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Buzz off squirtMAF and Northland iwi members go back to the rocky shore today in the final stage of a programme to trial the feasibility of removing an introduced sea squirt from the area’s harbours. Pyura praeputialis (known as pyura) is known to be present on rocks and in rock pools at some 25 locations on Northland’s western and eastern coasts. Outside of its native Australia, pyura has been an aggressive species, overtaking native marine life and threatening food species such as mussels. Senior marine adviser Kathy Walls says due to its widespread presence, pyura will never be fully eradicated from New Zealand. However, recognising local concern, MAF felt there was merit in testing removal techniques and trying to remove the species from some sites where population numbers were relatively low. “The three stage programme sets out to tell us whether it’s worthwhile attempting to manage pyura at other locations with low density and it will also give local people the tools to carry on if they choose to do so.” Stage one of the trail was this time last year when a team of local iwi, MAF and marine scientists spent several days manually removing the sea squirts from the rocks at the Bluff at 90 Mile Beach and Whareana Bay. At the same time, a scientific control trial was carried out on a population at the entrance to Parengarenga Harbour, where one marked area was treated and one left alone to compare results. Some further work was undertaken in March this year to make a preliminary evaluation of success. At that time, some re-growth was found at the scientific site at Parengarenga but at the other two sites the sea squirt did not appear to have spread back. Now it’s time to revisit the areas, remove any pyura found and draw some final conclusions about the removal effectiveness. The teams will be working at the treatment sites through to Thursday and will get together on Friday (2 September) to assess the results. “We’re keen to know, for example, if it comes back with a vengeance, if it can be completely cleared, or if it will be like weeding a garden where you have to keep going back and removing it,” Kathy Walls says. “Ultimately it will be up to the local community to decide if they wish to continue with management of this sea squirt into the future.” Ms Walls says the teamwork involved in the programme is a good example of MAF’s focus on supporting communities to lead the long-term management of pest incursions. It also promotes greater local awareness about the arrival of species new to their coast and helps emphasise the importance of notifying MAF when new or unusual organisms are found. Psychologists set sights on successHow can New Zealand and New Zealanders be more successful? That will be the focus for more than 100 psychologists, counsellors and business and personal coaches who gather in Auckland next week for the country’s first positive psychology conference: ‘The Science of Wellbeing’. The New Zealand Association of Positive Psychology Conference is being held at AUT’s North Shore Conference Centre on September 9-10. Presenters will cover topics such as:
“Unlike traditional psychology, which focuses on why people are unwell and aims to fix the causes, positive psychology focuses on why people are happy and successful, and teaches tools for achieving happiness and success. “Businesses can apply the principles of positive psychology to improve their business results, schools can use the principles of positive psychology to improve educational outcomes for their pupils, and individuals can use the principles of positive psychology to get more enjoyment out of life. “Even sports teams can use positive psychology to improve their competitiveness and become real world-beaters.” Dr Jarden said the conference had attracted international presenters such as Dr Lindsay Oades from the University of Wollongong’s Australian Institute of Business Wellbeing and Dr Suzy Green, co-founder the of the Positive Psychology Institute in Australia. The conference is sponsored by The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, AUT University, the University of Auckland, the Mental Health Foundation and the Foresight Institute. Registrations are open at www.positivepsychology.org.nz/conference Revaluation draws to an endNew Zealand’s largest-ever property revaluation is coming to an end, with almost all 515,000 properties throughout the Auckland region now valued by Auckland Council, since the process began in February. “With 515,000 properties spread out over 4,894 square km of land from Wellsford in the north and Pukekohe in the south, it is a massive task,” says the council’s team leader of valuations, Peter McKay. Auckland ratepayers will find out their property’s new rateable value in October as part of the Auckland Council general revaluation, which is being undertaken with assistance from Quotable Value. “Valuers are now in the last month of valuing and checking. The values will then be analysed and approved by the Valuer-General before valuation notices are sent to ratepayers from 26 October 2011,” says Peter. Auckland Council is required by law to value all pieces of land in the Auckland region, excluding roads and some waterways. “This has made for some interesting valuations,” says Peter. “For example, the eastern most point of Auckland Council’s boundary is a 1.2 hectare unoccupied island in the Haruaki Gulf.” The smallest piece of land to be valued is a piece of severed road (1m²) in Albany and the largest 12,427 hectares of pine trees in Parakai. “Our team of experienced valuers has been working hard to ensure consistent and fair valuations for all Aucklanders,” says Peter. Property values established by the council are rating valuations. They are used to calculate how much each ratepayer should contribute to the overall rates revenue collected by the council. Rating valuations are calculated using mass appraisal techniques. They are not individual valuations of every property like those undertaken by private valuers. Mass appraisal valuations are used for all rating valuations in New Zealand and globally. A property’s capital value will be used to calculate rates from 1 July 2012. Online Vietnam War roll launchedA campaign ihas been launched to mark NZ Vietnam Veterans’ Remembrance Day, also the anniversary of the 1966 Battle of Long Tan. http://www.vietnamwar.govt.nz/memory/long-tan More than four decades on, Manatū Taonga/Ministry for Culture and Heritage is creating a webpage for each New Zealander who served in or visited Vietnam during the war years. Registered users can log in and leave comments and memories, upload content or make contact with other subscribers. The online roll is searchable by name, service number and unit and includes information on NZ visitors and civilians in the country between 1964 and 1972. It also contains information on honours and awards, and NZ units in Vietnam. “Now we want to upload a photograph, a memory or memento of every New Zealander on the list. That’s more than 3300 individuals - servicemen, servicewomen and volunteers with stories of travelling into the war zone over nearly a decade. If people have photos please contact us.” says project coordinator Claire Hall. The expanded and updated Vietnam War nominal roll has been published in full on the website www.vietnamwar.govt.nz, and has been used to create a Facebook-style page for each New Zealander on the list. For example:
Photographs can be uploaded to the site, posted to PO Box 5364 Wellington, or sent to info@vietnamwar.govt.nz. Extracts from interviews recorded for the Vietnam War Oral History project - some 140 recordings with veterans and their families - are also being added to the website. More than half of these interviews are now available through the National Library. The Vietnam War digital archive is a valuable resource for students of social and military history, and family history researchers. “We’ve seen this format work really well with the 28th Māori Battalion site, and hope these changes will encourage our Vietnam War community - veterans, their families and whanau - to stay connected for many years to come,” Claire Hall says. The Every Veteran campaign will be promoted at Remembrance Day events in Papakura and Manurewa this weekend. Kaipara Mayor looks south, not northKaipara Mayor Neil Tiller says Kaipara residents are better off as a local Council. “If we join any other Council the rates are likely to rise.” he stated. “We reviewed the reports issued by McKinlay and Trapski and Brash and could find no benefits for the people of Kaipara.” He also noted that he was still in discussions with North Rodney residents who wished to leave Auckland and join with Kaipara. Mayor Tiller said that the previous Council had given its future serious consideration and believed Kaipara would be better off joining part of the old Rodney District than amalgamating with Whangarei and/or the Far North. “Kaipara focuses on the Kaipara Harbour, it is our greatest treasure,” commented Mayor Tiller. “Our people, and particularly our Maori community, would like to see the Kaipara Harbour well managed as a single entity.” He went on to explain this could also happen if the rural areas of the Rodney Ward of the Auckland Council amalgamated with Kaipara. “Together we would have approximately 50,000 people. It would be a Council with a rural focus and one in which waterways are of great significance to all. I am continuing to talk to the people of Rodney and should they wish to join Kaipara I would welcome it. The current Council has yet to discuss this issue.” During the Auckland reorganisation, the Kaipara District Council was advised by the Government that part of the Rodney District would be amalgamated with Kaipara and as a result the Kaipara District participated in that process and promoted a District that encompassed all of the Kaipara Harbour. That received some support from local Iwi and has resulted in an ongoing relationship with Ngati Whatua which is particularly focused on the management of the Kaipara Harbour. “There is no initiative from the Government to reform local government in the next three years. Our advice is the Government is waiting to review the performance of the new Auckland Council before it makes any further moves.” commented Mayor Tiller. Information on copyright complianceCommerce Minister Simon Power today welcomed the publication of information to help people comply with new copyright laws which will come into effect on 1 September. The Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Act 2011 repeals the controversial Section 92A of the Copyright Act and replaces it with a three-notice regime to deter illegal file sharing. The system involves internet service providers sending warning notices to their customers informing them that they might have infringed copyright via file sharing networks. It also extends the jurisdiction of the Copyright Tribunal to provide an efficient, low-cost process to hear illegal file-sharing claims. The tribunal will be able to make awards of up to $15,000 based on damage sustained by the copyright owner. Mr Power said the Ministry of Economic Development website contains specific information for rights owners, internet protocol address providers (IPAPs), and account holders, including:
“Information released today on how to minimise the risk of illegal file sharing will also be sent out from 1 September with infringement notices. “This issue has had a long and chequered history and I’m looking forward to the regime coming fully into force on 1 September to provide more effective measures to help our creative industries enforce their copyright.” The information can be accessed on the MED website. Man still missingCoastguard volunteers from Kawau and Hibiscus units are currently supporting Police in a search and rescue operation involving the suspected sinking of an 18ft aluminium vessel near Kawau Island. Four people have been rescued so far, with one man still missing. Eight vessels are currently engaged in the search and rescue operation, including Coastguard, Police, Harbour Master and other vessels. The vessels are conducting an extensive search of the water and shorelines looking for the missing person – a 35 year old male. Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Police Eagle Helicopter are searching from the air with Coastguard’s air patrol aircraft also on stand-by. The vessel is understood to have departed Martin’s Bay at 3pm yesterday, 16 August, and was expected back at 10pm last night. Truck accident closes highwayUPDATE: State Highway 1 at the Brynderwyns now has a single lane open for traffic, after the earlier truck fire. BUT Motorists should still expect delays travelling in this area. ---------- State Highway 1, at the Brynderwyns north of Kaiwaka, is closed to traffic in both directions due to a logging truck and trailer that has caught fire. Emergency services are dealing with the incident, but motorists will need to expect delays until the road can be reopened. There is no indication at this stage what timeframe will be involved, and a media release will be put out as soon as a timeframe becomes available. Foresters urged to lift their gameThe forestry industry is being urged to lift its game to ensure harvesting and earthworks meet rules designed to protect the environment from harmful sediment discharges. The Northland Regional Council says while there’s generally a high level of compliance with forestry-related resource consent conditions in Northland, the same cannot be said for ‘permitted activities’. Council rules allow some aspects of forestry (mainly harvesting and related earthworks) to be done without resource consent as ‘permitted activities’, provided certain criteria are met. “Unfortunately, our experience is that most of the permitted activity work done in Northland is currently non-compliant, much of it significantly so,” the council’s Environmental Monitoring Officer – Land Use, Franco Meyer says. Mr Meyer says the most common mistakes involve slash/wood waste material finding its way into streams and sediment discharges to water. He says Northland is home to more than 200,000 hectares of exotic forestry and the industry is one of the region’s economic successes of recent years, continuing to grow and perform strongly despite the lingering effects of global recession. “However, like many other industries, forestry can pose risks to our environment which is why in Northland, there are a number of rules and regulations governing the way it is carried out.” Key among these are the Resource Management Act and sediment control rules under the Northland Regional Council’s Water and Soil Plan. Mr Meyer says because sediment is a natural substance, few people realise just how bad a pollutant it can actually be. “It affects downstream water quality and eventually winds up in our harbours where it can smother shellfish and other marine life.” He says inadequate sediment control can also pose physical risks to downstream properties, especially when earth dams result and/or logs go down waterways. Mr Meyer says problems with non-compliance are being exacerbated due to the current high demand for wood and good wood prices. “With increasingly large amounts of timber expected to come on stream in Northland in the next few years, the non-compliance rate with permitted activity rules is an unwelcome situation both the council and the industry are keen to improve on.” Mr Meyer says it’s vital that both parties address this issue, especially when it’s anticipated that more than 50 percent of the logging done in the region in the next five years will be under permitted activity rules. He says the scale of forestry work means that potential adverse effects when things go wrong can be quite substantial. “Northland’s geography and heavy, localised rainfall events mean that we can’t afford to take chances and suitable sediment controls must be in place at all times.” However, Mr Meyer says as the Northland Regional Council investigates many sediment and erosion incidents, it is apparent that many people are unaware that such controls are even needed. “Northland is by no means unique in this regard and staff from both the Auckland Council and Waikato Regional Council recently confirmed it’s an issue they’re confronting too. However, with so much of our region being covered in exotic forestry, this is a real problem for Northland and one we’re keen to help upskill people on.” He says the regional council already runs sediment control workshops, but plans to offer industry-specific training later this year on forestry guidelines for earthworks and harvesting. Mr Meyer says if people are about to embark on logging, they should seek advice from the regional council on the relevant rules before starting work. “Ignorance of the rules is no defence and that doesn’t just apply to the person doing the work. If you as landowner allow a logger to do substandard work on your property, you are liable too…you can’t co-opt out of your liability.” Mr Meyer says that in general, the council far prefers education over enforcement but can – and does – prosecute alleged offenders, who risk criminal convictions, fines of up to $500,000 and two years’ jail. He says permitted activity rules for forestry can be found on the council’s website via: www.nrc.govt.nz/RWSP Alternatively, people can email him at: FrancoM@nrc.govt.nz Charity ball for Auckland’s youthThe Mayor and Mayoress are hosting a charity ball to raise funds to provide brighter futures for young Aucklanders. The Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball, on Saturday 19 November, will be a spectacular night of entertainment hosted by Len Brown and his wife, Mayoress Shan Inglis. All net proceeds from this event will go towards the Mayoress’ Fund for Youth, an independent charitable fund administered within the Auckland Communities Foundation. The newly established fund will raise money every year to support initiatives that directly benefit the health, well-being, educational opportunities and employment of young people living in Auckland. The Mayoress intends to build a permanent endowment for Auckland’s young people over time, in addition to annual grants. A percentage of funds raised each year will be held within the fund to ensure long-term support for young Aucklanders. Shan Inglis has designed the fund to be a legacy for Auckland. She hopes the Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball will become a key fixture in Auckland’s annual events calendar. ”I believe in an Auckland where every child has the best possible start in life and a future full of opportunities,” says the Mayoress. “We had significant success bringing together people who could make a difference in Manukau and now I am delighted to extend this across Auckland for the benefit of all our young people. “There are some wonderful individuals and organisations working hard to improve life for our young people, and they need our support. By supporting the Mayoress’ Ball, you can help us to help them,” she says. The fund will be launched with a gala event at one of Auckland’s newest waterfront venues, the Viaduct Events Centre. The evening will be filled with world-class performances, dancing and fine dining and will take place against the breathtaking backdrop of the harbour and illuminated city. The event is a black tie masquerade ball. Len Brown says, “I want Auckland to become the world’s most liveable city, and the foundation for this is cohesive, resilient communities that raise confident, healthy young people with education and career opportunities open to them. We need to work together to make this happen, and the money raised from this event will support important initiatives.” Auckland Communities Foundation Chief Executive Mark Bentley says, ”We are really pleased that the Foundation’s experience and infrastructure is able to help Shan and Len realise their desire to do something powerful for Auckland’s youth in a highly effective way.” The event is being professionally organised and underwritten by Duco Events, with no cost to Auckland Council or ratepayers. “It is exciting to be part of creating this landmark annual event for Auckland,” says Duco Events Director David Higgins. “We intend to set a new standard for elegance, theatrics and entertainment.” “The Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball is set up to rival similar international events such as the Viennese Opera Ball in New York, going since 1955 and still an international social landmark; the Black and White Ball in San Francisco, staged every two years since 1956 and the Rose Ball in Monaco, initiated by Princess Grace and held annually since 1964.” Tables are strictly limited, please visit www.mayoressball.co.nz or phone Madeline Erkkila on 09 309 2411 to book your table. Individual seats are also available. Queen Street sheep running criticisedThe Royal New Zealand SPCA is calling for the proposed 'running of the sheep' down Auckland's Queen Street to be removed from the Real New Zealand World Cup event in October. A barrage of concerned calls from the public confirmed the Society's concerns around the proposal to run a mob of sheep down the main shopping street. "Although we have been assured by the organisers that no harm will come to the sheep, this runs against the humane principles held by the SPCA around the use of animals for entertainment. If animals are likely to suffer, simply as a 'side show', then the SPCA believes that they should not be subject to this distress," says Robyn Kippenberger, National Chief Executive of the Royal New Zealand SPCA. "The fact that sheep were herded down Queen Street in the past should give no comfort. One hundred years ago many inhumane practices in farming and the use of animals in circuses and zoos were tolerated, many of which are now illegal. "The current Animal Welfare Act places obligations on the owner of animals to protect them from unreasonable or unnecessary distress. Should sheep be harmed in this activity the owner would face possible charges under the Act – not a good look in a World Cup environment with the eyes of the world on New Zealand." The SPCA Auckland have been working with organisers of the event to ensure that, should the mob run down Queen Street, every contingency has been thought of to protect the animals. However the unnecessary trucking of the sheep, releasing them, running them and then transporting them back is seen to be both risky and stressful. "We are calling on the organisers to remove this particular event from their program in recognition of the distance we have come as a country that is held in the highest international regard for our animal welfare practices. The risk they take in not providing a draw card for their festival is small in comparison to the distress of the animals and the likelihood of world approbation if even one sheep is harmed," Ms Kippenberger concludes. Tunnels closed for safety maintenanceThe Northern Gateway Toll Road on State Highway 1 north of Auckland will be closed overnight on Tuesday, 16 August, for the regular maintenance of safety equipment in the Johnstones Hill tunnels. The full closure for north and south bound traffic between the Orewa interchange and Puhoi will operate from 10.30pm to 5.30am the next morning (Wednesday, 17 August). “We regret any disruption to drivers, but the closure is necessary so that we can ensure equipment will do its job properly if there is an emergency inside the tunnels,” says the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland, Tommy Parker. Detour routes are longer than the toll road, and Mr Parker says drivers should allow more time for their journeys. There are different detours for light vehicles and for trucks:- Light vehicles: SH17 between Puhoi and the Orewa interchange at Grand Drive; SH17 between Puhoi and the Silverdale interchange Trucks: SH17 between Puhoi and the Silverdale interchange The NZTA reminds truck drivers that by-laws prevent them using the Orewa (Grand Drive) route. Safety checks are conducted twice a year. To minimise the disruption to drivers, the NZTA is compressing this week’s programme of work into a single night instead of spreading it over two. “This work is an important part of our maintenance programme to keep the tunnels and the toll roads in a good and safe condition for all drivers,” Mr Parker says. The maintenance will be conducted by the Auckland Motorway Alliance, which is responsible for the operation of the 220 kilometre Auckland motorway network. For updates and information about these works, or any other motorway issues please call Auckland Motorways on 09 5200 200. ‘Stamp’ of approval for an adopted kiwi classicIt’s been an unofficial Kiwi anthem for 44 years – but only now has it received official recognition as a true Kiwi icon. “Ten Guitars” - originally released as a B-side for Engelbert Humperdinck in 1967 - quickly struck a chord with New Zealand listeners. Ignored elsewhere in the world, it spread like wildfire in New Zealand, with local renditions quickly adopting a distinctive ‘Māori strum’. Ever since it has, arguably, been the most frequently performed song at kiwi parties, barbecues, pubs and clubs and even in the halls of Parliament. It’s been re-recorded dozens of times, and was name-checked in the lyrics of kiwi musical icon Don McGlashan. There’s even a Facebook petition for “Ten Guitars” to be the New Zealand national anthem. But only today, after four decades of service, has “Ten Guitars” earned the official stamp of approval - by being chosen to feature in a series of New Zealand Post stamps about kiwi icons and distinctive aspects of New Zealand’s culture and history. The 60 cent “Ten Guitars” stamp features in a new set of Kiwiana stamps, which take people on a numerical journey from 1 to 21 in a quintessentially ‘kiwi’ way. Sales and Marketing Manager of the New Zealand Post Stamps Business Simon Allison says the ‘Counting in Kiwi’ stamp issue celebrates a diverse range of things which have become woven into the fabric of what it means to be a kiwi. Traditional kiwi icons are featured in the issue - like number 8 wire, and the 4 stars of the Southern Cross, as well as the Bluff oyster, the jandal and the humble lamington. “When kiwis look at these stamps they’ll immediately think ‘I’ve done that’, ‘I remember that’ or ‘that’s something I must get round to’,” Simon Allison said. “And for international audiences these stamps record some of the things which make kiwi culture unique and vibrant’. The stamps are available as a sheet, and as part of a first day cover set. A free poster featuring the iconic stamps is available with both the stamp sheet and first day cover set. Visit www.nzpost.co.nz/stamps for details or to order online. The Counting in Kiwi stamp issue can also be purchased from New Zealand PostShop stores, REAL Aotearoa stores and the Whanganui Collectables and Solutions Centre. The stamps will be available from 10 August. PM opens Hobsonville M'wayAuckland’s new Hobsonville Motorway was officially opened today six months ahead of schedule by the Prime Minister, John Key. The $220m NZ Transport Agency project in north-west Auckland completes another section of the Western Ring Route road of national significance, providing a motorway alternative to State Highway 1 and delivering improved transport links between the north, west and south of Auckland and to Auckland International Airport. At the ribbon cutting celebration, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Transport, Steven Joyce, the Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown, local iwi and NZTA executives and their contractors. The NZTA plans to open the Hobsonville motorway to traffic tomorrow (Sunday 7 August) after it has completed final work overnight to get the highway ready. The timing will depend on the weather and its impact on the programme of work. The NZTA’s Regional Director for Auckland and Northland, Stephen Town, says the Hobsonville Motorway will develop into one of the country’s most important routes when the Western Ring Route is completed. . “The completion of the Hobsonville project is part of a transport solution that provides benefits to New Zealand, the Auckland region, and the communities living close to the motorway,” Mr Town says. “It will help open up access and provide the transport backbone for the developing areas of north-west Auckland, and at the same time improve safety by taking thousands of vehicles off the old state Highway along Hobsonville Road.” The New motorway has two sections: a six kilometre-long, four lane motorway on SH18 between Upper Harbour Bridge in Greenhithe and the Westgate shopping centre; and a three kilometre-long extension of the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) from Westgate to a new roundabout at Brigham Creek Road. “By taking traffic off congested Hobsonville Road, the project will reduce travel times by up to six minutes,” Mr Town adds. “This will provide more reliable journey times for commercial drivers moving freight around the region who are increasingly using this route as an alternative to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.” Mr Town reminded local motorists that the new motorway will not mean an end to all congestion in the area and there will be some queuing during the morning and afternoon peaks. “We ask everyone to drive with care and patience as they adapt to the new layouts. To minimise any delays we will use ramp signals to help keep traffic flowing smoothly.” Mr Town thanked the NZTA’s contractors – HEB Construction, designers Aurecon and consultants Opus – for completing the project six months early. “It’s a great outcome, and very good timing ahead of the next month’s Rugby World Cup in terms of improved links for fans to both Albany Stadium on the North Shore and Eden Park.” Today's celebration also marks the completion of a successful collaboration between the NZTA, Auckland Council and local Waitakere artists on an arts initiative as part of the design programme for the motorway. New pedestrian and cycle paths have been built at Clarks Lane footbridge, Hobsonville Road Interchange (Westgate) and Squadron Drive. The Squadron Drive cycle path links from the Upper Harbour Bridge right into the new Hobsonville Point housing development. 3,000 houses will be built progressively at the development over the next 10-15 years. Construction of the last section of the Western Ring Route – the Waterview Connection linking the Northwestern and Southwestern (SH20) motorways is due to start later this year. The work will be followed by further improvements to increase capacity on the Northwestern Motorway between Waterview and Westgate. Motorway opening informationThe NZTA advises drivers to plan to use the new routes:
Young drivers warned not to drinkThe NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has a simple message for teenagers - if you’re planning on drinking, don’t plan on driving. NZTA Chief Executive Geoff Dangerfield said the zero alcohol limit for teenage drivers coming into force this Sunday (August 7) would remove any uncertainty for young drivers on the issue of drink-driving. “A zero alcohol limit for teens removes any guesswork. If you’re under 20, you can’t consume any alcohol before driving – end of story.” Mr Dangerfield said young drivers were over-represented in crashes and the zero alcohol limit, together with changes to New Zealand’s driver licensing regime, would address the key factors which put them at increased risk. “Too many of our young people are dying or being badly injured in crashes on our roads. Road crashes are the single biggest killer of New Zealand teens, and we have the highest road death rate in the OECD for 15-17 year olds. “That’s a situation no-one should accept - bringing in a zero alcohol limit for drivers under 20, toughening up licence tests and raising the minimum driving age to 16 will help to improve the poor safety record of young drivers in New Zealand.” The minimum age for obtaining a learner driver licence increased from 15 years to 16 years from Monday August 1. Mr Dangerfield said the NZTA was working on changes to toughen up the restricted licence on-road driving test in order to encourage 120 hours of supervised driving in the Learner licence stage, with the new tests likely to be implemented in February 2012. Earlier this year the NZTA launched www.safeteendriver.co.nz, a dedicated new website providing free advice and tools for the parents of teen drivers. For further information on zero blood alcohol for teen drivers go to: www.transport.govt.nz/news/newsevents/ZeroBACdriversunder20/
All Blacks greatest fan
In this country, most people would consider themselves an All Blacks fan, but most do not show the true fanaticism uncovered in a recent competition to find the ultimate BackingBlack All Blacks fan. |
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