Education Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Education Minister Dr Pita Sharples today released Ngā Haeata Mātauranga, the Annual Report on Māori Education for 2008/09.

“We are beginning to see some positive gains in Māori education, but much more hard work lies ahead,” says Mrs Tolley.

“The need to step up and transform the performance of the education system for Māori is being recognised.

“Major Government initiatives such as National Standards and the Youth Guarantee will have a great effect on raising achievement, while the expansion of the Te Kotahitanga professional development programme for teachers is also making a significant contribution.

“Early childhood education also plays an important part, and new funding of $91.8 million announced in Budget 2010 for five intensive, community-led participation projects in high priority areas will directly benefit Māori families.”

Dr Sharples says that the education system is doing better in certain areas for some Māori students, but that success needs to be more widespread.

“NCEA data continues to show strong patterns of achievement among Māori learners attending secondary schools where teaching and learning were done though Māori language and culture. Results show Māori-medium learners were more likely to meet literacy and numeracy requirements for NCEA Level 1 than their peers at English-medium schools.

“The number of kura kaupapa Māori, kura Māori, and kura teina has increased from 13 in 1992 to 88 in 2008. And enrolments at bilingual schools grew by 38.9 per cent (or 2,909 students) between July 2007 and July 2008.

“Ngā Haeata Mātauranga 2008/09 highlights a broad range of activities underway to improve the performance of the system for and with Māori - in mainstream schools as well as Maori-medium settings - designed to raise achievement, increase participation, encourage te reo Māori in classrooms, and support culturally responsive practices by teachers and school leaders,” says Dr Sharples. "Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success is the Government’s plan of action for achieving these priorities.

“Other areas of progress for Māori learners include increased retention in school and increased participation in higher level tertiary education,” he says.

The report can be viewed at:
www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/series/5851/75954

NorthTec designer a winner

NorthTec Flexible Learning Multi-Media Designer Gareth Morgan has been recognised as one of The League of Innovation in the Community College’s Innovation of the Year 2010 winners for his development of 3D learning objects and resources at NorthTec.

The international league has been in existence for more than 40 years and hosts conferences, develops web resources, conducts research, produces publications, provides services, and leads projects and initiatives for more than 800 member institutions around the world. NorthTec was the first international institution accepted as a member.

NorthTec’s Flexible Learning Manager Vasi Doncheva said that Gareth’s creative thinking and his innovative approach to addressing challenges are extremely valuable. “He contributes significantly to the quality of the learning experiences that we offer here at NorthTec.”

Gareth received a NorthTec award for Innovation in Supporting Learning last year for his development of 3D learning objects and resources.

New website launched for young employees

Children and young people will have direct access to simple guidance about their rights and responsibilities when they enter the workforce with the launch today of the new website My First Job, says Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson.

“My First Job provides information on common issues young people experience in the workplace – including pay, hours of work, holidays and leave,” says Ms Wilkinson.

“It also has advice on what to do when things go wrong, including where to seek assistance and how parents can support their child if they have employment problems.”

Ms Wilkinson says the website was developed so that young people could find the information they need through a medium they are familiar with and in a form they can easily understand.

It also recognises that young people need good information about what to expect when taking a job and where they can turn to for advice.

“My First Job will be updated regularly so it remains current. Guidance material that is relevant to specific industries or occupations will be added, along with new research about children and young people at work.”

My First Job can be found at www.dol.govt.nz/myfirstjob.

Farmers call for disclosure of ETS’ cost

Federated Farmers is challenging the Government to put up its costs on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for independent scrutiny. In the space of four days, the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister of Climate Change, have all advanced different costs.

“Federated Farmers figures are fully defendable and is why we’re putting our figures out there for scrutiny,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.

“On the morning of the Budget, the Hon Nick Smith’s office dismissed out of hand, Federated Farmers projected societal cost of the ETS at $527 million. Instead, an unnamed official put up $350 million as a cast iron sum but couldn’t substantiate it when asked by a reporter.

“It’s no wonder why because when the Budget was delivered last week, within the space of a few hours, this $350 million cost had inflated out to $378 million according to the Minister of Finance.

“But then we have the Prime Minister who only yesterday said the ETS’ cost ‘will only’ be $3 per household per week. Given there are over 1.7 million households according to Statistics New Zealand, he’s the most optimistic, putting the ETS’ societal cost at $267 million.

“So is the Prime Minister really saying that the total combined fuel and electricity bill for New Zealand’s 477,000 businesses is only between $83 and $111 million? That of course depends on whether you use figures put out by the Minister of Climate Change or those of the Minister of Finance.

“But if we take electricity impacts alone, Federated Farmers stands by its belief that electricity prices will increase by $276 million. That’s not far different from the Major Energy Users Group’s $240 million estimate they advanced in April.

“Petrol and diesel costs will rise by $252 million more too. These societal costs are however dwarfed by the $1.06 billion in core Crown costs the ETS heralds, along with its persistent 0.4 percent inflationary impact.

“This discrepancy between those who ought to know is truly alarming. As is the impact on agriculture that we have now revised upwards to $141 million in the first year from 1 July, using figures provided to the Minister of Agriculture.

“It’s time for the Government’s figures to be put up for robust independent scrutiny. The general public deserves nothing less,” Mr Nicolson concluded.

Kitchen crimes start at home

New Zealanders spend far too much time in the bathroom from food poisoning, and they blame the wrong person, according to new consumer research commissioned by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA).

To help people avoid food poisoning, NZFSA has launched Kitchen Crimes Week on 24-28 May, to give consumers the information they need to keep their kitchens crime-free.

NZFSA’s survey shows that one in four Kiwis say they have had a bout of food poisoning in the past two years, and the vast majority believed the cause was a meal bought outside the home.

“But that’s not necessarily the case,” says NZFSA’s principal adviser Roger Cook. “We’re holding Kitchen Crimes Week to remind people that about 40 percent of food poisoning is from kitchen crimes at home.

“The most common crimes are not washing your hands properly and not cleaning your chopping boards between preparing raw meat or poultry and ready-to-eat foods.”

Food poisoning costs New Zealand $86 million each year, mostly due to lost productivity from 5.3 million days off work.

“Most people probably think they are squeaky-clean in the kitchen, but if you take a closer look many of us have to plead guilty to unknowingly committing food crimes in the kitchen,” Roger says.

The key to avoiding nasty foodborne bugs is to clean, cook and chill food properly. It is also imperative to have good hand hygiene.

Top 10 ways to fight kitchen crimes

Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before, during and after preparing food.
Use separate cloths for wiping hands and dishes – and make sure they are clean.
Change your sponge and dishcloth regularly. For a quick clean, rinse well in warm soapy water and then microwave for 2-4 minutes on high…that’ll kill most bugs.
Keep raw and cooked foods, and the utensils and plates used for each, separate at all times.
After cutting raw meat and poultry, wash your chopping board and knives thoroughly in hot soapy water or in the dishwasher.
Cook chicken, mince and sausages right through. If in doubt, use a meat thermometer to check that these meats are cooked to the safe internal temperature (75°C).
Perishable food can be left covered at room temperature for up to two hours. Then it should be eaten, refrigerated or thrown out.
Make sure your fridge temperature stays in the 2°C to 4°C safe zone.
Cover food before putting it in the fridge.
Cover raw meat and store on the bottom shelf of the fridge so juices don’t drip onto other food.

High Court rejects Waimauku development appeal

The High Court has rejected an appeal seeking to overturn a Rodney District Council decision, confirmed by the Environment Court last year, to reject a private plan change request to provide for a residential and business development at Waimauku.

The decision follows a ruling by the Environment Court in August 2009 in support of Rodney District Council’s decision to reject the plan change request.

The private plan change was originally lodged in December 2007 by Cornerstone Group. Their proposal was to develop a residential and business area on rural land northwest of Waimauku which would accommodate 1,375 properties and house 3,000 people. Waimauku currently has a population of 930.

The Council rejected the private plan change request in September 2008. The land was subsequently sold to the Malory Corporation who wanted to progress the proposal. The Malory Corporation appealed this decision to the Environment Court and, when this court ruled in the Council's favour, subsequently appealed the decision to the High Court on five points of law.

The High Court released a decision this month which rejected the appeal by the Malory Corporation and upheld the decision by both the Environment Court and Rodney District Council to reject the private plan change request.

Rodney District Council declined the developer’s application on the grounds that the proposal was inconsistent with a Structure Plan it had recently adopted for Waimauku which limited growth in the area. Through the Structure Plan consultation Waimauku residents expressed a preference to limit growth and retain the town’s rural character. The community also voiced strong opposition to the Cornerstone development option which was included as one of the proposals for Waimauku's future. The Environment Court noted that the consultation process used to develop the Structure Plan had been “broad, public and participatory.”

The Environment Court found that the developer’s plan change request was not in accordance with sound resource management principles and that the Council was justified in rejecting the application on the grounds that it had already considered the development of this area as part of the Structure Plan process.

Severe weather warning

The Auckland Region Emergency Management Office reminds Aucklanders to stay up-to-date with weather forecasts over the next 24 hours.

MetService expects the Auckland region to be hit by severe weather between Sunday night and Monday morning.

Harry O’Rourke, Group Controller for the Auckland Region Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, advises people to be prepared for severe weather in the Auckland region. The Auckland Region Emergency Management Office and local authority emergency management offices throughout the region are monitoring the weather situation.

“It is a good time to check your emergency survival kit and update your household emergency plans. Make sure your battery-powered torches and radios are working and check the expiry dates on all food in your emergency survival kit,” said Harry.

An emergency survival kit should have:

Food and water for 3 days or more
Battery powered torch and radio
First aid kit / medication
Supplies for pets

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

Your getaway kit should have:

Essential items from your emergency survival kit
Family documents .eg. passports and drivers license
Personal items .eg. medication and toiletries

Listen to your radio for civil defence information or any information relating to severe weather.

Check the Yellow Pages for more information.

For more information visit:

Before the severe weather hits you should:

Check your 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 are recommended to check their moorings.
Listen to your local radio station for information.
Check on your next door neighbours.

If the severe weather hits we recommend:

People stay at home, stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary
Power and phone services may be disrupted. We recommend you have a torch and a battery-powered radio so you can listen to weather alerts. You also may want to have a gas cooker ready.

Kiwis say love it, don’t mine it. Again

New Zealanders have once again reaffirmed their commitment to the protection of our wild spaces, voicing opposition to mining in protected areas of the conservation estate, the Green Party said today.

Today’s ShapeNZ poll, commissioned by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development, (NZBCSD), reports that a majority still oppose mining in Schedule 4, regardless of any potential royalty revenue, jobs, or wealth benefits.

“It is now crystal clear. The more New Zealanders learn about our pristine places, the more they like them and want to protect them,” Metiria Turei, Green Party Co-leader said today.

“The public is being increasingly exposed to the facts about mining, and still they say ‘love it, protect it’.

“John Key’s Government has failed to make a credible case on any front for the desecration of these iconic and wild spaces.

“The Government needs to declare a moratorium on all new mining applications, and sort out the mess that has been made of the Crown Minerals portfolio.

“I call on John Key’s Government to initiate a Select Committee Inquiry into the Government’s management of the mining industry, to shed fresh light on the following:

Biodiversity costs of further mining
Permanent environmental degradation costs
Clean up and remediation costs
Costs to tourism and other industries
Lost/inadequate royalty costs
Climate change costs

“For almost a year, the public has been asked to make a call on mining expansion without any credible information being put on the table.

“It is only by shining a light into the dark corners of the mining industry that the public can make an informed, rational decision about mining expansion in Aotearoa New Zealand,” Mrs Turei said.

For more information:
For Part 2 of the ShapeNZ report on mining in Schedule 4:
nzbcsd.org.nz/_attachments/Microsoft_Word_-_ShapeNZ_mining_survey_May_2010_Part_2_report

Lower speed limit on the Brynderwyns

The NZ Transport Agency, in co-operation with the Police, will lower the speed limit on the Brynderwyn Hills from 100km/h to 80km/h to improve safety on this section of State Highway One in Northland.

The 80k speed limit will be in force from Thursday, May 27, 1.3 km south of Waipu Gorge Road to the southern end of the Piroa Stream Bridge adjacent to the quarry – a distance of 5.9km

The NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Northland Tommy Parker says the Transport Agency has introduced the lower speed limit to make it safer for everyone using a challenging section of SH1 because of its narrow lanes, tight corners and limited visibility.

“It is a section of highway that demands full driver attention. Many people have been caught out and crossed the centre line or left the road with disastrous results.”

In the past five years there have been 79 crashes on this section of road. Two of these were serious injury crashes and three were fatal crashes resulting in four deaths.

Mr Parker says the NZTA welcomes Police support for the 80km/h limit.

Northland Road Policing Manager Inspector Clifford Paxton says his officers are all too familiar with the results of driver inattention on the Brynderwyns.

“In many of the crashes we’re called to, motorists have not necessarily exceeded the speed limit, but have been driving just too fast for the conditions.”

Both Police and the NZTA believe the lower speed limit should reduce serious crashes on the Brynderwyns.

The speed limit on SH1 in the Dome Valley, between Wellsford and Warkworth, was lowered to 80km/h in December 2007. In the three years prior to lowering the speed limit, there were 36 crashes and seven fatalities in the Dome Valley. After the introduction of the lower limit, there have been 23 crashes and three fatalities.

“Those are the kind of statistics that the NZTA and the Police hope will be produced on the Brynderwyns by this safety initiative,” says Mr Parker.

Due to the winding nature of the highway over the Brynderwyns, lowering the speed limit from 100km/h to 80km/h is not likely to add significant travelling time for drivers.

“What it will do, at the end of the day, is improve safety for everyone crossing the Brynderwyns,” say Inspector Paxton and Mr Parker.

“However, we continue to strongly advise everyone using this section of SH1, even with the 80km/h speed limit, to drive to the conditions to ensure that they reach their destinations safely.”

Public meeting on Japanese whaling

Who:

Gareth Hughes MP Green Party Oceans Spokesperson
Professor Donald Rothwell of The Australian National University

Where:

Lecture Theatre 039, The Clock Tower, 22 Princes Street, University of Auckland

When:

5.30-6.30pm, Mon 24 May

Professor Donald Rothwell, from the Australian National University, is a highly acclaimed speaker and international expert on the international law options available to save whales. He has provided advice for political parties and non-governmental organisations in both New Zealand and Australia.

Professor Rothwell is undertaking a speaking tour of New Zealand next week. At public meetings in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, he will discuss the legal implications of the current reform proposals being considered by the International Whaling Commission and the legal options open to New Zealand to challenge Japanese whaling before international courts.

Green Party Oceans Spokesperson, Gareth Hughes, will join Professor Rothwell for the tour and meetings. Gareth will discuss the political implications of this campaign and how Kiwi’s can save the whales.

The Green Party has always been a staunch protector of whales, never has this battle been more important than in 2010. In June, the International Whaling Commission will vote on a proposal that would allow for whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary, condone the slaughter of endangered fin whales, and effectively legitimise the return to commercial whaling by the Japanese fleet.

Over the last few months the Green Party has led a campaign to show the New Zealand Government that Kiwi’s will not stand for this. The support of the public and the momentum of the campaign have been overwhelming. Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully has hidden behind an excuse that there are no viable alternatives to these negotiations.

This series of public meetings is set to stimulate and inspire. People with all levels of involvement in the issue and campaign are encouraged to attend and make the most of the opportunity to learn more from an international expert.

New Zealanders know there are alternatives to a bad compromise at the Whaling Commission meeting in June. We need to show the government we know this.

Both Gareth and Professor Rothwell welcome media interviews and can be contacted via the numbers below. Arranging interviews prior to the visit is recommended.

Waste reduction schemes receive accreditation

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced the Government’s accreditation of two new product stewardship schemes for recycling and reducing harm from used farm plastics and glass packaging.

“Product stewardship schemes are an excellent way of getting all parties involved in the production and distribution of a product to take responsibility for its environmental impact at the end of its life,” Dr Smith said.

The Plasback farm plastic recycling scheme is a voluntary scheme for the collection of farm plastic waste for recycling or reuse.

“We know that farm plastics are often disposed of in ways harmful to the environment such as burying or burning. The Plasback scheme instead provides a cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative and will see farm plastics collected and recycled into new products such as piping or bins,” Dr Smith said.

The Glass Packaging Forum, which comprises more than 100 companies that produce or import, fill or sell glass containers in NZ, has developed a voluntary scheme for reducing the amount of glass packaging sent to landfill.

“Recovered glass can either be used to make new glass containers or for alternative uses such as vineyard mulch and roading aggregate. This means a reduction in wastesent to landfill as well as the amount of energy and carbon emissions from the production of new glass containers,” Dr Smith said.

“Under the Waste Minimisation Act, as Minister for the Environment, I have the ability to accredit product stewardship schemes who meet the criteria for reducing waste and environmental harm. I would encourage other industries to recognise the economic and environmental benefits of product stewardship and get accredited.”

ANZ NZ offers skipper's scholarship

ANZ New Zealand is offering a $10,000 ANZ Young Skipper’s Scholarship to secure talent in the industry, it was announced today at the start of the 2-day New Zealand Seafood Industry Conference 2010 at Te Papa, Wellington this week (May 19-20).

“Seafood is one of the country’s most important resources which needs to remain sustainable for future generations,” said David Green, Managing Director of ANZ New Zealand’s Institutional division, in welcoming attendees to the Conference.

“This is the 10th year that ANZ has been the Principal Sponsor of the Seafood Industry Conference and we have long-term relationships with many of the businesses here. We understand that there is a shortage of qualified skippers in the industry and want to help address this. The 2010 scholarship recognises our 10-year commitment to the industry and will be administered by the Seafood Industry Council.

“ANZ is also offering a seafood exporter an all-expenses paid trip to the Shanghai World Expo 2010 where ANZ New Zealand is a Sponsor Partner of the New Zealand Pavilion”, announced Mr Green.

“As part of that we are taking groups of clients to experience first-hand how this dynamic and important Asian economy works. The trip will provide exporters an understanding of the opportunities available in China and the consumer market there. It will also provide opportunities for discussion with New Zealand businesses that are successful there, site visits and networking opportunities.” The trip will include seminars and workshops on topics including regulatory requirements, banking and finance in China and supply chain and logistics.

“ANZ has a strong and growing presence on the ground in China and in 13 other Asian markets. We are pleased to be facilitating access to China for this group of New Zealand exporters,” said Mr Green.

“’New Zealand needs a sustainable, export-led recovery to grow out of the recession and the seafood industry has a significant role to play in that recovery. The seafood industry is the fourth largest New Zealand export earner; it provides more than 25,000 jobs and makes up $1.4 billion of the nation’s GDP. We continue to support the seafood industry because it makes sense to do so.”

The Prime Minister John Key gave the opening address at the Conference, followed by the keynote presentation by ANZ’s Chief Economist Cameron Bagrie.

Stolen jewellery on display

Nearly 400 photographs of lost or stolen items of jewellery that were recovered by Police in the Auckland region late last month during Operation Castle have been catalogued and uploaded onto the Police website where the
items can now be viewed and claimed by their rightful owners.

The photographs have been uploaded in six categories - watches; bracelets; rings; necklaces and chains; pendants and brooches; miscellaneous items (including coins, earrings and medals); - and, as of this afternoon, visitors to the Police website at www.police.govt.nz can identify and claim items via a specially designed Operation Castle shopping cart" system.

Anyone who sent an e-mail message to the dedicated Operation Castle address - opcastle@police.govt.nz - since April 23 when the operation was terminated throughout Auckland, will receive an e-mail advising them where to look on the website for the photographs.

Site visitors should go to www.police.govt.nz/service/recovered

Police say visitors to the site are strongly advised against trying claim items that don't belong to them as there are robust systems in place designed to check the authenticity of claims.

Auckland trees at risk

The Minister for the Environment is ignoring the lack of tree protection in Auckland that was brought about by his changes to the Resource Management Act last year, said the Green Party today.

The Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Act 2009 removed local councils’ ability to have blanket tree protection rules. From January 1, 2012, council will have to identify and schedule each significant tree individually.

“Auckland City decided last November not to ask the public to nominate trees to be assessed for scheduling, nor to send staff out to identify trees themselves,” said Green Party RMA spokesperson David Clendon.

“This means that many significant trees in Auckland City will be without protection in less than two years, and to be frank, Nick Smith is not taking responsibility for his part in this situation.”

During parliamentary debate on the legislation, Minister for the Environment Nick Smith claimed that the process for listing specific trees would not be onerous, and that if councils failed to undertake their new responsibilities, that he would personally intervene.

“We recently asked Dr Smith what actions he was taking in light of Auckland City’s decision not to proactively schedule significant trees, and his answer made clear that he is not going to intervene.

“He stated that he was ‘confident that councils will adequately provide for tree protection’, despite evidence to the contrary in our largest city,” said Mr Clendon.

“It seems that the Minister for the Environment is more interested in making it easier to get rid of trees,” said Mr Clendon, “than in finding a workable solution that protects our significant trees.”

The Green Party supported a change to the RMA that would allow minor trimming without a resource consent, and for the protection of significant trees without scheduling each one individually.

“There was a way to protect trees without creating unnecessary bureaucracy, unfortunately that is not what Nick Smith chose to pursue, and Auckland City may find itself with a large reduction in significant trees because of it,” said Mr Clendon.

Government announces leaky homes package

The Government has today announced its financial assistance package to help people get their leaky homes fixed faster.

The package centres on the Government and local authorities each contributing 25 per cent of agreed repair costs and affected homeowners funding the remaining 50 per cent backed by a government loan guarantee.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says this is about the Government stepping up and tackling a significant issue.

"The Government wants to ensure we get a fair solution that will assist affected homeowners to move on with their lives," he says.

Mr Williamson says the scale of the leaky homes issue is equivalent to a natural disaster of huge proportions and it is having a considerable impact on the wealth and health of many thousands of New Zealanders and their families.

"Affected homeowners have been stuck in a complex and costly disputes process for too long with little prospect of being able to fix their leaky home," Mr Williamson says.

“Even though the Government has no legal liability, the magnitude of the issue means central government involvement is essential if we are going to find a way forward," he says.

"This package will assist affected homeowners to get access to money so they can get their homes fixed and move on with their lives,” Mr Williamson says.

There are a large number of homes in New Zealand that are leaking, damp and mouldy, and are rotting over time.

In July 2009, a PricewaterhouseCoopers report estimated that between 22,000 and 89,000 homes were affected with a consensus forecast of 42,000 dwellings that were likely to be leaky homes. Only a minority – around 3,500 – have been repaired to date.

"There could be more than 80,000 people living in leaky homes, many of whom can't afford to sell or access money to get them fixed," Mr Williamson says.

The financial assistance package will see the Government meet 25 per cent of homeowners' agreed repair costs, local authorities contributing 25 per cent and homeowners funding the remaining 50 per cent, with a loan guarantee underwritten by the Government, provided applicants can meet bank lending criteria.

"The Government will also cover the administration cost of the new package. This means the Government's actual contribution is around 29 per cent of the total cost of the package," he says.

Mr Williamson says the package was today presented to Auckland Transition Agency Executive Chairman Mark Ford and Mayors Kerry Prendergast and John Banks as the key representatives of those local authorities most affected by the leaky homes issue.

“Local authorities have been invited to participate and asked to respond to the Government's offer by Monday 31 May 2010."

Mr Williamson says the eight major retail banks have been briefed about the financial assistance package and have indicated their willingness to work with the Government on the detail of the proposal.

"If, as officials forecast, 70 per cent of affected homeowners within the 10-year liability limit take up this package, the Government is anticipating its share will be around $1 billion over the next five years," Mr Williamson says.

"Once the local authorities have responded, the Government will begin working through the complex details of how it will work with the parties involved. We are aiming to have the new package up and running early next year," he says.

Affected homeowners will need to make a claim under the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act to access the financial assistance package once it is launched.

"In the meantime, homeowners can apply to the Department of Building and Housing to make a weathertight claim. If their claim is accepted, that ‘stops the clock’ on the 10-year limitation for claims."

Mr Williamson says the financial assistance package will be voluntary and in addition to the current disputes and litigation process.
"Those homeowners who participate in the package would forgo the right to sue local authorities or the Crown in exchange for a combined government and local authority direct payment of 50 per cent of agreed repair costs."

Homeowners will still have the option to pursue other liable parties such as builders, developers and manufacturers of defective products.

The intention is that homeowners who currently have claims in the weathertight system yet to be resolved will be able to apply for the financial assistance package.

Owners of leaky homes who would like more information should visit www.dbh.govt.nz or phone 0800 116 926.

Rodney Writes winners announced

The winners of Rodney Libraries annual writing awards were recently announced at a ceremony at Whangaparaoa Library.

For the fourth consecutive year Rodney Libraries have invited writers to put pen to paper and submit their works to the ‘Rodney Writes’ competition.

Writers in previous competitions were asked to submit entries on a particular theme – such as ‘Kiwi Culture’ of ‘Going Global.’ In 2010 entrants were able to write on any topic that interested them. In total, 145 entries were submitted this year.

At a ceremony at Whangaparaoa Library the following awards were presented to the award winners:

Premier Award

Winner: Wes Lee, Runner Up: Fay Cameron

Entry for this award was open to anyone who has had their work published or broadcast for payment.

Novice Award

Winner: Brenda Howson, Runner Up: Cathy Clarke

This category was open for writers who were aged 18 and over but haven’t had works published or broadcast for payment previously.

Young Writers Award

Winner: Alice Allfree, Runner Up: Tom Vasey

This award was open to writers under 18 years of age.

Each category had a word limit of 2500.

Wellington writer Wes Lee took out the Premier Award (of $1,000) for her story 'Advent. Wes has previously lectured in Fine Arts at AUT and began writing short stories in 2005. She has won over 30 awards, both within New Zealand and Internationally. Last year she won the Dan Davin Literary Award 2009, which was judged by Owen Marshall and in 2010 she was shortlisted for The Walter Scott Prize in England.

Her story, 'Advent,' is a dark tale of an elderly woman caring for her husband with Alzheimer’s who watches with cool detachment as she plays Russian roulette with his health by placing random pills in an Advent Calendar and doling them out to him.

Brenda Howson, of Snells Beach was the winner of the Novice Award catagory (valued at $500). Brenda was born in Rodney and lives with her husband and son overlooking the waters of Kawau Island. She is a computer technician and mother and spends her spare time thinking up stories and writing for pleasure.

Her story 'Missing in Action' was told from the point of view of a fifteen year old girl who goes on holiday with her family to the beach. A seemingly inconsequential decision on her part results in a tragic outcome.

Fourteen year old Alice Allfree from Greenhithe was awarded the Young Writers Award (of $500) for her story, 'The Legend of the Curtain Warriors.' Alice’s tale drew on classical Greek mythology with a modern twist.

Tom Vasey of Mahurangi College was placed second in the Young Writers category for his story, 'The Fate of the Soulbinder.' Tom lives in Warkworth and enjoys writing and reading fantasy fiction. He received a prize of $200.

Speaking at the Rodney Writes ceremony, Mayor Penny Webster congratulated the award winners and spoke about how important good writing was in helping children develop a life long love of reading.

Image: From left - June Carter (Hibiscus Coast Libraries Manager and Rodney Writes Coordinator), Alice Allfree (Young Writers Award Winner), Brenda Howson (Novice Award Winner), Christine Chambers (Rodney Libraries Reference and Information Access Co-ordinator and Rodney Writes Coordinator).

Irish poet joins NorthTec

NorthTec will be launching its new Level 5 Poetry 1 programme in July tutored by Irish writer Majella Cullinane.

Born in Limerick, Ireland, and a graduate of University College, Dublin, and St. Andrews University, Scotland where she received an MLitt in Creative Writing, Majella has worked as a teacher and editor in a career which has taken her to the UK, Spain, and Greece before settling in New Zealand last year.

In 2005, she won the Sean Dunne Young Writer’s Award for Poetry and the Irish Arts Council Training and Professional Development Award. In 2007, she won the 2006 Hennessy/Sunday Tribune Literary Award for Emerging Poetry, and was shortlisted for the 2008 Fish Short Story Prize. She has had poetry and short stories published in Ireland, the UK, the US and New Zealand. Her first collection of poetry will appear next year.

“We are absolutely delighted to be launching our new online poetry programme led by such an experienced poet and tutor,” said NorthTec Applied Writing Coordinator, Janine McVeagh. “This is the first time that poetry has been offered on the Applied Writing programme and demand for places on the poetry programme is already strong. There are some places still available for the July intake. Majella will also be tutoring NorthTec’s Poetry 2 online programme when it starts in February next year.”

NorthTec will also be launching a new Research for Writing (Level 6) programme in July tutored by well-known writer and current NorthTec tutor Diana Menefy.

For more information on the new Poetry and Research for Writing programmes and NorthTec’s other Applied Writing programmes please phone 0800 162 100.

Disability group calls for re-think on Mother’s Day

New Zealand spent over $52 million at restaurants around Mother’s Day, according to EFTPOS transactions processed across the Paymark network. With just 10% of this spend CCS Disability Action could provide support for over 12,000 families caring for a child with a disability for a whole year.

CCS Disability Action is launching a campaign to illustrate the challenges that a mother with a disabled child faces each and every day. The TV commercial, which goes to air May 23, features a real kiwi mum going about a typical day looking after her disabled child and siblings. There are no actors involved, unlike many other charities’ campaigns. The TV commercial will highlight how hectic a day can be for a mother caring for a disabled child.

“It’s all too easy to forget what Mother’s day is really all about – recognising the unconditional love of mums and the sometimes unrelenting work they do. Our upcoming campaign will focus on the extra effort a mother with a disabled child faces, in a way that most New Zealanders will be able to relate to,” says Viv Maidaborn, Chief Executive of CCS Disability Action.

“When a mother of a disabled child starts their day, they might already have tended to them five times during the night, and everything takes more time and effort. Donating to CCS Disability Action can provide much needed support and relief for a mum.”

Every day CCS Disability Action works alongside thousands of mothers and their disabled children. There are over 12,000 families in New Zealand with disabled children, who need extra help to get through each day. Donations go to support Kiwi families in local communities.

For $20 each month you could give a mother the support she needs. If you would like to make a donation go to www.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz

DOC concessions process to get revamp

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson today announced a revamp to improve the processing of permits for commercial activities on public conservation land.

Currently, more than 4,500 permits (known as concessions) exist for activities ranging from boating to filming, guiding, bungy jumping, bee keeping, stock grazing and skiing. The Department of Conservation (DOC) receives more than 1,100 applications each year from private operators and individuals.

Ms Wilkinson says DOC was asked to review how it handles concession applications in response to concerns that the consistency and timeliness of permit processing varied between conservancies around the country.

“Concessions provide opportunities for thousands of local businesses, many of whom support the $20 billion-a-year tourism industry. It’s important that there is a consistent approach to handling these permits and that applicants and the Department know exactly what is expected of each other.

“The criteria that concessions are assessed by will not change. Applications will continue to be carefully vetted to ensure the activities respect conservation values and public input is sought when there could be significant impacts.”

The new procedures will clarify the permit process and its requirements and establish clear timeframes for the Department and applicants.

Under the new procedures:

Assessment of conservation impacts will be more consistent across the Department’s 12 conservancies.
A lead conservancy will have overall responsibility when more than one conservancy is involved.
Timeframes will be tighter – from 1 July 2010, the Department will set mandatory timeframes for itself. Routine non-notified applications must be processed within a maximum of 45 days.
When the Department exceeds its timelines, application fees will be discounted.

“I expect the recommended changes will provide more certainty to the application process and make it more efficient.”

A copy of the concessions review document can be found at http://www.doc.govt.nz/concessionsreview.

Repeat fisheries offender sentenced

A Dargaville man appeared in his local District Court last week having been convicted of six serious charges against the Fisheries Act dating back to July 2009.

Vaughan Frederick Samuels, 42, a repeat fisheries offender, had previously been convicted for serious offences in mid 2008, when he had been banned from fishing for three years.

Between July and December 2009, Samuels was apprehended by Fishery Officers on three separate occasions fishing on Ripiro Beach in breach of the banning order.

The court sentenced Samuels to five months’ home detention in relation to breaching the banning order and 60 hours’ community service for taking toheroa. He was also banned from fishing for a further three years. His vehicle and fishing gear were forfeit to the Crown.

Darren Edwards, Ministry of Fisheries Northland Field Operations Manager, said this was an excellent result. “It shows that people who continue to offend against the Fisheries Act will be prosecuted and receive appropriate penalties,” Mr Edwards said.

Offences such as breaching a banning order carry a maximum penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment.

Phil Heatley, Whangarei MP and Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, said he was astounded at the recklessness of repeat offenders.

“I can’t understand why time and again they risk the full force of the law coming down on them and the condemnation of their own communities,” Mr Heatley said. “I congratulate Fishery Officers on their tireless work to protect sensitive marine areas like Ripiro Beach.”

Fishery Officers cannot be everywhere and rely on the public for assistance. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the Ministry of Fisheries on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224).

High speed broadband arrives at Army Bay

Local telecommunications network operator Chorus has today (May 12) turned on a new fibre fed broadband cabinet in Army Bay so local residents can now benefit from high speed internet access.

Customers in Army Bay had been experiencing slow broadband and in some cases, no broadband, because the telecommunications network servicing the area was originally built for voice services, well before broadband existed.

Chorus Fibre-to-the-Node Programme Manager Ed Beattie said locals had been telling them that they want better broadband services, so Chorus has been working as quickly as possible to re-engineer the network and install new fibre fed broadband cabinets.

“We’ve listened and this investment means that Army Bay now has world class broadband capability,” he said.

A new fibre fed cabinet located near Blue Vista Road will provide service to about 144 customers located in the immediate vicinity. An additional fibre fed cabinet located on Whangaparaoa Road near Fishermans Cove is scheduled to be turned on early next week and will complete the broadband upgrade in Army Bay.

New fibre fed cabinets and fibre optic cable have been deployed in local streets to bring high speed broadband equipment closer to customers. This massive investment will see 34 upgraded cabinets and an additional 20km of fibre optic cable deployed in the local network by the middle of next year, building on the 33km fibre already on the Hibiscus Coast.

Mr Beattie said they’re bringing the equipment closer to people because the closer they are to the equipment the faster their broadband speed is.

"Each cabinet is the equivalent of a mini telephone exchange and contain the electronic equipment needed to deliver high speed broadband to homes via Chorus' network.

"Around half of homes connected to the new cabinets are within five hundred metres of our fibre optic cable network and ninety percent within one kilometre. This provides an ideal springboard for even faster broadband speeds in the future through VDSL2 technology and fibre to the home," he said.

Customers within 2km of a new cabinet should be able to connect at faster ADSL2+ broadband speeds subject to other factors including their broadband plan, modem, computer, and the wiring in their home or business. Customers near the local telephone exchange continue to have their broadband service delivered from equipment based there.

“We encourage Army Bay residents to talk directly with their broadband service provider to find out if they’re connected to our upgraded network or when they will be.”
More than 1 million New Zealanders are now within reach of high-speed broadband as Chorus reaches the halfway point in its programme to bring fibre optic cable closer to homes. This programme will see Chorus upgrade about 3,600 cabinets and add 2,500km of fibre optic cable to Telecom's existing 25,000km fibre network to enable the delivery of broadband speeds of at least 10Mbps to 80 percent of New Zealanders by the end of 2011.

Fibre-fed cabinet facts

Chorus has been upgrading cabinets across more than 20 centres around New Zealand. Taupo and Greymouth were the first towns to have their broadband upgrades completed
About 750,000 customers will be connected to Chorus’ cabinets by the end of 2011
Each cabinet will generally service up to 300 customers
The cabinet body is made of 240kg of marine grade aluminium
Cabinets are coated in a special paint to facilitate graffiti removal
They contain battery back-up power supply as well as a generator connection in case of power-cuts
At full load a cabinet uses 1200 watts, the same power as a one-bar heater
They are designed to limit noise to about 30 decibels, just above the level of a whisper
There are 650 key parts in each cabinet (1,150 including fastenings)
There is about two tonnes of concrete per cabinet base

Mahurangi College fundraising auction

Hay, wine, a tanker load of water, one live deer and a full house alarm are just some of the items that will be auctioned to raise money for landscaping around the new Mahurangi College hall.
The auction will be held at the hall this Friday, starting at 7pm.

The $10 tickets can be purchased from the College Office and includes entry, glass of wine & nibbles.

To view a list of the items so far click here

Macadamia growers meet

The NZ Macadamia Society is holding it annual conference in Warkworth on May 29 & 30.

Society president Virginia Warren says it will be an opportunity to further develop the recently established industry standards accreditation programme (Mac-Acc).
“This will be introduced over a three-year period, and will lead to a distinctive logo being proudly stamped on the growers’ products, indicating the quality of this delicious, cholesterol lowering nut,” she says.

“The logo will allow the consumer to differentiate between the nuts which have been verified as produced to a high standard and the ones which are not.”

The Keynote speaker will be Ian Greaves, vice-president of NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc, which represents 3500 small kiwifruit growers, and general manager of Seeka Kiwifruit Industries Limited, an orchard leasing and post harvest company. Ian will speak on the steps taken by the kiwifruit industry to achieve the successes they have to date and to indicate how a successful cooperative works for the benefit of all.

“There is increasing demand for local and fresh macadamias in NZ but sometimes the demands are too great for one grower,” Virginia says. “The conference will be doing a survey to find growers who are interested in pooling their crop to get to the best markets.

The conference will also hold a workshop for growers of macadamias, as well as other produce producers, who wish to have a helping hand to establish a stall at a weekend market. This workshop is open to the public.

For further details visit www.macadamia.co.nz to register or phone Ross Keown 027 444 9227 or 09 233 4152.

International Day of Families

It’s almost certain that a member of your family will experience a mental health issue this year, and when they do, they will need your support, says the Mental Health Foundation ahead of the International Day of Families on 15 May.

The Foundation is reminding New Zealanders that “What you do makes the difference” when it comes to a family member’s experience of mental unwellness.

“One in five New Zealanders experience a mental health issue every year, so there is a high possibility that this will include a member of your immediate or extended family/whanau,” Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Foundation, says. “It’s natural to feel a range of strong emotions from compassion to fear when a loved one experiences a mental unwellness, but it’s important to remember that a full recovery is likely and you can help support them.”

The Foundation will be launching its groundbreaking families research at the end of July. It focuses on discrimination within and towards family/whanau from the perspective of both the person experiencing mental unwellness and their family members.

Here are some ways in which you can support a family member.
• Seek information, education and support groups so you can help your loved one achieve wellness
• Respect that some people prefer not to involve their family in their treatment
• Ask your family member how they wish you to support them
• Remember that the mental illness experienced by your family member is only a part of who they are
• Avoid language that creates discrimination.

It is also important for anyone supporting someone to make time for themselves too. The Foundation can provide free information and education on both supporting a loved one and self-care tips through its website (www.mentalhealth.org.nz) and through its Resource and Information Service, located at 81 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland.

People living outside of Auckland can interloan material through their local library for a small fee.

Preparing for climate change

Climate Change Minister Nick Smith today launched two new publications providing practical guidance for local government on planning for the impacts of climate change on flooding:

Tools for estimating the effects of climate change on flood flow, and
Preparing for Future Flooding.

“The recent events in Southland are a timely reminder of the damage caused by flooding and it is expected that climate change will only increase the likelihood of these extreme events”, said Dr Smith.

“The two publications provide good practice information and guidance to help local authorities incorporate climate change impacts into flood risk management planning.”

The guidelines are the third in the series for local government on preparing for the impacts of climate change in their environmental decision making.

“This Government is committed to assisting councils with environmental management and giving them the practical tools and guidance to help them with their responsibilities,” said Dr Smith.

Increased commercial use of seaweed allowed

The Government has given the go-ahead for greater commercial use of the seaweed Undaria, commonly known as Japanese kelp.

The kelp was accidentally introduced to New Zealand waters in the 1980s and is widespread in many east coast ports and harbours.

“This is a commercial opportunity as Undaria is an edible seaweed which can also be used for pharmaceutical products, fertiliser and as fish food,” says Biosecurity Minister David Carter.

“However, concerns about the threat Undaria poses to the marine environment are equally valid so safeguards are essential to protect our native species from any greater harvesting of the kelp.”

The new rules will allow Undaria to be harvested from man-made surfaces, such as marinas, from beaches and farmed in selected heavily infested areas. Previously it could only be harvested as part of an official Undaria control programme or as a by-product of operations such as marine farming.

“As an environmental safeguard, the kelp can’t be taken from natural surfaces unless it’s part of a control programme,” Mr Carter says. “Undaria will also remain an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act, allowing MAF to oversee its commercial use.”

“This is an opportunity to make good use of this pest seaweed, but in a strictly controlled way. This will ensure our precious marine environment remains protected,” Mr Carter says.

Rodney Live goes live this weekend

Singers, dancers, bands, cultural groups, poets, comedians, and all other performers: Rodney Live 2010 begins this weekend!

Rodney Live is a series of twelve live performance evening throughout Rodney featuring our incredible local talent. It is a great opportunity for local entertainers and cultural groups of all ages and interests to perform as well as providing fun nights out for audiences.

All Rodney residents are welcome to take part in this fantastic event.

The performances will be in Rodney local halls and community centres. Some lucky performers will be invited to perform at the final RODNEY LIVE 2010 Showcase on Saturday 12 June.

Info: Phone Kiri on 021 119 1643 or email realmusictrust@gmail.com

All venues and dates below - scroll down for all twelve!:

Orewa – 7 May Community Centre, Orewa
Wellsford – 8 May Community Centre, Wellsford
Kaipara Flats – 14 May Ranfurly Hall, Kaipara Flats
Warkworth – 15 May Warkworth Town Hall
Whangateau – 21 May Whangteau Hall
Whangaparaoa – 22 May Whangaparaoa Hall
Wainui – 28 May Wainui Hall, Wainui
Kaukapakapa – 29 May Kaukapakapa Hall
Waimauku – 4 June Waimauku Memorial Hall
Helensville – 5 June Helensville Memorial Hall
Coatesville – 11 June Coatesville Settlers Hall
Rodney Live Final – 12 June venue to be disclosed

All shows start at 7pm; but performers are encouraged to arrive at 6.30pm for registration.

2010 Ride of Silence carries loud message

Rodney cyclists will join others from 300 cities around the World raising awareness about cycling fatalities through the ‘Ride of Silence' on Thursday 20 May.

Rodney has participated in the Ride since 2007. Rodney has experienced two cycling fatalities in the last seven years – and the loss of those two lives has been felt by families, friends, work colleagues, and throughout their communities. There have been many more serious injuries and close calls reported – and it is suspected that thousands more cycle incidents a year go unreported.

“It’s so important for us all to remember just how vulnerable cyclists are on our roads” says Jacqui Dawson, Road Safety Coordinator at Rodney District Council. “Motorists need to give them space and slow down if necessary to do so, especially on our windy rural roads.”

“I encourage anyone who has been affected by death or injury to themselves or someone close to them to come along and participate or just be there to support the cyclists.”

The event will start outside the RDC building on Centreway Road at 5.20pm and the ride will be preceded by a brief memorial and a prayer. The ride itself is a 4.5km loop around Centreway Road, Loop Road, HBC Highway and West Hoe Road.

The event is free and if you register at www.rodney.govt.nz/rideofsilence you will get a registration pack with some cycle safety gear.

Helmets & shoes must be worn and bright clothing and bikes must be fitted with lights as per the new “Road Code for Cyclists” at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/cyclist-code/index.html

The ride started in 2003 in Dallas, Texas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed by a passing bus on an empty road. Since that time, the ride has developed into a global event and is now held in 18 countries.

ARC reaffirms its GM stand

The ARC has reaffirmed its dissatisfaction with the management of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in New Zealand, and has resolved to continue to seek better outcomes for local communities.

Continuing its association with the Inter-council Working Party on GMO Risk Evaluation and Management Options, the council will be joining other members in writing to the Minister for the Environment highlighting their concerns.

“We will continue to highlight the urgent need for legislation to protect local communities from the risks and liability associated with GMO failures,” said Cr Brent Morrissey, the ARC’s representative on the Inter Council Working Party.

“It is absolutely untenable for the government to push on with GMOs when local communities will have to face the mop-up costs if things go wrong.

“Public opinion polling carried out for the working party by Colmar Brunton has shown that nearly 70% of Aucklanders want greater local involvement in decisions on GMOs, and nearly 65% of people want a liability regime stricter than the one currently in place to address any effects from GMO use,” he said.

Cr Morrissey is pleased that the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) has declined an application from AgResearch that would have allowed a virtually open-ended research project for an unlimited range of genetic modifications on a wide range of animals in unspecified locations and for an unlimited period of time.

Cr Morrissey is urging the government to consider amendments to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNOA) to ensure such applications aren’t made in the future.

“I remain suspicious that ERMA would not have so conclusively rejected the proposals if its deficiencies had not already been so clearly identified in the original decision of the High Court directing that ERMA should not accept such broad applications,” said Cr Morrissey.

Cr Morrissey expressed hope that the signal from the government that the functions of ERMA will become those of the new Environmental Protection Agency may indicate a willingness to reform the legislation and processes which determine whether or not applications to use GMOs can proceed.
“We will be carefully monitoring to see whether the Government is listening to the people of Auckland and Northland to ensure that their concerns are addressed.”

Independent commissioners set marine farm bonds

Independent Commissioners have ruled Northland marine farmers should provide surety of $9000 a hectare or $6.95 per lineal metre of rack to cover the cost of cleaning up their oyster farms if they’re abandoned.

Independent Commissioners Doug Arcus and Alan Watson have been considering the issue of bonds for such clean-ups as part of a wider Northland Regional Council review of coastal permits that were formerly leases and licences under the Marine Farming Act.

In their recently-released final decision, Mr Arcus, a Hamilton barrister and Mr Watson, an Auckland planner, ruled marine farmers should provide “a bank or other surety acceptable to the Regional Council”.

However, the Commissioners specifically ruled out the provision of cash bonds, meaning no actual cash will need to change hands unless a clean-up is actually required.

The Commissioners ruled that the risk of an oyster farm being abandoned was equivalent to 0.5 percent per hectare per year and that some surety was required to cover this possibility.

“Our assessment of an appropriate figure to include in a surety to cover the cost of clean-up is:

• $9000 per hectare; or
• $6.95 per lineal metre of rack.”

Allan Richards, the NRC’s Consents Programme Manager – Coastal, says the Commissioners’ ruling is subject to a 15 working day period during which it can be appealed to the Environment Court.

Mr Richards says any appeal/s notwithstanding, the ruling as it currently stands would ultimately affect about 150 Northland oyster farms, mainly in the Far North.

However, in their findings, the two Commissioners also indicated the possibility of as-yet undeveloped alternatives to a bond, such as an industry fidelity fund or insurance scheme.

The Commissioners understood the NZ Oyster Industry Association Inc (NZOIA) was having ongoing serious discussions with third parties “with a view to formulating such an option”.

“We cannot anticipate the outcome of such discussions but at this stage we cannot exclude the possibility that NZOIA (or some other entity in the industry) could be successful in developing a proposal for an alterative to a bond.”

“If it did so then we consider that the permit conditions should be drafted in such a way that any alternative could then be considered by NRC.”

Dairy farm challenges outlined

Around 850 North Island dairy farmers converged on Mystery Creek in Hamilton today to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead for the world’s largest dairy exporting industry.

The first annual DairyNZ Farmers’ Forum kicked off this morning and continues through Thursday. The theme for the Forum is ‘Towards 2020: the next decade in dairying’ and is the largest gathering of North Island dairy farmers for many years.

Keynote speakers this morning included Hon David Carter, Minister of Agriculture and Sir Henry van der Heyden, Chairman of Fonterra.

DairyNZ Chairman John Luxton says the Forum is about challenging farmers to continually improve their farming practices so that the industry can maintain its global competitiveness.

“New Zealand’s dairy industry is the eighth largest dairy producer in the world and the world’s largest dairy exporter. We produce around 36% of the world’s traded milk products. However, there are questions around how long we can retain this position.

“The major threats to our industry’s competitiveness aren’t overseas, but rather at home. These include: low productivity growth on farms, environmental and social constraints that limit industry growth and potential threats to our reputation,” he says.

Mr Luxton referred to KPMG’s Agribusiness Agenda Report released on 19 April and said DairyNZ does not agree with the report’s assertion that the industry only has five years before it loses its competitive edge to lower cost dairy producers, such as Brazil and Argentina.

“Those countries will have to grow rapidly to match New Zealand, improve their quality markedly and increase their production way beyond their domestic demand. We just don’t see that happening in the next five years.

“However, that doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels. Every New Zealand dairy farmer needs to do his or her part in tackling issues at the farm level to maintain our edge on a global scale. And the top priority as we see it is that farmers need to find ways to increase productivity without increasing the size of the industry’s environmental footprint,” he says.

Mr Luxton also says it is equally important that the general public remains supportive of the dairy industry as it grows.

“As our industry evolves into the future, it’s critical that we have the support of the general public. And to do that, we need to demonstrate responsibility as custodians of the land. We need to enable New Zealanders to be proud of dairy farming and its achievements,” he says.

Little Barrier kiwi take flight

On Friday 7 May, up to 30 North Island brown kiwi will be transferred from Hauturu / Little Barrier Island to Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, to join other kiwi released into the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest since 2003.

Challenged by the logistics of transporting 30 kiwi over 650km from Auckland to Masterton, the Department of Conservation has called on the Royal New Zealand Air Force for assistance.

A C130 Hercules aircraft from No 40 Squadron will be on task at the time of the transfer and has spare capacity to assist by providing a swift and direct transfer from RNZAF Base Auckland to Hood Aerodrome in Masterton.

The kiwi will be met at Hood Aerodrome by the Pukaha Mount Bruce Board Chair Bob Francis, Board members, Iwi, Department of Conservation representatives, supporters and members of the general public.

Background

Nineteen captive-bred kiwi have been released into the Pukaha Forest since December 2003

They first bred successfully in 2005, kick-starting a BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ programme for kiwi at Pukaha Mount Bruce. So far nine eggs have been collected from the Pukaha forest and hatched in captivity, with the resulting chicks reared in captivity until they are big enough to be released into the forest (Weighing 1200gm)

There are currently 24 birds in the forest - 15 males and 9 females. The introduction of the birds from Little Barrier Island will help enable the Pukaha forest population to be self-sustaining and robust enough to withstand threats that kiwi face in the wild, such as predation, weather events, and death by natural causes. It will also expand the genetic diversity of the Pukaha kiwi population

Reintroducing kiwi and other rare native species to the forest is part of a major initiative by the Pukaha Mount Bruce Board, community, DOC and local government to restore the Pukaha forest.
A community-wide campaign to raise $300,000 will support the ongoing restoration of the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest, including pest control. Dubbed “Flight of the Kiwi” the three-month campaign has involved a series of fundraising events and educational programmes throughout the Wairarapa and Tararua regions, culminating in a The Great Kiwi Party to be held on Saturday 1 May at the Masterton Town Hall.

Find out more about Pukaha Mount Bruce: http://www.pukaha.org.nz/

Find out more about the BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ programme on the BNZ Save The Kiwi website: http://www.savethekiwi.org.nz/bnz-save-the-kiwi/bnz-operation-nest-egg.html

Nominate notable Rodney trees

Rodney District Council is inviting members of the public to nominate trees to include in an existing schedule of notable trees in the District Plan.

The nominations are being called for as a result of changes to the Resource Management Act in 2009. These changes will remove existing general tree protection rules in District Plans from January 2012, and instead require Councils to list specific trees in order for them to be protected in their Plans. Currently Rodney relies largely on general protection rules, with a small number of trees listed in a schedule of notable trees.

In preparation for this change the Council is asking people to nominate any trees on private land within the urban areas of Rodney they consider should be protected.

Because the changes to the Resource Management Act focus on trees in urban areas nominations are only being sought for trees in the urban parts of the district, which include both the major towns and smaller villages in Rodney.

Trees on Council reserves are unaffected by the changes to the new legislation and will not be included on the schedule, because they remain protected under the District Plan.

The Council will review all of the nominations it receives and trees will be assessed by qualified arbourists to help determine which nominations should be included in a draft schedule of notable trees. The arbourists will use an evaluation system which is being commonly applied by most current Auckland Councils in recognition of the forthcoming amalgamation.

Once the draft schedule has been compiled the Council will release a proposed Variation to the District Plan for people to make formal submissions on.

Nominations close on 4 June 2010. For more information and a nomination form visit www.rodney.govt.nz. Nomination forms can also be obtained from Council libraries and service centres.

Blue Chip's Mark Bryers' sentencing soon

The up and coming sentencing for Mark Bryers, scheduled for Thursday 20th May at 2.15 pm in the Auckland District Court, has caused a stir of emotions for investors as they put together their Victim Impact reports.

EUFA (Exposing Unacceptable Financial Activities) coordinator Suzanne Edmonds, wrote to the BlueChip investors suggesting they take the opportunity to have their say in court by sending in written statements.

She says that those who have chosen to respond will hopefully have their comments read by the judge before sentencing.

EUFA volunteers, who have spent several hundred hours talking with and supporting victims, as well as coordinating the lobbying against BlueChip Directors, will also put in submissions on behalf of EUFA members.

Mrs Edmonds says that with over two years past and victims seeing no accountability the focus is on the Government to take action is only strengthening.

"The lack of protection of victims is a breach of Statutory duty," she says.

"One of the victims question's why America's Madoff was dealt to in a timely and just way, but in New Zealand the authorities’ culture is to treat all victims of crime inhumanly leaving them to suffer."

Mrs Edmonds said if the impact reports are read in the same way I have read them, in my view, it will be easy for a judge to hand down a maximum sentence for the crimes Mr Bryers has pleaded guilty to.

"Recovery action is also a major issue for victims of BlueChip and needs to be a priority of the New Zealand Government and their agencies."

Landmark CPR training launched

St John is teaming up with ASB to provide almost 5000 ASB people nationwide with the opportunity to learn CPR. It will be the largest ever rollout of a dedicated CPR education programme to be undertaken by a New Zealand corporate with St John.

The training workshops are being launched today in Auckland by ASB Chief Executive Charles Pink and St John Chief Executive Jaimes Wood.

“2010 is the 125th anniversary of St John in New Zealand, and the 50th anniversary of CPR as a modern resuscitation technique.” Mr Wood says.

"We hope to raise the awareness of CPR through ASB staff being trained in their own communities across the country. The more people who can spring into action and perform CPR during an emergency, the greater the opportunity to save lives.”

ASB Chief Executive Charles Pink says this initiative is part of a long-term community partnership between St John and ASB. “The CPR training workshops are a great example of ASB and St John working together to save lives and strengthen community knowledge,” he says.

“This is the largest dedicated CPR training programme for a single organisation ever launched by St John, and if just one life is saved as a result it will be worth it.”

St John believe that every New Zealand home should have at least one person trained in CPR. Anyone who goes into cardiac arrest needs immediate CPR and access as soon as possible to a defibrillator (which provides a safe electric shock to the heart). Ambulances and hospitals have defibrillators, as do a number of community locations (including seven ASB funded defibrillators at mall branches and sports centres).

The knowledge gained from the St John CPR workshops will mean ASB staff will be better prepared to assist their families as well as any member of the public in cardiac arrest.

The programme will run over four months, with more than 300 training workshops for ASB staff nationwide.

When ASB and St John first formed their community partnership in June 2008, more than 11,000 members of the public took up the opportunity to learn CPR for free.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend a first aid or CPR course – the feeling of saving a life is priceless.

To enrol for a St John First Aid course, go to www.stjohn.org.nz/training or phone 0800 FIRST AID (0800 347 782)

Drought raises animal welfare concerns

Worsening animal welfare concerns are making life increasingly difficult for drought-weary Northland farmers, prompting a plea by officials to seek help sooner rather than later.

The multi-agency Northland Drought Committee says with the region-wide drought now into its seventh month, even the best-prepared farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to ensure their stock have access to sufficient feed and water.

Mata dairy farmer Julie Jonker, a member of the Rural Support Trust, is among those working hard to ensure the needs of the farms 250 cows are met.

Ms Jonker says despite some destocking in November and April and spending tens of thousands of dollars on extra supplement so far this season, the sheer length of the drought was still causing headaches.

“As well as dramatically reduced pasture cover overall, we’re not able to graze some of our paddocks at all because the dams in those paddocks are unsafe for animals to access water.”

Ms Jonker says with the drought the worst to affect the region in decades, farmers – even very experienced ones - should not be embarrassed to seek animal welfare advice.

“The important thing is to do so sooner rather than later. There are a number of options, including splitting your herd, so that lower condition score cows can receive more supplement than those that are in better condition.”

She urged those interested in drought-related animal welfare to call 0800 778 667 or visit www.nrc.govt.nz/drought which shows how the Northland-wide drought response is being co-ordinated and what relief measures are available.

Meanwhile, Ms Jonker says while the recent rain was welcome, it would offer little long-term relief and much more was needed in many parts of Northland.

The Northland Regional Council estimates many parts of Northland – especially in the Far North – need another 100mm or so of steady rain over a two-week period to effectively break the drought’s clutches.

However, short-term forecasts indicate there will be little rain over the next fortnight.

Rodney resources processed efficiently

Rodney District Council says recent changes to resource consent regulations by Government, which will result in consents which are issued late receiving a discount, will have little effect on its performance when these are introduced.

According to the most recent survey figures available from the Ministry for the Environment, nationally 31% of consents are processed outside of statutory timeframes. Rodney District Council processed 97% of its consents within statutory timeframes with only 3% exceeding these timeframes.

The Government has announced that it intends to require that Councils discount resource consent fees which are not processed within the statutory timeframe and offer a 1% discount for each day the consent is over time. The maximum discount that could be offered would be 50%.

The changes are expected to be introduced by July 2010 and Rodney District Council Customer Service Director Lloyd Barton says the Council already reduces fees for the small number of resource consents which are processed outside of these timeframes.

"RDC has been focused on improving the speed of our consent processing and customer service and we have recently introduced a "Customer Charter" so all our customers know their rights and have a formal process for resolving complaints which helps to help identify where services can be improved," Mr Barton says.

He doesn't believe that the quality of the resource consent processing service is compromised by speeding up processing times and it is instead about having smart systems and continually looking at how improvements can be made.

"For example the Council recently adopted landscape design guidelines to help customers and staff complete quick assessments about the visual impact of buildings in landscape protection areas."

Mr Barton says RDC will continue to look for ways to improve its consent processing and is currently working with other Councils in the Auckland Region to develop a common approach to consent processing under the new Auckland Council.

Northland rescue helicopter appeal

New Zealand’s rescue helicopters undertook close to 5,000 missions last year – that’s a phenomenal amount of help for Kiwis who needed it. As part of this month’s Westpac Chopper Appeal, this life-saving service is now asking for a little help in return.

Northland locals are being asked to give generously to support their rescue helicopter, the Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter, during Appeal month, which raises awareness and funds for rescue helicopter services nationwide.

Operated by 16 charitable trusts nationwide, these choppers are like fully equipped intensive care units in the sky providing a dedicated 24-hour, seven day a week service. From a defibrillator for a premature baby to full life support systems, they are equipped to deal with almost any situation.

Most are staffed by a pilot, a crew person and a paramedic and tend to emergencies across land, water and mountains throughout New Zealand.

Rescue choppers are called on when a patient is very badly injured and where medics think getting to hospital quickly will make a big difference. They also assist with accidents in difficult locations and support search and rescue and fire operations.

The majority of funding for this unique service comes from the community – from sponsors like Westpac, a proud supporter for nearly 30 years, and other fundraising activities.

Mark Graham, Westpac’s National Sponsorship Manager, says the country’s rescue helicopter services often make a life or death difference for many New Zealanders.

“Thousands of New Zealanders will need this service this year – the reality is next time it could be any one of us, a member of our family or a friend.

“Each mission costs thousands of dollars and includes a mix of ambulance and search and rescue work – anything from boating or car accidents, near drownings, broken bones or heart attacks – even emergency births.”

Running throughout May, the Westpac Chopper Appeal is supported by open days at the helicopter bases, the sale of a special limited edition range of Huffer gear, and fundraising activities such as auctions, as well as a nationwide street appeal on Friday 21 May. Westpac funds the marketing and administration costs of the Appeal, and distributes 100% of funds raised back to the local rescue helicopter trust.

During May, donations for the 2010 Appeal can be made:
· At any Westpac Branch
· By texting CHOPPER to 4483 to make a $3 donation
· By phone on 0900 4 CHOPPER (0900 424 67737) to make a $20 donation
· On the web at www.chopperappeal.co.nz

Bras needed by GirlGuiding NZ

GirlGuiding NZ.JPG Girls and women across New Zealand – please dig out all of those unwanted bras to help create the world’s longest bra chain.

It does not matter what condition the bras are in – and whether there’s one or one hundred – any contributions are gratefully accepted.

The Bra Chain, a GirlGuiding New Zealand Guinness world record attempt, is being organised by Dargaville Guide Leader Robyn Martinovich.

The world record of 166,000 bras is currently held by the Australians. Robyn thought of the idea when she came across a record for the world’s longest bra chain in her daughter’s Guinness Book of World Records.

As the largest female-only organisation in New Zealand, GirlGuiding New Zealand is working to raise awareness of breast cancer amongst its members and the wider community and the obvious link between breast cancer and bras inspired this campaign.

“In Guiding, girls are involved in community action projects and advocating for others. This is a great opportunity to assist in educating girls and women in the prevention and detection of breast cancer to try and ensure as few women and families as possible are affected by this terrible disease,” says GirlGuiding NZ’s Chief Executive Ruth Teasdale.

GirlGuiding NZ is wholeheartedly supporting the world record attempt which will be launched on Mother’s Day (May 9).

Bras are already being collected from throughout New Zealand with over 3000 already sitting in a Dargaville kumara shed. Local Guiding units will be the collection points for the bras.

Once the Bra Chain World Record attempt has been achieved, all the highest quality bras will be sent to women in Africa, Haiti, the Pacific Islands or other countries as a way of giving back to women and girls overseas.

“Most New Zealanders have been affected by breast cancer in one way or other and by attempting to break this world bra chain record, our GirlGuiding members are involved and making a contribution to their world,” says Ruth Teasdale.

For more information or any enquiries visit www.brachain.co.nz or email brachain@girlguidingnz.org.nz.

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