infonews.co.nz All news

infonews.co.nz All news http://www.infonews.co.nz/ New Zealand's local news community. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:02:42 GMT en-us Modest rise in Retail Sales Trend for Cafes and Restaurants http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/BI8X7zEWaB0/news.cfm Steve Swann - Tourism Properties <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=104" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">REAL ESTATE</a> <p>September Retail Trade figures released today by Statisics New Zealand show that over-the-counter sales in the Cafe and Restaurant sector were modestly ahead on the same period last year. The month of September was only slightly ahead on $307 million, $1 million above last year; While 2009 September Quarter was $11 million ahead of the September Quarter 2008. </p><p>Historically October and November show improved sales usually due to the improving spring weather. It will be interesting to see if this years cold and wet October and continued changability impacts actual sales figures.</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.tourismproperties.co.nz/about_us/new-zealand-tourism-real-estate-brokers/steve_swann">Steve Swann</a> is the <a href="http://www.tourismproperties.co.nz/about_us/new-zealand-tourism-real-estate-brokers/steve_swann">Specialist Hospitality Business Broker</a> for the Lower North Island covering the area from Taupo to Wellington, New Plymouth to Napier and everywhere in between!</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44601">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_BfAApdR4s_cUkjTYO5yKZjQO1s/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_BfAApdR4s_cUkjTYO5yKZjQO1s/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_BfAApdR4s_cUkjTYO5yKZjQO1s/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_BfAApdR4s_cUkjTYO5yKZjQO1s/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/BI8X7zEWaB0" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:23:39 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44601 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44601 Local children jump at chance to celebrate A J Hackett Bungy 21st birthday http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/r9Bg-FDK-hA/news.cfm Southern PR <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=110" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">TOURISM</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=61" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">QUEENSTOWN</a> <p>Nearly 400 children from local schools leapt at the opportunity today (Nov 12) to celebrate the 21st birthday of adventure pioneers AJ Hackett Bungy.<br /><br />The youngsters flocked to Queenstown’s historic Kawarau Bridge for celebrations which included free jumps from the 43-metre bridge.<br /><br />Students from Queenstown Primary, Wakatipu High School and Cromwell’s Dunstan Primary were joined by teachers, spectators and bungy employees to celebrate the adventure tourism milestone.<br /><br />With caped adventure hero ‘Bungy Man’ leading the countdowns, approximately 15 pupils whose names had been picked out of a hat took the plunge along with three teachers, all cheered on by an excited crowd of local spectators and tourists.<br /><br />Jumpers aged from ten to 13 leapt from the bridge after learning how it was all done by watching ‘The Secrets of Bungy’ video, while enthusiasm and energy were sustained with a free BBQ and ice blocks to cool any pre-bungy nerves.<br /><br />Students from each school can relive the experience by competing in a bungy themed colouring competition to win a Bungy Prize Pack.<br /><br />Bungy New Zealand CEO Michelle Trapski said she was delighted with how the day had gone.<br /><br />“Today was the perfect way to celebrate our 21st birthday,” she said.<br /><br />“We did something similar for our 20th and it was so successful we thought we’d make it a regular event on the calendar.<br /><br />“The kids have just been bouncing off the walls with excitement and we’re delighted to give students from the Queenstown Lakes district, and some of their teachers and parents, the chance to jump as a ‘rite of passage’.<br /><br />“Bungy is an iconic activity in the New Zealand tourism industry and we look forward to continuing to challenge and motivate people for many more years to come.”</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44600">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/cCzP7GW9LPNyz07zw44wmK-2Km8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/cCzP7GW9LPNyz07zw44wmK-2Km8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/cCzP7GW9LPNyz07zw44wmK-2Km8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/cCzP7GW9LPNyz07zw44wmK-2Km8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/r9Bg-FDK-hA" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:55:14 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44600 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44600 A rural ambition for broadband http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/y_wohgaIUxk/news.cfm Federated Farmers of New Zealand <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=164" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">INTERNET</a> <p><strong>Presentation by Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers vice-president and telecommunications spokesperson, to the Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) Rural Broadband Symposium in Rotorua.</strong><br /> </p><p>Thank you for allowing me to speak on the very important issue of rural broadband, which will have a profound affect on the social and economic future of rural New Zealand.<br /><br />I would like to thank Chris O’Connell, chairman of TUANZ, for inviting me to speak today as well as his co-chair, Federated Farmers President, Don Nicolson. <br /><br />I appreciate being given the opportunity to discuss the way in which fast broadband, of the kind taken for granted in our cities, can be rolled out across New Zealand’s hinterland.<br /><br />The final decision on whether this does happen ultimately rests with Communications and Technology Minister, the Hon Steven Joyce, so I thank the Minister for being here today. <br /><br />The way my farming colleagues and I see it, Minister Joyce must ensure this once in a generation opportunity is implemented on a fair basis to all New Zealanders. <br /><br />I would like to express my gratitude in advance to the Minister for taking some of Federated Farmers solutions on board in order to get this complex issue right. Though I also want to remind him that we are here today to speak frankly about the future of rural broadband.<br /><br />As the title of today’s symposium highlights, we must ‘set New Zealand on the right track for rural connectivity’.<br /><br />To get connected, of course, the necessary funding must be in place. Let me begin then by asking whether the Government’s broadband policies will satisfy the wishes of farmers and our rural communities.<br /><br />The short answer, at this current time, is an unequivocal no. Rural New Zealand is certainly not ungrateful for the funding on offer, but clearly it remains inadequate.<br /><br />I remember Prime Minister, the Hon John Key’s election campaign promise that he would be “ambitious for New Zealand”. The proposed funding that aims to hasten the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband to everyone exemplifies that ambition.<br /><br />Today we need to ensure that the way forward for rural broadband is clear and that, more importantly, there is adequate funding in place to achieve it. We need immediate action so that the words that roll readily off the tongues of our politicians at election time do in fact have meaning.<br /><br />I recall a skewed comment made in the heat of an election campaign by Al Gore who claimed he had “invented the internet”. While a peculiarly fallacious statement, it certainly sounded good at the time.<br /><br />Part of our ambition at Federated Farmers is to ensure that what is said at election time is not only implemented, but done so in a fair and equitable manner.<br /><br />If you’re an urban New Zealander and a part of the 75 percent of the country promised ultra-fast broadband, you may think Mr Key’s ambition is about to pay off. But, again, if you’re a part of the 25 percent who reside in our beautiful countryside, you won’t.<br /><br />That’s despite the fact that rural New Zealand is the true engine room of our economy, generating 64 percent of the countries export receipts.<br /><br />So where’s the ambition here? Missing in action, that’s where. Because to tell the truth, the rural community’s being forced to settle for second best - and that’s just not good enough in my book. <br /><br />New Zealand is a country of four million people, one million of whom are being short changed by the Government’s current broadband plans.<br /><br />Although it has promised to invest $1.5 billion to roll broadband out to urban folk who already have fast internet, the rest of us are left with the scraps.<br /><br />That’s just $48 million of direct Government funding! Or less than 10 percent of what each of the other three quarters of the population are projected to receive.<br /><br />So from the outset, we were $452 million short. Don’t get me wrong, rural people aren’t asking for more than anyone else - we simply want equality. <br /><br />If the Government wants to treat us differently, then do it by investing more, rather than less, into rural broadband. One look at New Zealand’s geography suggests that would not be a bad idea. <br /><br />We do, however, acknowledge Minister Joyce’s energy and effort in lifting this level of investment after the initial, ill-conceived broadband funding announcement.<br /><br />This energy and effort led to the proposed restructuring of an existing industry levy to top that investment up to $300 million over the next six years; though it still falls well short of the $500 million urban New Zealand are set to receive.<br /><br />According to the Commerce Commission, the existing Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO) levy is worth at least $70 million a year, so over the next say 20 years, it could provide $1.4 billion for investment in rural areas.<br /><br />Yet under the new draft proposal, which abolishes the TSO levy in favour of a ‘new’ $50 million per year levy over six years, falling to $10 million over 20 years, the total will be $440 million, or about $1 billion less.<br /><br />This amount of investment is no small cheese. Federated Farmers is definitely behind innovative thinking but when such innovation leaves the rural sector a billion dollars short, we suggest caution is in order.<br /><br />For example, we congratulated the Minister for listening to Federated Farmers call for a rethink of the proposed State Highway 20 Waterview connection tunnel, which would have cost $3.2 billion. <br /><br />The Minister wisely reviewed the project and looked to skin the cat another way, saving the taxpayer about $1.7 billion dollars in the process. Like the axed TSO investment, that’s a significant amount of cash. It is clear the Government has underestimated the rural populations’ desire and need to access broadband.<br /><br />I hesitate, but I have to state the obvious - we are people too. We are from the same ilk as those who don’t live in the country. But we don’t want to deny urban dwellers fast broadband and neither does ‘the market’.<br /><br />The fact is fast internet is already available to most townies and existing providers such as the Christchurch City Council’s Enable Networks are currently rolling out commercial solutions to expand their market in this densely populated area. So my point is, solutions already exist for many urbanites.<br /><br />Farmers, on the other hand, can’t keep up with the world without fast internet. Without it, we can’t monitor milk supply, pay bills, check the latest rural news or even see where the weather’s heading.<br /><br />There’s also a range of practical analytical tools that offer a leap forward in farm productivity. Land, rain, fertiliser and stock monitoring technology, of the kind farmers dream about, are all accessible with broadband.<br /><br />In light of our proven track record in innovation and improving productivity, which is well above the entire economy’s average, we deserve an opportunity to make the most of this technology. It simply doesn’t make sense to deny farmers an enabling tool like broadband, which boosts productivity and production.<br /><br />If we want to catch up with our Aussie neighbours, it doesn’t make sense to deny our engine room the very tool that can provide a step change. It also doesn’t make sense to deny our rural population when Australia is going to invest in its rural people.<br /><br />Providing the rural community with fast internet will benefit everyone. It’s worth remembering that rural New Zealand may only account for one quarter of the population but we produce two thirds of the country’s export wealth.<br /><br />When the milksolids payout falls, or production is stricken by drought, everyone knows the rest of the economy suffers with our farmers.<br /><br />As critically important, though, is the social aspect of broadband.<br /><br />We don’t need ‘shower nozzle’ like social engineering that creates a two-tier society, consisting of those with and those without broadband. If we want to attract and retain people in rural areas, we have to push back the tyranny of distance. <br /><br />Like all other New Zealanders, we want to be socially connected through networking sites like Twitter, You Tube, Facebook and other emerging technologies that connect people together, globally.<br /><br />Becoming a digital backwater or digital ghetto is quite simply not something we aspire to. If this Government desires to keep our developed nation status, it has to think like a first-world country. That means first-world solutions to broadband in our countryside, not third-world failures. <br /><br />The third world’s not a place any New Zealander wants to be but it’s exactly where we’re heading if we don’t get this broadband issue sorted.<br /><br />Minister Joyce; I am sure you do not want to be recorded in history as the architect of regression. <br /><br />Rural broadband is a critical issue that all New Zealanders have a stake in. What this Government does over the next few months will impact in a very real way on rural New Zealand over the coming half century.<br /><br />But enough about the problem - what’s the solution?<br /><br />Firstly, let’s talk about funding. Money matters because it helps get things done.<br /><br />Under the current proposals, there is $1.5 billion in funds from Government, with $48 million for rural and a further $252 million from the new levy - a total of $1.8 billion. <br /><br />We appreciate that everyone is still on the recession roller coaster but haven’t farmers been playing their part to lift us out of the downward spiral?<br /><br />For example, the increase in dairy payout since the start of the season will inject an additional $1.8 billion into the economy. No other sector can match that boost. If it was all taxable, at say 30 cents in the dollar, it would give the Government an additional $600 million from dairying alone. <br /><br />Given this, we believe the Government does have room to dip into its pocket to top-up the $48 million identified for rural broadband. So Minister, any consideration by your Government to do just that in the next budget would be warmly welcomed.<br /><br />The Federation’s recent submission on the new levy recommends it remain at the current $70 million level for at least six more years, adding a further $120 million to the pot. That would push the total amount raised for rural broadband over $480 million - much closer to the $500 million figure we see as the minimum target.<br /><br />I also have to ask why the proposed new industry levy will raise only $50 million per year when the TSO levy currently collects $70 million per year? Why not increase it? These measures alone would help redress the current funding imbalance between the rural and urban broadband plans.<br /><br />Once we have the ‘pots’ topped up to a more equitable level, the issue will be how the Government allocates the ‘gold’. The Federation sees some merit in allowing access to the $1.5 billion fund to provide rural solutions.<br /><br />For a start, the space between any two urban centres is always rural and urban centres need to be connected.<br /><br />The problem is the Government is allocating money to a section of our society that has not been failed by the ‘internet market’. Whereas the market failure of broadband is rife when it comes to our hinterland.<br /><br />More emphasis should be placed on where the market has failed in that area between the urban centres - the countryside. Federated Farmers believes there are innovative ways to leverage off this investment so that both rural and urban benefit.<br /><br />That’s why I was heartened to read the Government is looking at options ‘outside of the square’ such as providing wireless broadband through analogue television broadcasts. Our compliments Minister for taking such an innovative approach. <br /><br />Though logic dictates this is less than an ideal in rural areas, where analogue reception is often patchy at best. So what about transferring the idea onto urban broadband? Why not look at using frequencies now carrying city-wide analogue television broadcasts as a means of providing some urban residents with wireless broadband?<br /><br />Surely that would spare up some of the $1.5 billion earmarked for urban broadband? Even better, the savings could be used to spread fibre across the countryside, as there’s not enough in the bank to do it justice right now. So to recap.<br /><br />If we can…<br /><br />· acquire more funding from the tax from the increased dairy payout<br />· increase the new levy (to replace the TSO levy) by at least $20 million per year<br />· have some flexibility regarding access to the urban broadband fund, recognising the realities of our landscape, and<br />· seek innovative solutions such as analogue television reception for urban rather than rural environments<br /><br />…we will make progress on the funding side of things and head towards where Federated Farmers believes we need to be.<br /><br />The final matter I briefly wish to discuss today relates to actually getting a step change to occur in our rural areas. How and what we do with this funding matters and the targets we set are critical to a positive outcome.<br /><br />It’s not unrealistic to set our farms a broadband target of 100 megabits per second (Mbps). We’re certain fibre optic is the preferred technical solution, as it provides a 100-year lifespan.<br /><br />Yet we also understand other complimentary technologies such as wireless and even satellite may have a part to play in the future of New Zealand broadband.<br /><br />But back to our 100 Mbps target; why do we believe it’s possible? Well, it’s simple - we’ve already done it. Over the past few months, Federated Farmers has been working on a broadband pilot scheme that is already connecting farms to fibre at speeds of 100 Mbps.<br /><br />The scheme is operating as we speak in a remote valley that was once a notorious dead zone for high-speed internet. And, of course, it is already revolutionising the way that small country community thinks, acts and does business.<br /><br />We want this aspiration to grow from that small seed into wide spread broadband for our rural community.<br /><br />To conclude, I want to compliment the Government for actually doing something in the rural broadband space, even though, it isn’t good enough.<br /><br />We are ambitious for agriculture and our rural communities but we’re not convinced the Government and its officials share that ambition. They need to up their game and take a more flexible, innovative approach to solutions. <br /><br />We don’t want the Government to show any sign of tunnel vision or think farming doesn’t need broadband. As part of the wider community, it does. <br /><br />As for Federated Farmers, make no mistake, rural broadband provision is a top strategic priority. It provides a once in a generation opportunity to make a change that will affect the next half century, while setting this country up to remain a world leader.<br /><br />Minister Joyce, allow me to say we appreciate your efforts to date but the consequences of getting this project wrong, or of doing a half job, will be significant and long standing. That’s why Federated Farmers is strongly urging you not to fall into the trap.<br /><br />Our country wasn’t built by the ‘can’t do’ club. It was built by those who dreamed of a better life, thought laterally about solutions and stepped up with their ‘can do’ attitude in order to make it happen.<br /><br />The economic and social success of our country goes hand in glove with the development of reliable, fast broadband technology. Please give us our fair share of the broadband pie or our rural community risks falling behind.<br /><br />Let’s get it right. Thank you</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44599">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ClA3UOmOLhnIG8EnHQK9hYWYAzY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ClA3UOmOLhnIG8EnHQK9hYWYAzY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ClA3UOmOLhnIG8EnHQK9hYWYAzY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ClA3UOmOLhnIG8EnHQK9hYWYAzY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/y_wohgaIUxk" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:50:27 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44599 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44599 Wanaka town centre strategy adopted http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/91vOXPTxwd0/news.cfm Queenstown Lakes District Council <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=97" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">COUNCIL</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=62" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">WANAKA</a> <p>A strategy to provide direction for the future development of the Wanaka Town Centre was adopted by the Queenstown Lakes District Council last week, QLDC senior policy analyst Sue Mavor said. <br /><br />In 2008, the council formed a working party made up of staff and community representatives, chaired by local Wanaka businessman Charlie Grant. <br /><br />“The working party was tasked with consulting with the wider community and preparing a Wanaka Town Centre Strategy that also took into account all of the community planning work done in Wanaka since 2002,” Mr Grant said. </p><p>The council had a great response during consultation and the working party was confident that the final strategy reflected community desires for the future form of the Wanaka Town Centre. </p><p>“This strategy has a long term vision and includes a range of recommended actions to address a number of issues identified during this process, and the Wanaka 2020 process back in 2002,” Ms Mavor said. <br /><br />Spanning 20 years, the strategy would require a staged approach to implement the recommendations.</p><p>Projects that had been prioritised and funded in the 10-year plan included:</p><ul><li>Ardmore/Brownston Street Improvements Project, which includes work on:<br />Ardmore Street configuration, parking and streetscape.<br />Brownston Street improvements and streetscape.<br />Urban design masterplan for the lakefront area.<br />Improving pedestrian amenity along the commercial frontage to lower Ardmore Street.<br />Improving pedestrian connectivity between the town centre and the lake frontage.</li><li>The Lismore/Hedditch/Ballantyne Streets Project to improve access from the north to the east and vice versa. </li><li>Scoping of a district plan change to address vehicle and cycle parking issues in the Wanaka Town Centre.</li><li>Preparation of a town centre travel plan.</li><li>Scoping of a district plan change to address urban design issues, including ensuring development proposals can be assessed on the quality of design, the preparation of non statutory design guidelines, redefinition of the height rules and analysis of the flood provisions for the Wanaka Town Centre. </li></ul><p><br />Ms Mavor highlighted that each of the projects would be consulted on in their own right.</p><p>“The working party has worked hard and has produced a comprehensive strategy. I would like to formally thank them on behalf of the council for their commitment and effort in working with the community to prepare the strategy,” she said.</p><p>The strategy was available on the council website <a href="http://www.qldc.govt.nz">www.qldc.govt.nz</a> <br /><br />ENDS:<br /><br />For further information, please contact senior policy analyst Sue Mavor, phone 03 441 0499.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44598">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pH0KQO8_pfh5PWLfzGdYr5F8NSI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pH0KQO8_pfh5PWLfzGdYr5F8NSI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pH0KQO8_pfh5PWLfzGdYr5F8NSI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pH0KQO8_pfh5PWLfzGdYr5F8NSI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/91vOXPTxwd0" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:43:36 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44598 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44598 NZ needs to take a fresh look at food price inquiry http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/ZV3QgF4B2AY/news.cfm Green Party <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=146" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">FOOD</a> <p>Now is the right time for an inquiry into how the two giant supermarket chains set their prices, said Green Party Food spokesperson Sue Kedgley.<br /><br />The Green Party has long been concerned by the stranglehold two supermarket chains have on the New Zealand grocery market. Progressive Enterprises and Foodstuffs between them control most of the grocery retail market in New Zealand.<br /><br />“We need to investigate why food prices have risen more steeply in New Zealand than elsewhere and how it has come to pass that two supermarket chains control 95% of our grocery retail sector - one of the highest market concentrations in the world,” said Ms Kedgley.<br /><br /><br />“Without real competition New Zealanders need some sort of scrutiny or monitoring of the way the big two supermarket chains act towards both producers and consumers.<br /><br />“Grocery prices have been increasing steadily while producers are being told to sell their produce for less and less.<br /><br />“Why are wholesale fruit and vegetable prices down by 15%, according to Turners and Growers, but supermarket prices for fruit and vegetables down by only 6%?” Ms Kedgley asked.<br /><br />"If prices are as competitive as supermarkets claim, they should be happy to be transparent about how they set prices.<br /><br />“While our producers and growers are being squeezed ever more tightly by the virtual cartel of the big two supermarket chains, our consumers are being hit in the wallet by higher food prices.”<br /><br />Ms Kedgley said New Zealand should look to Great Britain where a ‘code of practice’ has been instituted to curb the power of supermarket chains using stand-over tactics against producers and growers. This code of practice is soon to be replaced following a two year investigation by Britian’s Commerce Commission which concluded it needed strengthening.<br /><br />“New Zealand needs to look at what has been happening around the world. Britain and Australia have both investigated the way major supermarket chains act in recent years,” said Ms Kedgley.<br /><br /><br />“Surely the public deserve some clarity around an issue that affects us all.”</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44597">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/46akV8dy61cXbQKlDnSk6eA__ZE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/46akV8dy61cXbQKlDnSk6eA__ZE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/46akV8dy61cXbQKlDnSk6eA__ZE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/46akV8dy61cXbQKlDnSk6eA__ZE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/ZV3QgF4B2AY" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:19:35 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44597 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44597 Five Star Consumer Finance Limited Directors Prosecuted http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/qJsC7_SwgqQ/news.cfm Ministry of Economic Development <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=103" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">COURT</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=34" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">AUCKLAND CITY</a> <p>The Companies Office has laid criminal charges in the Auckland District Court against Marcus MacDonald, Anthony Bowden and Nicholas Kirk. De facto director Neill Williams has also been charged. <br /><br />“The charges relate to false and misleading statements contained in investment statements and the 20 September 2006 registered prospectus” said Registrar of Companies, Neville Harris. <br /><br />The prosecution is being carried out by the National Enforcement Unit of the Companies Office. <br />The defendants are due to appear in the Auckland District Court on Monday 30 November 2009. <br />Mr Harris said the case was now before the Court and it would not be appropriate to comment further. <br /><br />Ends…<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>The charges </strong><br />The directors of Five Star Consumer Finance Limited (in receivership) are charged under Section 58 of the Securities Act and Section 41 of the Financial Reporting Act for making misstatements in an advertisement or registered prospectus and for making false statements (including in the company’s financial accounts). These charges relate to Five Star’s commercial practices, their engagement in commercial loans, and their disclosure of related party transactions. <br /><br />De facto director, Neil Williams also faces similar charges under the Securities Act and Financial Reporting Act for being a party to the offending and for his role as a principal officer. <br /><br /><strong>Penalties </strong><br />If convicted on the Securities Act charges, the directors and Williams are liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years, or to a fine not exceeding $300,000. <br />If convicted on the Financial Reporting Act charges, the directors and Williams are liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years, or to a fine not exceeding $200,000. <br /><br /><strong>Five Star </strong><br />Five Star Consumer Finance Limited went into receivership on 29 August 2007. Secured debenture investors have to date received 22.5 cents in the dollar on their original investments. <br /><br />The receivers estimate the total value of the Five Star Consumer Finance Limited loan book to be approximately $66 million, of which $41 million comprises loans made for commercial purposes. The receivers at their last reporting date have recovered $17.5 million of the total loan book. </p><p><strong>Other Agencies </strong><br />The case was referred to the Companies Office by the Securities Commission. <br />The Serious Fraud Office is also conducting a separate investigation into possible breaches of the Crimes Act and is focussing on a number of matters, some of which involve related party transactions. Its investigations are substantially advanced although any decision as to charges is unlikely until the first quarter of 2010. <br /><br />These agencies have all been liaising closely, as appropriate. <br /><br />Media contact: Emilia Mazur, Communications Advisor, Ministry of Economic Development, (04) 474 2841.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44596">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yKyVEYJr6uTAmvj7I8y0nPxKxwc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yKyVEYJr6uTAmvj7I8y0nPxKxwc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yKyVEYJr6uTAmvj7I8y0nPxKxwc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yKyVEYJr6uTAmvj7I8y0nPxKxwc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/qJsC7_SwgqQ" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:13:28 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44596 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44596 Help shape the future http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/7e2ndJ7V8rg/news.cfm Environment Waikato <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=97" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">COUNCIL</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=4" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">WAIKATO</a> <p>Environment Waikato is strongly encouraging people to have their say over how development occurs in the Future Proof area of Hamilton city and Waipa and Waikato districts.<br /><br />EW has prepared a change to the current Regional Policy Statement (RPS) that will support the Future Proof growth strategy by providing specific guidance on land use patterns in the Future Proof area. This change is now open for submissions.<br /><br />The proposed change aims to give weight to Future Proof, an integrated growth management strategy involving Hamilton, Waipa, Waikato and Environment Waikato councils, together with tangata whenua and the New Zealand Transport Agency.<br /><br />Hamilton City, Waipa District and Waikato District are currently experiencing strong growth pressures. The population of this sub-region is expected to nearly double over the next 50 years, from 223,000 people to 437,000 people. The increasing population will be accompanied by additional housing, industry, commerce and services. Infrastructure will need to expand to support the additional population.<br /><br />Uncontrolled and ad hoc growth can have a range of unwanted impacts on communities and on the environment. Future Proof recognises that well managed growth can enhance the community’s ability to live, work and play in their local area.<br /><br />So the aim of the strategy is to manage growth smartly and it includes an action plan. Several planned actions require the RPS be changed.<br /><br />The aims of the proposed RPS changes include:<br /><br />1. helping define urban limits to protect our versatile and productive soils<br /><br />2. providing sustainable transport<br /><br />3. protecting our environment, water bodies and biodiversity from the effects of development.<br /><br />4. providing guidance on how city and district councils plan for development<br /><br />5. providing policies to control where and when residential and industrial development will occur <br />6. outlining principles to guide the way such development happens <br />7. setting out requirements for the way transport infrastructure and development are coordinated<br /><br />Details of the proposed RPS change can be found at <a href="http://www.ew.govt.nz">www.ew.govt.nz</a> or people can phone 0800 800 401 for a copy. The proposed change can also be inspected at EW offices. More detail about the Future Proof strategy can be found at <a href="http://www.futureproof.org.nz">www.futureproof.org.nz</a>.<br /><br />Submissions on the RPS changes must be received by 5pm on Friday, 11 December 2009.<br /><br />People with questions can email policy@ew.govt.nz or call the freephone number above.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44595">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4b6qgWlEU3HSLgIG2JxwskYyhi0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4b6qgWlEU3HSLgIG2JxwskYyhi0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4b6qgWlEU3HSLgIG2JxwskYyhi0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4b6qgWlEU3HSLgIG2JxwskYyhi0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/7e2ndJ7V8rg" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:11:37 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44595 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44595 PNZ Nationals Bring Festival Of Sport To Wellington http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/GS2eYKsUQ10/news.cfm Dave Worsley <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=1" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#2D7428;">SPORT</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=11" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">WELLINGTON</a> <p>The 37th Mitsubishi Motors Paralympics New Zealand National Championships get underway tomorrow (Friday 13 November) in Wellington with 120 athletes from all parts of New Zealand competing.<br /><br />In 2009, athletes will be taking part in Archery (Auckland), Athletics, Bowls, Hand Cycling, Powerlifting, Sailing, Shooting, Clay Target Shooting, Swimming and Table Tennis.<br /><br />Paralympians and aspiring Paralympians will compete against each other from across New Zealand. The 120 athletes will be representing five regions – Auckland, Central North Island, Southern North Island, Canterbury and Otago-Southland.<br /><br />Over the past two years, the PNZ ParaFed Revitalisation Project has enabled the ParaFeds to further develop their organisations and ultimately increase their participation levels. ParaFed Wellington intends to make all of Wellington aware of the event and the role of disabled athletes in the sporting community.<br /><br />Well-known athletes taking part in the Mitsubishi Motors PNZ Nationals include multi medal winner at the Beijing Paralympics, Sophie Pascoe, Southland’s Jessica Hamill, Auckland former powerlifter, George Taamaru, bronze medal shooter Michael Johnson, as well as swimmers Daniel Sharp and Cameron Leslie.<br /><br />The opening ceremony will be held at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, Kilbirnie on Friday from 6pm with Hon. Tariana Turia - Minister for Disability Issues, Hon. Annette King - Labour, MP Chris Hipkins for Rimutaka - Labour, MP for Lower/Upper Hutt - Paul Quinn, MP Sue Kedgley - Green Party all attending along with the Mayors of Wellington, Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt.<br /><br />A number of celebrities will be taking part in a swimming race of sorts to celebrate the opening of the event. The first official races commence at 7.30pm</p><p><table width="569" border="2" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#CCCCCC" height="68"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Archery</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Auckland Spinal Unit Gymnasium</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">30 Bairds Road</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Otara, Auckland</font></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Athletics</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Russell Terrace or </font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Mansfield Street entrances</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Newtown, Wellington</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#F2F2F2" height="68"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Bowls</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Hutt Bowling Club</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Myrtle Street, Lower Hutt</font></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#F2F2F2"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Hand Cycling</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">School Road</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Te Horo, Kapiti Coast</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#CCCCCC" height="68"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Power Lifting</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">YMCA Upper Hutt</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Somme Road</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Trentham, Upper Hutt</font></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Sailing</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Queens Wharf</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Lambton Harbour</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Wellington Waterfront</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#F2F2F2" height="79"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Clay Target Shooting</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Hutt Valley Gun Club</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">280 Wallaceville Road</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Whitemans Valley, Upper Hutt</font></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#F2F2F2"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Shooting</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">50m Prone. R6. R9</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Allen Range</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Dante Road</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Trentham, Upper Hutt</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#CCCCCC" height="79"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Shooting</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">10m events</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Keene Range</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Halford Place</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Petone, Lower Hutt</font></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Shooting</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">50m events</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Allen Range</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Dante Road</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Trentham, Upper Hutt</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#F2F2F2" height="68"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Swimming</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Kilbirnie Crescent</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Kilbirnie, Wellington</font></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#F2F2F2"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Table Tennis</b></font> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Kaori Recreation Centre</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">251 Karori Road</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Karori, Wellington</font></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table></p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44594">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/b0hpYHJREux6euSaJ96Yulehs90/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/b0hpYHJREux6euSaJ96Yulehs90/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/b0hpYHJREux6euSaJ96Yulehs90/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/b0hpYHJREux6euSaJ96Yulehs90/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/GS2eYKsUQ10" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:05:12 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44594 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44594 Kiwis to be among first in world to hear new UNICEF Anthem http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/Dykp3NaVpfM/news.cfm UNICEF NZ <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=87" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#810101;">MUSIC</a> <p>A New Zealand orchestra will be one of the first in the world to perform a new anthem dedicated to the world’s children.<br /><br />The Auckland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne, ONZM will play the UNICEF Anthem “Lullaby” twice – on 15 and 22 November – as part of world-wide celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.<br /><br />The Anthem will also be performed in 15 other countries and territories, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and in Europe, Scandanavia, the Middle East and Asia. <br /><br />The UN adopted the Convention on 20 November 1989, with NZ ratifying it on 13 March 1993. The Convention is the first legally binding international convention to affirm human rights for all children.<br /><br />UNICEF NZ Executive Director, Dennis McKinlay, says that as one of the most universal languages, music can work to inspire and educate people all over the world.<br /><br />“The Anthem is a way to not only celebrate the Convention, but also to engage individuals to support the needs and undeniable rights of the world’s children.<br /><br />“We would like to thank the Auckland Symphony Orchestra for taking such an active role in this world-wide celebration.”<br /><br />Mr McKinlay says that since its adoption by the UN, the Convention has achieved near universal acceptance.<br /><br />“UNICEF is mandated to uphold the Convention in every country around the world. We do this by helping children in emergencies, such as the recent Pacific tsunami, as well as in improving children’s lives through health, education, and child protection initiatives.” <br /><br />The four-minute Anthem was composed by UNICEF Canada Ambassador Steve Barakatt, who spent almost a year on the piece. Mr Barakatt says that he hopes the Anthem will help focus attention on the Convention as it reaches an important milestone.<br /><br />“It will also remind us of the journey still ahead, to ensure that the rights and well-being of every child, without exception, are realised.”<br /><br />The Auckland Symphony Orchestra will perform the UNICEF Anthem on Sunday 15 November at the Auckland Town Hall and Sunday 22 November at the Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44593">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VSJIN6m4oRLJ682DmwtEB9kYMzM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VSJIN6m4oRLJ682DmwtEB9kYMzM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VSJIN6m4oRLJ682DmwtEB9kYMzM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VSJIN6m4oRLJ682DmwtEB9kYMzM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/Dykp3NaVpfM" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:03:37 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44593 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44593 Micro light crash in Taranaki http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/VMVg22CY2aM/news.cfm New Zealand Police <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=148" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">AVIATION</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=8" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">TARANAKI</a> <p>Police and other emergency services are currently at the scene of a micro light crash in Normanby, South Taranaki.<br /><br />Limited details are available at this time, but it appears this crash is fatal.<br /><br />CAA Air Crash Investigators are currently making their way to the scene.<br /><br />More details will be released to media as confirmed information becomes available.<br /><br />Issued by Inspector Ken CLIMO</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44592">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dnzPwAvqwjG_PMsxZ30EFnynIMQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dnzPwAvqwjG_PMsxZ30EFnynIMQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dnzPwAvqwjG_PMsxZ30EFnynIMQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dnzPwAvqwjG_PMsxZ30EFnynIMQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/VMVg22CY2aM" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:00:19 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44592 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44592 Unisys Unveils Cloud Strategy and Solutions for New Zealand Market http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/2RKz-fgXjLk/news.cfm Unisys <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=127" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">TECHNOLOGY</a> <p>Unisys New Zealand today unveiled its innovative cloud strategy and solutions portfolio designed to help New Zealand organisations break through the barriers to adoption of cloud computing. The range of Unisys cloud offerings can help clients lower IT costs while safeguarding business operations and data.</p><p dir="LTR">In a recent online poll conducted by Unisys, security and data privacy concerns were cited by more than half of the respondents as the most significant impediment to the adoption of cloud computing among enterprise users1. </p><p dir="LTR"> </p><p dir="LTR">“Security is in the Unisys DNA and this is reflected in our approach to cloud computing.  We have combined this focus on security with our heritage in data centre transformation, application modernisation and outsourcing services tailored to a client’s specific business needs.  The result is a range of options that enable clients to deploy cloud computing in the way that makes sense for their business,” said Brett Hodgson, Managing Director, Unisys New Zealand.</p><p dir="LTR">Underpinning this strategy is the Unisys Stealth security solution, an innovative, patent-pending data protection technology initially designed for US government applications and now available in New Zealand. It can be used in both private and public cloud environments. The Unisys Stealth technology cloaks data through multiple levels of authentication and encryption, bit-splitting data into multiple packets so it moves invisibly across networks.</p><p dir="LTR"> </p><p dir="LTR">The Unisys cloud computing strategy enables clients to choose the type of data centre computing services that best meet their business objectives, from self-managed, automated IT infrastructures to Unisys-managed cloud services. Using Unisys services and technologies, organisations can create a private cloud within their data centres, a public cloud through secure Unisys-managed cloud solutions, or – in the future – a hybrid cloud solution combining the best of both private and Unisys-managed cloud services.</p><p dir="LTR">To support this range of offerings, Unisys has launched a portfolio of Cloud Transformation Services, from advisory to implementation services that help clients assess potential cloud computing options and determine which option best suits their needs or financial objectives.</p><p dir="LTR">Unisys provides a secure software stack to support multi-tiered business applications in the cloud. The stack provides dynamic scaling and rapid repurposing of IT resources, as well as process automation. In this secure cloudware stack, Unisys uses best-in-class software and solutions to address key requirements – security, service management, provisioning and virtualisation.</p><p dir="LTR"> </p><p dir="LTR">cloud services are currently available today, and Unisys will continue to roll out new cloud data centres world-wide throughout 2010. </p><p dir="LTR"> </p><p dir="LTR">Private Cloud Options</p><p dir="LTR">New Secure Private Cloud Solution Brings Advantages to Clients’ Internal Data Centres</p><p dir="LTR">Unisys Secure Private Cloud Solution is a comprehensive IT infrastructure package, enabling quick and cost-effective implementation of a private cloud. It leverages the technology and expertise behind Unisys Secure Cloud Solution, the company’s managed public cloud offering.</p><p dir="LTR">Easy to deploy, use and operate, Unisys Secure Private Cloud Solution enables clients to reduce IT costs through server and storage virtualisation, remove troublesome IT bottlenecks through automated operations and immediate, as-needed self-service provisioning of resources and align the supply of IT resources to fluctuating  business demand.</p><p dir="LTR"> </p><p dir="LTR">Clients can either monitor the infrastructure themselves or have Unisys do it through the <a href="http://www.unisys.com/unisys/news/detail.jsp?id=14200013&pid=&sid=203" target="_blank">Unisys Converged Remote Infrastructure Management Solution</a>, which correlates events across all managed infrastructure segments to orchestrate pre-emptive action against potential IT faults.</p><p dir="LTR">Also, organisations using Unisys Secure Private Cloud Solution can optionally choose to implement <a href="http://www.unisys.com/unisys/ri/videos/detail.jsp?id=17600010&pid=&sid=4100010" target="_blank">Unisys Stealth Solution</a> for additional data protection.</p><p dir="LTR">Public Cloud Options</p><p dir="LTR">Unisys Secure Cloud Solution: Extreme Security for Cloud Computing</p><p dir="LTR">The Unisys Secure Cloud Solution is designed to provide the highest level of data security possible within a cloud environment today, while reducing clients’ upfront investments and ongoing operational costs for cloud computing.</p><p dir="LTR">The Unisys Secure Cloud Solution integrates Unisys Stealth technology to allow different clients in a multi-tenant environment to share the same IT infrastructure without fear of exposing one client’s data to another as it transits the network.</p><p dir="LTR">Integrated with the new Unisys Secure Cloud Solution, the Unisys Stealth technology enables encrypted “data in motion” to remain invisible as it traverses the infrastructure until it is reassembled upon delivery to authorised users. Data transfer is protected by a unique “Communities of Interest” (Unisys patent-pending) feature that isolates data from one unique group of users to any other groups – essentially making the data invisible on the network.   Unisys is also developing a “Stealth” solution for data security on storage area networks (SAN) by providing the same cloaking capability for “data at rest” in a virtualised storage environment.  This is expected to be available in 2010.</p><p dir="LTR">Based on the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) standard for service management, the Unisys Secure Cloud Solution uses the automation and virtualisation capabilities of Unisys real-time infrastructure solutions, which enable the IT infrastructure to respond automatically to changes in the business environment. It also provides a self-service portal that enables organisations to scale IT resources in from anywhere on the network, at any time.</p><p dir="LTR">As client needs or data security requirements dictate, the Unisys Secure Cloud Solution can balance workloads across a global network of Unisys data centres, which are certified to key international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001:2005 for security, ISO/IEC 20000 for service management and the SAS 70 Type II auditing standard.</p><p dir="LTR">Through these centres, clients can both benefit from Unisys global and local service delivery expertise and comply with laws requiring storage of sensitive business data in-country. They can leverage Unisys layered security infrastructure, which includes intrusion detection and prevention service, security monitoring, advanced correlation and analytics, firewall management and logging.</p><p dir="LTR">New Secure “as a Service” Solutions Delivered through Unisys Secure Cloud</p><p dir="LTR">Unisys Secure Cloud Solution provides a global platform for delivering a full range of highly secure, managed IT infrastructure and application services available “as a service” through the cloud. These services allow users to modernise their IT and application environments and enhance productivity while lowering costs and safeguarding their operations.</p><p dir="LTR">The new services include Secure Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), for provisioning physical and virtual servers that both scale out and scale up; Secure Platform as a Service (PaaS), which supports Java stacks and, at the end of November 2009, Microsoft software stacks as well as custom stacks such as IBM Websphere and Oracle, to make it easier for clients to move their applications to the cloud without making changes; Secure Disaster Recovery as Service (DRaaS),  for comprehensive business continuity services; My Secure Application as a Service (AaaS), for  automatic provisioning of IT resources to support applications with multi-tier architectures; and Secure Software as a Service (SaaS), which provides access to hosted applications.</p><p dir="LTR">The Secure SaaS offering includes three solutions:</p><p dir="LTR">•       Secure Hosted Communication and Collaboration Services, for Microsoft Outlook, SharePoint and Office Communication Services;</p><p dir="LTR">•       Secure Virtual Office as a Service, for access to standard software suites that an organisation’s employees use; and</p><p dir="LTR">•       Unisys Secure Document Delivery Service, for high-volume documents, such as statements and bills.  It allows two-way secure interaction with end customers – for example, making a payment or submitting a personal identification change such as credit card or address change.</p><p dir="LTR"> </p><p dir="LTR">New Cloud Transformation Services Build on Unisys Data Centre Expertise</p><p dir="LTR">Unisys Cloud Transformation Services allow clients to plan and migrate to the type of cloud environment that best meets their business goals. These services help clients assess what application workloads can be moved to the cloud, how that can be done and the technical, financial and security implications of their choices.</p><p dir="LTR">The Unisys Cloud Transformation Services comprise four suites:</p><p dir="LTR">·       Cloud Advisory and Assessment Services, which guide clients on the strategic implications that cloud computing may have for the business. These services help clients determine if cloud computing – whether a private cloud, a Unisys-managed public cloud or a hybrid cloud – is an effective choice, assess which applications and services are best suited for cloud computing and gauge the potential financial impact on the client’s business.</p><p dir="LTR">·       Cloud Planning and Design Services, which help clients design the IT infrastructure to support the style of cloud computing they plan to adopt and develop transformation plans for infrastructure deployment and application migration.</p><p dir="LTR">·       Cloud Implementation Services, which help clients deploy and configure cloud technologies and integrate existing infrastructure and operations, such as remote infrastructure management.</p><p dir="LTR">·       Cloud Migration Services, which help clients deploy applications to either a Unisys-managed public cloud or a client-managed private cloud or both, with minimised interruptions. </p><p dir="LTR"> </p><p dir="LTR">Planning New Generations of Cloud Computing Solutions</p><p dir="LTR">Over the next several months, Unisys intends to launch additional solutions that give clients enhanced options in implementing cloud services.  As part of this Unisys plans to deliver hybrid cloud technologies that provide the best of managed and dedicated services by combining public and private cloud capabilities.</p><p dir="LTR"> </p><p dir="LTR">1 Of the 312 respondents, 51 percent cited security and data privacy concerns when answering the question, “What do you see as your greatest barrier to moving to c loud?”  The next-highest barrier to adoption of cloud computing, cited by 21 percent of the respondents, was integration of cloud-based applications with existing systems.  Concerns about the ability to bring systems back in-house and regulatory/compliance issues were cited by 18 percent and 10 percent of respondents, respectively.</p><p dir="LTR"> </p><p dir="LTR">About Unisys</p><p dir="LTR">Unisys is a worldwide information technology company. We provide a portfolio of IT services, software, and technology that solves critical problems for clients. We specialise in helping clients secure their operations, increase the efficiency and utilisation of their data centres, enhance support to their end users and constituents, and modernise their enterprise applications. To provide these services and solutions, we bring together offerings and capabilities in outsourcing services, systems integration and consulting services, infrastructure services, maintenance services, and high-end server technology. With more than 26,000 employees, Unisys serves commercial organisations and government agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.unisys.com/" target="_blank">www.unisys.com</a>.</p><p dir="LTR"> </p><p dir="LTR">About Unisys Asia Pacific</p><p dir="LTR">In Asia Pacific, Unisys delivers services and solutions through subsidiaries in <a href="http://www.unisys.co.nz/index.htm" target="_blank">New Zealand</a>, <a href="http://www.unisys.com.au/index.htm" target="_blank">Australia</a>, China, <a href="http://www.unisys.com.hk/index.htm" target="_blank">Hong Kong</a>, <a href="http://www.unisys.co.in/index.htm" target="_blank">India</a>, <a href="http://www.unisys.co.kr/" target="_blank">Korea</a>, Malaysia, <a href="http://www.unisys.com.ph/index.htm" target="_blank">The Philippines</a>, <a href="http://www.unisys.com.sg/index.htm" target="_blank">Singapore</a>,and Taiwan and through distributors or resellers in other countries in the region.  For more information, visit <a href="http://www.unisys.com.au/" target="_blank">www.unisys.com.au</a>.  </p><p dir="LTR">Forward-Looking Statements</p><p dir="LTR">Any statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements rely on assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Risks and uncertainties that could affect the introduction of products, solutions and services identified in this release include the ability of the company to timely and effectively implement its planned activities; the level of demand for and uncertainty of customer acceptance of these new Unisys products, services and solutions; potential delays or reductions in funding available for research and development of new Unisys products, services and solutions; the performance and capabilities of third parties with whom the company has commercial relationships for cloud computing or data security products, services or solutions; the terms and conditions offered by third party suppliers of integral products, services or solutions; competitive pressures in the information services and technology marketplace, including pricing and introduction of new products and services by third parties; delays or reductions in information technology spending by our clients and potential clients; adverse changes in the economic and business environment; and volatility and rapid technological change in the company's industry. Additional discussion of factors that could affect Unisys future results is contained in periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44591">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mzPl447OHjZ9s4PFXCTTqhgP2Uo/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mzPl447OHjZ9s4PFXCTTqhgP2Uo/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mzPl447OHjZ9s4PFXCTTqhgP2Uo/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mzPl447OHjZ9s4PFXCTTqhgP2Uo/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/2RKz-fgXjLk" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:57:46 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44591 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44591 Flying the Flag for New Zealand on the World's Largest Cruise Ship http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/iSExMU3cWFc/news.cfm The Media Counsel PR <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=167" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">TRAVEL</a> <p>A Kiwi cruise expert will be one of the lucky few launching the largest cruise ship in the world in the US later this month – the Oasis of the Seas.<br /><br />Jacqueline Unsworth, Cruise Marketing Manager for United Travel and Harvey World Travel for the last 10 years, will be amongst 3600 international guests and media as the Oasis of the Seas is officially launched in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and makes its way around the Caribbean for the largest party ever seen at sea.<br /><br />There will be an official launch ceremony with parades, parties and in-depth inspection of the ship, the accommodations and facilities. Jacqueline plans to experience everything from the flying fox, rock wall, ice-skating rink, and flow rider (artificial surfing wave) through to the 20 restaurants and four pools.<br /><br />Jacqueline will be available for media interviews, prior to, during and after the event (from 24 – 27 November) and will be ‘tweeting’ about her experiences regularly on her Twitter page at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JacquelineAtSea">www.twitter.com/JacquelineAtSea</a><br /><br />Media are welcome to follow Jacqueline and share her experiences and photos. She will also have access to a film crew on the ship.<br /><br />Jacqueline has almost 20 years of cruise industry experience in total, and has been aboard other notable ships such as the Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Star Clipper and the luxurious Silver Whisper at the 2007 Americas Cup Regatta in Valencia. She was also on board the Independence of the Seas in 2008 for its launch in Southampton, which was previously the largest cruise ship in the world.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44590">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/esUXLonLD1TZrR7C-wEJw8T75To/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/esUXLonLD1TZrR7C-wEJw8T75To/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/esUXLonLD1TZrR7C-wEJw8T75To/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/esUXLonLD1TZrR7C-wEJw8T75To/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/iSExMU3cWFc" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:51:26 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44590 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44590 "Under-nutrition" key risk for developing world's children -- UNICEF report http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/Rc4YjkAeWT4/news.cfm UNICEF NZ <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=76" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">HEALTH</a> <p>Some 200 million children under the age of five in the developing world suffer from stunted growth as a result of chronic maternal and childhood under-nutrition, according to a UN Children’s Fund report released today.<br /><br />The report, ‘Tracking Progress on Child and Maternal Development’, shows that more than 90 per cent of the developing world’s stunted children live in Africa and Asia. India stands out as the leader with more than 60m moderately and severely stunted children, or 48 per cent of the under 5 population. Although countries such as Afghanistan and Yemen have smaller numbers of affected children, their prevalence of stunting is close to 60 per cent.<br /><br />The report also reveals that under-nutrition contributes to more than a third of all deaths in children under five.<br /><br />UNICEF NZ Executive Director, Dennis McKinlay, says that under-nutrition is often invisible until it reaches a severe stage.<br /><br />“Children who appear healthy may in fact be at grave risk of serious and even permanent damage to their health and development. Under-nutrition effectively steals a child’s strength and makes illnesses more dangerous. More than a third of children who die from pneumonia, diarrhoea and other illnesses could have survived had they not been undernourished.<br /><br />“The food and nutrition insecurity crisis that is unfolding across the Horn of Africa right now is a sad example. Nearly five million children under 5 are among the 24 million people in need of emergency assistance as the result of drought, hunger and disease.<br /><br />“These children are not only at risk from the immediate situation, but the lack of proper nutrition will have a profound impact on their future lives and development.”<br /><br />Mr McKinlay says that the thousand days from conception until a child’s second birthday are the most critical for a child’s development. Nutritional deficiencies during this critical period can reduce the ability to fight and survive disease, and can impair their social and mental capacities.<br /><br />“Children who are fortunate enough to survive under-nutrition often experience poorer physical health throughout their lives, and damaged cognitive abilities that limit their capacity to learn and to earn a decent income. They become trapped in a cycle of ill-health and poverty that affects not only their own futures, but also those of their communities and countries.<br /><br />“Inadequate nutrition also causes children to be underweight. Underweight children experience serious similar health and developmental problems, but these issues can be remedied if nutrition and health improve later in childhood.”<br /><br />The report underlines the point that reducing and even eliminating under-nutrition is entirely feasible. Huge strides have been made in the delivery cost-effective solutions, including micronutrients, to vulnerable populations worldwide.<br /><br />Progress has been made in reducing stunting in Asia and Africa. In Asia, the prevalence of stunting ropped from about 44 per cent in 1990 to an estimated 30 per cent in 2008, while in Africa it fell from around 38 per cent in 1990 to an estimated 34 per cent in 2008.<br /><br />For example, significant progress has been made in providing children with access to iodized salt and vitamin A supplements, and this has contributed to reduced infant and child mortality. In the world’s least developed countries, the percentage of children under 5 years receiving essential doses of vitamin A supplement has more than doubled, from 41 per cent in 2000 to 88 per cent in 2008.<br /><br />Of all the proven interventions, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months – together with nutritionally adequate foods – can have a significant impact on child survival, potentially reducing the under five child mortality by 12-15 per cent in developing countries.<br /><br />“For the sake of the survival, growth and development of millions of children and the overall development of many countries, we cannot afford to neglect this issue.”</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44589">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wnDRtanBX_aTAGK9I5axlPU_aZs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wnDRtanBX_aTAGK9I5axlPU_aZs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wnDRtanBX_aTAGK9I5axlPU_aZs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wnDRtanBX_aTAGK9I5axlPU_aZs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/Rc4YjkAeWT4" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:46:08 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44589 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44589 Art worlds collide at Wairakei Terraces http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/Z_LkgRMUZcQ/news.cfm Taupo District Council <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=111" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#810101;">ART</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=52" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">TAUPO</a> <p>A group of 18 Kanak women, visiting from Noumea, exchanged arts and crafts techniques with local art groups at Wairakei Terraces on Thursday last week.<br /><br />The group of Kanak ladies, the indigenous people of New Caledonia, are commissioned by the Ville de Noumea (Noumean Municiple Council) to share their culture and arts with other nations. The women shared lunch, and an insight into New Caledonian culture with demonstrations on their traditional weaving, handcrafts, sewing, and printed skirts.<br /><br />In exchange the Noumean ladies received demonstrations from local Taupo Women's art groups, including handcraft, textiles, and painting experience.<br /><br />The expo was a part of a week long trip to New Zealand by the Noumeans, that included learning from different experiences in environment, culture and ways of life. Last week the ladies attended the signing of the ‘sister-school’ agreement between Collège Jean Mariotti of Noumea and Taupo Intermediate.<br /><br />Councillor Doreen Blyth, who helped organise the trip, was delighted by the group’s enthusiasm. “These girls are a great group to be involved with, and are a tribute to New Caledonian culture and hospitality. It’s been a pleasure having them here, and it’s great to keep Taupo’s ‘Sister-City’ relationship with Noumea growing stronger outside the usual formalities.”</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44588">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nIM5_dTy-nlxqOwP4-_AlRtMdrM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nIM5_dTy-nlxqOwP4-_AlRtMdrM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nIM5_dTy-nlxqOwP4-_AlRtMdrM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nIM5_dTy-nlxqOwP4-_AlRtMdrM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/Z_LkgRMUZcQ" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:35:26 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44588 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44588 Government needs to come clean on ETS costs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/rSGxybFutHE/news.cfm Green Party <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=92" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">POLITICS</a> <p>Serious disagreements have arisen about the true costs of the Government’s Emissions Trading Scheme proposals and the Minister needs to explain himself, the Green Party said today.</p><p> </p><p>A report released today by the Sustainability Council and a detailed submission to the Select Committee reviewing changes to the ETS are at odds with the story coming from the Beehive.</p><p> </p><p>“The Minister has repeatedly claimed that he was saving householders money with this Bill and has consistently played down the long-term costs to the taxpayer,” said Green Party Climate Change Spokesperson Jeanette Fitzsimons.</p><p> </p><p>“The Sustainability Council’s report shows that taxpayers will be paying eighty-five percent of the costs of climate change – far more than their share. It shows the Government is postponing the day of reckoning, as total costs to the taxpayer rise over time, leaving a fiscal time-bomb for future Governments to worry about.</p><p> </p><p>“A detailed submission from Dr Christina Hood, based on Treasury assumptions, puts the cost of the changes at $105 billion, which is at odds with the Minister’s claims. Treasury needs to say who is right.</p><p> </p><p>“Dr Hood’s figures are also based on information provided by the Minister where the timeline on the graph has been skewed, concealing the true nature of the ETS changes.</p><p> </p><p>“The only thing that is crystal clear is that nothing is clear about what this Bill would do.</p><p> </p><p>“The Minister needs to come clean on who is right, Dr Hood or himself,” Ms Fitzsimons said.</p><p> </p><p>For the full text of the Sustainability Councils Report:</p><p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sustainabilitynz.org/docs/ETSBillToAFutureGenerationNov09.pdf">http://www.sustainabilitynz.<wbr></wbr>org/docs/<wbr></wbr>ETSBillToAFutureGenerationNov0<wbr></wbr>9.pdf</a></p><p><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr></p><p> </p><p>Dr Christina Hood’s submission to the FEC, questioning the Minister’s graph (see page 13):</p><p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/6C882B6B-0972-4EFF-A0F6-EB5D5789FB19/115616/49SCFE_EVI_00DBHOH_BILL9597_1_A14707_DrChristinaHo.pdf">http://www.parliament.nz/NR/<wbr></wbr>rdonlyres/6C882B6B-0972-4EFF-<wbr></wbr>A0F6-EB5D5789FB19/115616/<wbr></wbr>49SCFE_EVI_00DBHOH_BILL9597_1_<wbr></wbr>A14707_DrChristinaHo.pdf</a></p><p><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr></p><p> </p><p> </p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44587">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oH9nTgiS623NAJaHSxFtpaEJZec/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oH9nTgiS623NAJaHSxFtpaEJZec/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oH9nTgiS623NAJaHSxFtpaEJZec/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oH9nTgiS623NAJaHSxFtpaEJZec/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/rSGxybFutHE" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:15:07 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44587 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44587 Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition Console available today http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/4ZGi0vs1xvg/news.cfm Pead PR <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=126" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#810101;">GAMING</a> <p> Xbox 360 has announced that theModern Warfare 2 Limited Edition Console is now available from participating retailers. Priced at $649 RRP, the limited edition* console is the ideal addition for any fan of the blockbuster sequel to one of the best selling first-person action console games in history, “Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare”.</p><p> </p><p>In conjunction with Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), Xbox 360 has combined a top-of-the-range Elite console, complete with a 250GB Hard Drive, two Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers and an Xbox 360 Headset with a standard edition copy of one of the most anticipated games of the year, “Modern Warfare 2”. The Xbox 360 Elite console also features a low-drag and battle-ready design which was influenced by the high-octane action of the thrilling “Modern Warfare” series.</p><p> </p><p>Tom Hunt, Xbox 360 Category Manager for New Zealand says, “It’s exciting that fans of the hugely popular “Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare” are able to experience the excitement of “Modern Warfare 2” on an Xbox 360 console that has been specifically designed for them.  It’s the biggest Xbox 360 console ever with 250 GB of storage space.”</p><p> </p><p>The Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition Console is classified R18 and is priced at $649 RRP.</p><p> </p><p> For more information, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.modernwarfare2.com/">www.modernwarfare2.com</a> or <a target="_blank" href="http://www.xbox.com/en-NZ/games/c/callofdutymodernwarfare2/">http://www.xbox.com/en-NZ/<wbr></wbr>games/c/<wbr></wbr>callofdutymodernwarfare2/</a></p><p><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr></p><p><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr></p><p><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr></p><p><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr></p><p><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr></p><p> </p><p>- ends -</p><p><br />*Recommended retail price, at participating retailers, while stocks last. The price you pay will be determined by your retailer.</p><p> </p><p><br />About Xbox 360</p><p>The powerful Xbox 360 video game and entertainment experience delivers amazing games, the next generation of the premier Xbox LIVE online social network, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 now boasts a catalogue of over 500 high-definition games. More information can be found online at <a target="_blank" title="http://www.xbox.com/xbox360" href="http://www.xbox.com/xbox360">http://www.xbox.com/xbox360</a>.</p><p><a name="124e5b81632512a6_LIVE" style="color: rgb(42, 93, 176); "></a></p><p>About Xbox LIVE</p><p>Xbox LIVE is the largest gaming and entertainment network and delivers more entertainment than any device connected to the television, including movies, TV, music and games. This fall, Xbox LIVE will be the only entertainment service to provide instant-on 1080p streaming HD video from Zune video in supported countries. With an active community of more than 20 million people across 26 countries, Xbox LIVE lets you play the best games, enjoy the largest on-demand library and, coming soon, listen to millions of songs — all while connecting to friends anytime. An Xbox LIVE Gold Membership provides you with exclusive benefits and premium access to entertainment from the top studios and services, all in one place. More information about Xbox LIVE can be found online at<a target="_blank" href="http://www.xbox.com/live">http://www.xbox.com/live</a>.</p><p> </p><p>About Activision Publishing, Inc.</p><p>Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.</p><p> </p><p>Activision Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, <a href="www.activision.com">www.activision.com</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44586">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/etsEIgMnRe0j84BO8icBqH9buBY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/etsEIgMnRe0j84BO8icBqH9buBY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/etsEIgMnRe0j84BO8icBqH9buBY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/etsEIgMnRe0j84BO8icBqH9buBY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/4ZGi0vs1xvg" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:12:53 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44586 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44586 SKYCITY Gives Aucklanders the Chance to Light Sky Tower This Festive Season http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/M8I8AhqWRfk/news.cfm Skycity <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=89" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#810101;">FESTIVAL</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=34" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">AUCKLAND CITY</a> <p>The night sky over Auckland will shine this festive season with one of four colour combinations being put to the people of Auckland during the last two weeks of November. ‘Light me up! Auckland’s Choice to Light Sky Tower this Festive Season’ will, for the first time this year, let Aucklanders decide the Sky Tower festive season colour scheme to be set alight from 1 December 2009 until 9 January 2010.<br /><br />From 16 November, the people of Auckland will have a choice of four colour combinations; two combinations of ‘block colours’ and two combinations which include animation on the mast of the tower made possible by new LED light technology which shows ‘special effects’. The winning combination will be one of a:<br /><br />· Green base with a red top<br />· Blue base with a silver top<br />· Green base with a red, silver and blue flashes <br />· Red base with moving silver and blue rings<br /><br />Aucklanders are invited to visit at one of SKYCITY’s eighteen restaurants and bars, spend more than five dollars and post their vote into boxes set up across the SKYCITY property. When the votes are counted and the winning colour decided, one lucky Aucklander will have their name chosen from the winning box to officially light the tower on 1 December.<br /><br />Nigel Morrison, SKYCITY Chief Executive, says, “We know how passionate Aucklanders are about the Sky Tower, so we’re very excited to be putting the festive season lights in their hands for the first time ever this year. We’re particularly looking forward to celebrating with the winner of ‘Light me up! Auckland’s Choice to Light Sky Tower this Festive Season’ on 1 December for the official lighting ceremony. As the home of entertainment in Auckland, it’s great to be able to give people even more reasons to visit SKYCITY at such a fun and special time of year.”<br /><br />When visitors spend five dollars or more at any SKYCITY bar, restaurant or cafe, they will receive a ‘Festive Season Gift Tag’ to complete, attach their receipt to and enter in the colour scheme box of their choice placed all over the SKYCITY property.<br /><br />Updates will be given over the course of the two weeks!<br /><br />SKYCITY is the home of entertainment in Auckland offering visitors the choice of two hotels, a casino, dining options, the SKYCITY Theatre, cinemas, East Day Spa and of course the world famous Sky Jump and Sky Walk right in the heart of the City.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44585">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZC56FNqGe_JN6CsNSNTkmYs0gvM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZC56FNqGe_JN6CsNSNTkmYs0gvM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZC56FNqGe_JN6CsNSNTkmYs0gvM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZC56FNqGe_JN6CsNSNTkmYs0gvM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/M8I8AhqWRfk" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:11:34 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44585 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44585 Young Digital Citizens Take on the World http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/J2-Ezm0e4hY/news.cfm Hectors World Ltd <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=164" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">INTERNET</a> <p>With a project promoting responsible use of cyberspace, six 11-12 year old students may be winging their way to the USA to compete in an international Problem Solving Competition after winning the NZ <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fpsnz.co.nz/problem_solving.php">Community Problem Solving (CmPS)</a> Competition recently.</p><p>The team, from Mission Heights Schools, who call their project ‘Creative Cyber Citizens’ (CCC), entered the prestigious competition with their project designed to teach younger students to be safe and responsible Digital Citizens.</p><p>The ‘CCC’ team identified the extensive use of technology in their school and wanted to promote responsible behavior in cyberspace to all students at the school. </p><p>The CCC team also held an evening community event for parents and caregivers to encourage the same responsible behaviors at home.</p><p>The team used the Hector’s World® resources (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.hectorsworld.com/">www.hectorsworld.com</a>), which are available free to New Zealand schools, to implement their project with the younger students at Mission Heights Primary School. They chose the Hector’s World resources because they encourage young people to be good digital citizens in their use of all technologies, including the internet and mobile phones.</p><p>Judges evaluated the group’s concept, follow-through and future plans and awarded the CCC Team first place in the Junior Division of CmPS.</p><p>The CCC team will now work alongside another winning team from the Mission Heights Junior College to fundraise the $75,000 required to get the students and their coaches to the International Future Problem Solving finals in the USA in May 2010.</p><p>“The CCC Team is inspiring in their passion for mentoring younger children,” says Managing Director of Hector’s World, Liz Butterfield. “Their enthusiasm and creativity can't help but engage the younger students and we hope this idea catches on in other schools. The mentoring is itself a superb example of digital citizenship - sharing valuable online skills and knowledge with other members of the school community.”</p><p>ENDS <br /> <br /> </p><p><strong>Background  </strong><br /> </p><p>The Community Problem Solving Competition (CmPS)</p><p>The CmPS competition requires student teams to apply creative problem-solving activities in an authentic situation to identify and solve a real problem which exists in their community. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fpsnz.co.nz/problem_solving.php">http://www.fpsnz.co.nz/<wbr></wbr>problem_solving.php</a>  </p><p><wbr></wbr></p><p><wbr></wbr></p><p><wbr></wbr></p><p><wbr></wbr></p><p><wbr></wbr><wbr></wbr></p><p> What is Hector’s World1?</p><p>Hector’s World® is a digital citizenship education programme for children aged 2-9 years and their teachers and parents. This digital content is also considered best practice in the UK, where it is in widespread use across British primary schools, and in Australia. The content is created here in New Zealand by Hector’s World® Ltd (HWL) and Inkspot Digital Ltd. HWL is a New Zealand charity and a social entrepreneurship venture.  <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hectorsworld.com/">www.hectorsworld.com</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44584">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UKxjl-XFgm_LBdkmgpOzviv4GK0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UKxjl-XFgm_LBdkmgpOzviv4GK0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UKxjl-XFgm_LBdkmgpOzviv4GK0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UKxjl-XFgm_LBdkmgpOzviv4GK0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/J2-Ezm0e4hY" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:10:25 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44584 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44584 Oceania Cycling Championships Day 2 Heats http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/0nUxSHDX_yk/news.cfm BikeNZ <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=60" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#2D7428;">CYCLING</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=32" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">INVERCARGILL</a> <p>Triple junior world champion Sam Webster will lead the kiwi sprint hopes after the second morning of heats at the Oceania Cycling Championships in Invercargill.<br /><br />He is one of six New Zealanders through to the quarterfinals of the elite men’s sprint at the ILT Velodrome.<br />The major upset came when national champion Eddie Dawkins edged out by G-Race rider Andrew Williams (Auckland) in the eighth finals. After a cat-and-mouse game, Williams managed to hold off the urgent finish by Dawkins in a photo finish.<br /><br />Dawkins, the local hero in Invercargill, had earlier set the second fastest qualifying time of 10.546, less than 5/100ths of a second outside the national record in cool conditions.<br /><br />He was later pushed to second place in the repecharge to miss out on the chase for medals, although he will have an opportunity in his favoured Kilo Time Trial which is on tonight’s programme along with the sprint finals.<br /><br />Auckland’s Adam Stewart, the other member of the G-Race squad, dispatched classy Australian James Glasspool in his first round clash while Otago’s Matthew Archbold progressed after New Zealand representative Simon Van Velthooven was relegated.<br /><br />Van Velthooven (Palmerston North), the hero in last night’s gold medal winning team sprint, was relegated for an irregular movement on his opponent. He recovered to win his repecharge to progress along with Southland’s Sean Fox.<br /><br />Australian champion Daniel Ellis, who topped qualifiers in the men’s sprint, cruised into the last eight along with compatriot Mitchell Bullen.<br /><br />Australian Matthew Glaetzer topped qualifiers in the under-19 men’s sprint in 10.822, just outside Dawkins’ track record while Canterbury’s Natasha Hansen and Auckland’s Kate Mullarkey are the only New Zealanders into the finals of the elite women’s keirin against four Australians.<br /><br />Australians will also decide the gold in the under-19 3000m individual pursuit with top qualifier Alexander Edmonson taking on compatriot Jackson Law in the final.<br /><br />The second night of finals starts at 6.30pm with the championship continuing until Saturday.<br />Full results: <a href="http://www.bikenz.org.nz ">www.bikenz.org.nz </a></p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44583">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/iWDEGmzwCPqbS2t0wNDjThx8C6g/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/iWDEGmzwCPqbS2t0wNDjThx8C6g/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/iWDEGmzwCPqbS2t0wNDjThx8C6g/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/iWDEGmzwCPqbS2t0wNDjThx8C6g/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/0nUxSHDX_yk" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:08:56 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44583 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44583 Bartercard sponsroship rescues White Sox World Champs buildup http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/vpPSytcSoF4/news.cfm Bartercard NZ <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=29" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#2D7428;">SOFTBALL</a> <p>New Zealand’s women’s softball team, the White Sox, will compete in the Gilleys Shield, the Australian interstate championship, over the next three months, thanks to a strategically timed sponsorship from Bartercard New Zealand.</p><p>Learning that the team’s campaign was threatened by lack of funds, Bartercard came to the rescue with a crucial sponsorship worth $6,000 “trade dollars” to make the trip possible.</p><p>This is not the first time the company has come to the aid of a sports team. In April it ensured the survival of the Christchurch Cougars NBL basketball club. It is also a major sponsor of the Burger King NZ Breakers in the Australian NBL competition and the Bartercard National Provincial Premiership in rugby league.</p><p>The White Sox’s objective is a medal finish at the 2010 World Championships to be held in Oklahoma City and the Australian tournament is an important part of the team’s development programme.</p><p>“The Gilleys Shield will provide an ideal opportunity to gauge the development work done so far and the requirements for the 12 month run up to the Worlds,” says Dane Dougan, General Manager of New Zealand Softball.</p><p>The Gilleys Shield is played over three weekends in November, December and January: November 13 -15 November, Blacktown Softball Centre, Sydney NSW December 11-13, Waverly Softball Centre, wheelers Hall, VIC January 6-9 2010, Redlands Softball Centre, Ormiston QLD. </p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44582">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0ixAsREBDva9B7G_pzMNOE8p4Og/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0ixAsREBDva9B7G_pzMNOE8p4Og/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0ixAsREBDva9B7G_pzMNOE8p4Og/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0ixAsREBDva9B7G_pzMNOE8p4Og/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/vpPSytcSoF4" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:08:03 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44582 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44582 Farmers urged to have their say on capital structure http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/xcEliPwVOrQ/news.cfm Fonterra <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=144" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">AGRICULTURE</a> <p>Fonterra Chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden said he had today emailed Fonterra’s farmer shareholders urging them to make their votes count and support the proposed changes to the Co-operative’s capital structure.<br /><br />“This vote is all about strengthening the Co-operative. It is as important as the vote that farmers made to form Fonterra and it is important that farmers have their say.<br /><br />Sir Henry said that some farmers have asked if capital structure could be resolved just by having aggressive retentions from payout.<br /><br />“Neither retentions nor the proposed dry shares will solve the problem on their own. It needs a mixture of both, and the possible Step Three (Trading Among Farmers) to fix redemption risk completely. In addition, having an aggressive retention policy on its own wouldn’t work for all farmers, particularly those that have just joined the industry, and aren’t in a position to sacrifice payout for retention.”<br /><br />“Some farmers have asked if voting for Steps One (Strengthening the Share Structure) and Two (Restricted Share Value) means they have to take up the extra 20 percent dry shares.<br /><br />“Farmers can choose to take up no extra shares, or the full 20 per cent, or anything in between.<br /><br />“The fact is that some farmers are in a tight position and won’t be able to invest in the dry shares right now. There are also other farmers who might not want to take up the shares at this time or they might want to take up a smaller amount.<br /><br />“Step One has been developed taking into account the different interests of all farmers and is designed to provide them with choice to suit their own financial situations.<br /><br />“If the vote is successful at the annual meeting, the next decision for farmers is whether they want to take up any additional dry shares. The Board will meet early in December to make sure farmers have the information they need to help them with this decision. We will provide the Estimated Fair Value share valuation and the Board’s approach to dividends and retentions.”<br /><br />Sir Henry said that some farmers had also asked if Step Two would have any impact on banks accepting the shares as security and some had concerns over this step impacting on the overall net value of their farms.<br /><br />“We understand that the banks are generally comfortable with the proposal on Steps One and Two, and the shares will still be regarded as good security. While it’s not possible to predict the future share value, the transitional approach to the Fair Value Share valuation may only last for a short period, maybe one or two seasons, before the restricted value meets the $4.52 base price.”<br /><br />Fonterra’s capital structure proposal represents almost a year’s work. “We have looked for a solution from every possible angle, we’ve stress tested it with Shareholders’ Council and they have given it their full support. Farmers have made it clear that they want to retain 100 per cent control and ownership of the Co-operative and these steps ensure that.<br /><br />“We sought feedback from farmers through meetings with directors throughout the country and hundreds of local shed meetings. The focus at these meetings has been on Steps One and Two. Trading Among Farmers will be a totally separate consultation with farmers next year,” Sir Henry said.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44581">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BA_rlLYNgutFFlaEtNfDN3ajee4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BA_rlLYNgutFFlaEtNfDN3ajee4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BA_rlLYNgutFFlaEtNfDN3ajee4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BA_rlLYNgutFFlaEtNfDN3ajee4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/xcEliPwVOrQ" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:06:31 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44581 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44581 Growth in manufacturing activity remains tentative http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/dogpLgYuxek/news.cfm Business NZ <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=181" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">MANUFACTURING</a> <p>Expansion dipped in October after gradual improvements in activity during the second half of 2009, according to the BNZ Capital - Business NZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).</p><p> </p><p>The seasonally adjusted PMI for October stood at 50.6.  This was down 0.9 points from September, but still the first consecutive expansionary result since January-February 2008.  The October 2009 result was also 7.5 points higher than October 2008. </p><p> </p><p>A PMI reading above 50.0 indicates that manufacturing is generally expanding; below 50.0 that it is declining.  PMI values for October in the years 2002-2008 ranged from 43.1-60.9, with an average score for the previous October results of 53.4.</p><p> </p><p>Business NZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly said that while the September result represented a long time between drinks for the sector, the October result showed that we shouldn’t be popping the champagne just yet in terms of a sustained recovery in the sector.</p><p> </p><p>“Despite the tentative aspect of the October result, one pleasing feature was the relatively significant fall in the proportion of negative comments from respondents.  Discussions around the general effects of the recession linger; but those recording positive aspects note the build up in orders and activity as part of the pre-Christmas rush, while others have secured contracts previously put on hold by the customer.  Exchange rates remained a concern for some, although the proportion of comments on this issue remains similar to the previous month. </p><p> </p><p>BNZ Capital senior economist Craig Ebert said October’s stumble was a reminder not to ask too much of the recovery at this early stage.</p><p> </p><p>“The slippage in the PMI’s employment component back into negative territory seemed an especially important hint that firms may not be entirely convinced of the definite pick up they propound.</p><p> </p><p>“Employment offers one of the most reliable signs that prospects are improving well enough, surely enough, to have firms making important decisions about taking on staff, not just offering free-to-air musings about their future.</p><p> </p><p>“Even if manufacturing was looking that assured to have re-hiring back on the agenda, we would have to wonder why pay rates are under as much downward pressure as recently indicated in the survey conducted by the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern).”</p><p> </p><p>Two of the five seasonally adjusted main diffusion indices displayed expansion.  Production (51.2) experienced a slight drop from the previous month but still recorded expansion, while new orders (53.4) decreased 2.3 points from September.  After a positive result in September, employment (46.5) returned to negative territory with a result similar to August 2009.  Deliveries of raw materials (49.0) slipped into decline after four consecutive months of improvement, while finished stocks (47.4) was the only sub-index that improved from its September 2009 result.</p><p> </p><p>Unadjusted activity for October showed consecutive expansion for all regions.  Otago/Southland (59.0) again led the way with a result similar to the previous month.  The central region (56.3) recorded its highest value since November 2007, while the Northern region (53.2) rose 0.5 points from September.  The Canterbury/Westland (54.7) region improved during October, after a dip in expansion during the previous month.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Click <a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessnz.org.nz/file/1769/October%20PMI%202009.pdf">here</a> to view the October PMI.</p><p>Click <a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessnz.org.nz/file/1768/PMI%20Unadjusted%20and%20Seasonally%20Adjusted%20Time%20Series.xls">here</a> to view Time Series Data.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44580">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UC5boB-BHzjIstyCA8Pj3PcROnc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UC5boB-BHzjIstyCA8Pj3PcROnc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UC5boB-BHzjIstyCA8Pj3PcROnc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UC5boB-BHzjIstyCA8Pj3PcROnc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/dogpLgYuxek" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:05:51 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44580 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44580 Gandalf itching to return to Middle Earth http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/fQaP0XFA52I/news.cfm Tourism New Zealand <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=83" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#810101;">FILM</a> <p>Sir Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, is itching to revisit Middle Earth after reading the script for the first of ‘The Hobbit’ films. </p><p>It's been over a decade since McKellen donned Gandalf's robes on the ‘Lord of the Rings’ set in New Zealand.</p><p>And, while he's sworn to secrecy over ‘The Hobbit’ script, the veteran British actor says the part has his name on it and he’s longing for production to get underway.</p><p><strong>Gandalf </strong><br />To be directed by Guillermo del Toro, the script for ‘The Hobbit’ movies has been co-written by New Zealand producer Peter Jackson with long-time ‘Lord of the Rings’ collaborators Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens - and McKellen says it’s very attractive that the Gandalf part has been written specifically for him.</p><p>"As Peter has said, they loved writing Gandalf for ‘The Hobbit’ because they knew who they were writing him for. The other Gandalf was written for, well, just as Gandalf. There's lots for me to enjoy, in all sorts of ways. And I couldn't be happier. But I'm sworn to secrecy. I'm not to say anything at all about the script," he said.</p><p><strong>Unexpected Hobbit script </strong><br />McKellen said he hadn’t been expecting to receive any pages of ‘The Hobbit’ but the script arrived out of the blue.</p><p>"I was sitting in London and a courier arrived from New Zealand, which is the other side of the world, bearing the script of 'The Hobbit,'" he said.</p><p>"It was tied around with so much Scotch tape that even with two pairs of scissors, I only got into it half an hour later."</p><p>He said the script had his name on every page with a warning that each page was encrypted, so if it appeared on the internet, it could be traced back to him.</p><p>"And I'm not to discuss it with anyone, any colleague, or friend, or family member or pet. I may not write in the script, I may not remove it from its plastic folder, and when it is taken from me by the courier, it will be shredded under supervision," he said.</p><p><strong>Production details </strong><br />Although he has read the script, McKellen hasn’t yet been signed and details of ‘The Hobbit’ production are still sketchy.</p><p>‘The Hobbit’ story will be told in two films to be shot back-to-back with a predicted budget of NZ$474 million. New Zealand-based fan website theonering.net reports that the first six months of filming in 2010 will take place in the studio.</p><p>Work has begun at Hobbiton near the North Island town of Matamata with hobbit holes and hedgerows appearing on the farm site.</p><p>Scouts looking for filming locations have also been reported in New Zealand’s South Island, and it is rumoured that a creative team is already hard at work on visuals for the two movies.</p><p>Although it is thought that other actors have seen the scripts, McKellen is the only one to have spoken publicly.</p><p>"Gandalf is a fantastic part and I long to do it," McKellen said. Both he and Peter Jackson preferred the earlier Gandalf the Grey version to his later, post-resurrection incarnation, he said.</p><p>"He was more humane somehow. He was the guy who liked to hang out with the hobbits and drink too much and smoke too much."</p><p><strong>20-plus takes </strong><br />McKellen said he didn’t, however, always prefer the 20-plus takes Jackson often required on set to get a scene exactly as he wanted, and he wondered if Guillermo del Toro might spare his actors such lengthy repetition.</p><p>"A slight shiver went through me just then," he said (smiling), "because I thought perhaps Guillermo might be a little quicker than Peter, but maybe he won't be. He's a bit of a perfectionist. But this script plays very much to his strengths and I can see where he's put his mark already on the script."</p><p>Although sworn to secrecy, McKellen promised a resemblance between ‘LOTR’ and ‘The Hobbit’ in both look and feel.</p><p>"Peter Jackson is still a hands-on producer," he said. "Guillermo del Toro comes in not as a wild card but very much respecting it all."</p><p><strong>Jackson and del Toro </strong><br />Jackson and del Toro speak the same language, McKellen said.</p><p>"They are the same person. They were separated at birth. They’re twins. They have the same attitude. Neither likes working in Hollywood. They're both brilliant storytellers in very much the same way," said McKellen.</p><p>"And I think the script, because I have read it, plays very much to Guillermo's strengths, as I've seen them. I have seen his other movies, and people act very well in them. So I think it's all fine. And Peter will always be there," McKellen said.</p><p>McKellen said that the role of Gandalf changed his life forever. "I can't believe it's 10 years for me," said the actor, who first played the wizard in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - film one in the trilogy that began principal photography in New Zealand in 1999.</p><p>"I remember being told by a friend in Hollywood that 'your life is going to change,' and it has. Gandalf is an extremely famous character, and I quite like having him around the corner. He's very popular."</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44579">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Nf2sxAcH_SZ-vsOuXdL9KovMKE4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Nf2sxAcH_SZ-vsOuXdL9KovMKE4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Nf2sxAcH_SZ-vsOuXdL9KovMKE4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Nf2sxAcH_SZ-vsOuXdL9KovMKE4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/fQaP0XFA52I" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:47:55 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44579 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44579 Major milestone achieved for Wiri Inland Port rail link http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/gdN155bJXe0/news.cfm Ports of Auckland <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=95" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">TRANSPORT</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=3" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">AUCKLAND</a> <p>Construction of the rail exchange at Ports of Auckland’s Wiri Inland Port in South Auckland is a step closer to completion.<br /><br />Two of three rail siding tracks that will connect the inland port to the Waitemata seaport are in place and work is well under way on the concrete hardstand.<br /><br />Ports of Auckland Managing Director Jens Madsen said the project was on schedule for completion in January 2010 and that the first train would arrive early in the New Year.<br /><br />“This is about bringing the seaport right to the doorstep of businesses in South Auckland,” said Mr Madsen.<br /><br />“Exporters and importers will be able to drop off and pick up containers without having to negotiate the Auckland motorways.”<br /><br />Containers will move to and from the seaport by rail, saving as many as 100,000 central city truck trips per annum once the service is fully operational.<br /><br />“By using the Wiri Inland Port as a storage centre and staging post, we’ll also free up room and create efficiencies at the Waitemata seaport. This is good news for the whole supply chain,” Mr Madsen said.<br /><br />Mr Madsen said carbon emission modelling by Ports of Auckland had shown big potential savings for businesses close to the Wiri Inland Port.<br /><br />“A lot of our current customers are based within eight kilometres of the inland port. By using the rail link to the seaport, this group will be able to reduce the carbon emissions of transporting their containers by up to 25%,” he said.<br />The Wiri Inland Port is strategically located off Wiri Station Road in South Auckland, close to Auckland International Airport, and adjacent to SH1 and SH20.</p><p>Brian Perry Civil and KiwiRail are undertaking the works, including the construction of the three rail sidings, involving around 2,000m of additional rail track, and the hardstand.<br />Each of the three sidings is capable of taking 22 wagons. Together, they will enable two trains to be worked simultaneously, with the third track available for repositioning locomotives.<br />The hardstand from which the containers will be loaded and unloaded is 50% complete. When finished, after 15 major concrete pours, it will be 450 metres long and cover nearly 11,000 square metres, just shy of the overall size of the Britomart Transport Centre station platform.<br />Ports of Auckland is New Zealand’s largest container port by volume, handling around 840,000 TEU (20ft-equivalent units), more than 1,600 ship calls and 2.7 million tonnes of break-bulk (non-containerised) cargo per annum. It is New Zealand’s major import port and a key partner to export industries. Ports of Auckland is 100%-owned by Auckland Regional Holdings.<br />KiwiRail is New Zealand's leading surface transport operator, providing a cost-efficient line-haul service for the movement of bulk commodities or containerised freight.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44578">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FPYEfce5UasVExIQuVZULBEjmeg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FPYEfce5UasVExIQuVZULBEjmeg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FPYEfce5UasVExIQuVZULBEjmeg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FPYEfce5UasVExIQuVZULBEjmeg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/gdN155bJXe0" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:44:35 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44578 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44578 Man and woman face charges following child's death http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/EtAP5yZWk-w/news.cfm New Zealand Police <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=145" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">POLICE</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=75" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">WANGANUI</a> <p>A man has been charged with murder following the death of a two-year-old boy in Wanganui last month.</p><p>Police were called to Wanganui Hospital on the afternoon of Saturday, 24 October following the admission of Karl Perigo-Check. A post mortem examination revealed internal injuries and a police investigation was launched.</p><p>A 22-year-old man from Wanganui will today appear at Wanganui District Court charged with murder. A 30-year-old woman from Wanganui will also appear in court charged with the assault of Karl Perigo-Check earlier on that day, and perverting the course of justice.</p><p>The 22-year-old man also stands accused of a number of charges unrelated to the death of Karl Perigo-Check, namely two counts of supply of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, injures with intent to cause GBH, two counts of male assaults female, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.</p><p>Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann said: "We are extremely grateful for the support and co-operation we have received from family, friends and associates. It is their assistance that has enabled us to determine where, when and how Karl received his fatal injuries and to lay timely charges."</p><p>Media enquiries should be referred to Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann on 06 349 0600.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44577">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/57p_mnaBNWMV6t1ZKmHLkJgwaZ4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/57p_mnaBNWMV6t1ZKmHLkJgwaZ4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/57p_mnaBNWMV6t1ZKmHLkJgwaZ4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/57p_mnaBNWMV6t1ZKmHLkJgwaZ4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/EtAP5yZWk-w" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:43:19 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44577 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44577 Accountability needed over Hanover-Immediately http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/Owt4IZeUwNY/news.cfm Exposing Unacceptable Financial Activities <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=133" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">FINANCE</a> <p>The cop out and lack of intervention by Government and Authorities by saying the Hanover moratorium that investors voted for now stops intervention is intolerable. <br /><br />The Directors can be held to account as the investors votes do not absolve the company from compliance to the law e.g. the companies act. The individuals are bound to the companies act and action needs to be taken immediately.<br /><br />Various commentators and the EUFA organisation predicted that Hanover would fail to meet their commitments but investors were conned/blackmailed by the PR machine which included the<br />PriceWaterhouseCoopers report.<br /><br />The PriceWaterhouseCoopers report and the personal statements by John Waller at the Moratorium meeting gave false confidence to investors. It also gave a false message to the various bodies watching the process.<br /><br />Coordinator of EUFA, Suzanne Edmonds said from Tauranga today “PriceWaterhouseCoopers have something to answer for here as they marketed the moratorium to investors who fell for the buying of time. The Trustees, Government and Authorities will have to be burning the late night oil to get out of this mess that they allowed investors to be trapped into.”<br /><br />The Governments “sympathy” to individual investors is patronising and offers a diversion to the Governments obligations. Once again EUFA call on the Government and the Securities Commission to put Hanover into Statutory Management immediately. They must take the control away from the perpetrators and do their duty to protect the investors.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44576">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NHD9DxRMhaw4zcdO3QisQCqhlYk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NHD9DxRMhaw4zcdO3QisQCqhlYk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NHD9DxRMhaw4zcdO3QisQCqhlYk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NHD9DxRMhaw4zcdO3QisQCqhlYk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/Owt4IZeUwNY" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:37:21 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44576 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44576 Police investigate man's death http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/vOdVPuv8feQ/news.cfm New Zealand Police <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=145" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">POLICE</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=366" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">TAUMARANUI</a> <p>The death of a man in Taumarunui is being investigated by police.</p><p>Emergency services were called to a house in Ngatai Street, Taumarunui around 4.15pm yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, 11 November) where a 45-year-old man was found dead at the address.</p><p>There were a small number of occupants in the house and it was one of those occupants that had called for an ambulance.</p><p>Detective Senior Sergeant Keith Borrell: "It is too early to say whether or not the death is suspicious. As a precaution we are carrying out a scene examination. The results of that examination, coupled with local enquiries and a post mortem should tell us more in the next few days."</p><p>ESR from Wellington is assisting with the scene examination and the post mortem will be held within the next two days.</p><p>The man is not being named until all next of kin have been informed.</p><p>Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44575">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/g_gtEIcWao752UOTcAU5crR6hdc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/g_gtEIcWao752UOTcAU5crR6hdc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/g_gtEIcWao752UOTcAU5crR6hdc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/g_gtEIcWao752UOTcAU5crR6hdc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/vOdVPuv8feQ" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:36:24 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44575 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44575 Stokes Valley shooting investigation http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/3lgdtpSdHTU/news.cfm New Zealand Police <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=145" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">POLICE</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=254" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">LOWER HUTT</a> <p>Lower Hutt Police are seeking sightings of a red or maroon Mazda Astina 4 door liftback vehicle believed to be linked to an overnight home invasion in Stokes Valley.</p><p>The vehicle had been stolen from the lower level of the Westpac Stadium car park during business hours on Wednesday 11 November. At about 10.00 last evening Police discovered the car burning in the car park of Taita Bowling Club. An examination of the vehicle will take place today.</p><p>A scene examination at the address commenced last night and continues today. Investigators will continue to speak with witnesses and an area canvass is being conducted for further information.</p><p>The incident occurred at about 9.30 pm when a group of four masked offenders confronted a 37 year old male and his 44 year old female partner at an Amundsen Grove address. They and three teenagers at the address were getting ready for bed.</p><p>The offenders used two firearms at the address. The 37 year old male was shot once in the leg and the female was assaulted in the head by a shotgun butt before the four offenders drove away.</p><p>Police are seeking information from anyone who saw the Mazda Astina being stolen in Wellington city, being driven the Amundsen Grove, Stokes Valley area.</p><p>They would also like to hear about any suspicious behavior seen or heard near Taita Bowling Club around the time the car was set on fire.</p><p>Notes:<br />Please note some reports incorrectly state the number of offenders. There are four offenders believed to be involved in this incident.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44574">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GFU-UORrFroISwVG3iuZ-GPpO6U/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GFU-UORrFroISwVG3iuZ-GPpO6U/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GFU-UORrFroISwVG3iuZ-GPpO6U/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GFU-UORrFroISwVG3iuZ-GPpO6U/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/3lgdtpSdHTU" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:35:32 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44574 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44574 Population growth highest in three years http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/jybIOs4Z9tM/news.cfm Statistics New Zealand <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=72" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">NEWS</a> <p>The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 4,331,600 at 30 September 2009, Statistics New Zealand said today. The population increased by 51,700 (1.2 percent) in the September 2009 year, the highest growth in three years. In the September 2008 year, the population increased by 39,900 (0.9 percent).</p><p>Although the main contribution to population growth during the September 2009 year came from natural increase (excess of births over deaths), the higher growth compared with the September 2008 year was due to increased net migration. Natural increase contributed 34,700, down 800 on the previous September year. Permanent and long-term arrivals exceeded departures by 17,000 in the latest year, up from a net migration gain of 4,400 in the September 2008 year.</p><p>At 30 September 2009, the median age for males was 35.5 years (half are younger, and half older, than this age). The median age for females was 37.5 years. The median age increased 2.2 years for males and 2.6 years for females in the 10 years ended September 2009.</p><p>The age composition of New Zealand's population has changed over the past decade, due to population ageing. The proportion of children (aged 0–14 years) has fallen from 23 percent to 21 percent, while the proportion of people aged 15–39 years has fallen from 37 percent to 34 percent. In contrast, the proportion of people aged 40–64 years has increased, from 29 percent to 32 percent, and the proportion aged 65 years and over is also up, from 12 percent to 13 percent. The rise in proportion of the population aged 65 years and over is expected to continue, a trend also occurring in other countries.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44573">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EchXZ0lA-afJa2GdbmojHKkVA9I/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EchXZ0lA-afJa2GdbmojHKkVA9I/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EchXZ0lA-afJa2GdbmojHKkVA9I/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EchXZ0lA-afJa2GdbmojHKkVA9I/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/jybIOs4Z9tM" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:34:22 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44573 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44573 Sales values up for second quarter, volumes flat http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/lhNPHAO1IsM/news.cfm Statistics New Zealand <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=99" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">BUSINESS</a> <p>The value of seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 0.5 percent ($82 million) in the September 2009 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is the second quarter with increased sales values, following four quarters of decreases. Although sales values were up, volumes were flat (up just 0.1 percent), suggesting that prices, in general, rose this quarter.</p><p>The picture for retailing for the September 2009 quarter is mixed, with just over half the industries recording sales increases. The biggest increase in sales value was in supermarket and grocery stores (up 1.1 percent or $41 million), followed by appliance retailing (up 5.1 percent or $32 million). The biggest decreases in sales value were in automotive fuel retailing (down 2.5 percent or $38 million), and department stores (down 3.2 percent or $30 million).</p><p>A sizeable increase in appliance retailing volumes (up 6.5 percent) offset decreases in motor vehicle retailing, department stores, and the other retailing industry, to give a flat result overall.</p><p>Both the value and the volume of seasonally adjusted core retail sales, which excludes the four vehicle-related industries, increased in the latest quarter. The value was up 0.6 percent ($69 million) and the volume up 0.5 percent.</p><p>The trend in the value of total retail sales has risen 1.1 percent since the March 2009 quarter, after falling 2.3 percent in the previous four quarters. The trend in the volume of total retail sales appears to have flattened – after a 6.6 percent decline over the previous eight quarters – up just 0.2 percent in the latest quarter.</p><p>In the September 2009 month, compared with August 2009, seasonally adjusted total retail sales were flat, increasing just 0.2 percent. Thirteen of the 20 core retail industries moved, up or down, by less than $3 million.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44572">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mwgz84uG1btIvh0KrmnzVShj9IE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mwgz84uG1btIvh0KrmnzVShj9IE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mwgz84uG1btIvh0KrmnzVShj9IE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mwgz84uG1btIvh0KrmnzVShj9IE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/lhNPHAO1IsM" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:33:27 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44572 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=44572