http://www.infonews.co.nz/ New Zealand's local news community. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:32:58 GMT en-us http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/Ju-QxcenoOo/news.cfm New Zealand Police <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=130" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">SEARCH AND RESCUE</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=78" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">HUNTLY</a> <p>At about 5.30pm this evening Police were alerted to a 13 year old boy missing in the Waikato River, Huntly.<br /><br />The boy and his friends had been jumping from a bridge over the Waikato River when the missing boy failed to resurface.<br /><br />Police and Fire Brigade personnel responded and initiated an extensive search of the river and its banks.<br /><br />Boats and the Eagle Helicopter were deployed however at this time the boy has not been located.<br /><br />The search will continue tonight until dark tonight and be restarted in the morning.<br /><br />Police will make no further comment at this stage.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85148">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z4My8P9iU41g2HWeasnSdstp57Y/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z4My8P9iU41g2HWeasnSdstp57Y/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z4My8P9iU41g2HWeasnSdstp57Y/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z4My8P9iU41g2HWeasnSdstp57Y/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/Ju-QxcenoOo" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:21:26 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85148 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85148 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/4PCch3Ijsm0/news.cfm New Zealand Police <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=118" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">TRAFFIC</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=86" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">WELLINGTON CITY</a> <p>SH 1 is currently blocked at Te Horo, between Waikanae and Otaki on the Kapiti Coast, due to a multi vehicle crash. Police, Fire and Ambulance are all currently in attendance at the crash scene and there are diversions in place via Te Hapua Rd and Te Horo Beach Road.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85147">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vtzINMIyaxjtbW9GYYaMwXNlh-0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vtzINMIyaxjtbW9GYYaMwXNlh-0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vtzINMIyaxjtbW9GYYaMwXNlh-0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vtzINMIyaxjtbW9GYYaMwXNlh-0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/4PCch3Ijsm0" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:20:39 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85147 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85147 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/ovYYTm6hon0/news.cfm New Zealand Police <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=113" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">DEATHS</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=50" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">TAURANGA</a> <p>At about 4.12pm this afternoon Police were advised that a 57 year old male had not returned from the water at Te Puna Beach, Tauranga Harbour, Bay of Plenty.<br /><br />An extensive search of the inner harbour was initiated which included boat, shoreline and helicopter searches.<br /><br />At about 5.48 pm the body of the male was located by helicopter in the harbour and he was recovered by boat shortly afterwards.<br /><br />Victim support are with the family of the deceased.<br /><br />Police will be making no further comment about this incident.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85146">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XPNYgBV1efGxFUMbF58XtvKnlR4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XPNYgBV1efGxFUMbF58XtvKnlR4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XPNYgBV1efGxFUMbF58XtvKnlR4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XPNYgBV1efGxFUMbF58XtvKnlR4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/ovYYTm6hon0" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:19:38 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85146 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85146 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/7oTMFAkmNT0/news.cfm Christchurch City Council <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=118" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">TRAFFIC</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=223" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">BLENHEIM</a> <p>Burst water main on Blenheim Road between Clarence and Mandeville streets is causing traffic congestion.<br /><br />City-bound lanes closed, south-bound down to one lane. Congestion on Riccarton and Lincoln roads &ndash; please seek alternative routes.</p><p>Could be up to 24 hours before repairs are completed.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85145">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/lKTiHRkbl1-OwsEpK8RPlPNjlJY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/lKTiHRkbl1-OwsEpK8RPlPNjlJY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/lKTiHRkbl1-OwsEpK8RPlPNjlJY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/lKTiHRkbl1-OwsEpK8RPlPNjlJY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/7oTMFAkmNT0" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:05:40 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85145 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85145 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/cA17AQNUY18/news.cfm Environment Canterbury <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=137" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">WATER</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=51" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">CHRISTCHURCH</a> <p>The hearing on TrustPower Ltd&rsquo;s application to vary the Rakaia Water Conservation Order begins Monday February 13, 2012. Six weeks have been set aside for the hearing in Christchurch at the Hagley Park Netball Clubrooms, Hagley Ave.<br /><br /><strong>Venue</strong>: Hagley Park Netball Clubrooms, Hagley Ave, Christchurch<br /><br /><strong>From</strong>: Monday, February 13, 10.00 am onwards and every week day thereafter from 9.30 am to 5 pm approximately. A six week time frame has been set aside.<br /><br />Of 224 submissions, about 70 submitters have indicated that they wish to speak at the hearing. Only people who have made a submission and indicated they wish to speak will be able to address the hearing.<br /><br />The hearing commissioners are: The Hon Peter Salmon QC (panel chair), Rau Kirikiri (tikanga Maori, specialist area) and Mike Bowden (hydrology, specialist area).<br /><br /><strong>Background</strong><br /><br />Read media release: <a href="http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/news/Pages/rakaia-wco-application.aspx">Rakaia Water Conservation Order application to be heard</a>.<br /><br />Environment Canterbury has a processing and decision-making function for the application and neither supports or opposes it. Environment Canterbury has lodged a submission, however, to provide information and technical expertise at the hearing.<br /><br />The application proposes a series of amendments and additions to the original Water Conservation Order to enable the use of water which is currently diverted and stored in Lake Coleridge/Whakamatau for hydroelectricity generation, for both hydroelectricity and irrigation uses.<br /><br />The application and evidence can be read on the <a href="http://ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/consent-projects/rakaia-wco/pages/default.aspx">Rakaia Water Conservation Order</a> page.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85144">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3GWMPzoi6AaMWG1oSkAJS_heTMo/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3GWMPzoi6AaMWG1oSkAJS_heTMo/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3GWMPzoi6AaMWG1oSkAJS_heTMo/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3GWMPzoi6AaMWG1oSkAJS_heTMo/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/cA17AQNUY18" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:04:12 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85144 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85144 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/ACJy3winJ0s/news.cfm Department of Labour <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>An Indian woman who came to New Zealand in 2002 on a false passport that she subsequently used to obtain residence, citizenship and a New Zealand passport now faces possible deportation.<br /><br />Harleen Singh, aged 29, of Mt Wellington, was sentenced by the Auckland District Court today to 10 months&rsquo; home detention and 150 hours&rsquo; community service after earlier admitting five charges under the Immigration Act 1987, two under the Citizenship Act 1977 and one under the Passport Act 1992.<br /><br />The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) are now considering her citizenship and immigration status respectively. If she is deprived of her New Zealand citizenship INZ could deport her.<br /><br />INZ General Manager Intelligence, Risk and Integrity, Steve Stuart, says INZ holds people accountable for providing false or misleading information when applying for immigration status in New Zealand.<br /><br />&ldquo;We grant residence to up to 50,000 foreign nationals each year,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;People wishing to make their future here must meet immigration policy to become a resident. That includes telling the truth and being who they say they are. Those who choose to lie to gain residence in New Zealand will be found out and the consequences for them and their family can be grave. This case should serve as a warning to others who might be tempted to do likewise.&rdquo;<br /><br />After failing in earlier attempts to live in New Zealand under her birth name, Harleen Singh returned under another name on a false passport that she subsequently used to obtain residence.<br /><br />&ldquo;The fact that this happened 10 years ago doesn&rsquo;t make it in any way acceptable &ndash; the passage of time doesn&rsquo;t deter us from holding immigration fraudsters to account,&rdquo; Mr Stuart says.<br /><br />&ldquo;Identity fraud is a major challenge for INZ and is not tolerated. We investigate and we prosecute because the integrity of our immigration system is paramount, given its importance to New Zealand and our international reputation.&rdquo;<br /><br />Mr Stuart says residence often leads to citizenship and the issuing of a New Zealand passport.<br /><br />&ldquo;New Zealanders enjoy an international reputation as being low risk with the consequent freedom of travel that brings. It&rsquo;s important that we protect that reputation and deal firmly with those who seek to obtain those privileges through deceit.&rdquo;<br /><br />INZ is continuing to strengthen its work with international partners, including through the development of a biometric programme, to enable greater detection of people attempting identity fraud.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85143">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8EU83HIF2BvQxRR-eYnfLFTkdvk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8EU83HIF2BvQxRR-eYnfLFTkdvk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8EU83HIF2BvQxRR-eYnfLFTkdvk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8EU83HIF2BvQxRR-eYnfLFTkdvk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/ACJy3winJ0s" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:01:59 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85143 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85143 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/RYhc-6ABwG8/news.cfm Greater Wellington Regional Council <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=96" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">ENVIRONMENT</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=151" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">OTAKI</a> <p>Greater Wellington is holding the annual <a href="http://www.gw.govt.nz/kapiti-great-gravel-grab/">Kapiti Great Gravel Grab</a> on the banks of the Otaki River on Sunday 19 February and its Flood Protection team is expecting another big turn out this year.<br /><br />&quot;Every year hundreds of people turn up to the Great Gravel Grabs to get some free gravel for DIY projects in their gardens and learn a little about the work we do on the river to protect homes from damaging floods,&quot; Flood Protection Manager Graeme Campbell says.<br /><br />You can bring along a shovel with your trailer or ute (but leave the trucks at home) and get a load of free gravel. You can also collect as many larger river stones as you like, as long as you do it by hand, and your trailer can still move. Greater Wellington staff will be checking that trailers and utes are roadworthy before gravel is loaded, so double check the tyres are pumped, and that the suspension works before you leave home.<br /><br />Usually, you need permission from Greater Wellington to remove gravel and stones from the riverbed, and it&rsquo;s generally only granted for hand picking stones. Greater Wellington does not allow private use of mechanical extractors as it&#39;s important that rocks and gravel are removed from where there&#39;s too much gravel and not removed from where it&#39;s needed.<br /><br />Every year Greater Wellington extracts up to 40,000 cubic metres of gravel from the Otaki River as part of the flood protection measures used along the river corridor. High riverbed levels and gravel banks can be a factor in erosion and flooding. Removing gravel helps reduce erosion pressure and increases the river&#39;s capacity to cope with flooding.<br /><br /><strong>The Kapiti Great Gravel Grab (Otaki River) </strong><br />Sunday 19 February, between 10am-2pm.<br />To get there: If coming from the south, turn left off SH1 immediately north of the bridge and follow the signs.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85142">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e_zcuwXtXQjHTTnxl_p46amH6Cs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e_zcuwXtXQjHTTnxl_p46amH6Cs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e_zcuwXtXQjHTTnxl_p46amH6Cs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e_zcuwXtXQjHTTnxl_p46amH6Cs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/RYhc-6ABwG8" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:59:34 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85142 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85142 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/jExILDh8ZTE/news.cfm Greater Wellington Regional Council <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=175" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">COMMUNITY</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=135" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">PORIRUA</a> <p>Delve into the rich heritage of Porirua&rsquo;s Whitireia Park with members of Ng&#257;ti Toa Rangatira at <a href="http://www.gw.govt.nz/hikoi-ki-whitireia-whitireia-history-walk/">Hikoi Ki Whitireia &ndash; Whitireia History Walk this Thursday</a>.<br /><br />&ldquo;Ng&#257;ti Toa Rangatira extends a warm welcome to the community and the wider public to join with us in commemorating Whitireia&rsquo;s important historic and natural features. We look forward to sharing our heritage and stories as we explore this stunning landscape,&rdquo; says Ng&#257;ti Toa Rangatira representative Jennie Smeaton.<br /><br />In this special Ng&#257;ti Toa Rangatira-Greater Wellington event, participants will visit important historical sites including the landing place of the famed Kupe of M&#257;ori legend, and enjoy panoramic views of the wider Porirua area.<br /><br />Ng&#257;ti Toa Rangatira will also talk about the recent history and present-day importance of the site, covering how the site became the centre of landmark legislation regarding Treaty of Waitangi settlements and continues to be a focal point of Porirua city.<br /><br /><strong>Hikoi Ki Whitireia &ndash; Whitireia History Walk</strong><br />Whitireia Park<br />Thursday 16 February, 6.15pm to 8pm<br />Getting there: Turn off SH1 at Porirua and follow Titahi Bay Rd &ndash; the entrance to the park is off Thornley Street. Meet the ranger at the top carpark.<br /><br />This event is free. Moderate fitness required. Everybody welcome &ndash; no need to book. More information: <a href="http://www.gw.govt.nz/events/">www.gw.govt.nz/events</a>.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85141">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/S1oQnC0LysQBib6rVYQ7ig7grrk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/S1oQnC0LysQBib6rVYQ7ig7grrk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/S1oQnC0LysQBib6rVYQ7ig7grrk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/S1oQnC0LysQBib6rVYQ7ig7grrk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/jExILDh8ZTE" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:57:43 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85141 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85141 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/fV6y1-Wu-Qc/news.cfm Christchurch City Council <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=81" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#810101;">FASHION</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=51" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">CHRISTCHURCH</a> <p>Internationally renowned costume and fabric artist Jenny Gillies returns to next month&rsquo;s Ellerslie International Flower Show with &#39;A Wonderland of Wearable Flowers&#39;.<br /><br />Jenny, who wowed the crowds at the 2009 Show with her Wearable Weeds floral artwear collection, says she is excited about being back at Ellerslie and to be exhibiting in Christchurch for the first time in two years.</p><p>&ldquo;For the last three years I have spent a lot of time working on big shows for the Royal Adelaide Show &ndash; it will be fantastic to be back showing my works of art in my home town.&rdquo;</p><p>Jenny first exhibited at Ellerslie during the last show held in Auckland in 2007.<br />She is promising &ldquo;lots of humour, lots of beauty and lots of colour&rdquo; with her Wonderland of Wearable Flowers.</p><p>Up to 50 garments &ndash; the majority of which have never seen before in New Zealand &ndash; will be displayed in a wonderland of trees, a landscaped garden created by tree care specialists and arborists Treetech who are sponsoring her Ellerslie exhibit.</p><p>&ldquo;It will be quite spectacular with the costumes exhibited in a landscape of trees and shrubs. Visitors will be able to experience the magic of these floral works of art up close.&rdquo;</p><p>Ellerslie International Flower Show, North Hagley Park, 7 to 11 March 2012. Early Bird tickets are available for $29 at www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz until Monday 13 February.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85140">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aFWLeLUafhB3RgJ803VVadaATcI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aFWLeLUafhB3RgJ803VVadaATcI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aFWLeLUafhB3RgJ803VVadaATcI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aFWLeLUafhB3RgJ803VVadaATcI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/fV6y1-Wu-Qc" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:54:52 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85140 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85140 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/XwUKqM3bzsA/news.cfm New Zealand Transport Agency <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> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=96" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">PALMERSTON NORTH</a> <p>The NZ Transport Agency says the fourth bench is well underway at the Manawatu Gorge, as crews slog increasingly closer to the pivotal fifth bench.<br /><br />NZTA state highways manager David McGonigal says crews began work on the fourth stabilising bench on Tuesday, and are making steady headway.<br /><br />&quot;The weather has been very good to us which has enabled great progress by the team - it almost seems like Mother Nature&#39;s trying to make amends.<br /><br />&quot;There&#39;s still a lot of work to be done but we&#39;re getting closer to bench five, and once we&#39;ve completed that we&#39;ll be in a position to assess how we proceed from here on in.&quot;<br /><br />Mr McGonigal said that while progress was good, the amount of rock on the hillside continues to present a challenge for the crews on the slope.<br /><br />&quot;The machines are still uncovering some fairly large boulders and it looks like we may have to bring in the rock breaker again to speed things along.&quot;<br /><br />Mr McGonigal says the NZTA are spraying another batch of hydroseeding on all the batters (slopes), comprising a mix of mulch, water, and grass and moss seed.<br /><br />&quot;Not only does hydroseeding provide an immediate food source for the germinating seeds, it will also capture and encourage further plant growth to jump-start the regeneration of plant life on the slope,&quot; says Mr McGonigal.<br /><br />Mr McGonigal noted that most of the bush that the NZTA removed to access the slip was scrub, and very few trees had to be felled. A large Rata tree has been carefully removed from the Ashhurst end of the slip and it will be replanted behind the stream bridge railings when the NZTA finishes clearing and re-stabilising the slip.<br /><br />In regards to the Saddle Road, Mr McGonigal says the NZTA is prioritising the worst sections of the road surface and will have them fixed as soon as is practicable.<br /><br />&quot;Any upgrades that can be done now, while still keeping this vital detour open, are being done. This includes work at the Lower Saddle Road curve realignment and the slow vehicle bay near the wind farm. We&#39;re also keeping a close eye on the Pahiatua Track and have crews out there maintaining the road. We&#39;ve identified some sections of the road surface that have developed corrugations, or ridges, and we will be re-grading those areas shortly.<br /><br />&#39;We&#39;ve also completed the intersection design for Oxford Road/Woodlands Road and are ready to crack on with the work as soon as the necessary property agreements are finalised.&quot;<br /><br />Mr McGonigal thanked the public for their ongoing patience and support, and the Higgins crews for their continued perseverance in difficult working conditions.<br /><br />All Manawatu Gorge updates and media releases, plus more photographs and diagrams, are on the NZTA&#39;s dedicated Manawatu Gorge web page - http://nzta.govt.nz/manawatu-gorge.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85139">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mNfrWFZucX-efeoe22h0Gy3QZXs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mNfrWFZucX-efeoe22h0Gy3QZXs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mNfrWFZucX-efeoe22h0Gy3QZXs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mNfrWFZucX-efeoe22h0Gy3QZXs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/XwUKqM3bzsA" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:53:05 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85139 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85139 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/824kQVNB24o/news.cfm Hutt City Council <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=175" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">COMMUNITY</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>As part of the consultation on the proposed amendments to the Pencarrow Coast Road Vehicle Use Policy, a public meeting in Eastbourne has been organised. </p><p>The meeting will be held on <strong>Thursday 16 February, 7pm at the Eastbourne Sports and Club in Tuatoru Street.</strong></p><p>There will be short presentations from the main interest groups involved followed by questions from the audience. The meeting will be run by a facilitator.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85138">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GBsrOT9ytDIaIA5yKlICnfKY7tk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GBsrOT9ytDIaIA5yKlICnfKY7tk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GBsrOT9ytDIaIA5yKlICnfKY7tk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GBsrOT9ytDIaIA5yKlICnfKY7tk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/824kQVNB24o" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:51:52 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85138 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85138 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/BkLH_I7HU0c/news.cfm Department of Labour <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=128" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">EMPLOYMENT</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=96" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">PALMERSTON NORTH</a> <p>A pulp mill has today been fined a total of $37,000 after an employee suffered serious injuries when he fell 3.5 metres into a service pit at a forestry site in February last year.<br /><br />The Palmerston North District Court heard that the employee was a kiln operator who was responsible for cleaning and maintenance when he fell and fractured and dislocated his left foot.<br /><br />His employer, Winstone Pulp International Limited, based in Ohakune, was fined $37,000 and ordered to pay $8,100 in reparation following the accident on 18 February 2011.<br /><br />&ldquo;The cleaning system that was connected to the kiln had become blocked with ash. The employee climbed the metal frame of the cleaning system to find the reason for the blockage,&rdquo; says the Department&rsquo;s Acting Palmerston North Service Manager David Hulston.<br /><br />&ldquo;Hot ash spewed out when he opened the hatch and as a result he could not close it again. As he attempted to climb down the frame he fell 3.5 metres into the uncovered service pit,&rdquo; Mr Hulston says.<br /><br />&ldquo;Our investigation found that there were no measures in place to protect the employee from the hazard of a fall from height and hot ash. This is simply unacceptable.&rdquo; <br /><br />&ldquo;While Winstone Pulp has since improved its practices for managing blockages in the cleaning system &ndash; the Department will not tolerate unacceptable hazard management plans,&rdquo; Mr Hulston says.<br /><br />&ldquo;This employee has suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident which could have been avoided entirely if the right processes and procedures had been in place.&rdquo;</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85137">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hk3vPTYkqgAI3e7OwmlA7q-N4WY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hk3vPTYkqgAI3e7OwmlA7q-N4WY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hk3vPTYkqgAI3e7OwmlA7q-N4WY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hk3vPTYkqgAI3e7OwmlA7q-N4WY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/BkLH_I7HU0c" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:50:05 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85137 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85137 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/c4YHHqRQdkU/news.cfm Christchurch City 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=51" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">CHRISTCHURCH</a> <p>Progress results for the Burwood-Pegasus by-election show Peter Beck is the highest polling candidate to represent the Burwood-Pegasus Ward as a Ward Councillor.<br /><br />Voting in the by-election closed at 12 noon today (Friday, 10 February). This result is based upon 34.03% of returned voting papers. The progress result does not include some special votes returned today before voting closed.</p><p>Nine candidates &ndash; Peter Beck, Steve Burke, Rod Cameron, David East, Raymond Ellwood, Stan Tawa, Linda Stewart, Rik Tindall and Bob Tomkins &ndash; stood for the position of Burwood-Pegasus Ward Councillor in the by-election. </p><p>The by-election was required for a new Ward Councillor following last year&rsquo;s resignation of Christchurch City Councillor Chrissie Williams.</p><p>According to the progress result, 13,543 votes were received in total &ndash; 4,636 votes were received for Peter Beck; 2,753 for David East; 1,619 for Stan Tawa; 1,457 for Rod Cameron; 1,442 for Linda Stewart; 643 for Steve Burke; 455 for Rik Tindall; 436 for Bob Tomkins and 56 for Raymond Ellwood.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85136">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uomBt9FJxf7LwVbmB5Fn1JcjM0E/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uomBt9FJxf7LwVbmB5Fn1JcjM0E/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uomBt9FJxf7LwVbmB5Fn1JcjM0E/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uomBt9FJxf7LwVbmB5Fn1JcjM0E/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/c4YHHqRQdkU" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:48:44 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85136 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85136 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/h1bJe4WZwvs/news.cfm Gerry Brownlee <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> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=51" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">CHRISTCHURCH</a> <p>Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee today inspected construction progress at the new Christchurch Stadium, joined by members of the Crusaders rugby franchise who pitched in to help lay recycled turf harvested from AMI Stadium.<br /><br />&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a very tight schedule to build an entire stadium in four months but the efforts and outstanding cooperation of the roughly 400 workers on site has this project on track for completion at the end of March, just 43 days away,&rdquo; Mr Brownlee said.<br /><br />&ldquo;Already this week over 200 truckloads of concrete has been delivered to provide platforms under the north and south stands, which together will hold 13,000 fans and are being constructed with earthquake risk in mind.&rdquo;<br /><br />Stabilising gravel rafts have been dug a metre into the ground to strengthen the stands&rsquo; foundations. The rafts contain layers of geotech matting, which when combined with gravel creates a rigid platform beneath the stands. This also serves to prevent liquefaction from penetrating beneath the foundations.<br /><br />&ldquo;It&rsquo;s great to see seating being installed, the recycled tower lights from Carisbrook in Dunedin on site and ready for installation, and the Portacoms from Carisbrook and Auckland&rsquo;s Eden Park being retrofitted,&rdquo; Mr Brownlee said.<br /><br />On hand to view progress with an eye to June&rsquo;s All Blacks&rsquo; test against Ireland was NZRU chairman Mike Eagle. Mr Brownlee unveiled a drawing of the stadium in test-match mode, with an additional west stand that will enable the ground to accommodate 25,000 fans.<br /><br />Also present was newly appointed trustee of the Christchurch Stadium Trust, Hon Jim Anderton. Mr Anderton will work with Sir John Hansen, whose appointment as the trust chair was announced in December 2011.<br /><br />For more information visit <a href="http://www.christchurchstadium.co.nz/">www.christchurchstadium.co.nz</a></p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85135">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qan-qomGgUrzUgdCJbeiEKokwJM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qan-qomGgUrzUgdCJbeiEKokwJM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qan-qomGgUrzUgdCJbeiEKokwJM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qan-qomGgUrzUgdCJbeiEKokwJM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/h1bJe4WZwvs" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:47:39 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85135 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85135 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/gVAPuEAOXBA/news.cfm Tourism Industry Association New Zealand <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> <p>Two leading visitor industry organisations have announced a proposal to integrate into a single strong, high profile, well resourced association.<br /><br />The Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) and the New Zealand Hotel Council (NZHC) aim to have the new integrated Association in place by 1 April 2012.<br /><br />TIA Chairman Norm Thompson says the move has come about as a result of recent discussions. The Boards of both TIA and NZHC have separately discussed and unanimously agreed to endorse the process, and are now consulting their members.<br /><br />NZHC Independent Chair Jennie Langley says the aim is to create unified, highly focused leadership for the visitor industry, maximising its voice and influence over central and local government, and other decision makers.<br /><br />&ldquo;The need to ensure there is a well-connected industry association to deal with decision makers and to shape the success of the industry has never been greater,&rdquo; Ms Langley says.<br /><br />The proposal would see current members of NZHC integrated into TIA, with TIA providing a new dedicated hotel sector resource. Both TIA and NZHC members will retain all the benefits and services they currently receive. Further enhancements to these will be developed in coming months.<br /><br />Ms Langley says the hotel sector is a significant contributor to tourism in New Zealand, with NZHC representing the interests of over 130 members throughout New Zealand, including international chain, large independent and privately owned hotels. NZHC members employ 11,000 staff nationally, with annual revenues of more than $866 million.<br /><br />&ldquo;We are confident the integration will be of significant benefit to all members as well as the wider visitor industry. The hotel sector is already represented on the TIA Board and as part of the change to an integrated organisation, the TIA Board will consider a name change for the new Association. It will be seeking members&rsquo; support before any final decision is made,&rdquo; Mr Thompson says.<br /><br />Discussions with a range of other tourism industry organisations are also underway, with a view to finding further opportunities to integrate, the two chairs say.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85134">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9q76vTwUjgUlL-znhmxLLMQDYro/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9q76vTwUjgUlL-znhmxLLMQDYro/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9q76vTwUjgUlL-znhmxLLMQDYro/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9q76vTwUjgUlL-znhmxLLMQDYro/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/gVAPuEAOXBA" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:36:23 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85134 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85134 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/WcP4KAUELSM/news.cfm University of Otago <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>Research by the University of Otago in Christchurch and Wellington has shown that breastfeeding of infants has a clear protective effect against children developing asthma or wheezing up to six years of age.<br /><br />There has long been debate over this issue in the scientific literature, but this latest study of 1105 infants in Christchurch and Wellington over six years demonstrates that exclusive, or indeed any breastfeeding, has a protective effect on the development of asthma in young children.<br /><br />The study team asked questions about breastfeeding and gathered information on wheezing and asthma in the children at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years.<br /><br />The protective effect against the development of asthma is even stronger in those infants and children who are atopic, that is those who have allergies and are therefore more vulnerable.<br /><br />Exclusive breastfeeding for three months within this atopic sub-group reduced current asthma at six years by 59%, bringing their risk down to that of non-atopic children.<br /><br />&ldquo;These are very robust and convincing results which support a global public health message to breastfeed to prevent asthma,&rdquo; says lead author Dr Karen Silvers from the University of Otago, Christchurch.<br /><br />&ldquo;If every infant in this NZ cohort had been exclusively breast fed for six months, as is recommended by the WHO, current asthma would have been reduced by 50% at two years, 42% at three, 30% at four, 42% at five and 32% at six years.&rdquo;<br /><br />She says the evidence is particularly strong for exclusive breastfeeding in infancy as being protective against asthma.<br /><br />The study shows a waning of the impact of breastfeeding after four years of age, which Silvers says is to be expected as children are exposed to other risk factors for asthma and wheezing as they age. However, the fact that exclusive breastfeeding protects well beyond the exclusive breastfeeding period (introduction of foods or other drinks) is remarkable.<br /><br />Dr Silvers says overall this study is further convincing evidence of the known benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child.<br /><br />The study has been published in The Journal of Paediatrics and was funded by: the Health Research Council, Child Health Research Foundation, Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, Asthma Research Foundation and the David and Cassie Anderson Bequest.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85133">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0K4lqkVL3Z-NTL3GI3j9tcjdN8I/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0K4lqkVL3Z-NTL3GI3j9tcjdN8I/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0K4lqkVL3Z-NTL3GI3j9tcjdN8I/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0K4lqkVL3Z-NTL3GI3j9tcjdN8I/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/WcP4KAUELSM" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:35:21 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85133 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85133 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/uAccYaVRovY/news.cfm Massey University <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> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=86" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">WELLINGTON CITY</a> <p>The 2012 International Council for Small Business World Conference, being co-hosted by Massey University in Wellington in June, will include a session on indigenous entrepreneurship for the first time. <br /><br />Indigenous entrepreneurship is a growing field of research and the conference provides an opportunity for scholars to showcase their work on an international stage. The best papers will also be published in a special issue of the Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues.<br /><br />Indigenous entrepreneurship is one of 18 &lsquo;tracks&rsquo; being covered during the 2012 conference. Others include entrepreneurship, education and training; social and economic development; small business management; new venture creation; and this year&rsquo;s theme, &lsquo;Leading from the Edge&rsquo;. <br /><br />The Leading from the Edge track will focus on pioneering entrepreneurial behaviour during challenging times. Both man-made &lsquo;events&rsquo; and natural disasters can create new environments for entrepreneurial activity &ndash; an issue that is this is particularly relevant to New Zealand after the Canterbury earthquake last year.<br /><br />The conference&rsquo;s keynote speaker is Professor Saras Sarasvathy from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. She has been named one of the top 18 entrepreneurship professors by Fortune Small Business Magazine.<br /><br />2012 will be the first time the conference has been held in New Zealand, and more than 400 small business educators, researchers, policy makers and practitioners from around the world are expected to attend. <br /><br />Massey University&rsquo;s Centre for Small and Medium Enterprise Research successfully bid to host the conference, along with the Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand, Wellington City Council, and Grow Wellington.<br /><br />Dr Marco van Gelderen, Massey university lecturer, entrepreneurship specialist, and chair of the conference&rsquo;s programme committee, says the event will bring many international perspectives to New Zealand.<br /><br />&ldquo;The ICSB World Conference is looking to be a truly global conference,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;There have already been abstracts submitted by authors from 40 different countries, and we expect many more in the coming weeks.&rdquo;</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85132">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nvh08RQFLMHectxOEC9B-j__-os/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nvh08RQFLMHectxOEC9B-j__-os/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nvh08RQFLMHectxOEC9B-j__-os/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nvh08RQFLMHectxOEC9B-j__-os/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/uAccYaVRovY" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:34:36 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85132 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85132 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/RoGCVYcmORg/news.cfm Jo Goodhew <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>New figures show nearly 40,000 more women aged 50 to 69 have taken part in the Government&rsquo;s free breast cancer screening programme in the 24 months to October 2011 than in the previous two years.<br /><br />In the 24 months to October 2011, a total of 344,268 women had breast screening as part of BreastScreen Aotearoa, compared with 305,839 women in the 24 months to October 2009.<br /><br />Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says, &quot;Within the overall increase, the percentage of Maori women and Pacific women taking part on the programme has had the greatest increase. Those numbers increased by 5138 Maori and 3038 Pacific in that time period.<br /><br />&ldquo;Maori and Pacific women are less likely to have breast screening, so it is very encouraging to see figures for these groups increasing.&rdquo;<br /><br />The aim of breast screening is to find very small cancers before a lump can be found in the breast.<br /><br />Mrs Goodhew says, &quot;Breast cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand women and early treatment has the best chance of success. That&rsquo;s why regular breast screening is so important.&rdquo;<br /><br />Free breast screening for women aged 45 to 69 years is provided through BreastScreen Aotearoa.<br /><br />Three new television commercials begin this weekend as part of the public awareness campaign.<br /><br />For further information about breast screening, or to make an appointment, women can ring freephone 0800 270 200 or 0508 THE GIRLS, or see the website <a href="http://www.nsu.govt.nz/">www.nsu.govt.nz</a></p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85131">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7RNYoWe5XL_nlaTYk2ZBcPkGkvg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7RNYoWe5XL_nlaTYk2ZBcPkGkvg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7RNYoWe5XL_nlaTYk2ZBcPkGkvg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7RNYoWe5XL_nlaTYk2ZBcPkGkvg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/RoGCVYcmORg" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:33:36 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85131 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85131 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/S-gO0XoGHz4/news.cfm Amy Adams <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>Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams today released a discussion paper reviewing the 111 emergency calling system.<br /><br />The review considers the performance of the 111 system through to the point where calls are handed over by Telecom to emergency service providers. It does not cover the response of emergency service providers to 111 calls.<br /><br />About three million 111 calls are made each year, 25 per cent of which are genuine calls needing to be transferred to emergency service communication centres.<br /><br />&ldquo;Having a reliable and efficient 111 service is critically important for public safety and community well-being,&rdquo; says Ms Adams.<br /><br />&ldquo;This review will ensure the framework for the service is robust and is able to accommodate changing technologies, practices and structures.&rdquo;<br /><br />The paper looks at whether current governance arrangements and call-answering processes are satisfactory. It concludes that the 111 service works well and has a high level of resilience.<br /><br />However, the review raises questions about whether current governance arrangements are well-suited for considering improvements to the service, and the impact of new technologies.<br /><br />Two options are suggested to manage the future direction of the 111 service:<br /><br />&bull; Setting up a small, dedicated group in a government agency; or<br />&bull; Strengthening the joint industry-government advisory board which currently oversees the 111 service<br /><br />The paper was prepared in consultation with both the Telecommunications Carriers&rsquo; Forum and emergency service providers.<br /><br />The discussion document is available from the Ministry of Economic Development&#39;s website at <a href="http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/technology-communication/communications/emergency-call-services/111-review">www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/technology-communication/communications/emergency-call-services/111-review</a>.<br /><br />Submissions are due by 5pm on Friday 30 March, 2012.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85130">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xZnjXFwVYHA5roaF4TTXZ5ELvFY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xZnjXFwVYHA5roaF4TTXZ5ELvFY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xZnjXFwVYHA5roaF4TTXZ5ELvFY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xZnjXFwVYHA5roaF4TTXZ5ELvFY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/S-gO0XoGHz4" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:32:33 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85130 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85130 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/NFIdWa7cf_s/news.cfm New Zealand Police <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=102" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">CRIME</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=86" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">WELLINGTON CITY</a> <p>Wellington Police are urging residents in the Eastern suburbs to be safety-conscious, following two recent night time burglaries.<br /><br />Detective Inspector Paul Basham, officer in charge of the Wellington CIB says overnight Police were called to two separate Kilbirnie addresses within quick succession, where occupants had woken to find a male in their homes. Once disturbed, the offender has fled quickly.<br /><br />&quot;We believe these two incidents are linked and are very keen to hear from anyone in the Kilbirnie area who may have seen a male acting suspiciously in recent days or anyone who may have heard or seen any suspicious behaviour around their neighbourhood.&quot;<br /><br />Detective Inspector Basham says it&#39;s important that residents follow our basic preventative messages around reducing opportunities for potential burglars to gain entry to premises by ensuring their doors are locked each night and that windows are secured.<br /><br />&quot;If you do hear or see anything suspicious call Police as soon as possible on 111 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.&quot;</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85129">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4q3gQZYI25GVvlRFjtgmzT1_qu0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4q3gQZYI25GVvlRFjtgmzT1_qu0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4q3gQZYI25GVvlRFjtgmzT1_qu0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4q3gQZYI25GVvlRFjtgmzT1_qu0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/NFIdWa7cf_s" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:30:35 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85129 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85129 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/fN1zLwdmbC8/news.cfm Invercargill City Council <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=118" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">TRAFFIC</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>Motorists travelling on Queens Drive are failing to notice the relocated pedestrian crossing by George Street and Council engineers are concerned for the safety of pedestrians.<br /><br />Manager Engineering Services Group Russell Pearson said that Engineers had observed a number of drivers who had not anticipated pedestrians at the crossing and would not have been able to stop in time.<br /><br />&ldquo;We have seen a number of near misses, which is prompting us to ask motorists to be aware, look for pedestrians and be ready to stop safely.&rdquo;<br /><br />In response to these safety concerns, Council staff were looking at introducing extra measures to make the crossing safer while the road works were underway, he said.<br /><br />It was likely that these new measures would be introduced next week.&nbsp;</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85128">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/gudszTp7IvesnX1DYGTOMbU3YJM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/gudszTp7IvesnX1DYGTOMbU3YJM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/gudszTp7IvesnX1DYGTOMbU3YJM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/gudszTp7IvesnX1DYGTOMbU3YJM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/fN1zLwdmbC8" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:29:40 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85128 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85128 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/CrzjjZ3jZOM/news.cfm Maritime New Zealand <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=140" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">MARINE</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=50" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">TAURANGA</a> <p><strong>10 February 2012 - 11.00AM</strong></p><p>Good progress continues to be made on container salvage operations. However, this is slow, labour-intensive work that involves the cutting and grinding of containers and removal of the contents by hand. This means an average of 1 container and its contents are being removed per day.<br /><br /><strong>Salvage</strong></p><ul><li>The salvors current focus is on removing 14 formerly refrigerated containers above decks on the forward part of the vessel, as well as 4 containers containing wood. This work is estimated to take 2-3 weeks, but is dependent on weather conditions and safety. Four tonnes of scaffolding is being erected by stevedores to allow access to these containers.</li><li>All milk powder from containers has now been removed from Rena.</li><li>The McDermott heavy lift helicopter continues to remove remains of damaged containers.</li><li>Sensors on the forward part of Rena are detecting ongoing movement. Sensors have also now been installed on the aft section.</li><li>The forward part of the wreck is heaving and rolling, but currently remains fast on the reef.</li><li>Weather forecasts are currently good, with winds increasing to about 20kts in the afternoon and seas of 1.7m. Conditions for Saturday currently look favourable.</li><li>However, operations still remain extremely weather dependent</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Containers</strong></p><ul><li>&nbsp;</li><li>To date, 479 containers have been removed from Rena, with an additional 70 recovered from the water.</li><li>Braemar Howells will be heli-lifting more loads of stacked timber from Matakana Island today. About 70 lifts were carried out yesterday, with the helicopter transferring the timber to a barge waiting offshore to take it to the port.</li><li>The team is pleased to report also that remote Orokawa Bay, to the north of Waihi Beach, has been completely cleared. Timber, and a container that was part-submerged in the shallows, have all removed. The helicopter lifted 8 loads from Orokawa Bay.</li><li>A survey has also been carried out of the remaining debris on Motiti Island which is to be removed in coming days.</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>MNZ / Oil spill response</strong></p><ul><li>Shoreline Clean Up Assessment Teams (SCAT) are focusing on Matakana Island in response to reports of old, weathered oil.</li><li>Teams are also working at Mount Maunganui and Leisure Island, with an estimated week&rsquo;s worth of work left before the area can be signed off as clean.</li><li>SCAT surveys have been completed at the Northern end of Motiti Island. Work there will start the week after next.</li><li>Oil has been reported ashore at Cape Runaway, a team is checking this and assessing the level of work that maybe required.</li><li>No new oiled wildlife have been reported. Two penguins and 1 grey-faced petrel have been released today, with 6 penguins scheduled for release later next week. One bird is still in care.</li></ul><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85127">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZG5k4UNxLxR-hIPtFRTAKRMsen4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZG5k4UNxLxR-hIPtFRTAKRMsen4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZG5k4UNxLxR-hIPtFRTAKRMsen4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZG5k4UNxLxR-hIPtFRTAKRMsen4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/CrzjjZ3jZOM" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:03:00 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85127 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85127 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/0-_CiOOsG7U/news.cfm Whole Nine Yards PR <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>After the financial fright caused by the global financial crisis two years ago, Kiwis put their big spending plans on hold and adopted a &ldquo;wait and see&rdquo; attitude before taking on more personal debt.<br /><br />The value of personal loans taken out nose-dived from $13.25 billion in 2008 to $12.5 billion in 2010 and has remained flat in a sign that people are deferring their big ticket purchases such as new cars, holidays and renovations funded through personal lending.<br /><br />According to leading research and ratings group, CANSTAR, personal loans are expected to regain their popularity as the economy picks up and confidence again returns to the market.<br /><br />Source: RBNZ 2011<br /><br />&ldquo;There are many situations where you need to spend money before you actually earn it,&rdquo; CANSTAR New Zealand National Manager, Derek Bonnar said.<br /><br />&ldquo;The quickest way to access money in advance may well be a credit card but a personal loan is much safer, particularly for those who struggle control their spending urge.&rdquo; <br /><br />&ldquo;Taking out a personal loan rather than maxing out a credit card is a more measured way of managing debt because you commit to repaying the money in regular installments, and there&rsquo;s no putting your hand out for more.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;Considering a personal loan for something you&rsquo;ve always wanted is a great way to test whether you&rsquo;re spending with your head or your heart,&rdquo; Mr Bonnar said.<br /><br />CANSTAR today released its inaugural personal loan star ratings report, evaluating 27 different personal loan products from 13 lenders to determine which loans best suit the needs of consumers looking for a debt consolidation, unsecured or secured personal loan.<br /><br />The report awarded five stars to those offering outstanding value through a mix of the best rates and features. The five-star products are listed below:<br /><br />Consumers can download this report on <a href="http://www.canstar.co.nz/">www.canstar.co.nz</a> and go directly to the personal loan type that suits them.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85126">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FgiXGjvTbTV6dZuSxgpwQLcExws/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FgiXGjvTbTV6dZuSxgpwQLcExws/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FgiXGjvTbTV6dZuSxgpwQLcExws/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FgiXGjvTbTV6dZuSxgpwQLcExws/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/0-_CiOOsG7U" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:00:32 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85126 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85126 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/cvOtJcxYdT8/news.cfm Chapman Tripp <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=158" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">LEGAL</a> <p>Professor Rob Salmond&rsquo;s claims (reported in the New Zealand Herald on Tuesday) that the rich are taxed less in New Zealand than in comparable countries because New Zealand has a comprehensive GST but no capital gains tax ignores some important facts, says Casey Plunket, a member of the 2010 Tax Working Group and a tax partner at Chapman Tripp.<br /><br />&ldquo;Salmond suggests that people who invest in company shares which they sell for a profit are being under-taxed, because there is no capital gains tax. This confuses legal liability with economic liability. <br /><br />&ldquo;Although the investor pays no tax, the company does. That tax reduces the sale price for the shares, because it reduces the company&rsquo;s current assets, and the post-tax cash flow the buyer can expect from the company. Economically, the corporate income tax is a tax on shareholders rather than companies.&rdquo;<br /><br />New Zealand had a high corporate tax rate by international standards &ndash; 28% compared to the OECD average of 25.5% - and a very comprehensive corporate income tax base. As a result, corporate income tax accounted for a higher proportion of tax revenue here than in most other OECD countries. <br /><br />&ldquo;That is the reason why the TWG did not advocate a capital gains tax. The high corporate tax means we don&rsquo;t have the same need for one as many other countries, and in many cases, it would actually lead to double taxation,&rdquo; Plunket said.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85125">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6TD8Qm_hgm1Tg4DadyHAy1PZOmA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6TD8Qm_hgm1Tg4DadyHAy1PZOmA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6TD8Qm_hgm1Tg4DadyHAy1PZOmA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6TD8Qm_hgm1Tg4DadyHAy1PZOmA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/cvOtJcxYdT8" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:56:24 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85125 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85125 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/fCPk0kHaEOM/news.cfm NZ Defence Force <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 first ever graduation for the students of AUT&#39;s Diploma of Paramedic Science and Graduate Diploma of Health Science at the Defence Force Health School (DHS) in Burnham Camp will take place next Tuesday.<br /><br />63 young men and women will proudly walk out in front of friends and family, Senior Defence Force Officers and veterans of Defence Force health services in the completion of the first qualification in their two and half year medic course.<br /><br />Graduates hail from all over the country and are drawn from all three services; Army, Navy and Air Force.<br /><br />Chief Instructor of DHS (NZ) Major Brendan Wood notes that, &ldquo;This graduation was meant to occur in February last year; however when the earthquake hit staff and students were engaged into support activities and were working alongside emergency services so the 2011 ceremony was cancelled.&quot; <br /><br />The new programme came into fruition in January 2010 and is now fully integrated into the Defence training regime <br /><br />This is the only training programme of its kind in the world and prepares NZ Defence force medics for operations at a world class level<br /><br />This training provides the Defence Force with medics who hold both appropriate academic qualifications as well as meeting an equivalent standard to civilian sector,&rdquo; says Major Wood.<br /><br /><strong>What:</strong> Defence Force Health School graduation<br /><br /><strong>Where:</strong> Burnham Military Camp. Camp Cinema<br /><br /><strong>When:</strong> 14th of February. 1330 &ndash; 1600.<br /><br />Media are welcome to attend the graduation and must register with Zen Gregor before COB on the 13th of February.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85124">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/tw4AM04EYVOozoClZNc7ksC73QQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/tw4AM04EYVOozoClZNc7ksC73QQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/tw4AM04EYVOozoClZNc7ksC73QQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/tw4AM04EYVOozoClZNc7ksC73QQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/fCPk0kHaEOM" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:53:54 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85124 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85124 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/kxeAcSBdBEQ/news.cfm Maritime Union of New Zealand <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=128" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#9C4012;">EMPLOYMENT</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>Port management &quot;apple pie&quot; comment shows contempt for workforce<br /><br />Maritime Union of New Zealand media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday 10 February 2012<br /><br />The Maritime Union of New Zealand says no progress was made at today&#39;s mediation with Ports of Auckland management over the employment dispute at the port.<br /><br />Maritime Union of New Zealand National President Garry Parsloe says that while the Union went in with a proposal to try and find a constructive way forward around productivity and job security, they were met with indifference from management.<br /><br />He says the company refuse to come to a negotiated settlement and have continued with a &quot;take it or leave it&quot; approach to their offer, as well as simultaneously working on an outsourcing plan for the port workforce.<br /><br />He says comments by management that workers seeking to maintain the one guaranteed weekend off they have every three weeks was &quot;motherhood and apple pie stuff&quot; revealed a great deal.<br /><br />&quot;This is a company that makes great claims in its corporate mission statement towards its concern for its workers wellbeing, but those values seem to have little to do with how they actually think and behave.&quot;<br /><br />Mr Parsloe says the attitude of arrogance and contempt of management towards the wellbeing and family life of its workforce was staggering.<br /><br />He says senior officials from the Maritime Union and Council of Trade Unions who attended the meeting were extremely concerned.<br /><br />&quot;This is a company that is owned by the people of Auckland whose concept of social responsibility is nil.&quot;<br /><br />Mr Parsloe says the Ports of Auckland could be &quot;torn apart&quot; unless management started to negotiate.<br /><br />&quot;This port serves the importers and exporters of Auckland and is a public service.&quot;<br /><br />&quot;The owners of the asset must remove the management team before the value and future of out greatest asset is wrecked in the pursuit of an agenda that few Aucklanders agree with.&quot;<br /><br />Mr Parsloe says comments yesterday from ACIL CEO Gary Swift to Auckland city councillors that he supported the negotiation of a collective employment agreement between management and union at the port were being ignored by POAL management.<br /><br />&quot;It is now time for the owners of Ports of Auckland to pick up the telephone and tell port management to negotiate.&quot;</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85123">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QdPM3rPaWJR3IgCn0snXqm7LKFg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QdPM3rPaWJR3IgCn0snXqm7LKFg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QdPM3rPaWJR3IgCn0snXqm7LKFg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QdPM3rPaWJR3IgCn0snXqm7LKFg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/kxeAcSBdBEQ" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:50:37 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85123 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85123 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/ID5vt7PT-To/news.cfm Kaipara District Council <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 Kaipara District Council is disappointed that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has made the decision to withdraw restricted and full practical driving licence tests for Class 1 driver licences from Dargaville. At its meeting late last month the Council resolved to do all it could to see driver licence testing returned to Dargaville.<br /><br />&ldquo;This is a political decision. It is centralisation gone mad. Our young drivers will be driving in and around the Kaipara on gravel roads not down Queen Street. It should be local solutions to local conditions which are what local government is all about&rdquo; said Deputy Mayor Julie Geange. &ldquo;Anyone who has driven on a gravel road for the first time will tell you it&rsquo;s an interesting experience and completely different from driving on a tar-sealed road.&rdquo;<br /><br />The Council will continue to lobby the politicians in an effort to have driver vehicle testing returned to Dargaville and the Kaipara. If you want to add your voice to these efforts please contact your local Members of Parliament: Mike Sabine on 09 407 7219 or northlandelectorate@xtra.co.nz and Hone Harawira on 0800 865 3728 or info@mana.net.nz. Tell them what you are telling us and let&rsquo;s see if we can&rsquo;t get this service returned to where it belongs &ndash; locally.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85122">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TdVtNQhxiD0yijsZ-j54TxGL3qg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TdVtNQhxiD0yijsZ-j54TxGL3qg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TdVtNQhxiD0yijsZ-j54TxGL3qg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TdVtNQhxiD0yijsZ-j54TxGL3qg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/ID5vt7PT-To" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:49:20 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85122 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85122 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/rQzsipoWv9s/news.cfm Environment Canterbury <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=96" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">ENVIRONMENT</a> - <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?l=16" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;">CANTERBURY</a> <p>Further submissions are invited in support or opposition to those received on the Hurunui-Waiau Regional Plan. A total of 145 submissions were received and a summary of changes requested by submitters can be found at: <a href="http://www.ecan.govt.nz/hwplan">www.ecan.govt.nz/hwplan</a><br /><br />Around half of all submissions were concerned with three parts of the proposed plan: prohibiting the damming of Lake Sumner and the South Branch of the Hurunui River; reducing the amount of water allocated; and not increasing the nutrient limit in the plan&rsquo;s Schedule 1 to 120% of the 2006-2009 level.<br /><br />Key points in relation to making a further submission:</p><ul><li>Further submissions must be limited to supporting or opposing an original submission.</li><li>Any member of the public with an interest in the plan may make a further submission, not just those who have already submitted.</li><li>A copy of the further submission must be served on the person or organisation who made the original submission which it refers to, within five working days of sending the further submission to Environment Canterbury.</li><li>The closing date for further submissions is 5.00pm, Monday, February 27, 2012. </li></ul><p><br />The proposed Hurunui-Waiau Regional Plan (in full, the Hurunui and Waiau River Regional Plan) was notified last October when the moratoria on consents for the two North Canterbury rivers ended. It will sit alongside the operative Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan and provide specific rules for managing water and the cumulative effects of land use in the Hurunui-Waiau water management zone.<br /><br />A further submission form is included in the Summary of Decisions Requested (<a href="http://www.ecan.govt.nz/hwplan">www.ecan.govt.nz/hwplan</a>) or from any Environment Canterbury office; <a href="http://www.ecan.govt.nz/">htttp://www.ecan.govt.nz</a> ; Customer Services, Environment Canterbury, PO Box 345, Christchurch 8140; 03 353 9007 or 0800 324 636.<br /><br />The mailing address is: Proposed Hurunui and Waiau Regional Plan, Freepost 1201, Environment Canterbury, PO Box 345, Christchurch 8140<br />Or delivery to 24 Edward Street, Lincoln 7608<br />Or by email: mailroom@ecan.govt.nz with &ldquo;Proposed Hurunui and Waiau Regional Plan&rdquo; in the subject line.<strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong>For more information: Andrew Parrish, Principal Planner - Environmental Flows, <br />Environment Canterbury, andrew.parrish@ecan.govt.nz or 027 549 7644.</strong><br /><br />See also: <a href="http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/news/Pages/proposed-hurunui-waiau-regional-plan.aspx">http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/news/Pages/proposed-hurunui-waiau-regional-plan.aspx</a></p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85121">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5Y-YOUXu263fQj2O2e9ujH0szDA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5Y-YOUXu263fQj2O2e9ujH0szDA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5Y-YOUXu263fQj2O2e9ujH0szDA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5Y-YOUXu263fQj2O2e9ujH0szDA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/rQzsipoWv9s" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:47:39 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85121 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85121 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/sxVP8VVOsUs/news.cfm Massey University <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>Some 100 staff, students and supporters attended a dawn blessing for the new student amenities centre and steel pou at the Albany campus on Wednesday. <br /><br />The $15m building, dubbed Student Central and designed by architects at Warren and Mahoney, will provide a campus heart and hub for students.<br /><br />The blessing was led by local kaum&auml;tua Pat Ruka (Ng&auml;puhi, Ng&auml;ti Porou, Ng&auml;ti Wh&auml;tua), who took the crowd through the building&rsquo;s two floors which house student facilities and services, including club rooms, retail, banking, food outlets, study support, health and counselling, and M&auml;ori and Pasifika student services. <br /><br />Albany Students&rsquo; Association president Stephan van Heerden says the centre will provide a highly visible and accessible permanent home for the association, and will help to foster a sense of community at the campus. He says this is &ldquo;good timing&rdquo; in light of the Voluntary Student Union Bill being passed last year, which has created uncertainty about the continuation of some student services, such as advocacy and class representatives.</p><p>&ldquo;Student Central will be a great for students to meet and hang out. It means they have a place to stay on campus, rather than just leaving after their lectures.&rdquo;<br /><br />The steel pou forming a circle in the outdoor plaza area in front of the building add a distinctive M&auml;ori presence to the campus in the form of contemporary art representing the learning philosophy and ideals of the University, says campus kaiwhakaruruhau (regional advisor M&auml;ori) Donald Ripia. <br /><br />&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been a vision of mine to have pou on the campus, so it&rsquo;s a great thrill to see them in such a prominent place ready for when the students arrive for the new semester later this month,&rdquo; says Mr Ripia says.</p><p>He says the pou provide a visible reminder that Albany is a place where M&auml;ori students, staff and visitors feel welcome. The innovative design features and materials reflect the University&rsquo;s focus on innovation in teaching and learning. Six pou are five metres high and 300mm in diameter, and the seventh is 6.5m and 400mm wide. Each has a meaning, with wording and designs digitally polished onto the surface, while the remaining area has been bead-blasted to give contrasting textured and matte surfaces.<br /><br />The first pou has the word Kakano to represent the seeding of a thought, and the seventh and tallest has the words Tiki Tiki o Rangi, or the highest place in the heavens to represent ultimate achievement, in this case academic excellence.</p><p>Pou designer, Whakatane artist and carver Katz Maihi of Toitu Design. says they reflect the University&rsquo;s principles of inclusion and achievement embracing all ethnicities and cultures represented in the student population. <br /><br />&ldquo;Each of the seven pou is a stepping stone of progression, acknowledging the personal and academic achievement of the students.&rdquo; <br /><br />The new centre will be open on February 20 for Orientation Week, with food stalls, market day, free sausage sizzles and live music, and an official opening ceremony will be held on March 23.&nbsp;</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85120">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bdp0RUvZhyN7OpcRP18m1pe4JZ4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bdp0RUvZhyN7OpcRP18m1pe4JZ4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bdp0RUvZhyN7OpcRP18m1pe4JZ4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bdp0RUvZhyN7OpcRP18m1pe4JZ4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/sxVP8VVOsUs" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:41:22 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85120 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85120 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infonews/all/~3/ovWuD-wbEdU/news.cfm Mango Communications <a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/default.cfm?t=100" style="text-decoration:none;font-size:80%;font-weight:bold;color:#196FC6;">EDUCATION</a> <p>Coastguard is hoping to reduce the number of fatalities and boat capsizes on the Manukau Bar this summer by hosting an educational Manukau Bar Awareness Day on Sunday, February 26.<br /><br />New Zealand&rsquo;s coastline can be ruthless, catching out even some of the most experienced boaties. Getting to some of the best fishing spots often means navigating one of the many notorious bar crossings along the coast. This is one of the most dangerous parts of boating, resulting in many boats getting damaged and lives being lost each year when attempts to navigate these bars go wrong.</p><p>To help up-skill locals, Coastguard&rsquo;s Titirangi, Papakura and Waiuku Units are teaming up to take boaties on an educational trip over the Manukau Bar. Each of the Units will take registrations and hold presentations covering bar safety, communications and local knowledge at a local meeting point before heading onto the water and gathering at Blow Hole Bay.<br /><br />Darren Arthur, Education Manager of Coastguard&rsquo;s Northern Region, says the aim of the awareness day is to educate locals of the dangers that bar crossings can present and show them how to cross them safely.<br /><br />&ldquo;Knowing what you are doing, having some good local knowledge and making sure everyone on board is well-prepared are essential ingredients for a safe crossing. By working together, we hope to help boaties prepare themselves for a safe and enjoyable summer on the water,&rdquo; he says.<br /><br />Attending the Manukau Bar Awareness Day is free however participants are encouraged to become a Coastguard member or make a donation to support Coastguard as the charity saving lives at sea.</p><p>Coastguard&rsquo;s Bar Awareness Days often sell out fast so make sure you book as soon as possible to secure a place.<br /><br />You can book online by visiting <a href="http://www.coastguard.org.nz/">www.coastguard.org.nz</a> or by calling the Coastguard Education team on 0508 RESCUE (737 283).<br /><br />8.00am &ndash; Registration/Presentations/Vessel inspections &ndash; Papakura Base<br />9.30 am &ndash; Registration/Presentations/Vessel inspections &ndash; Titirangi Base at French Bay<br />9.30am &ndash; Registration/Presentations/Vessel inspections &ndash; Waiuku Base at Te Toro<br />11.30am &ndash; Vessels from the three Units come together at the marshalling point &ndash; Blow Hole Bay<br />11.45am &ndash; The first of the five trips over the bar commence with a maximum of 10 private vessels and a minimum of two Coastguard vessels per trip<br /><br />*Each crossing will be subject to weather conditions and vessel availability on the day. Registered participants will be notified of cancellation or changes via text and/or email.</p><br />(<a href="http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85119">Source</a>)<br /><br /> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/muwhIruIRDTEpocTUviOoOTO3Rw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/muwhIruIRDTEpocTUviOoOTO3Rw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/muwhIruIRDTEpocTUviOoOTO3Rw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/muwhIruIRDTEpocTUviOoOTO3Rw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/infonews/all/~4/ovWuD-wbEdU" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:36:40 GMT http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85119 http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=85119