Two a penny

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Flight of the Conchords has received an Emmy nomination for best comedy series.

One half of the comedy duo, Jemaine Clement, has also been nominated for best actor in a comedy.

30 Rock picked up a leading 22 primetime nominations, including best comedy, best actress for its star and creator Tina Fey, and best actor for Alec Baldwin who all took home Emmys last year.

Nominations for United States’ television’s highest honours were announced overnight, with Tina Fey comedy 30 Rock and 1960s period drama Mad Men leading the list.

Another AMC show, Breaking Bad, was also among the drama and best actor nods.

But in a list that reflected the move of some of TV’s best writers to cable channels, last year’s winner Mad Men on AMC seized 16 nominations, including best drama, best actor and four of the five picks for writing.

“We don’t repeat ourselves, which every season gets a lot harder,” he said.

Mad Men creator Matt Weiner told that his writing staff worked hard to take the characters to deeper human levels each season.”

The number of nominations was expanded this year, allowing new contenders like the HBO polygamy series Big Love, AMC’s Breaking Bad, CBS comedy How I Met your Mother and HBO’s Flight of the Conchords to grab a piece of the Emmy action in a contest often criticised for getting stale. “You try to bring in new stuff and in a weird way, we’re getting better at it all the time.

“There is so much good work, we have really recognised the diversity on television today,” said John Shaffner, chairman and CEO of the Television Academy, which gives out the Emmys. . Broadcaster NBC earned 67 nominations, followed by ABC (55), CBS (49) and Fox (42).

Among networks, cable channel HBO lead with 99 nominations, while Showtime had 29 and AMC 23. But the fresh faces meant some old favourites were snubbed.

OUT WITH OLD, IN WITH NEW

The Academy said 41 of the 83 nominations for comedy and drama programs for the June 2008-May 2009 season were different from the previous year.

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Kiefer Sutherland of 24 got a single miniseries acting nomination for Fox’s 24: Redemption special, while Katherine Heigl of Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) got nothing despite supporting actress recognition for co-stars Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson

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A medical student who overcame a learning disability and was on his way to achieving his childhood goal of becoming a doctor has died after contracting meningitis.

Zac Gravatt, 22, died in Auckland City Hospital on Wednesday night, after being suddenly struck down by the disease.

The British-born trainee doctor had turned 22 less than a week earlier.

On the day he died, he rang his father, Lance Gravatt, to say he was so sick couldn’t sit up.

He had overcome dyslexia to get into medical school and was just two years away from becoming a doctor. . “I said to take fluid and Panadol and see a doctor,” a devastated Mr Gravatt told the New Zealand Herald.

Lance Gravatt said his son would be remembered as a “full-on” person with a love of parties, who had put in all the extra work to overcome his learning difficulties.

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Zac Gravatt’s funeral is due to be held in Auckland on Tuesday

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A master baker who spent seven years working for Kiwi baking goods giant Edmonds says he raised problems with the iconic cook book’s hot cross buns recipe 10 years ago. .
Nothing was done and 10 years on the company is still refusing to make any changes, even after a public battering thanks to a Sunday Star-Times story last weekend. Last week she could not believe Edmonds was standing by its recipe and said: “Everyone can make mistakes.
That story quoted home-baking guru Jo Seagar who tested the recipe and called it “dry, old crappo”. You don’t keep printing it and printing it and printing it. You get it wrong, but you fix it. That’s what we think is bad.
“I don’t think the recipe’s necessarily the [most wrong] in the world I just think the style of the book doesn’t allow for the right information to be given.”
Brettschneider waded into the debate, telling the Star-Times “it is probably time to right the wrong”.
“We’ve done three test bakes during the week and all were successful, so we don’t believe that there are problems with the recipe,” a spokesperson said.”
Edmonds would not comment on Brettschneider’s criticism and said it was “comfortable with the recipe”. “Part of the problem might be that people have different expectations. “[We're] not sure what the problem is probably something to do with the yeast that people are using, or the way they’re handling the recipe. That cook book is home-cooking style food. That cook book is home-cooking style food. “Are they trying to say that because you make it at home you’ve got crap expectations? I expect anything I make at home to be just as good as anything I buy, if not better.”
That made Seagar steam. “We think it’s rubbish.”
Seagar and her staff made six test batches of the Edmonds buns and they all failed.”
Brettschneider said he had made the recipe work with more liquid but it still needs to be changed. We think it’s a load of craparooba. This is because when fruit is added before kneading it gets crushed and releases sugar, which can stop the yeast working properly. There should be more instructions about the all-important kneading and dividing process and the fruit should be added right at the end of kneading, not the beginning, as it is now.. “It’s not a slanging match,” Brettschneider said, “it’s about giving people the right information . so they’ve got a much better chance of making good hot cross buns. so they’ve got a much better chance of making good hot cross buns.”
Brettschneider left Edmonds in 2003 and is based in Shanghai, has his own bakery brand and numerous international awards to his name. He judges New Zealand’s annual baking competition and moderates our bakery training standards.

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Afghanistan extension on cards

Monday, 09 February 2009

Kiwi troops in Afghanistan are likely to be asked to dig in for longer as the Government prepares to review the six-year-old deployment amid mounting pressure on the United States' allies to do more.
Government sources say there has been no request yet from the US for more Kiwi troops but it would "not be a surprise" if there were. .
The push for more Australian troops comes as US President Barack Obama prepares to step up pressure on his country's European allies to provide more toops to support Nato's 55,000-strong International Security Assistance force.
At least 800 extra Australian troops would be required, The Australian newspaper reported.
New Zealand has 132 troops in Afghanistan's Bamyan province, close toly six years after they were sent there on a year-long deployment.
The US expects to lift its troop commitment in Afghanistan by about 25,000 over the next three years.
It also has instructors with the Afghan National Army Training Team, an officer based with the United Nations Assistance Mission and two staff officers and a driver at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters in Kabul.
Sources have confirmed it is likely to be rolled over.
The pressure from the US for international troops to do more in Afghanistan comes as Cabinet prepares to receive a briefing paper on extending the Bamyan commitment beyond September.

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The Labour government and the Defence Force answered previous suggestions that troop numbers be increased with concerns that it would overstretch the armed forces

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Body in Aoraki-Mt Cook may be Israeli tourist’s

By JEFF TOLLAN Timaru Herald Tuesday, 27 January 2009

A missing Israeli tourist in the Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park is now presumed dead after rescuers found the body of a man late this evening.
It appears the man, aged in his 20s, was on his way back from a walk to the Mueller Hut in perfect weather when he strayed from the track, fell "a considerable distance" and died from his injuries.
It was found about 6pm by a helicopter searching for the man.
While the man's identity is yet to be confirmed, DOC area manager Richard McNamara said the body is believed to be that of the missing tramper.
"Then he fell and has died as a result of his injuries.
"He has walked up to the hut via the marked route to stay the night and for whatever reason he has diverted off the route and walked into an area that's very steep and technically difficult,'' Mr McNamara said.
The body was on rugged terrain on the ridge leading down from the Mueller Hutt, to the west of the Mt Cook Village."
Mr McNamara said it was unclear how far the man fell, but said it was "quite a considerable distance".15am on Monday morning.
The man was last seen at the hut, 1800 metres up the Sealy Range, at 8.
Department of Conservation (DOC) staff located his car at Whitehorse Hill car park yesterday morning when he failed to sign out. He had been due out later that day. His body was found shortly after.
Two members of the Alpine Rescue Team searched the route up to the hut, and an aerial search was launched. .
Mr McNamara said conditions last night were too windy to try and extract the body from the area, but a Search and Rescue team is expected to launch a recovery operation this morning.
Last year an American also died after straying from the established track.
"It's one of those unfortunate accidents that occur from time to time," Mr McNamara said.

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The Mueller Hut climb is a popular overnight trip with a steep 1000-metre climb, usually reached in about three hours from the valley floor

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Cop had ‘seconds’ to decide

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Aformer top policeman who led a team in one of New Zealand's most infamous gun battles has backed the police involved in a fatal motorway shootout.
As debate rages about whether the police officer who fired the shot that killed 17-year-old courier driver Halatau Naitoko should be prosecuted, former armed offenders boss Murray Forbes has urged critics to lay off the police.
Mr Forbes, who led the team that killed mass murderer David Gray at Aramoana, close to Dunedin, in 1990, said the officer who fired the shot in Auckland on Friday had only a few seconds to make a decision. It happens so quick and it's all very well us talking about it a few days later, but he only had a few seconds to make a decision.
"The officer clearly thought the gunman was a danger. It was a huge mistake and the officer has to wear that.
"It would be devastating for the police. Whether it was justified, they've still got to wear it. But he should lose his job if it was proved he was "drastically wrong"."
It would be wrong to prosecute the officer, he said. Former police inspector and MP Ross Meurant also wanted the officer charged.
Tongan Advisory Council chairman Melino Maka said that, though the incident was not premeditated, it was still an unlawful killing. "I don't see how the Naitoko family are going to get any form of justice in this situation.
"In my dictionary, that means manslaughter," Mr Maka said.
"I think most New Zealanders would like to think that a law-abiding citizen, minding their own business, could not be shot to death by police in this country. .
"He'll be feeling guilty, he'll be full of remorse, he'll be second-guessing himself and he'll be wondering what impact this will have on his family. The incident would stay with him for the rest of his life. It doesn't take it away.
"These officers are extremely highly trained, but the training only reduces the risk.
The authority is called in to investigate whenever police have caused or appear to have caused a death or serious injury while carrying out their duties."
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has started an investigation, but a spokesman said he did not know how long it would take. The chairwoman is a high court judge.
The authority is independent from the police.

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Cop had ‘seconds’ to decide

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Aformer top policeman who led a team in one of New Zealand's most infamous gun battles has backed the police involved in a fatal motorway shootout.
As debate rages about whether the police officer who fired the shot that killed 17-year-old courier driver Halatau Naitoko should be prosecuted, former armed offenders boss Murray Forbes has urged critics to lay off the police.
Mr Forbes, who led the team that killed mass murderer David Gray at Aramoana, close to Dunedin, in 1990, said the officer who fired the shot in Auckland on Friday had only a few seconds to make a decision. It happens so quick and it's all very well us talking about it a few days later, but he only had a few seconds to make a decision.
"The officer clearly thought the gunman was a danger. It was a huge mistake and the officer has to wear that.
"It would be devastating for the police. Whether it was justified, they've still got to wear it. But he should lose his job if it was proved he was "drastically wrong"."
It would be wrong to prosecute the officer, he said. Former police inspector and MP Ross Meurant also wanted the officer charged.
Tongan Advisory Council chairman Melino Maka said that, though the incident was not premeditated, it was still an unlawful killing. "I don't see how the Naitoko family are going to get any form of justice in this situation.
"In my dictionary, that means manslaughter," Mr Maka said.
"I think most New Zealanders would like to think that a law-abiding citizen, minding their own business, could not be shot to death by police in this country. .
"He'll be feeling guilty, he'll be full of remorse, he'll be second-guessing himself and he'll be wondering what impact this will have on his family. The incident would stay with him for the rest of his life. It doesn't take it away.
"These officers are extremely highly trained, but the training only reduces the risk.
The authority is called in to investigate whenever police have caused or appear to have caused a death or serious injury while carrying out their duties."
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has started an investigation, but a spokesman said he did not know how long it would take. The chairwoman is a high court judge.
The authority is independent from the police.

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Listening in on progress of pregnancy

Monday, 19 January 2009

/The
ULTRA CAREFUL: Mum-to-be Bronwyn Gregory-Hunt has concerns about ultrasound, so is keen to try this wide belt that listens to foetal heartbeat.

AKiwi researcher has devised a non-invasive way to measure foetal heartbeats that could provide an alternative to ultrasound.
The infant's heartbeat is then isolated from the mother's and from background noise using a technique called blind source separation.
The device uses sophisticated microphones embedded in a wide belt to listen for both the mother and the unborn baby's heartbeats.
"This is more like using the Pinard, the foetal stethoscope that midwives used before the invention of ultrasound, but it's much more reliable and easy to use.
The new system, tentatively called Pam (passive acoustic monitoring), was less invasive than ultrasound, said Dr Paul Teal of Victoria University.
"Many midwives report that babies aren't too keen on it either."
He said most clinicians believed ultrasound was safe, but anecdotal evidence suggested that many mothers did not like it, because it put energy into their bodies. Concerns over ultrasound meant that she did not have scans unless they were deemed necessary by her midwife."
Mum-to-be Bronwyn Gregory-Hunt said she would be keen to use the device."
Dr Teal is working with Wellington midwives to collect data from mothers using a prototype Pam device.
"They call it ultrasound but I'm not sure how ultra it is for the baby.
"Ultrasound can work from about 12 to 14 weeks, but the important stages are later in the pregnancy," he said.
It is hoped Pam will be able to detect an unborn baby's heartbeat from 18 weeks.
Wellington midwife Suzanne Miller said the prototype was hard to use compared to ultrasound because it was not hand-held.
The heartbeat of an unborn baby can give clues to its health and be monitored during birth."
She said many pregnant women would welcome the chance to avoid ultrasound. .We tend to use it as little as possible. "It's never been proven to be a danger, but it's never been disproved either."

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Into the void: mountains take their toll

– Saturday, 10 January 2009

December was a bad month on New Zealand mountains, with three deaths in almost as many weeks.
Japanese climber Hideaki Nara was rescued close to the summit of Mount Cook after six days in icy winds and bad weather.
Little more than a week later, Australian doctor Mark Vinar fell to his death while climbing with his brother, Miles, on the same mountain. His friend, Kiyoshi Ikenouchi, died of exposure while rescuers waited out the conditions. This week searchers found her battered pack in a dangerous gorge on the Dart River, and say it was probably ripped from her body when she fell into the water.
The year ended with another tragedy when Irina Yun was reported missing in Mount Aspiring National Park. Even with the latest technology and instant weather reporting, the deaths keep coming and the climbers keep coming back for more.
Everyone knows mountaineering is dangerous.
During the course of four years tracking 49 regular climbers, his sample group suffered a mortality rate of almost 10 per cent.
How high are the risks? Psychiatrist and former mountaineer Erik Monasterio examined the risks faced by climbers in a four-year study, and says there are certain personality traits typical of hardcore mountain-lovers.
Monasterio says most mountaineers scale back their climbs or stop altogether when they settle down and start a family.
Every mountaineer in the group knew friends who had died while climbing."
Monasterio says anyone who mountaineers for long enough is practically guaranteed to experience close to-misses, if not serious injuries or death.
"I have a son now and I can't approach a mountain in the same way ever again but there is a committed mountaineer population and most of them are male, with a median age of 36, single and childless.
"It's how often you have close to-misses and continue doing it, and there's a core group that will never stop.
"No-one wants to have an accident, but you have to accept you are in a high-risk environment.
"It's the environment, the uniqueness, the challenge, and the relationships you build."
Though he sticks to less dangerous pursuits these days, Monasterio still remembers the lure of the mountains. There's also the drive of challenging yourself, having lofty goals. There's a very special relationship you build with climbing partners, because you are at such risk and there's a lot of trust involved. ."
Are experienced climbers still at risk?
Veteran climber Mark Inglis lost his lower legs and some close friends to the mountains, but says every mountaineer knows the risks. "One of the great things is actually just being out there."
Though having a family has not stopped him climbing, he says, in his experience, older climbers often had a different focus."
Inglis says while a lack of preparation is responsible for many mountain deaths, bad luck can strike even the most experienced climbers."
Inglis says while a lack of preparation is responsible for many mountain deaths, bad luck can strike even the most experienced climbers.
"The reality is that there's a lot of dead mountaineers with a surprised look on their faces, that have said, `It won't happen to me,"' he says. "So many of our experienced mountaineers that have died have just made one silly little mistake.
"It's just like on the roads. How many road fatalities are because of perfectly competent drivers making a small, one-time error?"
The best you can do is minimise the chance of disaster through practice and preparation.
Land Search and Rescue chief executive Hadyn Smith says actions taken before the climb, such as checking weather patterns and getting to know the environment, are just as important as what happens on the mountain.
"Of the overseas tourists who travel to New Zealand, a sizeable number don't understand the difficulty they'll encounter," Smith says.
"They look at the height of the peaks and the fact that they don't need [bottled] oxygen up there, and they underestimate."
Mountain experts constantly bemoan overseas climbers' ignorance of New Zealand's maritime weather patterns.
The changeable nature of the climate means New Zealand mountains have the risk factor of peaks twice their size, but too often tourists consider only the height.
Even Mount Cook, at 3754 metres, is small by world standards, but its proximity to the ocean means the weather can change in a heartbeat.

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Kicking off the New Year with a baby

By CHARLIE GATES – Friday, 02 January 2009

KIRK HARGREAVES/
BUNDLE OF JOY: Rachael and John Creighton with their new son, John, who was Christchurch’s first baby of 2009.

"Everyone was having celebrations and she was having contractions."
That was how John Creighton described the New Year's Eve experienced by his wife, Rachael. He weighed in at a healthy 3.
John Creighton, named after his father, arrived three hours and 27 minutes into 2009 to become the first Canterbury baby of the year.
His Christchurch parents were enjoying a quiet evening watching a DVD when Rachael started contractions about 10.74kg.30pm. However, heavy midnight telephone traffic meant they could not get through until the third attempt.
At the turn of the year, the couple were trying to contact their midwife on her cellphone.
"We were pretty early; there were not many texts back that early," Rachael said.
Friends and relatives were told about the new arrival by text message early on New Year's Day, but many had not yet surfaced from celebrations to receive the exciting news.
"I am really tired, but feel really good," Rachael said. .
The proud parents felt New Year's Day would be a good birthday for their son, but were glad the day did not fall too close to Christmas.
The proud parents felt New Year's Day would be a good birthday for their son, but were glad the day did not fall too close to Christmas.07am.
That honour fell to Max Arthur Honey, born at North Shore Hospital in Auckland at 12.12am. Max narrowly beat a baby boy born to Wanaka woman Nicky Meissel in Dunedin Hospital at 12. Jenna Stephenson also came into the world at 12.
Half an hour later, Queenstown resident Natasha Caine gave birth to a son at Invercargill's Southland Hospital.

.42am, in Waikato Hospital