Two a penny

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US President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation. . Obama’s name had been mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to award the president. “His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.

“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future,” the committee said.

“Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics.”

The committee said it attached special importance to Obama’s vision of, and work for, a world without nuclear weapons. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play,” the committee said. Former President Jimmy Carter won the award in 2002, while former Vice President Al Gore shared the 2007 prize with the UN panel on climate change.

Theodore Roosevelt won the award in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson won in 1919.

In his 1895 will, Alfred Nobel stipulated that the peace prize should go “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses.

The Nobel committee received a record 205 nominations for this year’s prize. Sweden and Norway were united under the same crown at the time of Nobel’s death.”

Unlike the other Nobel Prizes, which are awarded by Swedish institutions, he said the peace prize should be given out by a five-member committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament.

The committee has taken a wide interpretation of Nobel’s guidelines, expanding the prize beyond peace mediation to include efforts to combat poverty, disease and climate change.

The committee has taken a wide interpretation of Nobel’s guidelines, expanding the prize beyond peace mediation to include efforts to combat poverty, disease and climate change

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Former immigration chief Mary Anne Thompson’s doctorate thesis disappeared “in a black hole” after being sent to the London School of Economics, her lawyer said today.

Defence counsel Robert Lithgow was questioning the school’s academic registrar, Simeon Underwood, via video link at a depositions hearing in Wellington District Court.

Mr Underwood had not met Thompson and, under questioning, relied on the school’s records.

Thompson faces three fraud charges after applying for public service jobs in 1989, 1998 and 2004, claiming she had achieved her doctorate in philosophy.

Mr Underwood said the record “seems to be full up to the point where Ms Thompson submitted her thesis”.

Mr Lithgow suggested he was attempting to put together a jigsaw which had some pieces missing.

Mr Underwood today told the court he did not know where the documents were now.

Prosecutor Grant Burston said yesterday the thesis had been sent for examination in 1990 but no degree was confirmed as Thompson had not undertaken the oral examination.

“I wouldn’t share that judgment,” Mr Underwood said.

Mr Lithgow asked if it would be reasonable to describe the loss of a top level student’s thesis as an embarrassment.”

He said there may be an explanation which was not made clear in the school’s paperwork.

“Because the pieces of the jigsaw – as you said at the start – are missing. He asked whether there were circumstances under which the exam could be waived on extreme compassionate grounds.

Mr Lithgow said Thompson would have had to travel from New Zealand to England for the oral exam.

He said there had been correspondence over whether Thompson could do her oral exam in Australia as her supervisor was due to visit Queensland.

Mr Underwood had only heard of this being done once, “and that was posthumously”.

Two more witnesses from the school were due to give evidence via video link this week, with court sessions beginning early to accommodate the time difference. .

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A Hungarian tourist severely beat an elderly gay man with a red banjo then shoved the instrument’s broken neck half way down his throat, a court has heard.

Ferdinand Ambach, 32, a dive master from Hungary, went on trial this morning at the High Court in Auckland for the murder of 69-year-old Ron Brown in his Onehunga home on December 7, 2007.

Mr Brown died in hospital two days after the alleged attack when his life support was turned off. They struck up a conversation and seemed to be getting on well.

In his opening statement, Crown prosecutor Nick Williams said Ambach had been in New Zealand for about one month when he met Mr Brown one evening at the Bar 306 in Onehunga.30pm they left together and bought beer from a close toby bottle store, he said.

About 9.

They then went by taxi to Mr Brown’s two-storey unit in Onehunga, where they drank the beers, then turned to bourbon and coke.

The neighbour phoned Mr Brown, who asked him to call police.

Later that night, a neighbour in an adjacent unit heard loud “crashing and banging” and could feel the vibration through the wall, Mr Williams said.

When the police arrived at 12. .

They found Mr Brown slumped over the bottom of the stairs with the banjo neck sticking out of his mouth and making a sound like he was snoring, Mr Williams said.38am, they saw Ambach throwing a double bed mattress out of a broken, second floor window.

Ambach was arrested and, having cut his finger on the broken window, was taken to hospital.

Ambach was arrested and, having cut his finger on the broken window, was taken to hospital.

He considered leaving but could not find an exit and did not have any money, Mr Williams said.

Ambach later told police he remembered only flashes of what happened but recalled Mr Brown placing his hand on his groin, then chasing him around a table and throwing things at him.

The trial is expected to take three weeks.

This afternoon the jury will travel to Onehunga to view the murder scene.

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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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Fame pays off for refugee

By JIM KAYES Tuesday, 17 February 2009

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IN GOD’S HANDS: Iranian refugee and Christian convert Ali Panah (centre) has been granted refugee status in New Zealand.

Being famous has paid off for Iranian refugee Ali Panah but those close to him say his controversial hunger strike and conversion to Christianity was no gimmick.
Mr Panah was classified as a refugee by the Refugee Status Appeals Authority yesterday after two earlier failed appeals and a 53-day hunger strike after he was imprisoned for refusing to sign deportation documents.
"Because of the publicity that was created as a result of the fast that Ali went on, it is absolutely inevitable that the Iranian authorities will know about Ali's position.
His lawyer, Grant Illingworth, revealed it was the publicity surrounding Mr Panah's hunger strike in 2007 that forced the authority's hand, as it had to accept he would have become known in Iran."
Christian converts risked being executed in Iran "and the effect of the decision that has been reached is that Ali has been released from the threat of being exposed to the death penalty," Mr Illingworth said. They will know that he has claimed to be a Christian, they will know that he has claimed to renounce Islam and they will know that they have been criticised.
The authority's report, which has not been made public, criticised Mr Panah, he said.
He also strongly rejected any suggestion that the hunger strike during which Mr Panah was taken to hospital and put on a drip was a publicity stunt or that Mr Panah's conversion of faith was simply for convenience. The authority would not comment and Mr Illingworth refused to elaborate, saying only that he disputed its findings. "Lasting for two or three days is extremely difficult and for someone to fast for 50 days is extremely rare.
Enduring more than a day of fasting was not easy, he said."
Mr Illingworth said proving a person's faith was extremely difficult. It really does show the motivation of the person concerned. But in the end the authority was only interested in the fact that he had claimed to be a Christian. But in the end the authority was only interested in the fact that he had claimed to be a Christian. But he was convinced that Mr Panah, who converted to Christianity in 2000, was a true convert."
Auckland's Anglican Archbishop, David Moxon, said he had seen false converts before they were dubbed rice Christians as they were usually seeking food.
He was happy with yesterday's decision and pledged to be "a good citizen for this country".
Mr Panah, 41, who has been living with Anglican friars in Hamilton, has both parents, three sisters and two brothers still living in Iran. "I believe that God has a purpose for everyone and I leave it to his hands for the future.
He had no job lined up but was confident of finding work."
The Iranian embassy in New Zealand could not be reached for comment. At the moment I don't know what the Lord wants for my job.

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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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Piles of battery waste remain

Saturday, 31 January 2009

ExideTechnologieshas failed to get rid of thousands of tonnes of chemical battery waste close to Petone and now wants another two years to dispose of the massive stockpile.
Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard says the multinational company has repeatedly breached resource consent conditions and has failed to make good on its promises.
"There's clearly not been compliance.
The battery smelter did not deserve another chance and should be shut down or moved, he said. There should not be any rubber stamp. There were undertakings made to get rid of the stuff and they have not been met. They're asking for special permission to do something outside the normal rules .
"These people have behaved pretty badly…"
Hutt City Council granted Exide a two-year resource consent to store 7500 tonnes of slag, a chemical waste byproduct of its battery-recycling factory containing lead and the known carcinogen arsenic, in March 2007. this organisation over a period of time has shown bad faith.
Processing problems means Exide still has close toly 6000 tonnes in sealed drums in two Hutt Park Rd warehouses.
The consent expires on March 1. The company has twice been convicted for illegal lead discharges beyond court-imposed health limits designed to protect local residents and was fined $30,000 last year. It has applied for new consents to store 6000 tonnes for another two years.
The council has indicated the resource consent would be non-notified, meaning the public would not be allowed to make submissions.
There was also controversy when alarmed residents noticed workers handling the slag in protective clothing and masks.
"It's a big American multinational company that's just taking advantage of the fact that our rules are slacker than some Third World countries. But Mr Mallard said the public deserved a say."
He wanted the factory shut or moved away from people's homes. The idea that they should just get a rubber stamp renewal is wrong. It was processing 13 tonnes of the backlog each day and not adding to the stockpile. .
An Exide official in Australia said he was unable to comment till he had spoken to company officials in the United States.
An Exide official in Australia said he was unable to comment till he had spoken to company officials in the United States..

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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

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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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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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Firearm allegedly pointed at officer

Saturday, 17 January 2009

A 19-year-old Alexandra man is in custody following an incident in Alexandra last night where a firearm was pointed at a police officer.
Police were called to an Earnscleugh Rd address about 9. On arrival, an officer was confronted by a man who pointed a firearm at him while demanding he leave.40pm.
The man was arrested but remained aggressive, making threats to harm both the police officers and their families. The officer retreated but kept speaking to the man and convinced him to put down the firearm.
"As police officers, we accept that in some situations we will be abused while doing our job but threats toward our families is a serious concern.
"I find it disturbing that specific threats have been made against an officer's family," Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said. ."
It was later found that a 16-year-old female at the house had been assaulted before police arrived.
"Barrels all look the same when you're examining at the wrong end of a firearm.
The firearm presented was later recovered and police confirmed it was an air rifle but "the fact that this was an air rifle rather than a larger calibre firearm made little difference to the officer when it was presented at him," Mr Kerrisk said.. Air rifles can be just as capable of killing or injuring people . "
The man appeared in the Dunedin District Court earlier today on charges of assault, presenting a firearm, threatening to kill and threatening grievous bodily harm..

. He has been remanded in custody until Tuesday