Two a penny

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There are now 109 confirmed cases of swine flu in New Zealand with 23 of them coming in the last 24 hours.

Of the 23 latest cases, seven cases are in Auckland, three in Wellington and 13 in Christchurch.

The Ministry of Health said that while the number of cases was increasing, there are still relatively few cases and only isolated instances of community transmission.

Are you having a swine flu party or do you know of anyone deliberately exposing themselves or their children to swine flu? Email or phone 04-4740098.

SWINE FLU PARTIES

Meanwhile the Health Ministry has warned against hosting “swine flu parties” following overseas concerns parents are deliberately exposing children.

The public interest in swine flu had been significant with 1500 calls answered at Healthline yesterday, almost double the usual amount. That person contracted swine flu after visiting Victoria, Australia in early June.

The Canterbury District Health Board said all cases of the influenza A (H1N1) strain stemmed from a single case.

The trend has prompted the Australian government to warn against swine flu parties gatherings where people intentionally expose themselves to the flu, in order to become infected with the virus.

Meanwhile, media reports in Australia and the United States say some parents have intentionally exposed their children to swine flu, believing that infecting them now will save them from a potentially more virulent strain in the future.

New Zealand’s deputy director of public health Dr Fran McGrath said the tactic went completely against the Health Ministry’s efforts to contain the virus. The idea has also been panned by health experts here.

She said that if people deliberately made themselves ill this would have a huge impact on already-stretched health services.

“The reason we’re doing [containment] is because this is a brand new virus to which people don’t have immunity so there will be lots of people who get it,” she said.. “.swine flu parties are definitely not part of our public health advice..

“We don’t know what the nature of the mutation would be.”

There was also no guarantee that getting sick now would lead to immunity in the future.”"It may give you some [immunity] but we can’t be sure about that. If there were to be a second wave then it would be as a result of a mutation in the virus and you can’t tell how big that mutation might be and therefore how useful any immunity from an earlier version would be.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in United States, people hope to become affected from the mild form of the virus, in the hope of having natural immunity to a more virulent form that might circulate later.”

The concept appears to have stemmed from chickenpox parties where parents would deliberately infect their children in the knowledge the virus was less serious in children than adults. I understand the thinking, but I just fear we don’t know enough about how this virus would react in every individual. I understand the thinking, but I just fear we don’t know enough about how this virus would react in every individual.

“This is like the Middle Ages, when people deliberately infected themselves with smallpox. It’s vigilante vaccination you know, taking immunity into your own hands. .

All cases stemmed from a single person who had been in Victoria, Australia in early June and contracted swine flu.

All those affected were being treated with Tamiflu and recent contacts were being traced.

The cases included six pupils from three schools in Christchurch’s eastern suburbs, and a Minister in a Samoan Church who worked at Christchurch Hospital in the catering team.

A Christchurch seafood processing plant has also sent home all its factory staff after a second case of swine flu was discovered there.

Sea Products in Woolston sent home night shift workers yesterday after one staff member caught swine flu, but now the day shift has also been quarantined for three days with antiviral drug Tamiflu after a second case was confirmed.

The 100 workers will all be back to work by Friday.

“The catering team member had not been to work during the infectious stage of the illness,” Canterbury medical officer of health Alistair Humphrey said.

Swine flu was a highly contagious disease, he said.

“Once someone who is infected is amongst other members of the community, including students and workmates, it is inevitable others will get sick,” he said.

While most people do not become seriously unwell, the virus’ potential effect on businesses, schools and the community was starting to show itself, Mr Humphrey said. In East Auckland primary school St Patrick’s, in Panmure, yesterday sent all of its 145 pupils home for a week after having one confirmed case of swine flu, and a number of others suffering flu-like symptoms.

Bromley School in Christchurch has been closed for seven days by health officials to prevent the spread of swine flu.

A recorded message on the school’s phone said all families would be contacted by the weekend with further information.

“Huge apologies for the disruption to family life,” the message said.

The primary school has 320 pupils.

Other Auckland schools were also hit.

At Kowhai Intermediate, in central city Kingsland, one class of year eight students and a teacher were in quarantine.

Papatoetoe High School in South Auckland has one swine flu case, while on the North Shore at Westlake Girls’ High School some 450 year 12 students are away for a week, after one case.

Health Ministry planning was to enable health services to manage large numbers of cases as well as maintain services for those who most need them, Dr McGrath said.

“An important part of this approach will include advising individuals how to look after themselves at home where this is possible – in the same way they would with seasonal flu.”

Swine flu may be serious for some people and they should seek advice either from Healthline 0800 611 116 or their GP – but phone ahead first.

The new confirmed cases yesterday were in Auckland (two), Rotorua (one), Tauranga (two), Wellington (five) and Christchurch (five).

STOP THE SPREAD

The ministry has refined advice to arriving international travellers – only people with flu-like symptoms within four days of travel were now considered to be at risk of swine flu.

Workers should stay home only if they have flu-like symptoms or if they have had medical advice, the ministry said.

They should stay home for seven days after symptoms begin, or until symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

This was to keep them from infecting others.

Hand hygiene was still the most effective protection – wash hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly, the ministry advised.

Alcohol-based cleaners were also effective, and people should avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth, as germs spread this way.

The Ministry of Health has moved its response to phase 6.2 which means restrictions could be placed on public gatherings and a state of emergency could be declared. It is the last phase before code red.

– , with

Young Aussie skiers pose swine flu concern

– World Homepage -

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A teenager found dead in his bed yesterday morning died from a head injury, police say.

Family members found Waylin Te Rau Aroha Ngarangione, 19, dead at his family home in Manutuke, 13km southwest of Gisborne, about 9am yesterday, Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Scott of Gisborne CIB said. .

“The scene is currently being examined by both the police and the forensic scientists and inquiries are continuing as to how the fatal injury occurred,” Mr Scott said.

A homicide inquiry had been launched as a result.

–

– Next Crime story: –
Thai tiler ‘lied to NZ lawyer to cover for Field’

– National Homepage –

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Earlier today, Mr Scott said Mr Ngarangione’s family was “obviously very upset, as you would be when anyone loses a loved one or a family member”

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National’s senior whip Nathan Guy has been appointed as Internal Affairs Minister to replace Richard Worth, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Mr Guy will be a minister outside Cabinet and take up Dr Worth’s portfolios of Archives NZ, National Library and associate justice minister.

Maurice Williamson, who temporarily looked after Dr Worth’s portfolios after he lost his ministerial positions, will retain Land Information. .

He was junior whip from November 2006 and has been senior whip since February last year.

Mr Guy is the MP for Otaki and first entered Parliament in 2005.

“He has proven himself to be an able senior whip and member of the National Party caucus,” Mr Key said.

Mr Key said he looked forward to welcoming Mr Guy to the executive.

“I was rapt to receive a phone call from the prime minister offering me the opportunity to become a minister outside Cabinet, which of course I accepted.

Mr Guy said the appointment was a huge honour.

The transport role is a new position and as a local MP he has come out strongly in favour of the Transmission Gully motorway route between Wellington and the Kapiti Coast.”

Mr Guy said he was looking forward to the internal affairs role and other associate jobs, though he did know his delegations yet.

The Wellington to Otaki road is one of the designated routes, but the Transmission Gully motorway is not defined as a solution to the region’s traffic congestion.

Mr Guy said he believed the transport appointment was a sign that the portfolio was a large one and Mr Key wanted to make progress on the designated routes of national significance. .

“There is a lot at stake for the Otaki electorate. but it is just one area around the country. .

A second allegation was also made against Dr Worth by a member of the Labour Party.”

Mr Guy gained the jobs after Dr Worth resigned as an MP late on Friday after earlier being asked to resign as a minister when it emerged that he was under police investigation over allegations of a sexual nature involving a Korean business woman.

In a public statement she also said Dr Worth offered her jobs in his ministerial capacity.

The woman involved, Neelam Choudary, alleged that between November and February, Dr Worth sent dozens of text messages, some sexually explicit, and called her numerous times.

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Sharing his joy with mum

– National Homepage -

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The prison officers union say its members have walked out of meetings today with senior Corrections Department management in protest at proposals to double bunk cells in the country’s four newest prisons.

The officers walked out of meetings at Auckland Women’s Prison and at Spring Hill Prison today, said Corrections Association president Beven Hanlon tonight.”
When the Government was asking for constraint, the prison officers could not understand why senior corrections management needed to employ a private consultant to do their talking for them, he said.
“At a time when public servants are being told there is no money and there will be no pay increases, the prison officers were being told by a highly paid private consultant that their workloads were going to increase, they were going to be placed in higher risk situations and there will be no reward.
The Corrections Department was unable to respond immediately to the union’s claims.
Mr Hanlon said the issue of double bunking of cells that were only designed to hold one prisoner was of grave concern to corrections officers and nursing staff, as the proposal would increase the risks for staff in a job that was already a difficult environment.
–

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Tough choices in ‘Team of the Week’

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Tough choices in ‘Team of the Week’

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By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

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Rugbyheaven

Last updated 09:51 30/03/2009
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Ma’a Nonu in action against the Lions.

The Highlanders celebrate Matt Berquist’s try against the Bulls.

Todd Clever scores for the Lions against the Hurricanes.

Jamie Mackintosh is tackled just short of the line.

Jamie Mackintosh is tackled just short of the line. .

Keven Mealamu tackles hard against the Waratahs.

Ali Williams tries to tackle Luke Burgess.

A dejected Blues captain Keven Mealamu and coach Pat Lam.

« Previous« Previous Next »Next »

– Successful stretch for NZ S14 teams –

– –

S14 teams for week five

Our Super 14 team of week

Bulls’ stars likely to play Crusaders

Frustration with some Super 14 refereeing

Our team of the week

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There is no lack of contenders for the latest New Zealand team of the week after a solid weekend’s work from the Kiwi franchises in round seven.

The Blues were the only side to lose as a bit of New Zealand presence came to the points table.

The Crusaders showed true grit in edging the Stormers. But in times when the finger is being pointed at the Super 14 as being a dull affair in 2009, we are going for some flamboyance in our latest side and there was no lack of that in the way the Chiefs, Highlanders and Hurricanes won their matches to dominate our star XV.

Fullback is a toss-up between emerging Highlander Israel Dagg and Chiefs veteran Mils Muliaina.

Dagg backed up last week’s double with a late try in the stunning upset of the Bulls in Palmerston North. He runs the ball back strongly and his kicking game is on song. This young man is examining more and more comfortable in his surroundings.

But no one can underestimate Muliaina’s contribution to this remarkable turnaround by the Chiefs. He scored two tries himself in the big win over the Reds in Brisbane and organised the Chiefs’ attack from the back to get our nod.

His efforts certainly helped those around him. That’s why Sitiveni Sivivatu gets the left wing jersey. He was only on for just over 10 minutes. But he scored twice and should have had another but for an officiating balls-up. The guy is in magic form and now it’s only a shoulder injury that is holding him back.

There wasn’t much to celebrate in the Blues’ loss to the Tahs but we loved the effort of Anthony Tuitavake on the right wing. He scored a magical try. After spending much of the season at centre, he looked good value with a bit of space out wide and that finishing flourish earns him the No 14 slot.

Centre is a tough call this week with internationals Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui building form nicely as is Highlanders No 13 Jason Shoemark.

The Hurricanes got themselves into a heck of a battle with the Lions on the high veldt and Smith’s early double strike certainly set up this win. Take a bow Conrad.

Ma’a Nonu did the business alongside Smith as this pairing show the value of their long association. It’s enough for Nonu to edge worthy efforts from Daniel Bowden (Highlanders) and Callum Bruce who has been a quiet achiever in the star-studded Chiefs backline.

There’s a similar tight tussle at 10 where Steve Donald (Chiefs), Piri Weepu (Hurricanes) and Matt Berquist (Highlanders) directed their teams to crucial wins.

It’s hard to go past Donald though. The Chiefs backline has been outrageous over the last two weekends. Donald got things humming in Brisbane with a stunning solo try to open the floodgates. His goalkicking and field kicking were spot-on too.

The All Blacks selectors have got a job on their hands at halfback now that Brendon Leonard is firing up. He’s a ball of energy and his bullet pass has freed the Chiefs backline. But is there a more gritty character than Jimmy Cowan? He sparked the improving Highlanders’ attack with several strong runs and was there at the end to snuff out some dangerous revivals from the Bulls.

Sione Lauaki holds on to the No 8 jersey again with another barnstorming effort although Rodney So’oialo’s work rate in difficult circumstances in Johannesburg didn’t go unnoticed.

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The loose forwards, as usual, are a competitive area.

The super-consistent Adam Thomson (Highlanders) heads off Liam Messam (Chiefs) and Kieran Read (Crusaders) for our blindside role and Karl Lowe stepped up when he was needed for the Canes at No 7 in the absence of All Black Scott Waldrom.

Hayden Triggs (Highlanders) got geed up by his emotional homecoming in Palmerston North to produce arguably his biggest Super 14 effort. But in a close tussle he got edged by his team mate Tom Donnelly for one of our locking spots. The other goes to Brad Thorn (Crusaders) who was at the heart of the Crusaders’ haggle with the Stormers.

Clint Newland stood up to the test of the biggest pack in the championship at tighthead for the Highlanders and Jamie Mackintosh’s return to full action alongside him was highly energetic against the Bulls.

The same can be said of Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles who got through a ton of work in Jo’burg to shadow All Blacks Keven Mealamu, the Blues’ skipper and new Super rugby centurion, and Hika Elliott who made the most of a rare start for the Chiefs.

Here’s our team of the week for round 7 of the Super 14:

15 Mils Muliaina (Chiefs), 14 Anthony Tuitavake (Blues), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), 8 Sione Lauaki (Chiefs), 7 Karl Lowe (Hurricanes), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Tom Donnelly (Highlanders), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 Clint Newland (Highlanders), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders).

Who do you think is missing from this team or have we got it right? below.

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Massive quake at Kermadecs

– Thursday, 19 February 2009

A powerful 7. .53am at a depth of 36km, the USGS said on its website.
The quake, located 304km northeast of Raoul Island in the Kermadec Island chain, struck at 10.
Conservation Department spokeswoman Louise Skelton said it had five workers and four volunteers on the island.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said the quake posed no destructive tsunami threat, but cautioned that earthquakes of this size sometimes generate destructive waves within 100 km of the epicentre.
Further updates on their situation were expected this afternoon.
Communications with the island were patchy, but it was believed the workers had managed to get a message through this morning and all were "fine", she said.
Ms Skelton said the chances of another eruption were slim, as they were not normally linked to seismic activity.
Conservation worker Mark Kearney, 33, was killed in a volcanic eruption on the island in 2006, while collecting lake level and temperature data for volcanic monitoring following an increase in seismic activity.
– with

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Lifeboat fault delays ferry passengers

Thursday, 05 February 2009

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LESS THAN PLAIN SAILING: More than 100 passengers, including Dave Leuthart of New Plymouth (inset), were bumped off a sailing of the Aratere Cook Strait ferry as a safety precaution after a routine drill went wrong.

Morethan 100 passengers were bumped off a sailing of the Aratere Cook Strait ferry as a safety precaution after a routine drill went wrong in Wellington Harbour and the ship lost one of its lifeboats.
Staff were holding a safety drill yesterday when a coupling broke as a 110-seat lifeboat was being hoisted back on board.
Passengers were delayed for more than two hours.
Maritime New Zealand was alerted by the Interislander ferry company and passenger numbers were cut by 115 to a level that could safely be catered for by the remaining liferafts.
The malfunction meant the lifeboat had to be left in Wellington for repairs, so the ferry could not sail with all its 260 booked passengers. This meant the remaining lifeboat could not be used either because of safety regulations.
Maritime NZ general manager John Mansell said the lifeboat was damaged during a routine crew exercise and had to be taken off the ferry for repairs. People board them and are lifted down to the water.
"There are six life rafts launched by crane on the ferry."
The ferry, scheduled to have left at 2pm, eventually sailed at 4. They have a capacity of 150 people in total. .15pm with 150 passengers.
The cable problem happened as attempts were made to hoist the lifeboat back on board.
Interislander spokesperson Nigel Parry said the quick-release mechanism on the lifeboat had not malfunctioned during the drill.
The 115 passengers affected by the malfunction were given fare refunds, and many were also booked on the next available sailing for free. Crew members on the lifeboat were uninjured.
New Plymouth company director David Leuthart was one of a group of Taranaki off-road bikers who were embarking on a week-long "boys' trip' of the South Island. They headed south on an Arahura sailing later last night. It's a poor show really," he said. "You'd think this should all be routine maintenance stuff for these guys.
The Aratere's 10-year history sailing the Cook Strait has been a troubled one, including power failures and an unscheduled turn in Wellington Harbour.
The repaired lifeboat was expected to be returned to the ferry late last night ready for an early-morning sailing.

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Stab-proof vest proves worth

‘I hated it to start with, but I’ve sort of had to eat my words’

The Tuesday, 03 February 2009

Ten One
METAL JACKET: A passing German tourist, who is a paramedic, tends to police officer Grant Freeman after he hit a fallen tree on the West Coast. He says his stab-proof vest saved him from more serious injury.

Apolice officer believes the stab-proof vest he hated wearing saved his life in a motorbike crash.
He ploughed head-on into the tree and was thrown 12 metres before he landed on the road.
Senior Constable Grant Freeman was travelling north of Punakaiki on the West Coast in November when a large tree toppled over in front of his police motorbike..
"I saw the tip of [the tree] falling .. If I had swerved I would have gone over the cliff. There was nothing I could do. . I just went straight into it. I could have broken my neck or bled to death. "I could have been under the tree."
Mr Freeman, a Christchurch father of two, said at first he was no fan of the vests mandatory for frontline staff and stopped wearing one on the police BMW motorbikes during summer because of the intense engine heat, made worse in the hot conditions."
Mr Freeman, a Christchurch father of two, said at first he was no fan of the vests mandatory for frontline staff and stopped wearing one on the police BMW motorbikes during summer because of the intense engine heat, made worse in the hot conditions.
"I was conscious when I flew through the air, but I don't recall landing .
"I hated it to start with, but I've sort of had to eat my words…"
He had no bruising, cuts or scrapes on the parts of his torso protected by the vest, but had a big cut on his leg after part of the motorbike's handlebar snapped and became impaled in his left thigh. I didn't feel a thing.
Doctors told him that, without the vest, which has been likened to a crash helmet for the body, he could have been paralysed by spinal injuries.
He has permanent nerve damage and no feeling to 30 per cent of his lower leg.
Mr Freeman has spent the last eight weeks recovering after surgery and yesterday had an MRI scan to check his knee.
He was also lucky that a German tourist, whose girlfriend took photographs of the crash, was a paramedic and was able to give him first aid while a helicopter flew to the crash scene. "It will be some months because I've lost a lot of strength in that leg, but it hasn't put me off. "It will be some months because I've lost a lot of strength in that leg, but it hasn't put me off."

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Cheeky chick comes to town

By SAM SACHDEVA – Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Department of Conservation
HAPPY FEAT: This penguin chick was found lost close to the Antigua Boatsheds, on Christchurch’s Avon River. Police held the chick in ‘protective custody’ until a Department of Conservation representatives came to release the penguin back into the wild.

It may not be able to talk, surf or tap dance, but a penguin still managed to attract attention after making it all the way into centralChristchurch via the Avon River. "He saw it looking very lost close to the boatsheds and was a little worried that the ducks might try to get at it, so he brought it in to the station," Sergeant Graham Duncan said.
The white-flippered penguin chick was "detained" by police after being spotted by a concerned citizen close to the Avon River boatsheds yesterday morning.
DOC ranger Anita Spencer said the white-flippered penguin was a rare, local sub-species of the blue penguin.
Police rang the Department of Conservation (DOC), and "allowed its release into [the] protective custody" of two DOC workers who came to the station shortly before 9am.
"They are endangered and have been recognised as nationally vulnerable, and we have been involved in efforts to conserve them," Spencer said.
While penguin chicks did turn up in rivers and at beaches at this time of year, it was unusual that this one had made it so far up the Avon.
She said the penguin was in good condition and perky, and was jumping around in the box that the DOC workers placed it in.
"It probably would have found its own way back, but given the amount of plastic debris in the Avon it was a wise decision to take it out.
"It's most likely gone upriver chasing fish and gone off-track at some point," Spencer said. "Dog-owners in particular need to make sure their dogs are leashed on beaches, because otherwise they can hare into the dunes and disturb a penguin burrow without anyone knowing."
Spencer said the discovery was a reminder that people needed to be mindful of running into penguins close to a river or at the beach."
DOC released the penguin back into the wild at Kaitorete Spit at Birdlings Flat.

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David Kirk now half Australian

The Tuesday, 27 January 2009

The man who held the William Webb Ellis Trophy aloft to celebrate New Zealand's only Rugby World Cup win is now half Australian.
David Kirk took up Australian citizenship at a ceremony yesterday Australia Day. He has lived in Australia for 10 years. He would hold dual New Zealand and Australian citizenship.
"It just seemed like the right time," he said. My heart, my emotion, my commitment is of course to New Zealand, particularly in rugby of course.
"I grew up in New Zealand."
Mr Kirk was born in Wellington, raised in Palmerston North, and later trained as a doctor. Muddied and bloodied, he held up the William Webb Ellis trophy in what has become awell knownKiwi image.
In 1987 he captained the All Blacks to their World Cup win. He entered the business world and in 2005 became chief executive at until resigning in December.
After quitting rugby, Mr Kirk became a Rhodes Scholar and adviser to former prime minister Jim Bolger. "There are a lot of similarities between New Zealanders and Australians.
His wife and three sons are Australian citizens. . In many ways I think of myself as an Australasian