Two a penny

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Prime Minister John Key leaves today for a politically high-octane week in New York meeting US President Barack Obama, world leaders, the head of the United Nations and appearing on a TV show watched by more than three million people.

Mr Key will be front and centre on the international stage, with a one-on-one meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and a speech to the General Assembly, but most interest will focus on an opportunity to meet United States President Barack Obama.

The pair have talked by phone but the chance to chat and shake hands at a function the President is hosting will be the first meeting.

“That I think it is improving and that’s a positive sign I think for both countries.

“I will reaffirm to him to him that we are very pleased with the way the relationship is going,” Mr Key told .

Mr Key’s week kicks off with a UN event on climate change hosted by Mr Ban as he tries to galvanise political will to make serious commitments so a meeting in Copenhagen in December can progress.”

If he has the chance he will remind Mr Obama of the importance of a trade agreement and the outlook in Afghanistan, where New Zealand has troops.

He has also been invited to attend a Clinton Global Initiative event which Mr Obama and former president Bill Clinton will attend followed by a meeting..

“It’s an economic focus. ..

“But it will be interesting to see what ideas are presented.

“I think we get a sense that around the world confidence is emerging albeit that it’s on a very fragile base. In particular what the attitude is towards trade, and potentially resolution towards (the Doha trade round). In particular what the attitude is towards trade, and potentially resolution towards (the Doha trade round).

“It’s been quite useful because he’s tended to give an Australasian perspective, and also a debrief after the meeting so he’s been a good friend in that regard.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is attending that meeting, and will have a quick talk with Mr Key beforehand.

In his address to the General Assembly at the end of the week Mr Key would focus on New Zealand’s continued commitment to the UN, multi-lateral diplomacy, and climate change.”

New Zealand would urge progress on the Doha round of trade talks and progress on climate change.

“I think this is a great area where New Zealand can punch above its weight.

Mr Key will also attend a UN Security Council meeting on disarmament and non-proliferation, chaired by President Obama.”

. We’ve been a leader in being a non-nuclear country and it’s an area President Obama raised with me

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Politicians are being asked for their opinions on cancelling travelling entitlements for MPs convicted of crimes.

Speaker Lockwood Smith proposed changes after former MP Taito Phillip Field was this month found guilty of 11 charges of bribery and corruption as an MP, and 15 charges of wilfully trying to obstruct or pervert the course of justice.

At present there is nothing to stop him from claiming thousands of dollars worth of travel entitlements.

He could also claim a 90 per cent discount on international travel as long, as it did not exceed the cost of a return business-class flight to London on Air New Zealand – about $10,000.

Having entered Parliament in 1993, Field was still entitled to claim for up to 12 free domestic return air fares a year. Current and former MPs would also be consulted.

Dr Smith said Field would have an opportunity to comment on the proposal.

Prime Minister John Key previously said morally the entitlements – which included perks for Field’s wife – were inappropriate.

Dr Smith also said he was seeking further information from officials about a decision to freeze travel rebates for former members being dropped.

Dr Smith expected to make a decision next month.

The commission advises the Speaker about services to be provided to the House, and to MPs.

Once he had that information he would talk to the Parliamentary Service Commission about whether to reinstate the freeze.

In November 2003, then-speaker Jonathan Hunt issued a document setting out travel and other perks available to MPs.

In 2003, it recommended members elected before 1999 have their entitlements frozen at the level they were at the end of that term of Parliament.

It also outlined changes proposed for former members’ entitlements.

It also outlined changes proposed for former members’ entitlements.

In 2007, the next speaker, Margaret Wilson, issued a directive on the freeze.

This never happened.”

But the 2008 Parliamentary Travel, Accommodation, Attendance, and Communications Services Determination overturned it. .”

As a result, travel perks were restored to 23 MPs, 12 of whom were not re-elected.

The determination would “remove the freeze on former members’ travel rebates in respect of parliamentary terms after the 2002-2005 parliament.

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Convicted double murderer John Barlow has lost his final bid to have his convictions overturned, as the Privy Council in London ruled against his appeal today.

The five law lords that heard Barlow’s appeal tonight announced that while he had an arguable case, on the evidence he was properly convicted by the jury. ….that, while the introduction of the misleading evidence..Barlow’s lawyer Greg King appealed to the council in February to have the murder convictions quashed.was indeed a miscarriage, no substantial miscarriage of justice actually occured,” the judgement said.The Privy Council said while the introduction of the “misleading evidence” was a miscarriage “no substantial miscarriage of justice actually occurred”.Mr King rubbished FBI forensic evidence that led a jury to send his client to prison.Mr King’s first victory was for the law lords to hear the petition for special leave to appeal, and to consider evidence the New Zealand Court of Appeal would not hear when it denied Barlow an appeal in March last year.After twice going through trials that ended in hung juries, Barlow was jailed for the murder of Wellington father and son Eugene and Gene Thomas, who were killed in 1994.Mr King told the law lords that crucial evidence relating to the weapon and bullets that killed the Thomas’ had been falsely linked to Barlow, a former antiques dealer, who is serving 14 years in Upper Hutt’s Rimutaka Prison.Mr King told the law lords that crucial evidence relating to the weapon and bullets that killed the Thomas’ had been falsely linked to Barlow, a former antiques dealer, who is serving 14 years in Upper Hutt’s Rimutaka Prison.The Crown case in all three trials hinged on proving that Barlow’s CZ27 pistol, and related bullets and a silencer, was the murder weapon.The tests have since been discredited worldwide for providing a high number of false matches.

Mr King said he would make a comment after reading the full court ruling.Mr King would not comment on the Privy Council’s verdict tonight.

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The future of Michael Jackson’s children was thrown into question Thursday when his ex-wife emerged and won a delay in a custody hearing while she decides whether she wants to raise her two offspring.

It was the first legal move from Deborah Rowe since the entertainer’s death. Jackson’s will asks for his mother, Katherine, to get permanent custody of all three of his children. She is the mother of his two oldest children and received US$8.

Rowe, who met Jackson as a receptionist in the office of his dermatologist, has characterised their relationship as strictly for the purpose of birthing Jackson children. His youngest child was conceived with a surrogate.5 million in their divorce, according to court records.

She has spent very little time with her son Michael Joseph Jr, known as Prince Michael, 12; and daughter Paris Michael Katherine, 11.

Rowe’s attorney, Eric M George, said Thursday she had not decided whether to seek custody. But Rowe also has opposed the idea of Katherine Jackson getting custody of her children when it came up in the past.

The identity of the surrogate mother of the singer’s youngest child, 7-year-old son Prince Michael II, has never been revealed.

Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff rescheduled a guardianship hearing for July 13 at the request of attorneys for Rowe and for Katherine Jackson, 79, who has temporary guardianship of her son’s children.

Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live, which owns the Staples Center and was Jackson’s promoter, said tickets would be free.

Jackson’s public memorial was set for 10 am Tuesday at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, according to a press release from the office of the Jackson family’s publicist. . He was not sure how they would be distributed.

“If you can imagine 100,000 people show up and you have 20,000 capacity (at the Staples Center), there is not sufficient room. A week after the singer’s death, the location for a memorial has not been finalized and the cash-strapped city doesn’t have the money to pay police overtime. With the July Fourth holiday weekend “it’s the worst time . Now you have a crowd-control problem,” he said…”

. to work something out

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Police have stepped up uniformed patrols in Levin and Foxton to clamp down on violence sparked by a gang power struggle in the wake of the death of Nomads gang leader Dennis “Mossie” Hines.

Molotov cocktails were thrown through a window of a rental house in Levin on Monday night.

Police said the blaze was linked to the shooting of Hines’ stepson, Nomads gang associate Tony Cootes, on the day of the gang leader’s tangi.

Police said there had been five violent incidents, including an assault and a firearms incident, since the death in prison of Hines, the founder of the Nomads in Horowhenua and Otaki.

Mr Cootes was wounded in the leg while attending the funeral of Hines in Foxton on Thursday.

Police stepped up patrols to curb any more violence and there were no further reports of unrest overnight.

About a dozen gang members were believed to be involved.

Hines’ intention was that upon his death the gang was to disband. .

Violence was the result of a leadership struggle and conflict between junior and senior gang members, Detective Senior Sergeant Marc Hercock said.

However, they were “rigorously” investigating incidents and were taking a zero tolerance to criminal activity, he said. Police had received no formal complaint over anything apart from the arson.

“It’s within the one gang and it’s been limited to gang members against gang members.

Mr Hercock said there was no explicit threat to public safety.

“There’s no indication that any members of the public are any greater threat than they ordinarily would be.

“There’s no indication that any members of the public are any greater threat than they ordinarily would be.

Mr Stevens’ family was not home at the time of the arson.30pm on Monday.

“We heard a big smash, smelled smoke, looked out and saw the flames,” one woman said.

Terrified neighbours say they fear reprisal attacks and some are vowing to move out. It was scary.

“It only took a matter of seconds before most of the house was engulfed. It’s the kids I feel sorry for the babies. I’m packing up, moving out.

A Levin supermarket owner said gang members marched into another local supermarket the day before the tangi, grabbed armfuls of meat and walked out again without paying.”

The incident has revived memories of Wanganui toddler Jhia Te Tua, who died when shot in the chest during a gang-related drive-by shooting in May 2007.

“He was a leader.

“He was a leader. The trouble will stop if the person who takes his position commands the same respect.”

Police are still investigating the shooting, which family members believe was self-inflicted.

Detective Senior Sergeant Marc Hercock urged the community to come forward with information.

“The people in this gang are mainly born and bred in Horowhenua and are not likely to be going anywhere anytime soon.

“If anyone has information we urge them to come forward.”

– with

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Two more arrests over Hamilton murder

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Murder accused suspected ex of abusing daughter

By LYN HUMPHREYS – Wednesday, 25 February 2009

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Cindy Fairburn: Denies she murdered her former partner by driving into the path of another car.

The woman accused of the body-on-the-bonnet murder decided to kill her ex-partner because she suspected him of molesting their little daughter, a Crown lawyer told the High Court in New Plymouth yesterday.
Cindy Fairburn, 38, is alleged to have deliberately driven into the path of an oncoming car as Darin Paul Maxwell, 42, clung on to the bonnet.
The impact with the Isuzu was so severe, Mr Maxwell was flung from the bonnet and through the windscreen of the Isuzu.
The story of the 13km wild, crazy ride on State Highway 3 on August 6, 2007 unfolded in the High Court in New Plymouth yesterday.
Mr Maxwell died in the ambulance on the way to Taranaki Base Hospital.
His extensive injuries included bleeding lungs, a foot almost amputated, fractured legs and a deep cut on his shoulder.
The Isuzu's driver also suffered life-threatening injuries but survived after weeks in hospital.
An infection resulted in a return to hospital where a leg was amputated.
Fairburn herself was knocked unconscious and critically injured, spending 15 weeks in hospital.
Fairburn's lawyers argue that her actions on the night were solely those of a woman defending herself from Mr Maxwell.
Fairburn, who quietly wept as the jury trial started yesterday, has denied murdering her former partner and dangerous driving injuring the Isuzu driver, whose name is suppressed.
In response to her child's unusual cry after she was put to bed, Fairburn had gone in to her baby's room to find her tucked up in her cot, but without nappies and her nappy and pants neatly folded at the end of the cot.
In opening, Crown prosecutor Cherie Clarke said Fairburn had been angry and upset since the Saturday before the fatal impact.
In her mind, he had sexually abused their two-year-old daughter, Miss Clarke said.
In her mind, he had sexually abused their two-year-old daughter, Miss Clarke said.
When told by police that Mr Maxwell would not be arrested immediately, she was angered, saying he should not be allowed to get away with it.
She reported the incident to police, taking them a cot sheet, hairs she said were pubic hairs she had found on the floor next to the cot and the underblanket so they could use them as evidence.
On the Monday, the baby was examined by a paediatrician who found no evidence of a sexual assault and ESR tests weeks later found no evidence of semen on the baby's bedding, Miss Clarke said.
The accused had told a friend that if police were not going to do anything, she would.
She had left the bar and he had somehow ended up on the bonnet of her car, Miss Clarke said.
That night, she encountered Mr Maxwell at the Heritage Bar in Inglewood.
She then drove at speeds up to 120kmh on the open road with Mr Maxwell still clinging to the bonnet, Ms Clarke said.
Other drivers on the road that night described how Mr Maxwell was slipping and sliding across the bonnet as she veered across the white line on the main road in Inglewood, cars on the opposite side having to steer hard left to avoid her.53pm, close toly at the Mangorei Rd intersection, she suddenly and violently swerved her car directly into the path of the Isuzu which was travelling towards Inglewood, Miss Clarke said.
At 9.
Weeks later, Fairburn told police that she had got a fright when he jumped on the bonnet outside the hotel yelling and screaming.
Weeks later, Fairburn told police that she had got a fright when he jumped on the bonnet outside the hotel yelling and screaming.
She had not wanted to stop the car in case he jumped into the car.
She said she had no memory of the collision.
The couple's history included a charge of Mr Maxwell threatening to kill her and the toddler in 2006.
But she withdrew her allegations saying she was concerned about his suicidal tendencies and she was charged with making a false statement. .
Defence lawyer Pamela Jensen said self-defence would be argued.
The accused did not murder Mr Maxwell nor did she intend to injure the Isuzu driver.
When she drove her car that night, the sole purpose was to defend herself against the actions of Mr Maxwell, Ms Jensen said.

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Low-key Waitangi after attack on PM

By FLORENCE KERR in Waitangi – Friday, 06 February 2009

PETER DRURY/
SONG AND DANCE: The Aute Samoa Tyrell Family, including Analise Tyrell, foreground, were among the first stage acts at Hamilton’s Waitangi Day commemorations at Innes Common.

There was a peaceful dawn to Waitangi Day celebrations in Waitangi today and a low-key start to Hamilton's commemorations at Innes Common.
In stark contrast to yesterday's kerfuffle, in which Prime Minister John Key was attacked by two men as he prepared to enter Waitangi's Te Tii Marae, thousands attended the morning service at the Upper Marae today without incident. .
A karanga rang out at 5.
He gave thanks to those who signed the Treaty for their "hope and courage" for a better New Zealand, while Labour leader Phil Goff also gave thanks for a safe country.
Mr Key was asked to lead the thousands in prayer.
But not all were happy with the Treaty's status, with one Ngapuhi elder telling the crowd: "The Treaty was signed at 1."
In Hamilton a cultural showcase of music and dance performances, designed to celebrate the city's ethnic and cultural diversity, and hosted by Te Runanga O Kirikiriroa, was expected to attract about 4000.30pm on February 6, 1840 it died at 6pm that night.
Meanwhile a 19-year-old and a 33-year-old were remanded in custody until Monday after they appeared in Kaikohe District Court on assault charges against Mr Key.
Groups performing included those from the India NZ Global Association, Waikato Filipino Association, Scottish country dancers, African Children's Gospel Choir and Knights of the Dub Table.
"They grabbed my shoulder and my arm but it happened very quickly.
"I was confident the situation would get under control pretty quickly," Mr Key said. They pulled one guy off then the second guy came and tried to push me back. They pulled one guy off then the second guy came and tried to push me back.
Kingitanga spokesperson Tom Moana said King Tuheitia was enjoying his time in Waitangi as part of Tainui's first royal presence at the events since 1990 and the multi-denominational service was "interesting"."
One of the men told reporters he was angry that the Maori Party had formed a coalition with National.

. Mr Moana said the Kingitanga had not ruled out an appearance next year

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Winston Peters still has VIP car

By ESTHER HARWARD – Sunday, 01 February 2009

When it'sover, it's time to say goodbye. But Winston Peters' attachment to his government-issued car endures.
The ex-MP's ministerial car, a 2005 Ford Territory SUV, is still parked outside his home in Auckland's St Mary's Bay.
Internal Affairs confirmed his was the only car not returned by ministers ousted in last November's election.
The car has a "VIP" sticker in its window and appears to be in use. He said the police should be called to recover the vehicle.
Act leader Rodney Hide was outraged Peters still had the car three months after being voted out of parliament.
"This has never happened before. Winston Peters it's always been about him, and he thinks everyone owes him a living. MPs from all parties have respect for the taxpayer.
"First of all, start off with a fact and not a tissue of lies as well, on your first question," he told the Sunday Star-Times before adding: "Now don't be a numbskull."
Peters was irritated yesterday at fielding questions about the car, after its presence was flagged on blog sites. Stop indulging in lies and stop wasting my time. If you want to believe a whole lot of blog sites and Rodney Hide, and every other twit in town, go right ahead." He then hung up." He then hung up.
A department spokesman said Peters had been overseas, and had been talking about buying the car but now wasn't which had delayed arrangements for its return. It is supposed to be back with Internal Affairs officials to be allocated to another minister or sold.
"He has given the car back, it's simply a question of us arranging to collect it at a time when someone's able to give us the keys. He said the department would send a VIP driver to Auckland with another driver to bring the car back to Wellington. "We wouldn't have expected any significant use of vehicles in this time."
He didn't know if Peters was driving the car at taxpayers' expense. . We don't think any use is likely to affect the value or is likely to be very significant.
The car would probably be sold because it had been driven a lot.
He said there was no particular date for returning cars, and agreements were "all on the basis of being reasonable".

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High-speed chase ends in arrest

By JEFF TOLLAN Timaru Herald Wednesday, 24 December 2008

JOHN BISSET/Timaru Herald
End of the road: Police inspect the Subaru Legacy station wagon involved in a high-speed chase from Geraldine to Temuka yesterday.

Policeare relieved no one was killed in a high-speed chase in South Canterbury yesterday when the car they were following reached speeds in excess of 150kmh. They were led around the Temuka and Geraldine area, through the Temuka township, country roads and riverbeds before a 22-year-old Christchurch man was eventually caught.
Six police cars from Timaru, Geraldine, Temuka and Pleasant Point were involved in the chase which began shortly before 2pm. The way it was being driven had caught the attention of police.
It started after the grey 1992 Subaru Legacy station wagon failed to stop for a patrol car on State Highway 79 outside Winchester. About four police cars, one a mufti car, had chased the car along Earl Rd toward Winchester, "going hell for leather", he said.
One man who saw the chase said the vehicle being pursued "wasn't going to stop for anyone".
The alleged offender avoided road spikes set up by police and then headed through Temuka, down Richard Pearse Drive. .
"The roads he was on didn't have much traffic.
Constable Simon Izard said most of the pursuit was not high speed.. If it had been heavier . We are very pleased that he hasn't brought anyone else into this.. Mr Izard said the passenger was taken into custody while police determined what had happened."
A passenger in the car had managed to get out, although it was unclear when.
The instruction came just after the man turned left into Guild Rd, past Opihi College.
About 25 minutes into the pursuit, police s were told by Southern Communications to abandon it, Mr McErlain said, "as a result of the manner in which he was driving and the danger to the public posed by the offender's driving".
Certain that the alleged offender had not crossed the Rangitata River, police focused on back roads near Temuka, Orari, Winchester and Rangitata.
Police set up a grid, covering roads near Clandeboye and surrounding areas, the State Highway, riverbeds and bridges.30pm.
Mr McErlain said that due to the network of cordons, the vehicle was spotted by another checkpoint shortly after 3.
Mr McErlain said the driver was charged on a warrant of failing to appear at court in Christchurch, driving while disqualified, failing to stop for red and blue flashing lights, dangerous driving, possession of cannabis and burglary.
Mr McErlain said the driver was charged on a warrant of failing to appear at court in Christchurch, driving while disqualified, failing to stop for red and blue flashing lights, dangerous driving, possession of cannabis and burglary.
After the pursuit had been called off, police had reported sightings of the man at Clandeboye. During the time the man was hiding, police allege he hid at a rural property and stole meat from the resident's freezer.
As police looked through the man's vehicle at the property, the rough journey the car had been through was evident.
The front windscreen had shattered, the front passenger's and the side mirror had popped out. The driver's wing mirror had a swastika symbol smeared on it.
Two police cars had minor damage.
Last night the arrested man was transferred to the Timaru police station.

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Outrage over students using park for sex

By AARON LEAMAN – Monday, 01 December 2008

Allegations of high school students using a Hamilton park for sex during school hours were heard at a meeting of concerned residents yesterday.
About 50 people attended a community meeting at the Hillcrest Scout Hall to discuss ways of curbing anti-social behaviour at the adjourning Hillcrest Park.
One elderly resident told the gathering that she and her husband had seen teenagers dressed in Hillcrest High School uniform having sex on a park bench.
The woman, who did not want to be named, told the she had lived next to the park for 46 years and was shocked by the teenagers' antics.
On another occasion, students were seen having sex under a park tree. If I'd been there I would have put the hose on them," she said.
"Earlier this year my husband told me he saw two students having sex on a park bench in broad daylight when they should have been at school.
The "lovebirds" didn't make any effort to hide their behaviour, she said.
Residents said they were also concerned about binge drinking and drug use in the park, as well as tagging, rubbish being set on fire and young people doing "burnouts" in the carpark.
Yesterday's meeting was organised by resident group Hillcrest Park Guardians and was sparked by the recent assaults on two 11-year old girls. .
Senior Sergeant Lance Tebbutt urged people at the meeting to report all suspicious or inappropriate behaviour to police.

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The residents group plans to meet with Hamilton City Council staff later this month to identify ways to make the park safer