Two a penny

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A former police officer has escaped a custodial sentence after being arrested on drugs charges on his wedding day.

Tauranga District Court was told on Friday that Anthony Brooks, 38, had to cancel the ceremony after he was denied bail and spent three days in prison, The Bay of Plenty Times reported.

Brooks had earlier pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis, possession of cannabis, receiving stolen property, possession of BZP, possession of methamphetamine and possession of pipes for consuming methamphetamine.

Sentencing him to 110 hours community work Judge Thomas Ingram told Brooks he presented “somewhat of an enigma”.

Two other drug supply charges, and a charge of blackmail, were withdrawn the previous month.

“You, more than anybody, knew what you were getting involved in was illegal and the consequences, and what you did reflects absolutely no credit on you.

He was someone who had not only held down quite a responsible job, but had previously worked as a police officer.”

Brooks worked as a police officer for at least eight years but was employed as a marketing manager when police searched his Papamoa, Tauranga, home earlier this year.

Brooks spent four days in custody, including three in Waikeria Prison, having been denied bail on his first court appearance on drug supply allegations, which were later withdrawn.

The raid uncovered drugs, including methamphetamine, BZP and cannabis, as well as a stolen laptop computer. They also forfeited $8000 of wedding deposits and Brooks subsequently lost his employment as a marketing manager. .”

Mr Mansfield said Brooks was a first-time offender with an otherwise unblemished record and of otherwise good character, and references showed he was thought of in high regard.

“You may say these effects were of his own making but nevertheless they were significant losses over and above those which were usual.

Unfortunately, Brooks had given into the temptation of recreational drug use and was remorseful for that, Mr Mansfield said.

Unfortunately, Brooks had given into the temptation of recreational drug use and was remorseful for that, Mr Mansfield said.

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The head of Auckland’s troubled Labtests has resigned after criticism of the company’s failures.

Auckland Regional District Health Board spokeswoman Lauren Young confirmed that Ulf Lindskog had stepped aside from his role as CEO of Labtests.

The shock move by Mr Lindskog follows Prime Minister John Key wading into the dispute and Auckland district health boards appointing six of its senior officials to step in and help run the troubled lab testing company.

It is understood Mr Lindskog’s resignation is from his role as CEO of Labtests only and he will continue on with parent company Healthscope, although the company has not clarified this.

During the weekend the Auckland boards ordered their own senior representatives to take over at Labtests and sort out the problems.

Australian-based company Labtests took over the contract with three Auckland district health boards from Diagnostic Medlab this month but within days problems surfaced over the speed of tests and results, and communications with clinicians.

Auckland District Health Board chairman Pat Snedden said there were indications the public might be at risk over inefficiencies.

It came as Labtests apologised to people who had had trouble with the company since the takeover.

“The people of Auckland rely on this service, this is a $500 million contract – they have had a couple of years to get themselves organised,” Mr Key told NewstalkZB today. .”

Mr Key said he was confident Labtests could get on top of the issues.

“While I don’t think any of the specific issues are so serious that they can’t be fixed, now is the time for Labtests to actually stand up and deliver a proper product to the people of Auckland.

The Australian bosses of Labtests flew into Auckland on Sunday where they were give the message about the city’s laboratory testing – shape up or face consequences.

Labtests said today in a newspaper advertisement it took responsibility for fixing the problems and was working extremely hard to sort out the issues.

It was given the contract by Auckland’s three district health boards after promising savings of $15 million a year, and kept the contract following a bitter court battle with its predecessor Diagnostic Medlab.

Labtests is owned by Australian company Healthscope.”

”What we’re saying to Labtests is, we don’t think you’re fulfilling the terms of the contract at the moment.

Mr Snedden told the Sunday Star-Times: “We are starting to feel very clearly that Labtests need to pick up their act.”

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Legislation allowing workers to take meal and breast-feeding breaks may be changed because it would cause the cancellation of nine domestic flights, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

Previously, there were no statutory requirements for meal and rest breaks, although entitlements were in most collective agreements.An amendment bill was passed last year by the previous Labour government, which set guidelines for break requirements. .Today, Ms Wilkinson said the law was “too prescriptive” and needed “clarifying”.The Airline Pilots Association had been “unwilling to continue the flexible breaks system”.The current legislation meant regional airport control towers were being closed down while workers took breaks, she said.If she did not act it “would result in the cancellation of at least nine regional return flights a week and the risk of further schedule disruptions”, Ms Wilkinson said.”Parliament certainly didn’t intend for this law to create more problems than it solved.Pharmacies, schools, meatworks and sole attendant operations had also raised concerns about the law, she said.The Council of Trade Unions was quick to express their disappointment at the planned amendment.”It would appear that what was once common sense in the past is no longer common sense under this legislation,” Ms Wilkinson said.”To now exclude sole charge workers, for example, would see many people returning to the very unsatisfactory situation of working long hours without any break.Many workers had benefited from the law, president Helen Kelly said.”Last month, Ms Wilkinson called for public submissions on a draft code of practice about breast-feeding at work.”Last month, Ms Wilkinson called for public submissions on a draft code of practice about breast-feeding at work.

.Submissions close on Monday

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The idea of all Aucklanders electing Maori representatives to sit on an Auckland super city council was put up by the Maori Party, Parliament was told today. .

The Maori Party and other groups had made strong representations to Prime Minister John Key over the issue but when he talked to Local Government Minister Rodney Hide, who is responsible for the legislation, the minister threatened to resign.

Under the idea all Aucklanders would be able to select two Maori seats at large.

Labour deputy leader Annette King asked Deputy Prime Minister Bill English about a proposal she said was put forward by Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, who is also Maori Affairs Minister.

Mr English told Parliament that a range of options were looked at.

“Thus meeting the Minister of Local Government’s requirement of one person, one vote where everyone got the same ballot paper; if so, why did the Government not accept that option, which would have demonstrated its strong relationship with the Maori Party?”

Another proposal that had been knocked down was for the Maori seats issue to be put as a separate amendment to the bill so ACT could vote against it.

“The Government’s relationship with the Maori Party is a strong one and that is demonstrated every day.

Ms King asked why the Government set up a special subcommittee to consider the Maori seats issue which raised Maori hopes.”

He said all ideas were debated in “an atmosphere of respect”. .

“And then.before the report back of the committee and with only a few hours’ notice, slam the door shut in the face of the Maori Party, saying that Maori seats on the council were not National policy?”

Mr English said the National Government’s support arrangements were much more inclusive than Labour’s had been. .

“There is a greater participatory role for support parties through full membership of Cabinet committees.

“There is a greater participatory role for support parties through full membership of Cabinet committees.

“Does the Prime Minister consider the relationship with the Maori Party to be a mature one with mutual trust and respect, with differences, when there are any, aired on a face-to-face basis and not through the media?”

Mr English agreed and said the most important element was respect.”

Maori Party MP Rahui Katene attempted to show her party did not have a problem with its relationship with the Government.

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The country’s land transport network will have $8.7 billion spent on it during the next three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) announced today.

The funding will be managed through the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

“This is the largest land transport investment in New Zealand’s history, and it represents a 17 per cent increase from the previous three-year period,” NZTA chairman Brian Roche said. Projects which boost economic growth, productivity and employment have been targeted.”

The programme invested in projects in all regions, providing guaranteed funding levels for each region over the next three years.

“This additional investment will deliver significant benefits for New Zealand now and in the future.

Most activities had funding increases, including:

* a 21 per cent increase for public transport ($899 million over the next three years);

* a 19 per cent increase for New Zealand’s state highway network ($4.9b over the next three years).5b over the next three years);

* a 14 per cent increase for local roads ($1.

Improving the efficiency of key routes, public transport, and easing severe congestion in key urban areas, as well as upgrading important freight and tourism routes, improving safety and access to markets, and to employment would contribute to economic growth, he said.

The programme would help to address the important challenges New Zealand faced with land transport, Mr Roche said.

Sixteen regional transport committees and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority were involved in developing the programme. .

“This collaborative process has allowed us to build an overview of land transport requirements across New Zealand and to balance regional and national priorities in deciding on the best investment programme to maximise value for money across the country,” Mr Roche said.

“This collaborative process has allowed us to build an overview of land transport requirements across New Zealand and to balance regional and national priorities in deciding on the best investment programme to maximise value for money across the country,” Mr Roche said.”

Labour’s transport spokesman, Darren Hughes, said local roads could deteriorate.

“This targeted investment will deliver real gains both in the short term – as we move out of recession – and in the longer term by boosting the productivity we need to support prolonged economic growth.

“It’s nonsensical that we allow increased heavy haulage on our roads but don’t back that up with a programme of maintenance.

“Hidden away in the detail of the programme is National’s plan to freeze spending on the maintenance of local roads in the NLTP’s second and third years,” he said.”

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People wanting to build a new home may have to purchase a warranty to cover the risk involved.

The option is one being considered under a review of the Building Act and the builder licensing scheme.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson announced the review and changes to the licensed building practitioners scheme.

“Restricted building work” would be limited to foundations, framing and external moisture management systems, such as the roof and cladding.

Under a “new approach” only licensed builders will be, from March 2012, able to carry out specific work critical to construction and weather-tightness. .

Do it yourself (DIY) work will be exempt if it is declared to the local council and meets certain conditions.

The assessment process for licensing builders will be based on examples of projects that an applicant has worked on, trade qualifications and discussion with the applicant and referees.”

Consumers were more likely to hire licensed builders and the consents process would be easier for them, Mr Williamson said.

“Good builders will have nothing to fear from these changes.

The liability for building currently landed on local councils and that needed to change, Mr Williamson said.

It would also be cheaper and faster, he said.

Home Owners and Buyers Association president John Gray said there needed to be an “under-pining” of an insurance warranty programme in case a builder did a bad job and then went bankrupt, leaving the consumer with nowhere to turn for compensation.

He preferred home warranties, the cost of which was likely to be less than the savings made from the reduced consent process, he said.

However, under a licensing scheme “we will see that over time they (builders) will take that responsibility”.

However, under a licensing scheme “we will see that over time they (builders) will take that responsibility”.”

Registered Master Builders chief executive Warwick Quinn said the liability was likely to be spread across plumbers, engineers, architects and other qualified people who worked on a build.

“I think there’ll be a positive outcome in terms of attracting more people to the industry as well because it’s about restoring pride and quality in the building industry.”

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“All builders might not want to be licensed anyway, they are quite able to be used on a labour only contract, or work for a licensed practitioner, or they might specialise in the areas of work that isn’t restricted

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Dan Carter’s class shone as the All Blacks rediscovered their fire and a few of their skills too as they nipped Australia 19-18 to claim the Bledisloe Cup and get the defence of their Tri-Nations title back on course.

Carter kicked his fourth penalty 90 seconds from the end to earn the All Blacks a nail-biting win in front of 80,000 at a ground that has so often been a graveyard for them.

The win applies heat to the pace-setting Springboks as the All Blacks head home with renewed confidence for their two remaining Tri-Nations fixtures in Hamilton and Wellington.

Smarting after two shoddy losses to the Springboks and some harsh words from coach Graham Henry the All Blacks put together a more accomplished performance.

The pressure now goes on Robbie Deans – his side have lost three matches in a row.

But the victory importantly puts the All Blacks 2-nil up against the Wallabies and the sight of the Bledisloe Cup being locked away in the trophy cabinet will give major relief to what was sliding towards a season of discontent. But New Zealand deserved credit for their increased urgency and accuracy.

Given how low the All Blacks’ skills sunk in Durban getting a measure of improvement in Sydney shouldn’t have been too hard.

The boot dominated both in field play and on the scoreboard – Ma’a Nonu got the only try – but both sides were willing to run the ball when it was on.

The lineout was better, the scrum solid – Al Baxter was removed after half an hour – there was better work under the high ball and they hung tough to see out a crucial victory in a see-sawing game. But it wasn’t easy and this match hung in the balance right till the end.

Carter’s guidance certainly allowed the All Blacks to work in the right areas of the field for long periods. .

The Wallabies kept the ball alive after the halftime siren had sounded and while they weren’t rewarded with a try after their most promising attack took them to within sight of the All Blacks’ line they did earn a penalty for Giteau to land his fourth penalty and a 12-3 halftime lead. Two knocks to the head eventually forced Luke McAlister off after 50 minutes and Stephen Donald came off the bench to play at first five with Carter moving out one spot.

Australia’s problems deepened when Berrick Barnes and James O’Connor were forced off with injuries.

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A forward pass ruled out a gift try to Carter as New Zealand’s frustrations continued

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The Government and the ACT Party are denying that a crisis has developed over whether there should be reserved Maori seats on Auckland’s new city council.

It was revealed last night that a senior National MP – believed to be Tau Henare – sent an email to his caucus colleagues telling them ACT had threatened to end its relationship with the Government if it “gave in to Maori” and agreed to having special Maori seats on the council.

“We’ve certainly never threatened to end the relationship,” he said.

But ACT leader and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide said the email was wrong.”

Speaking on Radio New Zealand this morning, Mr Hide said they were waiting to hear back from the results from the select committee but conceded there was discussion around the issue.

“What we have done is state our position very clearly and we are opposed to any reservation of seats for a particular group.”

Mr Hide said he would have to resign as minister if the Maori seats were enshrined.

“We’ll get the report, we’ll see what the select committee recommends and then we’ll see what Parliament decides.

“I can’t in good conscience as leader of the Act Party accept legislation that to me is so fundamentally against the culture of New Zealand and the principle of the Act Party as the separate Maori seats are.

He said he had told Mr Key about his stance on seperate Maori seats when talks about a confidence and supply agreement began.

NOT CONFIDENCE AND SUPPLY CLAUSE

Mr Hide said National MP Tau Henare had the wrong impression around his intention and said ACT would continue to support National in a confidence and supply agreement.”

He said it was a matter of principle – one person one vote and seats should be contestable by all comers.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister John Key said ACT’s views were well known.

He said it had never occurred to him that a National government would be even contemplating having separate Maori seats, “so I didn’t write it in our confidence and supply agreement,” he told Radio New Zealand. We have all sorts of discussions with support parties, we’re not about to start conducting those in the media,” the spokesperson said.

“We are working through arrangements for the super city.”

The Royal Commission which reported on Auckland’s local government structure recommended reserved Maori seats but the Government scrapped that when it set out its plans for the city. .

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The Maori Party has been lobbying to overturn the Government’s decision and both sides have been looking for a compromise

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The Government will today shift from trying to contain swine flu to managing outbreaks of the virus, it has been reported.

Radio New Zealand reported that trying to contain the virus had become too much of a burden, and testing labs in particular had been overworked.

However, the approach – which RNZ reported would be formally announced later earlier today – will vary between regions.Regional pockets -including Northland, Otago and Southland -which have no confirmed cases will not implement the same measures.

Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, which have the highest number of cases, are expected to change their approach.

Dr Huang saidthe Government’s strategy changewould mean the centre would switch focus to testing only samples from the mostserious cases. .

“We will focus on people with chronic illness or people who are at risk of influenza complications,” she said.

WELLINGTON RESTRICTIONS

Wellington’s public health authorities were first cab off the rank last night, announcing they were restricting the anti-viral drug Tamiflu to severely ill patients – the first region in the country to do so – as burgeoning numbers of cases threatened to overload services. This approach wouldhelp identify any mutations or more virulent strains. Border controls and quarantines remained in force.

The number of confirmed swine flu cases jumped by 26 to 153 yesterday, including 12 new cases around Wellington.

From today, only patients exhibiting serious symptoms or those with additional health issues, such as heart problems, would receive Tamiflu in Wellington.

Wellington Regional Public Health medical officer Stephen Palmer said last night that -with 51 cases confirmed in the region, 16 in 48 hours -health services had been “over-inundated” with calls from people reporting suspected cases of the virus.

“We have been humungously busy, under enormous pressure and over-inundated with calls.

“We have been humungously busy, under enormous pressure and over-inundated with calls.

“The situation is changing rapidly, we are only going to be able to contain it to a certain extent,” Dr Palmer said.

“We have had to get additional GPs and, because of the pressure, have not even had time to train them properly and supervise them.

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Two more people have been charged with murdering Hamilton man Piki Kingi as police reveal drugs played a part in his death.

Mr Kingi’s body was found in a car on a Hamilton street on Sunday night. A second man was arrested when he left an inner city hotel where he had stayed the night before.

Waikato Armed Offenders Squad members stormed a house in Thames St, Claudelands, yesterday afternoon and arrested a man.

Four people have now been charged with Mr Kingi’s murder.

The unemployed Hamilton men, aged 20 and 41, were due to appear in the Hamilton District Court today. The 47-year-old man and 45-year-old woman were remanded in custody without plea. A Hamilton couple appeared in court yesterday. The couple were known to Mr Kingi. They were due to reappear next month. His body was yesterday returned to his family and it is understood a tangi would be held at a marae close to Huntly.

Autopsy results released today reveal Mr Kingi, 38, received multiple head injuries.

Inquiry head Hamilton police Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page said Mr Kingi’s body was covered with a large amount of material including blankets, duvets and clothing.

Mr Kingi’s body was discovered on Sunday in the back seat of a car which had been parked in Mansel Ave since last Wednesday. Police and forensic teams spent the weekend scouring the property.

Police on Monday confirmed Mr Kingi died at a Cobham Dr address.

“It’s been a big part of the investigation and the investigation has revealed there is an element of drug involvement in the case.

Mr Page confirmed drugs played a major role in Mr Kingi’s death.

When questioned about a gang element, Mr Page said it was common for gangs to feature in drug-related deaths.”

The Times understands the drug involved was methamphetamine or P.”

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“With most drugs there is a gang involvement and at this stage it doesn’t feature at all but we are keeping an open mind about that