Two a penny

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An earthquake measuring 5.9 magnitude centred in Fiordland was felt widely in the lower South Island tonight, following two other quakes earlier in the evening.31pm was centred 120km west of Te Anau.

The latest tremor at 8.9, the US Geological Survey registered it at 6.

While GNS Science measured it at 5. Geologists say the measurements of quakes are often more accurate from a long distance as a result of how shock waves travel through the earth.1.

”The phones are quiet,” a police spokesman said.

Invercargill police said there were no immediate reports of any damage.8 magnitude Fiordland quake that struck on July 15.

A GNS spokesman told Radio New Zealand residents should not be concerned as the quakes were all aftershocks from the 7.

There were two earlier quakes – one measuring 5. They could be expected to continue for the next few weeks, he said. .2, 100km west of Te Anau, at 4.07pm.8, at 7.

The 5. It was centred in Fiordland, 110km west of Tuatapere.

More than 200 people had logged reports on tonight’s latest quake on the GNS website, she said.9 quake was one of the largest aftershocks recorded since that, duty seismologist Lara Bland said.

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The country’s top judge is suggesting giving some prisoners an amnesty as a way of relieving prison overcrowding, but the Government has ruled out the idea. .

“We need to look at direct tools to manage the prison population if overcrowding is not to cause significant safety and human rights issues.

Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias sparked the debate in a speech where she said the controversial idea should be considered.

“Such solutions will not please many.”

Dame Sian pointed to the system working in other countries to prevent overcrowding. . .”

She also criticised the denial of bail and parole to inmates – an area the Government is considering tightening further. but the alternatives and the cost of overcrowding need to be weighed.

Dame Sian said if attitudes in relation to bail and parole were not relaxed, then the focus would have to go on the length of prison sentences.

“I question whether that strategy can reasonably be maintained,” she said.

“Are we ready for solutions such as these?

“If not we will have to keep building prisons and diverting resources into incapacitation.

She said this could result in either shorter sentences, changes to parole and bail laws or early release amnesty. . .

Justice Minister Simon Power said inmates would not get amnesties.,” Dame Sian said.

“This is not government policy.

He also made a pointed remark about the role of the judiciary versus Parliament.”

Mr Power said the Government would “decide its own policy agenda”. The Government was elected to set sentencing policy, judges are appointed to apply it.”

SST spokesperson Garth McVicar was outraged by the idea.

Asked if that could include amnesties, he said: “I have ruled out such a move. . . . start talking about how people have choices and how they choose to commit crime or they don’t and why are so many people choosing to commit crime in this country.

“That seems to me to be a total cop out.”

Mr McVicar said already many offenders received single sentences for multiple crimes.

“Until we get back to holding people accountable for the crimes they commit then ultimately we are going to have more crimes committed.”

An amnesty would dilute the deterrent effect of prisons and was unfair to victims of crime, he said.

“It’s totally, totally corrupt.”

Kim Workman, director of Rethinking Crime and Punishment, said Dame Sian had not suggested anything unusual.

“Over half the states in the USA are currently implementing or planning to implement early release schemes for prisoners to alleviate overcrowding,” he said.

“What they now accept is that it can be done without increasing the recidivism rate or the crime rate. Internationally, there is no proven connection between the crime rate and the rate of imprisonment.”

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Interest-free loans for first-home buyers are among a second wave of job-creation measures being worked on by the Government as its job summit gets mixed reviews close toly two months on.

Documents made public under the Official Information Act show interest-free first-home-buyer loans of up to $10,000 were among proposals put up and worked on by private-sector chairs and senior Government officials in the lead-up to the jobs summit.

Many did not make it into the jobs summit “top 20″ thrashed out after a brainstorming session on February 27 involving public service and private sector bosses and Government ministers.

Others included a housing upgrade plan to fix leaky buildings, interest-free loans for home owners to improve heating and water efficiency; incentives for early retirement and paying employers a subsidy to hold on to apprentices.

Registered Master Builders chief executive Warwick Quinn said the proposals to steer more first-home buyers into building their own home were among those sent off for more work.

But many continue to be worked on by ministers, including loans to people to build their first home or renovate their existing one.

“We know there is an appetite within the [Government] to look at leaky homes .

Work was also being done on a proposal to cut delays around leaky building disputes so builders could “just get on and fix the problem”…. and we know they are examining also at trying to encourage people into their first homes . so yes, I think they’re serious about it,” Mr Quinn said..

Cabinet ministers are due to get an update on job-summit progress today but as job losses accelerate, the Government faces criticism that it is not doing enough.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson has confirmed the Government is examining at “an alternative approach” to leaky buildings, with more emphasis on “getting homes fixed”.

The extra work arising out of the summit bringing forward $216 million in school building projects and $124 million refurbishing state houses would make a difference “particularly to the `smaller builder, with the dog, the ute and apprentice’.

But Mr Quinn was positive about the outcome of the summit.”

In recent weeks there had been more inquiries to builders about work, though those inquiries were slow to convert into jobs. But whether it makes enough of a difference we have to wait and see. .

Unemployment hit 4.

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“Not a big tick there.

Council of Trade Unions economist Peter Conway said the summit’s success so far in creating jobs had been “pretty modest to say the least, when you consider all the pressures they’re putting on the public service and laying people off.

In the private sector, the flagship policy to come out of the summit the nine-day fortnight has had limited take-up.

In the private sector, the flagship policy to come out of the summit the nine-day fortnight has had limited take-up. Just two companies have signed up, saving 160 jobs. Mr Conway said he was aware of a third, while about 50 companies have begun the process.

That earned the Government “a small tick”. But there had also been talk at the summit about more support for redundant workers “we’re still waiting to see some of those initiatives roll out”.

Overall, the Government did not appear to be acting with enough urgency.

“We’re still positive about the initiatives [the Government] has looked at but we’d have to say it’s not tracking close toly as strongly as we think is required given the forecasts for rapidly rising unemployment Treasury is working on.”

But NZ Exchange chief executive Mark Weldon, handpicked by Prime Minister John Key to chair the summit, said there was intense work behind the scenes.

“It’s pretty extraordinary. Everyone wants everything done and announced yesterday. We’ve got to trust [the Government] a bit on this one.”

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For now, Ashton Kutcher is the king of Twitter. But there is a new challenger – Oprah.

Kutcher triumphed over CNN in their much ballyhooed race to be the first to reach a million followers on the microblogging website.

Speaking in a live webcast, Kutcher took the tone of a revolutionary.

Kutcher surpassed that benchmark in earlier today, narrowly edging out the breaking news feed from the Time Warner-owned network.tv shortly after passing the million mark.

“We have shown the world that the new wave is here,” Kutcher said on ustream.

“It is present and it is ready to explode.”

Kutcher had long trailed CNN, but he staged a rally in recent days that captured the attention of the web. You guys are all of it because I can’t follow me.

In recent months, the site has increased exponentially in visitors. The million mark race was taken by many as a symbol of huge upswing of Twitter’s popularity.

The site allows users to type “tweets” of 140 characters or less on their computers or cell phones, which others “follow” on Twitter like a stock ticker.

The search engine Yahoo said that searches for Twitter over the past four months increased more than 5559 percent over the same time last year.

Kutcher, who’s an avid user of the site along with wife Demi Moore, said Twitter is democratising media and removing filters between celebrities and fans, big media companies and their customers.

Kutcher, who’s an avid user of the site along with wife Demi Moore, said Twitter is democratising media and removing filters between celebrities and fans, big media companies and their customers.

CNN’s Larry King posted a video earlier in the week, playfully threatening Kutcher: “CNN will bury you!” Kutcher was to appear on King’s program Friday evening.

Sean “Diddy” Combs was among the celebrity “Twitteratti” who supported his run. Among the many new users to join was Oprah Winfrey, whose entry caused ripples across Twitter.

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King was far from the only person sucked into Twitter by the million-mark showdown.

Kutcher, CNN and Winfrey pledged to mark the occasion by purchasing mosquito bed nets to combat malaria.

She gained more than 130,000 followers in less than a day, suggesting Winfrey – so successful in television, magazines, books and other media – would thrive on yet another platform.17) to the Malaria No More Fund, the charity said. Kutcher donated US$100,000 (NZ$177,746. She also sent her first tweet. .

“OK, here goes,” she said, pressing a key.

“OK, here goes,” she said, pressing a key.

It didn’t go, actually. Winfrey’s representatives said she hit the wrong key. Her next attempt, also all in capital letters, went through: “HI TWITTERS. THANK YOU FOR A WARM WELCOME. FEELING REALLY 21st CENTURY.”

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Teen holds up dairy for Toffee Pops

By CLIO FRANCIS – Tuesday, 03 March 2009

A knife-wielding boy held up a South Auckland dairy and stole Toffee Pops, milk and nappies, police say.
Counties Manukau police are investigating the aggravated robbery which occurred at Dissmeyer Supperette in Otara yesterday afternoon.Detective Sergeant Chris Barry said the shopkeeper was threatened with a knife by the 13-year-old boy, while another youth kept a lookout outside, and a third person acted as a getaway driver. The knife-wielding teen is currently in police custody and going through the Youth Aid process, he said. "The offenders stole a packet of nappies, a bottle of milk and two packets of Toffee Pops," Mr Barry said.The robbery came three days after another trio of youths robbed an Auckland city dairy at gunpoint. "There are still two more offenders to be located," he said.Edendale Dairy in Sandringham Rd was attacked early on Saturday morning by three males, who demanded cash, cigarettes, ice-cream and chocolate. Anyone with information on the Otara robbery is asked to contact Crime Squad on (09) 261 1300. Auckland police arrested a 14-year-old and another teenager in relation to the robbery last night.

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Severe weather warning for North

– Friday, 27 February 2009

Northern New Zealand has been told to brace for a belting after a severe weather warning was issued for much of the North Island.
The MetService said a deep low currently over the Tasman Sea would cause a broad band of rain and easterly gales to head south from Northland over the next two days.
Northland would feel the effects tonight, followed by Auckland and Coromandel tomorrow morning, and Bay of Plenty and Waikato tomorrow afternoon.
This could cause surface flooding, and streams and rivers are likely to rise quickly.
The rainfall could be between up to 30mm per hour at times in the Waikato and western Bay of Plenty, where it was expected to be the heaviest. Coromandel would be hardest hit, with up to 250mm of rain predicted.
The MetService said up to 150mm of rain was expected in parts of Northland and Auckland.
Waikato Police acting Inspector Freda Grace urged people to consider staying at home where possible with a particular warning aimed at those considering a fishing trip or bush walk.
Police are also warning high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists to be particularly cautious in the central North Island tomorrow afternoon as severe easterly gales are forecast.
"There's not too much pleasure to be taken tramping in atrocious weather conditions and we'd rather not risk the lives of police staff and civilian volunteer Search and Rescue teams if we could avoid it," she said.
"Winds of this strength could damage trees, powerlines and insecure roofs, and make driving hazardous for high sided vehicles and motorcyclists," said Ms Grace. .
The Auckland Region Emergency Management Office has advised people to take precautions to prevent weather-related problems.
Auckland Civil Defence is on stand-by and the MetService has warned of localised flooding and rising rivers.
Tips include clearing drains and spouting of any blockages, keeping pets inside, securing loose objects that could fly around in strong winds, and staying off the roads if possible.
Tips include clearing drains and spouting of any blockages, keeping pets inside, securing loose objects that could fly around in strong winds, and staying off the roads if possible

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Human jawbone riddle

Saturday, 14 February 2009

A human jawbone at Castlepoint Beach has created mystery and intrigue for the Upper Hutt family who stumbled across it. . First we thought it must be from a dog or some sort of animal but then we realised it was from a human skeleton," Mrs Ward said.
"They saw this jaw lying there in the sand. `Was it a murder? What was the story behind it?"'
The jawbone was carefully wrapped in tissue paper and placed in the bach's letter box for safe keeping during the night. "We were totally shocked and then all these thoughts went through our head."
The Wards then took it to Masterton police. "There is no way I could have that in the house. A police spokesman said the jawbone was very old. It has been confirmed as human and is being tested by pathologists.

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Shark warning after surfers chased

– Friday, 16 January 2009

South Island police have released a warning after a "very large shark" chased two surfers out of the water near Dunedin.
The surfers were in the water at Karitane Beach, 30 kilometres north of Dunedin, when they spotted the shark.
They left the water and reported the incident at the local store.
"So for him to bail out of the water it means that he's frightened enough obviously to get out so it's fairly serious.
Constable John Paul Tremain said it was a very large shark and one of the surfers chased out of the water was a veteran surfer in the area.
"I don't know if it's a white shark or a mako or a tiger – its lurking in the surf and in the inlet."
At this stage it was unknown what type of shark it was."
Mr Tremain said he did not think the shark could be seen from the beach..
"It's not like . Jaws where it's cruising with its dorsal out.."
Local man Allan Anderson, who owns a kayaking business in the area, said shark sightings were common and he often saw up to two a day but they were generally small and harmless. It's in the surf there and the guys have seen it in the surf and it's chased them on their boards.
It was probably just a small blue shark, grey shark or a seven-gill shark, he said.
It was probably just a small blue shark, grey shark or a seven-gill shark, he said.
"We do get a lot of them in shallows, especially when the water is dirty like this.
Mr Anderson said a seven-gill shark had attacked a young boy there a few years back, leaving him with eight stitches. .
Mr Anderson said he did not want the shark scaring people away from the beach and said there was nothing to worry about.
Mr Tremain said that it was probably not wise for people to be swimming in the area.
He would be taking his clients to another area, he said.
Hastings man Greg Sims, 49, was swimming near the Tukituki River mouth earlier this month when he was bitten on the back of his leg by what was believed to be a broadnose seven-gill shark.
The warning follows a spate of shark attacks in Australia, with three last weekend alone.

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While in December, fisherman Ken Lindberg spent five days in hospital after being bitten by a shark, believed to be a bronze whaler, while fishing with a friend off Maraetai near Auckland

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Shark warning after surfers chased

– Friday, 16 January 2009

South Island police have released a warning after a "very large shark" chased two surfers out of the water near Dunedin.
The surfers were in the water at Karitane Beach, 30 kilometres north of Dunedin, when they spotted the shark.
They left the water and reported the incident at the local store.
"So for him to bail out of the water it means that he's frightened enough obviously to get out so it's fairly serious.
Constable John Paul Tremain said it was a very large shark and one of the surfers chased out of the water was a veteran surfer in the area.
"I don't know if it's a white shark or a mako or a tiger – its lurking in the surf and in the inlet."
At this stage it was unknown what type of shark it was."
Mr Tremain said he did not think the shark could be seen from the beach..
"It's not like . Jaws where it's cruising with its dorsal out.."
Local man Allan Anderson, who owns a kayaking business in the area, said shark sightings were common and he often saw up to two a day but they were generally small and harmless. It's in the surf there and the guys have seen it in the surf and it's chased them on their boards.
It was probably just a small blue shark, grey shark or a seven-gill shark, he said.
It was probably just a small blue shark, grey shark or a seven-gill shark, he said.
"We do get a lot of them in shallows, especially when the water is dirty like this.
Mr Anderson said a seven-gill shark had attacked a young boy there a few years back, leaving him with eight stitches. .
Mr Anderson said he did not want the shark scaring people away from the beach and said there was nothing to worry about.
Mr Tremain said that it was probably not wise for people to be swimming in the area.
He would be taking his clients to another area, he said.
Hastings man Greg Sims, 49, was swimming near the Tukituki River mouth earlier this month when he was bitten on the back of his leg by what was believed to be a broadnose seven-gill shark.
The warning follows a spate of shark attacks in Australia, with three last weekend alone.

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While in December, fisherman Ken Lindberg spent five days in hospital after being bitten by a shark, believed to be a bronze whaler, while fishing with a friend off Maraetai near Auckland

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Bain’s legal aid close toing $1m

Monday, 05 January 2009

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COUNTING THE COST: David Bain supporter Joe Karam says the murder accused’s retrial may cost $10 million.

Legal aid for multiple-murder accused David Bain is rapidly closing in on $1 million, already topping the previous highest amount paid out.
Bain supporter Joe Karam estimates the cost of a scheduled retrial will exceed $10 million, including the cost of a team of up to 30 police working fulltime for the past two years; three Court of Appeal hearings, so far involving four lawyers and three judges; 50 pre-trial applications and the retrial. "I'd say by the time it's finished, from the time the retrial was ordered, not counting all of the previous 12 years of carry on .
"It's astronomical," Mr Karam said… I think the defence costs alone will be $2 million. Last year, his lawyers travelled to London and favourably petitioned the Privy Council, which ruled that there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice and ordered a retrial."
Bain served 13 years for the 1994 murders of his mother, father, brother and two sisters.
Last month, his lawyers returned to the Privy Council and asked the law lords to rescind their earlier judgment and instead have the charges dismissed. Bain was freed in May to await retrial.
Mr Karam said the cost of that second Privy Council bid alone is likely to have exceeded $100,000. They were unsuccessful. Both sides flew three lawyers to London. Both sides flew three lawyers to London. "Without being precise, I imagine you'd have to say [it cost] $100 grand for a hearing that took an hour," Mr Karam said. Crown Law said the costs were not yet available. Further payments have been granted for the retrial, but a spokeswoman said the agency could not release figures while the case was before the courts.
The Legal Services Agency, funded by the taxpayer, said it had so far paid $706,127 legal aid to Bain for his original trial, and Court of Appeal and Privy Council hearings.
Bain is applying for a stay of proceedings, which would mean the charges are dropped, on February 16.
The previous highest legal-aid payout was to Scott Watson who received $623,740 to unfavourably defend charges of the Marlborough Sounds murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope.
Mr Karam said the prospect of the trial hung over Bain and his supporters, and questioned whether Bain could receive a fair trial given dead witnesses and the Internet effect on jurors and the general public. If unsuccessful, the retrial is scheduled for March 6."
Despite the ordeal of the trial looming over him, Mr Karam said Bain was doing well. "Nearly everyone has a view on whether he's innocent or guilty before the thing even starts. He spent his weekends riding his horse at Muriwai and had spent Christmas with Mr Karam's family. He spent his weekends riding his horse at Muriwai and had spent Christmas with Mr Karam's family.
"David's great, he's fantastic. He treats every one of those days he's had out since he got bail as a bonus in his life."