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UK travel tax could hit rugby cup crowds
– Thursday, 27 November 2008
A British move to increase the tax paid by airline passengers on flights to New Zealand could dampen an anticipated boost in tourist numbers during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The cup will be the biggest international sporting event to be held in New Zealand, with 60,000 to 70,000 international visitors expected to attend the matches.
However, the British Government is about to increase taxes on long-haul flights to help reduce the amount of carbon emissions from highly polluting jet aircraft.
England, Wales and Scotland are automatic qualifiers for the tournament, and organisers had expected the three teams to be accompanied by many fans.
With half of the World Cup visitors expected to come from Britain and Ireland, any possible disincentive to travel was a concern, Tourism Industry Association chief executive Tim Cossar said.
The duty on a flight to New Zealand will be $155 from next November, with a second increase to $240 in November 2010.
The tourism sector is worried the tax increase will hurt visitor numbers from Britain New Zealand's largest source of holidaymakers after Australia and is concerned other countries will follow Britain's move.
"It doesn't do anything to prime the market or send positive signals to the market," he said.
"We don't want to see our price competitiveness as a destination damaged," he said. . As a country, we have done a lot to try to be a responsible tourism destination.
"It seems to me they are always incentivising short-haul travel by penalising the long-haul markets."
Prime Minister John Key raised New Zealand's objections to the tax changes during his meeting in London with British PM Gordon Brown yesterday.
"We were given an award in Britain for responsible tourism.
"We just indicated we were concerned about it, we didn't think it was fair and we'd like to progress the issue further if we can," he said.
Key said he told Brown there were efficiency differences between airlines and aircraft, and some airlines, including Air New Zealand, were trialling biofuels.
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Public photos may hold key in pack sex attack inquiry
By CLIO FRANCIS – Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Police investigating a possible pack rape are asking the public to send them any photos taken in Christchurch's Corsair Bay area last Sunday.
Police have begun an investigation into an alleged sexual violation, and want any photographs taken in the popular swimming area between 11am and 3pm on November 16.
"We're particularly interested in any activities around the raft," he said.
Up to half a dozen men, between the ages of 20 and 40, are sought, Detective Sergeant Ross Tarawhiti said."
He said Sunday was a "lovely day" and he imagined lots of photos would have been taken.
"The victim has met these people at the area and the assault has happened somewhere else.tarawhiti@police.
Anyone with photos is asked to email them to ross.nz , karen. .govt.simmons@police.nz or phone 03 344 0661.
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Thousands watch baretop ride
Saturday, 08 November 2008
/The
ON DISPLAY: Steve Crow and his topless troupe pose in the grounds of Parliament.
Boobs at Parliament
(nudity)
The city's leaders called it "sleazy and cynical" but about 8000 Wellingtonians turned out to see the Boobs on Bikes parade.
At its first appearance in the city yesterday, the motorcade of more than 20 topless porn stars atop Harley-Davidsons roared from Post Office Square down a crowded Lambton Quay before the stars walked on to Parliament's grounds. .
The largely male audience ranged from businessmen to gangs of wolf-whistling construction workers, mixed with curious mothers and smirking teenagers – all clicking away on their cameras in lines sometimes four-deep. Dylan, 4, sat in her arms pointing and saying, "Naked ladies, Mum.45pm."
"I'm not offended at all," Mrs McRae said. Kids don't have any preconceived ideas, it's adults who tell them it's wrong. "Women's bodies are beautiful and I don't see why children can't join in the fun."
IT specialist Chris Slade, 24, said: "It's great entertainment. It's not hurting anybody. I think it's all in good taste. No one's forced to be here."
As promotion of the Erotica Lifestyles Expo this weekend, it seems to have worked."
As promotion of the Erotica Lifestyles Expo this weekend, it seems to have worked.
The parade was barred from Parliament's grounds because it was seen as a commercial venture, but organiser Steve Crow said it was about "freedom of expression" and vowed to reach the steps. We never get to explore this side of life in New Zealand, we're too modest," Mr Slade said. American porn star Evan Stone walked up to "admire" the Parliament building before being escorted back by three security guards.
Though the bikes were banned and a barrier kept the porn stars and their entourage a good 10 metres from the steps, they were allowed to walk up to the statue of Richard Seddon, surrounded by more than 100 shouting fans. Obviously anyone involved with the adult film industry isn't allowed to visit Parliament," he said.
"I'm a tourist. Family First spokesperson Bob McCoskrie said it was "an absolute disgrace" the parade had been allowed on Parliament's grounds.
Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast was unavailable for comment yesterday but a council spokesperson said she found the parade "sleazy and really cynical", with little public support."
. "Maybe the parliamentary security and police were blinded by the porn stars
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Mourners tell of lifelong friends
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Thethree men involved in a car crash that left two of them dead were friends since they were "wee fellas" and "loved each other to bits".
David Setu Patrick Iafeta, 19, and Jimmy Junior Rere, 20, both of Porirua, were passengers in a Honda car that hit the barrier in the southbound lane of State Highway 1 near the Aotea Quay off-ramp about 10pm on Saturday.
Both men were thrown from the car, one on to the motorway, the other into a car park about 40 metres below, near the Interislander ferry terminal.
The driver of the vehicle was taken to Wellington Hospital and is understood to be recovering well after surgery.
They died at the scene.
Police would not comment further about the crash yesterday.
Early investigations into the crash suggested the driver had not been drinking and the passengers were wearing seatbelts.
The trio, who worked as bouncers at a central city bar, were on their way to work when the crash happened.
"We're still in shock and can't believe this has happened.
Mr Rere's brother, Tunganekore, told The the three were late for work and "started putting the pedal down"."
Yesterday, the families were grieving at their homes surrounded by relatives and friends. It sucks, to be honest.
A spokeswoman for the Iafeta family said Mr Iafeta's body would be taken to a marae later today.
As Mr Rere's parents prepared the family home for their son's body to lie at rest before the funeral, people flicked through photos of the victims and shared some of their favourite memories with each other.
Tunganekore Rere said the trio had been friends since they were "wee fellas" and hardly a day went by when they weren't hanging out with each other.
Tunganekore Rere said the trio had been friends since they were "wee fellas" and hardly a day went by when they weren't hanging out with each other.
"He was a pretty choice brother."
His brother was a "bit of a comedian" who was always smiling. I'm going to miss him heaps. He was always cracking jokes and making people laugh.
"They had this favourite fishing spot they used to go to all the time."
The friends loved to go fishing, but catching the "big one" was not high on their agenda.
"They would leave the lines in the water without bait and then just sit there and muck round, joking and teasing each other. They would chuck their lines in the water, but they didn't bother putting any bait on their lines.
"I'm shocked to hear that you passed away big bro."
Mr Rere's Bebo site was flooded with messages of condolence, with one person saying she would miss his "bear hugs". We are all going to miss you heaps. We are all going to miss you heaps."
Another said: "Jimmy bro, I'm speechless. ."