is providing updates via VHF Channels 60 and 62. Large, possibly damaging waves and strong winds are being experienced on the east coast of the North Island, especially from Hawkes Bay to Cape Reinga, and on the Chatham Islands. Detailed local information will be provided by local and regional Civil Defence authorities, and broadcast and published by news media. –]]>

Britain sends relief supplies to Vanuatu

By Selwyn Manning -

March 16, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments – Britain sends relief supplies to Vanuatu

Britain has sent vital shelter and relief supplies to help people whose lives have been devastated by Cyclone Pam, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced. A Royal Air Force C-17 transport plane departed from RAF Brize Norton early on Monday 16 March and will travel to the Royal Australian Air Force base at Amberley in Australia, where it will join the international relief effort. The plane is carrying 1,640 shelter kits for use by families of five people and more than 1900 solar lanterns with inbuilt mobile phone chargers. These supplies will help to provide protection to some of the most vulnerable people affected by the cyclone, especially women and children. A humanitarian expert from the Department for International Development has also been deployed to advise on distribution of the supplies and assist with field assessments as part of the international relief effort. The C-17 and its crew will remain in Australia for several days to undertake further support flights between Australia and affected areas as required. Justine Greening said:

The terrible effects of Cyclone Pam are now clear and many people are in urgent need of relief. The Royal Air Force’s swift and invaluable support will ensure victims of the cyclone get the help they need to start putting their lives back together.
Families’ homes have been destroyed and power supplies are down. Our emergency shelter kits and solar lanterns will help meet people’s basic needs and Britain stands ready to assist further.

All commercial flights in and out of Port Vila have been grounded, with only military planes able to land. On Saturday 14 March, following a request from the Government of Vanuatu, Britain made up to £1 million available to UN organisations and international aid agencies in the region. The UK will also send an additional £1 million through the UK’s Rapid Response Facility, which provides emergency support via pre-approved organisations in the event of a humanitarian disaster overseas.

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Fonterra Completes Beingmate Partial Tender Offer

By Selwyn Manning -

March 16, 2015

MIL OSI – Fonterra Completes Beingmate Partial Tender Offer

Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited today confirmed that it has completed the partial tender offer and will acquire 18.8 per cent of leading Chinese infant formula manufacturer, Beingmate Baby & Child Food Company Ltd. The transaction will be closed in the next few days.

Chief Financial Officer Lukas Paravicini said the companies had earlier made provision for the possibility of the Partial Tender Offer reaching slightly less than 20 per cent.

“Our goal was to acquire up to 20 per cent. We are extremely satisfied and confident that the partnership can and should proceed on the basis of the 18.8 per cent stake. It is a good result.

“Over the next few weeks, Fonterra and Beingmate will now move ahead with the next phase of our partnership, which includes establishing a joint venture to purchase the Darnum plant in Australia and finalising a distribution agreement making Beingmate Fonterra’s exclusive Anmum™ distributor in mainland China,” said Mr Paravicini.

Number of Beingmate Baby & Child Food Company Ltd shares on issue (rounded)	1,022 Million
Number of shares acquired by Fonterra (rounded)	192.4 Million
Cost per share	RMB18./ share
Total cost excluding transaction fees (rounded)	RMB 3,464 million
Percentage of Beingmate Baby & Child Food Company Ltd shares gained by Fonterra (rounded)	18.8%

Last August, Fonterra and Beingmate announced that they intended to form a global partnership to help meet China’s growing demand for infant formula. The partnership will create a fully integrated global supply chain from the farm gate direct to China’s consumers, using Fonterra’s milk pools and manufacturing sites in New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. It is intended to increase the volume and value of Fonterra’s ingredients and branded products exported to China.

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21 Year-Old Man Charged With Virginia Ford’s Murder

By Selwyn Manning -

March 16, 2015

The 21-year-old man charged in relation to the death of 20-year-old Virginia Ford has now been charged with murder. He will appear in the Palmerston North District Court at approximately 10am tomorrow (Tuesday 17 March, 2015). The Ford family have asked for privacy at this time and Police seek the support of media in respecting their request for privacy. As the matter is before the court police will be making no further comment. —

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Magna Carta essay competition launched

By Selwyn Manning -

March 16, 2015

th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta. “The fundamental values embodied by Magna Carta, such as rule of law, are as relevant today as they were in 1215,” Mr Finlayson said. “As one part of a broad programme of events being organised by the Magna Carta 800 NZ Committee, this competition provides New Zealand students with an opportunity to express what this historic document means to them and to New Zealand,” Mr Finlayson said. The competition has both a High School and University category and is open to all current New Zealand secondary and tertiary students. Essays must be submitted by Friday 1 May 2015. – – ]]>

Importers and labs advised of extra 1080 controls

By Selwyn Manning -

March 16, 2015

16 March 2015

Importers, laboratories and other workplaces holding 1080 are being advised by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on how to comply with the extra controls introduced by the Government last week.

Tighter controls on the high purity forms of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) have been introduced in response to the criminal threat to use 1080 to contaminate infant and other formula. The new controls apply to all workplaces and all laboratories, including those operating under the Hazardous Substances Exempt Laboratories Regulations.

After 10 April 2015 it will be unlawful for any laboratory or place of work to hold 1080 without having notified the EPA (for current stocks), or having requested an import certificate (for each new import of 1080). This information will enable the EPA to better track the importation, distribution and use of high purity 1080, and to ensure it is always securely contained.

The extra requirements are:

All laboratories and places of work holding 1080 as at 12 March 2015 are required to notify the EPA of the quantity held and the supplier of the 1080. This notification must be made by 10 April 2015.
Any new imports of 1080 must be notified to the EPA and an import certificate must be obtained and provided to the New Zealand Customs Service before the imported 1080 can be uplifted. This requirement is effective immediately.
All laboratories and places of work holding stocks of 1080 at any time in a calendar year, must provide an annual report to the EPA by 31 March of the following year. The annual report for the 2015 calendar year must be provided by 31 March 2016 and must cover the period from 12 March to 31 December 2015. Users of 1080 are urged to review their tracking and recording procedures now to ensure that you are able to meet the annual reporting requirements.
Additional storage requirements apply to laboratories operating under the Exempt Laboratories regulations – the laboratory manager must ensure that any 1080 held in the laboratory must be securely locked up when not in use. This requirement already applies to laboratories and other places of work operating under the HSNO Act and Regulations.

The EPA has published forms and information on its website for helping importers, laboratories and other workplaces to comply with the new requirements.

Connect with us:

Media enquiries

General enquiries

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Radio New Zealand: a matter of urgency?

By Selwyn Manning -

March 16, 2015

RADIO NEW ZEALAND (RNZ) comes in for some criticism, but it has a solid following among sections of the New Zealand public, and has a significant impact beyond the people who regularly listen to it live. With so much digital content available across online platforms, public media services, such as those of RNZ, need to be innovative and continually undergoing development. The current government has been rather sluggish in the way it has fulfilled its statutory role as owners of RNZ. This is the only New Zealand government owned broadcaster with a public service remit: one that is essential to a well-functioning democracy [ Briefing for the Incoming Minister of Broadcasting: October 2014: p5]. [caption id="attachment_1556" align="alignleft" width="242"] Radio NZ building, Auckland: Photo Carolyn Skelton[/caption] The New Zealand Government has frozen the level of funding for RNZ since 2008. The required 5 yearly review of the RNZ charter was begun in 2006. The RNZ Amendment Bill, which will finalise the outcomes of the review, is only now coming up for its second reading in Parliament. In this context, it is worrying that RNZ has recently seen a drop off in the number of listeners. It is essential to a democracy that the public have access to media services that operate in the public interest, enable critique and debate of significant issues, and are free from commercial or state influence. It is a healthy sign is that RNZ content is used in online debates, as for instance, in responses to programmes like Morning Report. RNZ National’s flagship programme, Morning Report In the political arena fair amount of attention is paid to Radio New Zealand Nationals’ flagship programme, Morning Report. For instance, some of Guyon Espiner and Susie Ferguson’s interviews come in for much debate on blogs and social media. Keith Ng blogged, in Sept 2014

“Asking the hard questions” is a means, not an end. People hold up Guyon Espiner’s interview with Key as a fantastic piece of political journalism. It was certainly engaging. But (to borrow a phrase) at the end of the day, it was just Espiner yelling at Key for not answering any goddamn questions. And while Key sounded like a dick, he won – no amount of yelling could make Key say anything apart from his scripted lines.

Alastair Thompson on Scoop: “Transcript of Guyon Espiner RNZ Morning Report interview with John Key, March 9, 2015” Bryce Edwards roundup of debates on the issue: “Should John Key resign over mass surveillance?”, includes a reference and link to an Espiner interview. Discussion on Reddit New Zealand, about “Ratings disappointment for RNZ” It is hard for public service radio news, politics and current events journalists, hosts and producers to establish an appropriate style and approach. They operate in a wider, highly commercialised context of celebrity news, drama, conflict and soundbites, and strongly PR managed politicians. Radio audiences & website reach The latest Nielsen RNZ audience research showed that RNZ stations have lost listeners in the last quarter of 2014. John Drinnan reported:

The survey shows Radio New Zealand lost around 70,000 listeners or 13 per cent of the annualised audience for RNZ National and RNZ Concert combined.

However, less obvious from the headlines, is that other evidence shows there has also been an increase in people visiting the Radio New Zealand website. Dinnan states:

RNZ says that there has been a significant increase in the uptake for its digital services.

It is crucial that RNZ adapt to the fast changing digital environment, in which online media provides a crucial way through which many people can be informed, educated and entertained. For many New Zealanders, especially many young people, it is simply ignored when there is a vast arrays of engaging media content available. RNZ has started to address its low level of support from young people with its Wireless website. This does perform an important service. However, it does not engage the interest and following in the same way that the Australian Broadcasting Services TripleJ station has achieved for young Australians. It must be hard to achieve such a following on a shoestring budget. This requires a concerted effort and an innovative approach. RNZ, the Government, and public service remit The recent drop in live broadcast ratings has occurred in a context where the government seems to be rather sluggish in fulfilling its statutory role with respect to RNZ. According to the Coalition for Better Broadcasting,

Seven years ago Radio NZ was already struggling financially. A 2007 independent audit by KPMG concluded the organisation was seriously under-funded, under-staffed and under-resourced. It recommended immediate funding increases of $6.7m. But the following year, in 2008 the newly elected National government imposed a freeze that has effectively cut Radio NZ’s funding by 9%.

The RNZ Amendment Bill had its first reading in 2009, and was supported by opposition parties. However, the Labour and Green Party speakers expressed concern about the underfunding of RNZ and the funding freeze. Pita Sharples was critical of the lack of mention of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the RNZ Charter [The Charter is part of the RNZ Act].. The Briefing for the Incoming Minister of Broadcasting, October 2014, states that the value of public broadcasting “is cultural and informational rather than economic.” [p4] Yet, for the last 5 years, the current government seems to be prioritising funding restraints over the high quality provisions required by the public service remit. In the above linked briefing to the incoming government last year, it claimed that the Bill had been delayed to ensure they could provide funding that is “commercial-free “ [p11] Hopefully this means that the government has discounted adding advertising or sponsorship to RNZ, as that would undermine the public service remit. While the RNZ Act makes it illegal for the government to interfere in the day to day running of RNZ and its content, there are some indirect ways the government can have an impact of the state broadcaster: in the Minister of Broadcasting’s selection of RNZ Governor, and in the funding provisions. Hopefully the RNZ Amendment Bill will now proceed through the House in a timely way, ensuring RNZ provides the high quality, public service provisions that are an essential part of our democracy – and has an adequate level of funding to achieve this. By Carolyn Skelton.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Carolyn Skelton specialises in writing about politics, gender equality, film and media studies. This is her first article for Evening Report.

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UN relief agencies ramp up support to cyclone-hit Vanuatu as country&#39s President appeals for assistance

By Selwyn Manning -

March 16, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: United Nations – UN relief agencies ramp up support to cyclone-hit Vanuatu as country&#39s President appeals for assistance 15 March 2015 Amid reports that powerful Cyclone Pam has impacted at least half the population of Vanuatu, the country’s President, attending a United Nations conference under way in Japan aiming to reduce disaster risk, appealed for international support in anticipation of large-scale needs. “Vanuatu is used to disasters but the indications are that Cyclone Pam has caused unprecedented damages, said President Baldwin Lonsdale in a press release issued on his behalf by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). The leader of the island nation noted that following a direct hit from the Category 5 storm on Friday, at least two deaths have been confirmed and over 30 injured people are being treated in the Central Hospital in the capital, Port Vila where many people are now homeless and torrential rain has led to severe flooding. He also said bridges which link the capital with the rest of the island have been destroyed. Mr. Lonsdale made his appeal from Sendai, Japan, where he has been attending since Sunday the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. The Conference has drawn thousands of Government and civil society delegations to craft a new framework for managing disaster risk which will reduce mortality and curb economic losses. In opening remarks to the Conference over the weekend, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that while the impact and scope of the disaster in Vanuatu is not yet clear, he feared the damage and destruction could be widespread. Mr. Lonsdale reported through UNISDR that Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office is coordinating an aerial survey today of the affected areas the Government would then have a better idea of what has happened in the outlying islands. “We are particularly concerned about the province of Tafea. However, I can say from past experience that there will be severe damage to schools, health facilities, roads and public utilities,” he said, adding that there will also be significant humanitarian needs as large numbers of people have lost their homes in the capital Port Vila. “This is a major calamity for our country. Every year we lose 6 per cent our GDP (gross domestic product) to disasters. Calling the cyclone “a huge setback” for the country’s development, Mr. Lonsdale added that it would also have severe impacts for all sectors of economic activity including tourism, agriculture and manufacturing. The country is already threatened by coastal erosion and rising sea levels in addition to five active volcanoes and earthquakes. “This is why I am attending this Conference and why Vanuatu wants to see a strong new framework on disaster risk reduction which will support us in tackling the drivers of disaster risk such as climate change.” Meanwhile, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that perhaps half the population of Vanuatu, It is estimated that at least half the population of Vanuatu has been affected by cyclone Pam. Of these, at least 54,000 are children. Many homes in Vanuatu have likely been destroyed as they are built with natural and local materials such as thatched and corrugated roofs that are vulnerable to strong winds and floods. UNICEF also reports that schools, churches and community halls are being used as emergency shelters. Many of these buildings are likely to have suffered structural damage. Lifeline facilities like hospitals, electrical utilities, water supply and telephone systems are most likely severely damaged. Other Pacific Island countries have been severely impact as well, including the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Kiribati. In Vanuatu, health centres have likely sustained severe damage and will need rebuilding and restocking with medical and nutrition supplies. Plans are under way to support the Government to do a major measles immunization campaign, given recent cases. Schools are being used as evacuation centres, and UNICEF will be supporting children’s education, including providing school in a box kits. Child friendly spaces will be set up in evacuation centres to provide children with psycho-social assistance. UNICEF’s immediate needs to assist the affected countries is at least $2 million, initially covering support to water, sanitation, hygiene, health, education, nutrition and protection services, and including support for the high costs of logistics across this vast geographic area. Just yesterday, Sune Gudnitz, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Office for the Pacific said Vanuatu had accepted OCHA’s offer to deploy staff to support the coordination of the response.P> A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team was expected arrive in Port Vila late yesterday. OCHA was also expected to deploy three staff with information management, public information and humanitarian coordination as well. –]]>

Northland largely unscathed in Pam’s wake

By Selwyn Manning -

March 16, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Northland Regional Council – Northland largely unscathed in Pam’s wake

Northland appears to have escaped the aftermath of Cyclone Pam largely unscathed.

Tony Phipps, Group Controller for the Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group, says as of 7.15am today officials had no reports of serious damage or injury linked to the arrival of the cyclone yesterday. Mr Phipps says Northland Regional Council figures showed the highest rainfall between yesterday afternoon and early this morning had been 67.5mm at Glenbervie, just east of Whangarei while the maximum wind gust recorded at Cape Reinga yesterday had been 118.5kph. “Emergency services have reported a quiet night with few storm-related incidents although daylight may reveal some damage that we are as-yet unaware of given the heavy seas off Northland’s east coast overnight.” Mr Phipps says given the devastation and misery Pam had caused in the Pacific, Northland – which often bears the initial brunt of tropical cyclones that reach New Zealand – had been fortunate it had eased as predicted as it drew closer. “Our thoughts are now with those in the Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty areas which are expected to feel Pam’s effects a bit more severely.”

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Civil Defence Warning: Be Careful As Cyclone Pam Arrives This Evening

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Civil Defence Emergency Management – Be Careful Cyclone Pam Arrives This Evening

Sunday 15 March 2015 03:54 PM

Current Situation

The north-east coast of Auckland and Great Barrier will be hit by severe weather this evening and general disruption is expected across the region.

Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley says Aucklanders are advised to exercise extreme caution.

“Areas north of Whangaparaoa and Great Barrier have a good chance of river and stream flooding, strong winds, large swells, waves and coastal erosion.”

“If possible Aucklanders should reconsider their travel plans and work from home or delay their travel time to avoid expected traffic disruption tomorrow morning.”

“Surface flooding and slips is likely to make driving difficult from tonight until Tuesday.”

“There may also be local power cuts.”

Coastal erosion is expected in low-lying communities north of Whangaparaoa at high tide at 4am and 4.15pm on Monday. Communities with the highest risk include Orewa, Leigh, Omaha, Point Wells, Whangateau and Waiwera. Coastal roads on the Whangaparaoa peninsula may get flooded at Arkles, Matakatia and Hobbs bays.

“People in affected areas should have a battery-powered torch, radio, food, water and other essentials,” Mr Manley says.

“If you live in a low-lying area prone to flooding, you should have a getaway kit ready in case you need to move to higher ground.”

Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Coordination Centre will continue to coordinate work with the emergency services, transport, telecommunications and energy providers as required.

Detailed impacts

Great Barrier Island

– Between 11pm and 6am, mean southeast winds are expected to be 110km/hr with localised gusts of 140km/hr possible. These should ease throughout Monday.

– The heaviest rainfall is expected between 8pm tonight and 10am tomorrow; up to 75mm may fall in 15 hours.

– The northeast swell will rise to between 6m and 8m overnight, then ease to between 4m and 6m on Monday afternoon. Combined waves are likely to peak between 8m and 10m for a short time around dawn on Monday.

Northeastern Auckland (north of Whangaparaoa)

– Can expect periods of heavy rainfall between 7pm tonight and 9am tomorrow where up to 75mm in 15 hours may accumulate.

– From this evening, southeast mean winds are expected to be 70km/h gusting to 90km/h rising to 90km/h gusting 120km/h until about dawn on Monday.

– The northeast swell will rise to between 5m and 6m Monday morning and ease in the afternoon. Combined waves likely to peak between 5.5m and 7m briefly overnight.

Rest of Auckland

– Periods of heavy rainfall and strong winds are likely to affect the entire Auckland region overnight and into tomorrow.

– Rainfall totals are likely to be higher in the Hunua and Waitakere ranges.

Tides

High tides are forecast for 3.59am and 4.17pm at 3m on Monday (Auckland east coast). Forecast low pressures will increase these tides to around 3.4m plus the effect of combined seas.

If the severe weather hits:

– Stay at home and off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

– Power and phone services may be disrupted. Have a torch and battery-powered radio (or car radio) so you can listen to weather alerts. You also may want to have a gas cooker handy.

On the road drivers are urged to exercise caution:

– Headlights on.

– Drive to the conditions.

– Keep a safe distance from the car in front.

Advice

Before severe weather hits you should:

– Check drains and spouting to make sure they are clear of blockages.

– Pick up debris around your house that could become airborne.

– Bring rubbish bins to shelter.

– Bring pets inside.

– Boaties should check moorings.

– Stay up to date with weather forecasts on TV, radio and online.

– Check on your neighbours.

If the severe weather hits we recommend:

– Stay at home and off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

– Power and phone services may be disrupted. Have a torch and battery-powered radio (or car radio) so you can listen to weather alerts. You also may want to have a gas cooker handy.

On the road drivers are urged to exercise caution:

– Headlights on.

– Drive to the conditions.

– Keep a safe distance from the car in front.

An emergency survival kit should have:

– Food and water for three days or more

– Battery powered torch and radio

– First aid kit/medication

– Supplies for pets.

Your getaway kit should have:

– Essential items from your emergency survival kit

– Family documents e.g. passports and driver?s license

– Personal items e.g. medication and toiletries.

If you have to travel drive to the conditions.

Links

MetService

Auckland Council

Auckland Civil Defence

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Update From Oxfam: Crisis in Vanuatu in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Oxfam New Zealand – Oxfam Update: Crisis in Vanuatu in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam

Up to 90 per cent of housing in Vanuatu’s capital is reported to have been seriously damaged by Cyclone Pam, with still no information from the extremely vulnerable outer islands which are home to 33,000 people.

Oxfam Country Director in Port Vila, Colin Collet van Rooyen said today while six deaths have been confirmed this number is likely to climb once communities across the archipelago are reached.

“This is likely to be one of the worst disasters ever seen in the Pacific,” he said.

“The scale of humanitarian need will be enormous and the proud people of Vanuatu are going to need a lot of help to rebuild their homes and their lives. Entire communities have been blown away.”

Oxfam has a team on the ground and more humanitarian response experts attempting to travel there today.

Mr Collett van Rooyen said immediate priorities in Vanuatu would be to provide shelter, clean water and sanitation to people, especially those left homeless. Temporary toilets, water purification tablets, soap and water containers would all be vital, he said.

Mr Collett van Rooyen said getting children back to school was a huge priority with nearly all schools damaged and school supplies gone.

Cyclone Pam made a direct hit on Vanuatu on Friday night, tearing through the archipelago with winds of up to 250kmh.

With more than 250,000 people at risk from the severe tropical cyclone there is real concern of a potentially high death toll and of enormous destruction, particularly given the traditional housing that is so prevalent through the islands.

The highly populated island of Efate, which includes the Vanuatu capital Port Vila, was directly in the path of the cyclone, as were a number of outer islands.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said the agency was deeply concerned for people in Vanuatu’s harder to reach outer islands.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said the agency was deeply concerned for people in Vanuatu’s harder to reach outer islands. “Through Oxfam’s Livelihoods programme, and Water and Sanitation projects we work closely alongside communities across Vanuatu, in particular on Tanna Island. These islands have much less infrastructure than the capital of Port Vila and are extremely remote and hard to reach in the best of times”.

‘We hold grave fears for the people on these outer and remote islands” said Ms Le Mesurier

“It’s becoming increasingly clear that we are now dealing with worse than the worst case scenario in Vanuatu,” she said.

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

You can support Oxfam’s response to humanitarian crises by donating to our Cyclone Pam Appeal http://www.oxfam.org.nz/donate/pam

Donate to Oxfam’s Cyclone Pam response

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Affected areas should prepare for severe weather

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – Affected areas should prepare for severe weather

Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye says communities in the northeast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Hawkes Bay, and outer islands such as the Chatham Islands, should make sure they’re prepared for the possible impact of Cyclone Pam.

“I’ve been advised that New Zealand is not in the cyclone’s direct path, but we’re still likely to experience severe weather in affected areas as it passes by.

“Other areas may also experience effects such as increased sea swells.

“Our thoughts are with those in countries such as Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, which have been badly affected by the cyclone.

“New Zealand is providing appropriate assistance to our Pacific neighbours.

“Later today, I have a conference call with local Civil Defence controllers in relevant areas of New Zealand. I’m also receiving regular briefings from appropriate groups and agencies about our preparedness and the cyclone’s likely impact.

“Although I’m advised that Pam is losing strength as it heads south, MetService has forecast severe rain and wind in affected areas.

“Local councils and civil defence teams have spent the last few days informing communities and working with relevant agencies to prepare for potential severe weather.

“My message to New Zealanders living in affected areas is to make sure you have good preparations in place.

“This means having enough food and water and an emergency kit on hand. Also, secure outside objects that could blow around in high winds.

“I also encourage people to keep up to date with official weather forecasts from MetService.

“We are treating this event seriously. Although we’re not on the direct path of this weakening cyclone, we are still likely to experience severe weather in affected areas.”

Full details on how to prepare for and get through storms can be found at www.getthru.govt.nz

Official weather updates are available at www.metservice.com

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Aid for Vanuatu needed sooner rather than later – NZ Labour

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Labour Party – Aid needed sooner rather than later

The Government needs to beef up aid efforts to cyclone-hit Vanuatu sooner rather than later, Labour’s Pacific Island Affairs spokesperson Su’a William Sio says.

Aid agencies say Cyclone Pam, which veered off its expected course and struck populated areas, has caused “complete devastation”.

“Not only have families have lost their homes and power supplies, but roads and other infrastructure have been badly damaged.

“It has been estimated around 80 per cent of homes in Port Vila have been destroyed. That is almost unfathomable.

“I remember only too well the time it took National to finally get its act together to help other Pacific nations following similar storms in the area in 2013 and 2014.

“Certainly the initial $1 million will be helpful but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what is expected to be hundreds of millions of dollars of damage.”

He said Labour sent its heartfelt thoughts to all those who have lost love ones, and to the wider Vanuatu community.

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Negative Ebola test result for healthcare worker

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – Negative Ebola test result for healthcare worker

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the healthcare worker who recently returned from Sierra Leone has tested negative for the Ebola virus.

“Obviously this is great news,” says Dr Coleman. “I am advised that in line with established international protocols, a second test is required to confirm the result.

“We should have the results of the second test within 48 hours. It is highly unlikely that it will come back with a positive result.

“The patient continues to be in a stable condition, and will remain in one of Christchurch Hospital’s dedicated specialist medical isolation rooms until the result of the second test is known.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the patient and their family, who carefully followed the protocols for returning health workers, to ensure that there was no potential risk of others being exposed.

“I would also like to recognise the collective efforts of the many health workers involved, including St John’s Ambulance, Southern Regional Public Health, Canterbury DHB, and the Ministry of Health.

“The health sector has planned for months for just such an eventuality, and it is pleasing to see that all the preparation has paid off.”

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Evening Report+Kauri+GCSB+By-Election Debated on RadioLive’s Sunday Panel

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

RadioLive’s Sunday Panel with Mark Sainsbury (@Sainso), Rodney Hide (@RodneyHide) and EveningReport.nz editor Selwyn Manning (@Selwyn_Manning). In this edition the Panel debate: * The reasons for EveningReport.nz’s launch; * The politics of why the 500 year-old Kauri tree should be left standing; * New Zealand’s GCSB signals surveillance agency’s targeted spying of New Zealand’s trading partners and why this impacts negatively on New Zealand’s national interest and trade prospects; * And the Northland by-election. Will Winston Peters beat National in the far north? For this and more, See RadioLive.co.nz.]]>

UN responding to devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – United Nations – UN responding to devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu

14 March 2015 The United Nations announced today that it is taking all necessary steps to respond to the catastrophic impacts of a devastating tropical cyclone that affected most of Vanuatu over the past two days.

“A disaster of this magnitude has not been experienced by Vanuatu in recent history – particularly in terms of the reach of the potential damage and the ferocity of the storm,” said Sune Gudnitz, Head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Office for the Pacific in a statement to the press.

Tropical Cyclone Pam slammed into Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, on Efate island, as an extremely destructive Category 5 cyclone yesterday evening. Winds are estimated to have reached 250kmph with gusts peaking at around 320kmph, causing damage to infrastructure, impacting services such as electricity and leaving debris strewn across the capital.

“While we have no official reports of the damage the cyclone caused, the Pacific Humanitarian Team is ready to support a government-led response to a worst-case scenario,” Ms. Sune added.

The Vanuatu Government has not yet issued a formal request for international assistance. It has, however, accepted OCHA’s offer to deploy staff to support the coordination of the response. A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team is expected arrive in Port Vila tomorrow evening. OCHA will also deploy three staff with information management, public information and humanitarian coordination expertise tomorrow as well.

Other humanitarian partners, such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are also supporting critical areas such as shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection.

The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) coordinates expert human and resources regionally and globally should the impacts of a disaster exceed a government’s capacity to respond.

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Failure to end crisis in Syria diminishes us all: UN refugees envoy Angelina Jolie

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: United Nations – Failure to end crisis in Syria diminishes us all: UN refugees envoy Angelina Jolie

14 March 2015 As the Syrian conflict enters its fifth year, it is shameful that even the basic demand for full humanitarian access has not been met, Oscar-winning actress and United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) Special Envoy, Angelina Jolie said today.

“It is deeply alarming that the international response so clearly falls short of what is needed to end the conflict in Syria,” Ms. Jolie emphasised in a statement.

According to the UN, over 220,000 Syrians have been killed, and almost half of the country’s men, women and children have been forced to flee their homes since the conflict in Syria erupted in March 2011. More than 4 million people have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, while a further 7.6 million are displaced within Syria.

UNHCR says that most of the over 4 million Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries see no prospect of returning home in the near future, and have scant opportunity to restart their lives in exile as many of them live in insecure dwellings and in poverty.

“It is sickening that crimes are being committed against the Syrian people on a daily basis with impunity. The failure to end this crisis diminishes all of us,” Ms. Jolie said, urging governments around the world to put aside their differences and try again to solve the conflict politically.

“People are entitled to feel bewildered and angry that the UN Security Council seems unable to respond to the worst crisis of the 21st century,” she added, noting that neighbouring countries and international humanitarian agencies are being stretched beyond their limits.

She also appealed for urgent steps to demonstrate that the international community is serious about accountability in Syria: “to show that we will not turn a blind eye to war crimes and that we will not fail refugees, the displaced, and the survivors.”

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Economist Keith Rankin on Paying Surplus Value

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

Keith Rankin.[/caption] Last week I wrote about what the increases in Parliamentary salaries tells us more generally about the remuneration of senior managers in the private and public sectors (Paying Politicians and Managers). I noted that, in general, workers get paid on account of their scarcity rather than their productivity. It means that, as productivity increases, ordinary workers become less scarce; competitive pressures between non-unionised workers ensure that productivity gains go to the bosses. So, yes, the market for bosses is different. KORAKYS (comments) finds “it very difficult to believe that managers are being paid more because there is a scarcity of them”. The bosses’ bosses (company directors) justify high executive pay on the basis that executive talent is scarce. And they are partly right, in the sense that market failure exists in the ‘training’ of bosses. It’s not clear that ordinary workers and ordinary shareholders really deserve to lose out because their executives, taken collectively, will not reproduce themselves efficiently. More to the point, capitalism is in practice a scramble for the economic surplus. There are three parties in this scramble: the sovereign public, private property (capital), and labour. A large part of the history of capitalism is the collaboration between capital and labour to shut out the public property rights of the democratised sovereign. Thus two economic interests get to feast on the produce of three. The third interest fights back as pragmatically as it can though taxes and public charity, but in reality it suffered a technical knock-out in round one. (To anglophiles, round one can be clearly dated to the year 1688. But the new English king was actually a Dutchman; the first knock-out blow may have been in the 1580s and not very technical. From 1581 the Dutch were sans-sovereign, a merchant republic.) The concept of contestable economic surplus, central to capitalism, really dates back to the dawn of agriculture. It substantially predates capitalism. Economics fudges the concept. In economics the word ‘surplus’ has three meanings. First it means ‘unsold goods’ – excess supply – a problem cured by free markets. Second it means something like net benefit, or net product; the spoils of the economy over and above subsistence, and available for distribution. Third it means ‘revenue minus spending’, as in ‘current account surplus’, or ‘Budget surplus’. The important meaning here is the second one. Economics’ textbooks discuss ‘consumer surplus’ and producer surplus’, but only as a means to derive the inefficiency concept of ‘deadweight loss’. By emphasising what happens at the margin, neoclassical economics quickly draws students away from the excesses that occur well away from the margin. Textbooks also discuss the concept of ‘economic rent’, which is appropriation of the economic surplus (The concept is only taught at the microeconomic level, and quickly skipped over at that.)The textbooks generally only apply the concept to monopolies. Neoclassical economics displaced classical economics (which emphasised appropriation of the surplus by two moneyed classes and eventually by one landlord class as an inevitable by-product of growth) because of these tumultuous implications. Karl Marx, commonly regarded by historians of economics as a classical economist, emphasised the bourgeoisie over the landlord class. He saw the accumulation of physical capital, with its embedded new industrial technologies, as prevailing over the landed interest in its claims on that surplus value; until that is, a revolution would transfer that industrial surplus to a working class who could take no more injustice, and would distribute that surplus to the working majority. Here is not the place to discuss Marxism further. Rather, I will briefly skip to Social Credit (refer Northland, Vernon Cracknell, Social Credit). As I understand it, the A+B theorem is an attempt to grapple with surplus value. Social Credit emphasised the role of interest – usury – as taking value away from productive people while giving back nothing; interest was/is to the system as a puncture wound, or an unclotting mosquito bite. The argument is easily dismissed because all interest paid represents income to somebody else, be it the creditors of the banks or the shareholders of the banks or independent of the banks. The problem is that interest represents a flow of income from those on lower incomes to those on higher incomes; it’s another mechanism whereby the private propertied classes bleed (extract surplus value from) the (especially) self-employed working classes. Indeed, the policies informed by Social Credit were generally supportive of balanced capitalism – distributing the surplus in an equitable way – rather than the otherwise tendency to concentrate surplus value in the hands of those who already had much more wealth than they could spend on consumer or capital goods. Social creditors, like the supporters of Henry George before them, had one big and slightly flawed idea, but understood the need of capitalism as a system to reward all classes and not just the capitalist class. Capitalism dies when the only people who can spend are capitalists. Capitalists, by the very definition of them in classical economics, are misers in that their raison d’être is to save. The executive (or managerial) class is a more contemporary version of Marx’s bourgeoisie. In the 1960s John Kenneth Galbraith called them the planners of the “planning system” that grabbed the economic surplus from the exploitable “market system” of small competing businesses. Galbraith wrote that the planners could steal (either as the robber barons did, or, more subtly, as tax avoiders do; refer my recent Fixing Tax Evadance through Public Equity) from either their employees or from their shareholders. Frequently they appropriated their surpluses at the expense of both their workers and their owners. So, in the first quarter of what promises to be a long twenty-first century (which I date from 1989), we see the surpluses going principally to the financial and managerial classes. And industrial capitalism is grinding to a halt as these groups accumulate assets at the expense of workers, and of the sovereign public. What about the option of recycling those surpluses (as debt) to the workers, the precariat, the unemployed and the unemployable? That option is now facing diminishing returns. Our overpaid executives use their bargaining power over both wage workers and self-employed contractors (the distinction is already highly blurred) to accumulate high earnings which are in the main surpluses, not scarcity costs. For them high incomes represent a form of prestige, rather than means to acquire new goods and services. So long as their businesses’ shareholders are content with their lot, and their employees are grateful to have jobs, then where else can the surplus value go other than into our executives’ wallets? There is of course a solution to the problem, a means to get much of that surplus value to where it is needed by both presently disadvantaged individuals and the market system as a whole. It is not by having more workers and more work. It is through acknowledging the property rights of the sovereign public; the interest that was edged out of the modern distributional framework when sovereigns ceased to be absolute (as in the English ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688), and before that in the Dutch Republic which began in 1581 and lasted until 1795. [Note. To historians, the modern era began circa 1500. I would argue that 1492 was the “golden spike” year; not 1610. Refer The Guardian, 11 March 2015, Was 1610 the beginning of a new human epoch? Not only did 1492 signify the beginning of Europe’s trans-oceanic venturing, it also represented the ejection of Islam – that critical conduit of renaissance knowledge – from Western Europe. Fortunately for Europe – if not necessarily for the rest – the Renaissance had, just that century, achieved critical mass.] Keith Rankin is an economic historian by training and has taught economics at Unitec in Mt Albert since 1999. –]]>

Oxfam Update: Stories of devastation from Vanuatu in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Oxfam New Zealand – Stories of devastation from Vanuatu in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam Stories of complete devastation are beginning to come out of Vanuatu in the aftermath of the severe tropical cyclone Pam. Oxfam staff on the ground in Port Vila have reported complete destruction of homes, three storey high trees completely uprooted and small communities with barely any houses left standing. Oxfam’s Vanuatu Country Director Colin Collett van Rooyen said people in Vanuatu had told him they had never seen a cyclone like this and they were scared of the devastation that would unfold as teams were able to make their way into hard to reach areas. “We have no power or running water and are still not able to move around freely,” Mr Collett van Rooyen said. “The scale of this disaster is unprecedented in this country and the proud people of Vanuatu are going to need a lot of help to rebuild their homes and their lives.” He said there was still a red alert in place in Port Vila with high winds and rain and storm swells. After a last minute change of course to the west Cyclone Pam made a direct hit on Vanuatu last night, tearing through the archipelago with winds of up to 250kmh. With more than 250,000 people at risk from the severe tropical cyclone there is real concern of a potentially high death toll and of enormous destruction, particularly given the traditional housing that is so prevalent through the islands. Oxfam is now preparing to respond to what is likely one of the worst cyclones ever seen in the Pacific region. The highly populated island of Efate, which includes the Vanuatu capital Port Vila, was directly in the path of the cyclone. Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said the agency was deeply concerned for people in Vanuatu’s harder to reach outer islands. “Through Oxfam’s Livelihoods programme, and Water and Sanitation projects we work closely alongside communities across Vanuatu, in particular on Tanna Island. These islands have much less infrastructure than the capital of Port Vila and are extremely remote and hard to reach in the best of times”. ‘We hold grave fears for the people on these outer and remote islands” said Ms Le Mesurier “It’s becoming increasingly clear that we are now dealing with worst case scenario in Vanuatu,” she said. Port Vila was recently named in the Natural Hazards Risk Atlas and is known as the city most exposed to natural disasters in the world because it faces a combination of risks including earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding and tropical cyclones such as Cyclone Pam. You can support Oxfam’s response to humanitarian crises by donating to our Cyclone Pam Appeal http://www.oxfam.org.nz/donate/pam Donate to Oxfam’s Cyclone Pam response – -]]>

Heavy rain, gale warnings for Northland in cyclone’s wake

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

Shona Morgan, spokesperson for the Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group, says as expected, latest forecasts show the Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty areas will be the parts of New Zealand hardest hit by the storm. However, just after 8.30am today MetService forecasters had also issued new heavy rain and strong wind warnings for eastern Northland, predicting 80mm to 100 mm of rain could fall in the 18 hours between midday today and 6am Monday. Forecasters also warned of gale force south-easterlies for eastern parts of Northland this afternoon; these could rise to severe gales gusting up to 120km/h this evening, before tending southerly and weakening Monday morning. There was a possibility of similar winds in remaining parts of Northland over the same period. Ms Morgan says the latest forecasts reinforce earlier Civil Defence warnings for Northlanders to take the usual precautions for strong winds and rain, including securing large heavy objects or anything that could be potentially dangerous. Similarly, motorists should postpone any unnecessary travel from midday today until tomorrow morning, when the worst of the weather is expected to have past. Given the big seas expected as a result of the storm, by now yachties should also have already checked their moorings and ensured their vessels are properly secured. Ms Morgan says while the weather is likely to make things unpleasant over the rest of the weekend and into tomorrow morning, Northlanders were not unfamiliar with rain and winds like those currently predicted. “Provided people take the usual precautions and adopt a common sense approach, we are not anticipating too many issues beyond those these conditions would normally bring.” However, she says given the changeable nature of weather, Northlanders should keep an eye out for any new forecasts as they’re issued today. “Civil Defence will continue to monitor the situation closely over the remainder of the weekend and will update the public as required, including through the Northland CDEM Group’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/civildefencenorthland Ms Morgan says General Civil Defence information is also available from the Northland Regional Council’s website www.nrc.govt.nz/civildefence

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Forecast updated to severe weather warning

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Bay Of Plenty Regional Council – Forecast updated to severe weather warning Bay of Plenty Civil Defence urges residents to ensure they are adequately prepared in response to the severe weather warning metservice has issued for the Bay of Plenty region. As Tropical Cyclone Pam continues its southwards track, the severe weather warning forecast for Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty, especially east of Edgecumbe, includes southeast gales gusting 120km/h likely with possibly gusts in excess of 160km/h, and heavy rain expected of 120mm to 140mm to accumulate, with 180mm to 220mm about the ranges. Whilst there is still some uncertainty as to how close to the North Island the cyclone will track, it has the potential to be a significant event therefore residents are strongly urged to prepare accordingly.

Secure or move indoors any large heavy objects outside that could blow around in high winds, like outdoor furniture and rubbish bins. Turn trampolines upside down.
Lift valuable household items and chemicals as high above the floor as possible.
Farmers should ensure equipment is safely stored and animals are in a safe place or moved to higher ground if necessary, away from power lines and potential landslides.
Close windows, external and internal doors. Pull curtains and drapes over unprotected glass areas. Keep materials at hand for repairing windows, such as tarpaulins, boards and duct tape.
Don’t walk around outside and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.
Power cuts are possible in severe weather. Unplug small appliances which may be affected by electrical power surges. If power is lost unplug major appliances to reduce the power surge and possible damage when power is restored.
Bring pets inside. Move stock to shelter.

Regular updates will be provided on Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management’s website www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz and on www.facebook.com/BOPCivilDefence. – -]]>

HPV vaccination rates lower among the wealthy

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Massey University – HPV vaccination rates lower among the wealthy Parents in higher socio-economic areas are less likely to allow their children to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), new research from Massey University indicates. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cervical and other cancers. A government-funded immunisation programme targets girls in Year 8 and requires parental approval. Postgraduate researcher Karen Page who is studying with Massey’s College of Health wants to find out why New Zealand’s vaccination rate is much lower than other countries like Australia and the UK. She has discovered that vaccination rates in high decile schools are 20 per cent lower than in low decile schools in the catchment area of the Whanganui District Health Board and would like to extend this research to the rest of the country. Nationally, statistics show that uptake among Māori, Pacific and Asian populations is higher than among New Zealand Europeans. “We don’t yet know why these patterns are occurring,” she says. “I’m about to embark on doctoral research that will hopefully provide some answers.” Overall only 58 per cent of Year 8 girls in New Zealand are currently vaccinated – a much lower rate than countries like the UK, at 86 per cent, and Australia, at over 70 per cent. “This is concerning because HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. At some point in their lives, 80 per cent of all adults will have it,” Ms Page says. “Most of the time the virus clears, but in some instances it can become more serious.” Ms Page, a Whanganui-based public health specialist, is seeking parents and health workers to complete surveys so that she can continue her research, looking further into why vaccination rates are lower in certain demographics. “My aim is to look at the who, where and why parents are declining this vaccination for their children, and to examine the attitudes of health professionals towards the vaccine.” Those wishing to complete the survey can contact Massey’s Centre for Public Health Research at 04 380 0602 or email Ms Page k.page@massey.ac.nz. Background notes The rates for Year 8 girls completing all three doses of the HPV vaccination last year in New Zealand are as follows: All – 58% Maori – 62% Pacific – 71% Asian – 63% Other (mainly NZ European) – 52% The following data relates to the Whanganui District Health Board catchment area only: Low decile schools (the lowest quintile) consent rate: 74% High decile schools (the highest quintile) consent rate: 54% Urban area consent rate: 69% Non-main urban area consent rate: 65% Often the HPV infection clears on its own, but some strains can linger and lead to cancers of the cervix, anus, vagina, throat and in men, the penis. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, killing more than 270,000 women annually around the world, according to the World Health Organisation. HPV also causes genital warts and respiratory papillomatosis, and may increase the likelihood of adverse pregnancy events for women that have had treatment for cervical cell changes (i.e. miscarriage, low birth weight and prematurity). HPV immunisation is free for girls and young women in New Zealand up to their 20th birthday. It is available through participating schools or from family doctors, local health centres and some Family Planning clinics. – -]]>

NZ funds $1 million to cyclone-hit Pacific neighbours

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Government – NZ funds $1 million to cyclone-hit Pacific neighbours The New Zealand government has announced an initial contribution of $1 million to assist Pacific nations hit by Cyclone Pam, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says. “Funding includes $200,000 to respond to specific requests for assistance in Vanuatu, Fiji, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands, and $400,000 for NGOs in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands to replenish relief supplies. “Commencing from tomorrow we will make a further assessment on how we can best assist our Pacific neighbours, as they assess their own needs over the coming days.” “A RNZAF P3 Orion already in the region is currently conducting a damage assessment flight over Tuvalu, which was first struck by the Cyclone.” Communications are hugely disrupted in the affected countries and airports in Vanuatu remain closed. New Zealanders in the hardest hit country, Vanuatu, are advised to follow the advice of local authorities, seek suitable shelter, monitor local media for updates and keep friends and family in New Zealand informed of their well-being as soon as they are able. Consular information:

New Zealanders in Vanuatu should continue to follow the advice of the local authorities (including any evacuation orders), seek suitable shelter, monitor local media to stay informed of developments and keep family in New Zealand updated on their wellbeing.
New Zealanders with concerns for family in Vanuatu are advised to try contacting them directly in the first instance. As communications infrastructure has been damaged by the cyclone, we recommend trying short text messages. If there are ongoing concerns, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 04 439 8000.
Please refer to www.safetravel.govt.nz for regular consular updates including Travel Advice on Cyclone Pam.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to advise New Zealanders against all tourist and non-essential travel to Vanuatu due to the cyclone.
There are currently 163 New Zealanders registered with MFAT as being in Vanuatu
There have been no requests for consular assistance to date.
New Zealanders in Vanuatu wishing to depart are advised to contact their airline, travel agent or travel insurance provider directly to make arrangements.
It is anticipated commercial flights will resume once the cyclone has passed and the airport reopens.

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Government + Police Continue Hunt For 1080 Eco-Terrorist

By Selwyn Manning -

March 15, 2015

MIL OSI – Source: Ministry for Primary Industries – Operation Concord Media update, Saturday 14 March 2015

Date: 14 Mar 2015 Media contact: MPI media phone Telephone: 029 894 0328 Email: info@foodprotection.govt.nz

Police around the country have now visited 855 dairies and other small retailers selling infant formula to distribute MPI information to retailers and consumers. The Operation Concord Police investigation team is working through the weekend. Police urge anyone with information regarding this criminal threat to get in touch with the investigation team on 0800 723 665 or email opconcord@police.govt.nz MPI Deputy Director-General, Scott Gallacher, says officials continue to work positively and constructively with trading partners. “The New Zealand government is working with a number of trading partners to ensure ongoing market access. Feedback so far has been appreciative of the New Zealand government’s approach, which is focused on the implementation of additional measures to protect consumers both in New Zealand and overseas. “Good progress was made overnight with our Chinese counterparts and we now have clarity on what is required for exports to continue their unimpeded access into the market. MPI is working with all exporters to ensure they continue to have access into all markets. “To date, no actions have been taken which would prevent trade as a result of the 1080 threat – but we are continuing to work with our trading partners to ensure that remains the case and to respond to any questions they might have. “Ultimately, we are telling our partners exactly what we are telling consumers both here and overseas – that we’re confident New Zealand infant and other formula is as safe today as it was before the recent criminal blackmail threat was made”. Dr Pat Tuohy from the Ministry of Health says Healthline and Plunketline continue to respond promptly to calls from the public. “The information we’re getting through our call lines is that individuals appreciate the opportunity to have their concerns heard, and be able to receive advice at the end of the phone. Both Health line and PlunketLine continue to receive a low number of calls relating to this issue and hospitals report no activity above what is expected. “If children do become unwell, the overwhelming likelihood is that it is a condition unrelated to this criminal blackmail threat. Our advice is that people should do what they normally do. “If you have any concerns about any aspect of your child’s health, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional. Health line are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and PlunketLine are also available for advice on feeding your baby and other aspects of your child’s development.” Contact numbers For the public Operation Concord Police investigation: 0800 723 665 or opconcord@police.govt.nz Crimestoppers (to give information anonymously): 0800 555 111 Health line: 0800 611 116 PlunketLine: 0800 933 922 MPI: 0800 008 333 or info@foodprotection.govt.nz

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