Two a penny

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Capping legal aid spending and reducing administration costs are being floated as ideas by a review. .

Dame Margaret Bazley, who is heading the review, said demand for legal aid increased 23 per cent between 2003 and 2008, with grants for criminal cases rising 51 per cent between 2003 and 2009.

In 2008/2009 this had risen to 95,303 applications with 85,158 granted.

In 2007/2008, there had been 83,767 applications for legal aid with 73,905 granted.6 million to $123.

Over the same period of time the cost of claims rose from $105.9 million.3 million of the cost and two per cent of cases eating up a quarter of all spending.

A growth in high cost cases was driving up the expenses with 100 cases (49 criminal, 45 treaty and 6 civil) making up $21.

“This is not a sustainable business model,” the review said.

The increasing number of claims had also not been matched with any economies of scale and the average cost to administer each claim had risen from less than $100 in 2000 to more than $250 in 2008.

“Long-standing inefficiencies” in pre-trial criminal procedure, which led to delays in the courts, were also putting a strain on the legal aid system, the paper said.

The discussion paper also identified problems attracting and retaining experienced lawyers in the legal aid scheme, including pay rates and the administrative burden associated with it.

The review makes 73 suggestions or areas for discussion ranging from capping all or some of the budget, more use of a public defender service, more careful management of high cost cases and attracting better quality lawyers.

The review makes 73 suggestions or areas for discussion ranging from capping all or some of the budget, more use of a public defender service, more careful management of high cost cases and attracting better quality lawyers.

The society was considering extending the six months experience needed to practise as a barrister sole out to three years.

The report noted that it was harder to attract good lawyers to the legal aid system for a variety of reasons pay rates and red tape.

Justice Minister Simon Power said the review was aimed at finding a system that was structured “so it delivers effective services to those who need them most in a way that it cost-effective and sustainable”.

This, along with training and better remuneration, would improve the quality of legal aid, Mr Marshall said.”

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“This review has the potential to improve the lives of the people who come into contact with the justice system, and give taxpayers real confidence that they’re getting good value for money from legal aid expenditure

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Jim Bolger is the biggest spender on domestic travel perks available to former prime ministers and governors-general, racking up $36,000 in expenses in 2008.

An Official Information Act request from has revealed that five former prime ministers and four former governors-general had taxpayer funded domestic travel.

Mr Bolger has a number of high profile roles including chairing New Zealand Post.

Former National prime minister Jim Bolger spent $27,191 on chauffeur-driven cars, $5562 on self-driven cars and $3400 on domestic airfares.

Sir Michael Hardie Boys spent just $1404 on air travel and $4646 on chauffeur-driven cars.

Sir Paul Reeves was the most expensive former governor-general with $28,100 in expenses – $22,794 in chauffeur-driven cars and $5306 on domestic flights

The second most expensive governor-general was Dame Cath Tizard with $14,083 on chauffeur-driven cars and $2707 on airfares.

Sir Geoffrey said in a letter to that he had used the VIP transport service and domestic airfares concession for his work as Law Commission president.

The second highest former prime minister was Sir Geoffrey Palmer with $26,055 made up of $14,187 on chauffeur-driven cars, $10,078 on domestic airfares and $1791 on self-drive cars.

In 2008 work on the War Pensions Project and the review of liquor laws had required a great deal of travel above his normal expenditure.

This arrangement had been approved by the Auditor-General when he took up the position in 2005.

The least expensive former prime minister was Mike Moore, who spent $660 on domestic airfares, $2812 on chauffeur-driven cars and $5947 on self-drive cars.

“When I was practising law in the private sector I did not use these concessions in connection with my law practice,” Sir Geoffrey said.

Helen Clark, who left Parliament earlier this year to run the United Nations Development Programme in New York, spent $9681 on just chauffeur-driven cars.

Mr Moore was prime minister for two months in 1990.

Former Governors-general and former prime ministers’ domestic travel expenses 2008.

The information does not include other expenses such as international air travel subsidies available to former long-standing MPs through Parliamentary Service.

Former PMs Domestic Air Chauffeur-Drive Self-Drive Total

Geoffrey Palmer 10,078 14,187 1791 26,055

Mike Moore 660 2812 5947 9420

Jim Bolger 3400 27,191 5562 36,153

Jenny Shipley 9345 2972 2687 15,004

Total 23,484 56,842 15,987 96,313

Former Gs-G Dom Air Chauffeur-Drive Total

Paul Reeves 5306 22,794 28,100

Cath Tizard 2707 14,083 16,790

Michael Hardie Boys 1404 4646 6051

Silvia Cartwright 6335 9324 15,660

Total 15,752 50,848 66,600

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Maori Television says it is under no pressure to screen an official Chinese view on the violent ethnic unrest that erupted in western China.

Xinjiang Urumqi July 5 Riot: Truth will be broadcast at 9.

It was given to Maori TV during a meeting the previous month when Chinese Embassy staff tried to get the documentary about Kadeer, entitled The 10 Conditions of Love, pulled.30pm today, immediately after a documentary about Uighur nationalist leader Rebiya Kadeer.

“I know that’s the way some people have interpreted it, but there was no pressure on us at all from the Chinese,” she said.

Maori TV sales and marketing general manager Sonya Haggie said today that embassy staff had made no demands that their DVD be aired. It was very much an internal decision.

“In fact, when they left the DVD, they didn’t even asked us to broadcast it.

While the channel’s refusal to bow to the embassy’s request not to show The 10 Conditions of Love has made news headlines, public reaction appears to have been low-key.”

Ms Haggie said what Maori TV wanted to do was to provide the public with both points of view.

Urumqi in Xinjiang province was the scene of deadly clashes between Muslim Uighurs and Han Chinese in July.

Ms Haggie said the network had received about 20-30 messages of support for its stance and about four against.

They also alleged that Kadeer was a terrorist with links to al Qaeda.

During their meeting with Maori TV, embassy staff said The 10 Conditions of Love incorrectly portrayed the Chinese Government’s treatment of the Uighur people.

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A 15-year-old ringleader in a vicious street bashing and robbery in Lincoln Road has been sent for sentencing in the adult court after admitting his offending in the Youth Court today.

He is heading for a lengthy prison term – a sentence the Youth Court cannot impose. That suppression will be considered again at his District Court sentencing.

Judge John Strettell declined jurisdiction for the youth, whose name remains suppressed as a result of Youth Court reporting restrictions.

“Denunciation and protection of the public are highly relevant to the sentencing process and are best dealt with in the District Court. .

At least one victim was knocked unconscious when they were attacked with lengths of wood.”

The youth was a member of the YSK youth street gang which carried out of the mugging under the Lincoln Road overbridge at 2am on Sunday April 18, robbing youths aged 18 and 19 years who were walking home together.

The police said YSK stood for Young Skuxx Klicxx, a youth gang with between 10 and 20 members. One had a broken jaw and both had bruises and cuts to the head and face needing stitches.

Tuari Damyn Karipa-Rangi pleaded guilty in June and is due to be sentenced on Friday.

A 17-year-old schoolboy visiting Christchurch from Tokoroa over the school holidays was the other ringleader of the incident.

Youth advocate for the boy who admitted the aggravated robbery in court today, Elizabeth Bulger, said a plan had been formulated and agreed for him to be sent for a crown sentencing, but the date available was in December. He was the other youth brandishing the wood.

He said it had been an unprovoked attack against two young people.

Judge Strettell said he would arrange for that to be brought forward, because the delay was too long for such a young offender.

“There needs to be a clear message given that incidents of this type are not tolerated in Christchurch and that those who take part in and are ringleaders, and carry out violence of this type can expect little sympathy from the court.

A prison term for the length likely to be imposed was not available in the Youth Court.”

He said the youth’s age would be taken into account at the sentencing.

“That applies to young people of your age as much as any others.

The boy received hugs and kisses from family members before he was led back to the cells.

He remanded the boy in custody for two weeks so that an earlier crown sentencing date could be set.

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One thousand Auckland householders are today being issued a crime fighting tool which mimics DNA to mark valuables. .

It lasts on skin up to two weeks, on clothing for up to six months, even when washed, and is said to mark products indefinitely. Each bottle has a unique ‘DNA code’.

The trial is aimed at showing if burglary rates drop if the DNA solution is used by householders, and would then help the company behind the product market it.

Police and victim support workers are door knocking and handing bottles of the solution to residents of Randwick Park in south Auckland in a six month trial of the product.

Police are careful to state they are not endorsing the product, but welcome the initiative.

The Counties Manukau police district had more than 8,500 burglaries last year and more than 11,500 thefts. We are all aware burglary is a crime that affects a huge number of New Zealanders every year.

Superintendent Mike Bush, District Commander for Counties Manukau Police said police were backing the trial because: “The NZ police supports all initiatives, that actively prevent crime.”

The Randwick Park trial has gathered the official support of Counties Manukau Police, Manukau City Council, Victim Support, Housing New Zealand, the Ministry of Education and the local Manurewa Community Action Group. It’s very destructive for individuals and has an impact on the community. The Bank of New Zealand was involved in the scheme and would sell the bottles of solution.

The DNA solution is a commercial product invented in the UK in 2004 and will be sold at $100 a bottle which was estimated to mark around 100 items.

His company will carry out a survey of residents after six months asking if they have been burgled and whether goods have been located by police.

David Morrissey, a director of SelectaDNA said police-backed trials in the UK and Netherlands showed burglary rates fell between 40 to 55 percent in areas where people used the solution.

The company was also supplying all frontline police with special UV lights to detect the DNA solution. He also wanted police to release more official statistics on burglary rates in Randwick Park.

Mr Morrissey said detecting a sample the size of a pinhead was enough to help police place a person at a crime or, in the case of stolen goods, be able to return them to the rightful owner.

Police would also be given direct access to a computer database which matched the DNA codes from the solution with each bottle and who bought the bottle – so stolen property could be returned to the owner.

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A wire-haired dachshund that held the record as the world’s oldest dog has died on Long Island at age 21 – or 147 in dog years.

The dog, named Chanel, died Friday of natural causes at her owners’ home in suburban Port Jefferson Station, outside New York City.

Chanel, as stylish as her legendary namesake, wore tinted goggles for her cataracts in her later years and favored sweaters because she was sensitive to the cold, owners Denice and Karl Shaughnessy said Monday.

Along with her owner, Chanel spent nine years on assignment in Germany, where she became adept at stealing sticks of butter from kitchen countertops and hiding them in sofa cushions in the living room, Shaughnessy said.

The playful dachshund was only 6 weeks old when Denice Shaughnessy, then serving with the US Army, adopted her from a shelter in Virginia.

“She once ate an entire bag of Reese’s peanut butter cups, and, you see, she lived to be 21, so go figure,” Shaughnessy added. She also liked chocolate, usually considered toxic to dogs, Shaughnessy said.

Karl Shaughnessy nominated Chanel for the title of world’s oldest dog after noticing the Guinness World Records book had no record.

Chanel loved the party, especially the cake, which had a peanut butter flavor and had been made for dogs, Denice Shaughnessy said.

Guinness World Records officials presented Chanel with a certificate as the world’s oldest dog at a Manhattan birthday bash hosted by a private pet food company in May.

“Dogs are God’s angels sent here to look out for us,” Denice Shaughnessy said. . Owner Janelle Derouen said Max marked his 26th birthday on Aug.

A dog from Louisiana, named Max, is vying for the record of world’s oldest dog. 9. 9.

“I have five kids, and all my kids are grown and gone,” she said.

When asked the secret to her dog’s long life, Derouen said she was shocked he’s still with her.”

. “Now my grandkids are playing with this dog

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Market vendors and a pet food abattoir in Auckland are under investigation by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority after a television news investigation alleged horse meat was being sold illegally for human consumption.

The abattoir was approved to process horse meat as pet food only, but TVNZ’s Close Up found its products were being sold by some Otahuhu and Mangere market vendors, who were apparently telling people it was okay to eat. One product on sale was loi hoosi, a Tongan dish which features horse meat.

However, the footage from TVNZ revealed the market vendors had been telling customers that the horse meat was actually fit to be eaten by humans – which Mr Allen said was misrepresentation, and breaking the law.

The markets had come under investigation two months ago and it was found the horse meat was correctly labelled as being unfit for human consumption, NZFSA director of compliance and investigation Geoff Allen said. .

“What we couldn’t really do was listen in on the conversations, what the people that were selling this stuff were saying to the customers.”

Mr Allen said the meat sold by the abattoir was acceptable to be used for pet food, but humans consuming it would be same as putting 95 octane petrol into an aeroplane.”

The NZFSA expected to receive the footage from TVNZ today before the beginning the investigation.

“They’re both petrol, but the aviation gas is produced to a much greater, more exacting set of standards.

“Because we hold the view that there are food safety issues here and people could be hurt or damaged or made sick by this, we would classify this as one of our priorities.

Mr Allen said while it was not yet known how long the investigation would take, it would be a matter of some urgency.”

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Victorian minister Tim Holding has been reunited with his parents and partner following his rescue from Mt Feathertop in the state’s northeast.

Embarking from a helicopter on the Bright football oval, a smiling Mr Holding, wearing a blue jacket, hugged his mother, shook hands with his father and kissed his partner.

Moments before the helicopter landed, Mr Holding’s mother Caroline expressed great relief.

He also shook hands with police rescuers and Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe.

“It’s all been horrible, it’s been horrible right from the beginning until we’ve got `til today so we’re very, very pleased.

“You can imagine how the last two days have been and we’re very relieved now,” Mrs Holding said.

“They’ve been very professional, so thank you.

“And we just wanted to thank everybody who’s been so wonderful in being able to find Tim. .”

Mr Holding was being taken by ambulance to Bright Hospital for assessment.

The alarm was raised when he failed to return on schedule at 4pm on Sunday.

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LATEST:
Wanganui authorities already disagree over the enforcement of a new ban on gang patches, as gang members prepare to march the city’s streets in protest.

Wanganui District Council banned gang insignia from the city at its meeting yesterday, and the bylaw came into force at midnight.

Black Power was planning a mass ride through Wanganui around lunchtime today to protest the bylaw.

The bylaw gives police powers to fine patchwearers $2000 and to take their gang insignia from them.

Acting area commander Inspector Greg Hudson said any arrests today would “depend on the circumstances”.

Member and rally organiser Denis O’Reilly told 3 News the council’s issues with gangs had nothing to do with their patches.

“In each case, we’re going to police it with a commonsense approach.

Police would take a commonsense approach and enforce the bylaw on a case-by-case basis, he said.”

But Mayor Michael Laws told Radio New Zealand gang members who wore their gang patches in protest today would be arrested. To us, it’s no different – it’s business as usual – to a liquor ban.

“Honestly, Wanganui is going to become a very, very uncomfortable place if you’re a gang member or gang associate from now on.

“If there is [a protest] and they’re wearing their gang patches, we’d be delighted to arrest them. . And we’re delighted it’s going to be. uncomfortable for them. .

Wanganui’s gang situation was no worse than anywhere else in New Zealand but the city’s residents had “chosen to, in effect, have a dress code which does not include gang insignia”, he said.”

Meanwhile, Mr Hudson said police would appreciate if the public reported gang members wearing insignia in public.”

He said the bylaw was to protect the majority of residents, and the minority affected by the ban – the gang members – could test the bylaw in court.

“I think it’s the feeling of the community and like any democratic country, anything that makes the community feel safe and enhances their wellbeing has got to be of benefit.

Mr Laws said it was “extraordinarily” rare for Parliament to give a council such power.

BYLAW A ‘TRIUMPH’

Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws has described the bylaw as “a triumph for decency and democracy”.

“It removes gangs’ most powerful and intimidatory weapon.

“To ban gang patches and gang insignia will give a real fillip to Wanganui police and to Wanganui citizens,” he said.

Councillor Rob Vinsen called the move a publicity stunt and unnecessary.

Councillor Rob Vinsen called the move a publicity stunt and unnecessary.

“We haven’t got a gang problem in Wanganui,” Mr Vinsen said.

“The police said there were two incidents in 2009 and there were five incidents last year. . This is a publicity-seeking stunt from mayor Michael Laws, I’m afraid,” he told Newstalk ZB.

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One of the country’s largest high schools has banned school balls after parents organised a booze-fuelled after-function for over a hundred students earlier this month.

Rangitoto College principal David Hodge said students and parents had “deceived the school” by bussing 150 students to an after-ball party on August 13.

The party – organised by parents and students – had boasted an “open bar” and “dubious supervision at best”, Mr Hodge told Radio New Zealand.

Mr Hodge said while he thought balls were “fantastic”, Rangitoto College was not prepared to put them on without strict guidelines.

The function, which was held at a disused warehouse in Onehunga, had also gone directly against strict instructions issued to students and parents forbidding any gathering after the annual Year 12 ball. The ball should be an alcohol-free event and it should not be the precursor to a large-scale after-ball party over which there is very limited control. “We set some quite clear conditions around that.”

The school had made their stance clear to both students and parents, saying “run an after-ball [party] and we will cancel future balls,” Mr Hodge said.

“I would have thought that giving alcohol to 16-year-olds was illegal.

The principal said he had advised police of what he thought was occuring at the after-ball party but was unsure if they had taken any action. .”

The school’s board of trustees had subsequently agreed to cancel next year’s Year 12 and 13 balls, but had not ruled them out indefinitely