Two a penny

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A minder for the Department of Labour’s chief executive is necessary to sort out the “shambles and mess” at the immigration service, Prime Minister John Key says.

An Auditor-General’s report released this month said the service, part of the Department of Labour, was focused on processing as many visas as possible without worrying about quality.

“This meant that staff who were under pressure to meet quantity targets had incentives to approve visas and permits, rather than decline them,” the report said.

The division was set up by the service’s former boss Mary Anne Thompson in 2005, who resigned last year after accusations of a conflict of interest in helping overseas family members gain residency.

The report found problems were worse in the Pacific Division than elsewhere in the service.

Ms Thompson is facing court action on fraud and dishonesty charges.

It was also alleged that she did not have a doctorate from the London School of Economics that many people believed she had when she applied for jobs earlier in her career. .

“This was a shambles and a mess left to us by the Labour Government,” Mr Key said said on TVNZ’s Breakfast programme.

The service last week reviewed its decision on 29-year-old Lithuanian tourist Jurga Skiauteris, so she and her family were allowed to remain in New Zealand until the birth of her baby.”

A person would be appointed to “ride shot-gun” and help change the immigration service, Mr Key said.

“Immigration is part of the Department of Labour so it doesn’t just have immigration to worry about it has ACC, it has employment law, it has a lot of different areas.

Dr Coleman told TV1′s Q+A show that the Auditor-General’s report was “very bad”.

He was confident Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman could “sort it”.

The problems meant some people may be in New Zealand who should not be and others with legitimate rights may have been turned away, he said.

The problems meant some people may be in New Zealand who should not be and others with legitimate rights may have been turned away, he said.

Two years was the “outside limit” for changes to be made and New Zealand to have “a superb immigration service”.

The cost and risks of separating the immigration service out of the Department of Labour were too high, Dr Coleman said.

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New MP excited about job, not the circumstances

– National Homepage -

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A minder for the Department of Labour’s chief executive is necessary to sort out the “shambles and mess” at the immigration service, Prime Minister John Key says.

An Auditor-General’s report released this month said the service, part of the Department of Labour, was focused on processing as many visas as possible without worrying about quality.

“This meant that staff who were under pressure to meet quantity targets had incentives to approve visas and permits, rather than decline them,” the report said.

The division was set up by the service’s former boss Mary Anne Thompson in 2005, who resigned last year after accusations of a conflict of interest in helping overseas family members gain residency.

The report found problems were worse in the Pacific Division than elsewhere in the service.

Ms Thompson is facing court action on fraud and dishonesty charges.

It was also alleged that she did not have a doctorate from the London School of Economics that many people believed she had when she applied for jobs earlier in her career. .

“This was a shambles and a mess left to us by the Labour Government,” Mr Key said said on TVNZ’s Breakfast programme.

The service last week reviewed its decision on 29-year-old Lithuanian tourist Jurga Skiauteris, so she and her family were allowed to remain in New Zealand until the birth of her baby.”

A person would be appointed to “ride shot-gun” and help change the immigration service, Mr Key said.

“Immigration is part of the Department of Labour so it doesn’t just have immigration to worry about it has ACC, it has employment law, it has a lot of different areas.

Dr Coleman told TV1′s Q+A show that the Auditor-General’s report was “very bad”.

He was confident Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman could “sort it”.

The problems meant some people may be in New Zealand who should not be and others with legitimate rights may have been turned away, he said.

The problems meant some people may be in New Zealand who should not be and others with legitimate rights may have been turned away, he said.

Two years was the “outside limit” for changes to be made and New Zealand to have “a superb immigration service”.

The cost and risks of separating the immigration service out of the Department of Labour were too high, Dr Coleman said.

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New MP excited about job, not the circumstances

– National Homepage -

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Lonely hearts duped online

– Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Lonely and vulnerable Cantabrians could be losing thousands of dollars to internet-savvy con artists, police warn.
Senior Constable Kirk Newman, of the Christchurch police, said he had received complaints from three men in a week who had been sent fraudulent travellers' cheques by overseas scammers.
The warning comes ahead of Fraud Awareness Week, which starts on Monday.
The con artist chooses email addresses after the person advertises an item online.
However, Newman said the number of people duped by the travellers' cheque con artists was higher than reported because victims were too embarrassed to lay official complaints. She is now posing as an information technology worker.
Soon after, an unsolicited email arrives from a female whose name and occupation changes.
"It's probably not even a woman," he said. I think it's sad, the number of lonely people we have in our city that will grab onto anything for some form of affection. "It could just as well be a bloke.
Emails were exchanged until the scammer says they are coming to New Zealand on holiday and sends several thousand United States dollars' worth of forged travellers cheques."
Newman said the tone of the email was "chatty" to lure the recipient in as a friend.
Newman said the forged travellers' cheques appear to be authentic.
Then the scammer says that her assistant has mistakenly sent too many travellers' cheques and asks the recipient to keep some money back for their troubles while returning the balance, in cash, by Western Union.
"Once money is put into Western Union it will vanish and can be accessed anywhere in the world not just where the baddies say that they are living," Newman said.
"Once money is put into Western Union it will vanish and can be accessed anywhere in the world not just where the baddies say that they are living," Newman said.
Fraud Awareness Week starts on Monday.
Psychologist Sara Chatwin said those who have email relationships with potential scam artists usually fall into two groups those who are too busy for social interaction and those who have self-esteem issues and enjoy the anonymity of the internet.scamwatch. Visit www.nz .govt.

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Haka in $300m Treaty deal

Wednesday, 11 February 2009

The haka made famous by the All Blacks, Ka Mate, has been recognised in an historic Treaty deal. .
The three groups received over $170 million in redress and $128m in Crown forest rental, emission credits and other payments.
The deal will not give Ngati Toa the right to veto use of the haka or the ability to claim royalties, but the Crown has acknowledged Ngati Toa's concern over the misappropriation and culturally inappropriate use of Ka Mate.
The $300 million deal settles three big Treaty claims and breaks new ground by recognising the Ngati Toa tribe's authorship of the haka, and apologising for the Crown's treatment of its composer, Ngati Toa chief Te Rauparaha.
It was also acknowledged that the detention in 1846 of Te Rauparaha without trial for 18 months breached the Treaty.
Ngati Toa has a long-standing grievance over widespread use of the haka without its permission, including for money-making purposes, and had sought to copyright it. Much of the tribe's lands were sold during his imprisonment.
Together, the three settlements affecting big parts of the Wellington region and the top of the South Island are worth about $300 million, and settle claims by Kurahaupo Ki Te Waipounamu Trust from the top of the South Island, northern South Island tribe Tainui Taranaki ki te Tonga and Ngati Toa, whose tribal lands stretch from Rangitikei in the north and span Cook Strait.
The National Government and Treaty Settlements Minister Chris Finlayson have moved swiftly to keep up the pace of Treaty settlements since taking office and Prime Minister John Key will be at today's ceremony to mark their significance.
The Ngati Toa deal is understood to include $40 million cash, less the market value of any commercial properties transferred on settlement, $10 million recognising the Crown's actions in undermining the maritime authority exercised by Ngati Toa over Cook Strait in the 1800s, and first right of refusal on Crown properties for the next 169 years.
The $300 million figure includes $171 million in direct redress from the Crown and about $128 million in Crown forest rentals and emission credits. They will now work on a detailed deed of settlement for a final vote by the tribe on whether to accept the Crown's offer.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?:
Tribal leaders and the Crown will sign letters of agreement today.
NGATI TOA:
Today's deal is worth $120 million to Ngati Toa, whose tribal area spans the lower North Island from Rangitikei in the north, the Kapiti Coast, Hutt Valley and Wellington areas and large areas of the Marlborough Sounds as well as much of the northern South Island.
NGATI TOA:
Today's deal is worth $120 million to Ngati Toa, whose tribal area spans the lower North Island from Rangitikei in the north, the Kapiti Coast, Hutt Valley and Wellington areas and large areas of the Marlborough Sounds as well as much of the northern South Island. In return, the tribe receives land on which to build a visitor centre.
Kapiti Island reserves will be vested in Ngati Toa, but gifted back for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
Money for a building to store and display Ngati Toa taonga and $1.
Other sites to be vested in Ngati Toa, with public access rights, at places including Mana Island, Queen Charlotte Forest, Whitireia Park, Island Bay and elsewhere, totalling 21 hectares.
Gifting of Crown commercial properties up to a value of $10 million, and the right to buy others.5 million to buy three vacant schools in the Wellington area.
– with

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And the winner is …

Wellington Cup Day fashion winner disqualified

Fashion victim didn’t enter race

Norm Rodley feels stitched up.

Friday, 30 January 2009

/The
CROWD PLEASER: Not-so-dedicated follower of fashion Norm Rodley, in his Wellington Cup raceday outfit, thought he would be declared winner in the Rembrandt Man of the Carnival competition when the original first-place holder was disqualified. For the past few years, wearing an outfit his late wife put together for him, Mr Rodley said he was the clear crowd favourite.
For 65 years the octogenarian has been attending the Wellington Cup raceday.
The 83-year-old had entered the Rembrandt Man of the Carnival competition for the past four years and finally snared the runner-up spot behind gym owner Johnny Godinet at Trentham on Saturday.
"I'm not really worried about missing out on the two-suit prize, but I would have liked the title, just to say I've won it," Mr Rodley said.
But when Mr Godinet was disqualified for not having entered the event, Mr Rodley's apparent moment of glory was cut short, with the title going to another contestant, Chris Borton.
"I've been going to the Wellington Cup for 65 years. "I was in second place and I should have got it."
The retired accountant, of Lower Hutt, wore a safari outfit put together by his wife before she died three years ago. Over the last four years I've always been the crowd favourite, no doubt about it.
The ensemble included a hat, binoculars and cane, which he twirled as he walked down the catwalk.
The ensemble included a hat, binoculars and cane, which he twirled as he walked down the catwalk.
"He really should have won, he was the runner-up."
One of the five judges, Waikato fashion designer Annah Stretton, said Mr Rodley showed a point of difference and was unanimously voted runner-up."
The understands the re-judging was done by Wellington Racing Club. The crowd response was fantastic. . But club spokeswoman Michelle Bare did not return calls last night. If he doesn't want the suits I'm happy to keep them.
"Made aware of Mr Rodley's story, I feel he deserves the mantle.

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And last night the pair were prepared to make a gentlemen's agreement, with Mr Rodley taking the title and Mr Borton keeping the suits

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Officers not told to meet Naitoko family

Thursday, 29 January 2009

Twopolice officers suspected of firing the bullet that killed courier driver Halatau Naitoko will not be getting a high-ranking recommendation to meet his grieving family, police say.
Mr Naitoko was accidentally shot by police during the arrest of alleged gunman Stephen Hohepa McDonald, 50, after an hour-long chase through Auckland on Friday.
But Auckland police distanced themselves from Mr Broad's statement yesterday, saying he was simply expressing a personal view.
Police Commissioner Howard Broad said on Tuesday that it was inappropriate for him to approach the armed offenders squad officers involved, but he would encourage them to accept the family's invitation for a meeting. "It would be speculative to suggest it will happen.
"It was not a directive," police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said.
Margaret Patricia Iris Mann appeared in Waitakere District Court yesterday, charged with unlawfully entering a stolen motor vehicle, failing to stop for police and driving while forbidden."
Meanwhile, police have said that McDonald, who faces 29 charges, was being driven in a stolen car by a 19-year-old female accomplice when he allegedly first pointed a gun at police.
He said she was caught after the pair dumped the car in Glen Eden and McDonald had fled. .

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Funeral set for two brothers killed at Fox Glacier

Monday, 19 January 2009

The funeral of the two Australian two brothers killed in an ice fall at Fox Glacier will be held in Melbourne on Friday.
Ashish and Akshay Miranda were travelling with their parents Ronnie and Winnie at the time of the incident, which occurred after the two walked beyond warning signs at the Fox Glacier on January 8. .
The body of Ashish, 24, was recovered immediately but the body of Akshay, 22, was buried under hundreds of tonnes of ice.
The brothers' uncle, Cedric Miranda, told AAP on Monday that the funeral for the pair would be held at St Peter's Church, East Bentleigh, at 1pm local on Friday.
It still remains with the coroner in Christchurch but the family is expecting it to be released on Wednesday.

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Mother who had sex with boy fights for name supression

Friday, 16 January 2009

A Christchurch mother-of-two is continuing her fight to keep her name out of the media after admitting having sex with a 15-year-old boy.
Judge Stephen Erber refused to continue the suppression order when the woman pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court today.
But defence counsel Gilly Ferguson said there would be an immediate appeal to the High Court for continued suppression.
"The school term is about to go back," Mrs Ferguson said.
She said the 35-year-old woman did not seek suppression for herself but for her two daughters, aged 10 and 15."
However, Judge Erber refused interim suppression.
"It would be foolish to think that if her name is published her daughters would not be subjected to jokes and very cruel remarks.
"This offence carries 10 years imprisonment. Had the defendant been a male and the complainant female, I doubt very much suppression would have been granted no matter what the circumstances. It is not a minor matter.
Once the papers were filed, the name would remain suppressed until the appeal was heard in the High Court."
But because the appeal was being filed, he granted suppression until 5pm on Monday to allow the application to be lodged with the court. They could point to significant mental health issues, and there could be drug and alcohol problems.
At an earlier appearance, Mrs Ferguson said she was seeking medical reports on the woman.
She also said the woman had been told that because of the sensitive nature of her work, her employers could dismiss her if their name became public knowledge.
She also said the woman had been told that because of the sensitive nature of her work, her employers could dismiss her if their name became public knowledge. They then had sex.
Police prosecutor Al Manco said the woman had been at a Linwood address with the boy on an evening when they had alcohol and the party pills, benzylpiperazine (BZP). .
"The defendant was spoken to in October and admitted having sex with the boy.
Since the offence, she had sought help for alcohol dependency, he said.
She said the boy had helped himself to the BZP tablets and had initiated the sex.
He said he would not seek the report that would allow her to be granted home detention or community detention.
Judge Erber remanded the woman to March 6 for a pre-sentence report, a victim impact report, and sentence.

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Mourners farewell slain taxi driver

– Friday, 12 December 2008

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SAD FAREWELL: Family and friends pay their respects to taxi driver Abdulrahman Ikhtiari.

The family of slain taxi driver Abdolrahman Ikhtiari thanked the Canterbury community for its support in a short statement issued before his traditional Muslim burial ceremony this afternoon.
It also thanked the Iranian, Somali and Kurdish communities for their support as they deal with the loss of the 39-year-old father of five, who was found lying near his taxi with a single stab wound to his chest about 1am last Saturday. .

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Ikhtiari was buried at Bromley's memorial cemetery after a traditional ceremony which involved washing his body and wrapping it in cloth before burial

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Workers jump to safety after freight train fails to stop

By SONIA GERKEN in Gore – Tuesday, 18 November 2008

SONIA GERKEN/
FREIGHT FRIGHT: Track maintenance vehicles were turned into a mangled mess yesterday afternoon when this northbound freight train rammed into them, forcing four men to jump to safety.

An investigation is underway after four Ontrack line maintenance workers narrowly missed being hit by a freight train in Southland yesterday.43pm when they saw the train bearing down on them.
The crew was carrying out sleeper repairs on the main line at McNab, on the outskirts of Gore, at 12.
The first the maintenance crew knew of the train was when they heard its horn, one man said.
They leapt clear as the train smashed into their maintenance vehicle, escaping without injury.
There were "caution" warning signs on both sides of the track about a kilometre and a half before the scene of the incident.
It was just lucky they had the foresight to jump out, said another.
New Zealand Railways Corporation public affairs manager Kevin Ramshaw said the cause would be part of investigations by KiwiRail and Ontrack. Ontrack was yesterday unable to give an explanation as to why the train driver had failed to stop the train before hitting the maintenance vehicles.
The main thing was no one was hurt in this incident, Mr Ramshaw said.
However, there were operational procedures which governed the safety of people working on the tracks, he said.
Mr Ramshaw was unsure of the cost of damage but noted the equipment was relatively old. .
On its website, the company's health and safety section notes "the rail corridor is an unforgiving workplace".
Ontrack owns and manages New Zealand's rail network on behalf of the Government. The operator was known to the commission and it would be keeping an eye on the internal investigation, he said.
Transport Accident Investigation Commission chief investigator Tim Burfoot said his agency would not be carrying out an investigation partly because of workload.