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A memorial book for victims of the Mt Erebus air disaster in 1979 has been brazenly stolen from an Auckland church.
The book was taken yesterday afternoon from St Matthew In The City, in downtown Auckland, by a male wearing a cap.20pm, but it’s hard to identify the offender.
Church spokesman Clay Nelson told tonight the book was inside a glass case, which it appears was not locked, below the Erebus memorial windows at the church,
“We have security camera footage of it being taken about 12.
The leather-bound book contains the names of all the victims in calligraphic writing.”
The book was put together for a memorial service for the 257 people who lost their lives in the Air New Zealand plane crash on Mt Erebus, Antarctica on November 28, 1979. He said he was not too hopeful it would be returned.
Mr Nelson said the book had no value to the offender.
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.Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has arrived in London ahead of Thursday’s G20 leaders’ summit as thousands of activists took to the streets of the British capital to start five days of protests.
Mr Rudd is due to hold talks with British government officials, including the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
He will also have an audience with the Queen and attend a memorial service at Westminster Abbey for the victims of the Victorian bushfires.
Meanwhile, demonstrators from trade unions and environmental and anti-capitalism groups have marched through London.
The Prime Minister will spend the rest of the week preparing for the G20 summit in which world leaders hope to formulate a common plan to revive the global economy.
An alliance of more than 150 unions, charities and environment groups joined the march to demand action to save jobs, create a low-carbon economy and impose stricter controls on the finance sector.
Police estimated the crowd at up to 15,000 but there was no sign of the feared violence as the placard-waving crowd snaked along the six-kilometre route to Hyde Park.
Organisers of the Put People First march for “jobs, justice and climate” had rejected as “smears” claims in police briefings that the march could be hijacked by anarchists bent on violence.
“Never before has such a wide coalition come together with such a clear message for world leaders,” he said.
– ‘Old ideas’ –
The general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Brendan Barber, said the demonstration had a clear message for the presidents and prime ministers heading to London.”
Later in the day, campaigners were set to target companies and buildings that fail to switch off their lights, promising to force their way into “offending” tower blocks and offices.
“The old ideas of unregulated free markets do not work and have brought the world’s economy to near-collapse, failed to fight poverty and have done far too little to move to a low-carbon economy.
More protests are planned in London in the days leading up to the summit.
That action is part of the global Earth Hour initiative. .
The police are most concerned about the potential for violence on Wednesday, dubbed “Financial Fools Day” by demonstrators, when an anti-war march will be held and climate change campaigners will set up a camp in the City of London financial district. Several hundred demonstrators also turned out in Paris where they erected and demolished a model of an island symbolising a tax haven.
Thousands of people also marched through Berlin and Frankfurt overnight.
– ABC/AFP
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New car rescue method tested
Monday, 16 February 2009
Crash victims trapped in cars could have a better chance of survival, with the fire service testing a new method of pulling wrecks apart.
Five fire stations in Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Porirua areas with some of the highest front-impact-crash rates are involved in the trial.
It involves anchoring the wreck to a tree or truck before chains attached to the fire truck's hydraulic system pull away sections of the vehicle as its roof and door pillars are cut with the jaws of life.
Masterton station officer and trial coordinator Garry Nielsen said the rescue method was revolutionary.
A Masterton firefighter was sent to Norway last year to learn the new technique, which was tested in Wairarapa last week at a bad car crash. This is ground-breaking. "In the past, the techniques we have used could take up to an hour or more to free someone. We can have them out in 15 minutes. Every second is critical. For every 10 minutes someone is trapped, there is 10 per cent less chance of survival. ."
On Wednesday, Greytown firefighters used the chains to free a 74-year-old woman trapped in her car after it crashed into a bridge on Cape Palliser Rd close to Ngawi.
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If the trial is successful, it will be rolled out nationwide at a cost of about $500 per set of chains for each rescue fire-truck
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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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Hastings millionaire mum on arrest reports
By KATHY WEBB Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Hastings millionaire Sam Kelt is refusing to comment on suggestions that he has been charged with trespassing at a Havelock North bar.
It is understood Mr Kelt was asked to leave the Diva bar in Havelock North late on Thursday night, where his staff from merchant bankers Kelt Capital were socialising after having lunch that day at the exclusive Cape Kidnappers Lodge.
Diva owner Gerald Beach refused to comment yesterday.
A witness said he saw police handcuffing Mr Kelt and putting him into a patrol car outside the bar after he tried to re-enter it.
A statement issued by Police National Headquarters in Wellington said a man, 46, was arrested in Havelock North on December 18.
Hastings police would not confirm reports that Mr Kelt had been arrested and held overnight in the cells.
The sent Mr Kelt a list of questions yesterday but his staff said he would not respond till today, except to say "the inference of the questions is either completely false or factually incorrect".
The man, who was not identified, was due to appear in court next month on a charge of wilful trespass.
Mr Kelt sponsors New Zealand's richest horse race, the $2 million Kelt Capital Stakes, run in Hastings each year.
However, they pointed out that they had a letter from the management of Cape Kidnappers Lodge saying Kelt Capital's Christmas lunch had been a pleasant affair, a "large gratuity" had been left, and they would be welcomed back. He has said he will increase the prizemoney to $3 million next year or in 2010.
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Dirty dairy farms fail to comply
– Thursday, 27 November 2008
One in five Canterbury dairy farms fails to meet environmental standards for effluent disposal, a new report says.
Environment Canterbury's (ECan) annual dairy-shed effluent report found more farms fully complied with environmental standards from 39.8% in 2007-08. .7% last year). It also recorded an increase in the number with significant or major non-compliance problems (20%, up from 17.
One farmer has been fined $8500 for environmental breaches and another court case is pending.
Major problems include ponding of effluent, waste being dumped into waterways or nitrogen overload.
The report, released yesterday, said there had been little change in compliance rates for the past five years.
About a third of the 696 farms monitored had minor non-compliance problems. More than 50% of properties that breached standards had mended their ways on reinspection.
It said farmers learnt from their mistakes.
ECan regulations director Kim Drummond said the council had decided to involve farmers and environmental groups in trying to solve the problem.
However, more infringement and abatement notices had been issued, leaving ECan to ponder why offending rates had remained consistent. That's the ultimate gain here," he said.
"We all want dairy farms to be 100% compliant with the rules, and indeed encourage them to move beyond compliance and step up to best practice.
"I think it might go a little deeper than saying there is a good initiative there that has yet to bear fruit," he said.
Initial results from the 2008-09 survey showed similar rates of consent breaches. One thing on its own is not enough here. "I think the challenge is to unite all these initiatives so they are all pushing in the same direction, and getting a little bit more of the jigsaw puzzle to come together on this.
Dairy company Fonterra discussed the problem with ECan last year and sent staff to visit the worst polluters to try to help clean up their farms."
The rapid growth in conversions of farms to dairying and a high staff turnover were identified in the report as two possible factors for pollution rates remaining constant.
Often the problem could be as simple as a spray machine travelling too slowly and resulting in waste to pool in one place rather than covering a whole paddock.
Fonterra sustainable production general manager John Hutchings said effluent was normally irrigated on to paddocks as fertiliser.
"We have a team of sustainable dairy specialists throughout New Zealand and we have just appointed another one in Canterbury as part of our commitment to get this right," Hutchings said.
"We have a team of sustainable dairy specialists throughout New Zealand and we have just appointed another one in Canterbury as part of our commitment to get this right," Hutchings said.
Farmers' group Dairy New Zealand said the report's finding of no real progress in reducing levels of non-compliance was a big concern.
Chief executive Tim Mackle said the industry was working hard with farmers to help improve infrastructure and management techniques.
"There are some encouraging trends emerging, including the reduction in the incidence of major effluent ponding, which shows farm staff are aware of the need to check this," he said.
"Plus, the report notes that when compared nationally, Canterbury still has a low level of direct discharge to surface water occurring."
Fish and Game Nelson-Marlborough manager Neil Deans said 7.4% of all dairy farms that significantly failed to meet their obligations had not improved a year later.
Compliance with consents was a fundamental requirement to conduct any business, and the report highlighted shortcomings in current processes, he said.
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Shoppers not seeing fuel savings
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Cash-strapped consumers continue to pay premium prices for goods and services, despite tumbling fuel prices.
Fares for public transport, taxis and airlines have risen in the past year because of the cost of fuel, but an immediate cut has been ruled out now that prices are dipping.
The freight industry also says it cannot pass the fuel savings on because it has had to contend with other rising costs that have cancelled out the fuel decrease.
"We are very concerned with the situation and have voiced our disapproval to the industries.
But Consumer NZ says the excuses are not good enough and has called for the various industries to pass on the savings.
On Monday, petrol dropped to $1. It's not good enough and we will continue to keep an eye on things," chief executive Sue Chetwin said.43.17 a litre. It was the 16th consecutive price fall since July 17 when petrol cost about $2.21 is still much lower than its record high of $1. Diesel, however, has been slower to drop, but at $1.
Foodstuffs spokesman Steve Anderson said fuel costs were a main contributor to grocery prices but it was too soon to tell if the drop in fuel prices would result in cheaper food.92 reached in July. "We would need to see the fuel price become more stable before we consider dropping prices, but if that happens they could drop within the next two months. "We would need to see the fuel price become more stable before we consider dropping prices, but if that happens they could drop within the next two months.
"The fuel decrease has taken some pressure off the industry, but it needs to drop even further before we can even think about passing the savings on. It was also battling increasing wages and compliance costs, and the weak New Zealand dollar had pushed up the cost of importing vehicle parts."
Freight operators had been copping plenty of flak from customers since fuel started dropping because they expected the savings to be passed on immediately. It's not as simple as people think. It does cause some tension, but there's not a lot we can do.
"A lot of clients are under enormous pressure with the way the economy is and they're looking to make savings wherever they can. "The transport industry is quick to put prices up, so I hope they bring them down just as fast."
Retailers Association chief executive John Albertson said any gains retailers made from easing fuel costs would help reduce the stress on their bottom lines, rather than being passed on to customers. ..
The rising cost of diesel contributed toward bus, rail and ferry fares rising by an average 10.
The rising cost of diesel contributed toward bus, rail and ferry fares rising by an average 10.2 per cent in September. Greater Wellington regional council will review the fares till March, but it could bring another increase.
Spokeswoman Philippa Lagan said fares had to cover at least 50 per cent of the public transport costs. "Therefore, a fare increase could be triggered if it is found that fares are covering less than half of the cost of the services."
The cost of catching a cab has also crept gently up in the past two years, but the industry said it was unlikely fares would come down.
Wellington City Cabs increased its prices by 8 per cent in April, the first time since late 2006.
Arthur Attrill, former general manager of Wellington City Cabs – which is now in receivership – said that in close toly two decades in the taxi industry, he had never seen fares decrease and doubted he ever would.
Taxi companies were at the mercy of drivers over fare decreases because they paid for the petrol and other expenses.
There were also costs involved with reprinting fare schedules and regulatory processes, he said.
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Woman found beaten in Mt Roskill home
– Tuesday, 18 November 2008
/Auckland Suburbans
CRIME SCENE: Police investigate the scene of a serious assault in a Whitmore Road property in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill.
An Asian couple was operating a business out of the Auckland house in which a woman was found unconscious and badly beaten.
Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the 46-year-old victim was found in her bedroom by her adult daughter last night.
The victim spent last night in intensive care in Auckland Hospital and is reported to be in stable but critical condition.
The woman's husband, who is in China on business, phoned his daughter after he was unable to contact his wife by phone last night, despite several attempts.
A sign outside the house says L & Lee International, while another on a deck railing advises visitors that power tools, locks and furniture are sold from the premises between 9.
Police have cordoned off a Whitmore Road property, and were examining it with the assistance of ESR forensic experts today.30am and 5.
Boxes could be seen stacked along the hallway of the house and in at least one of the bedrooms.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
Neigbbour JD Simon said the woman was often seen walking up and down the road at nights, between about 8.
Police would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard any suspicious behaviour in the Whitmore Road area between mid afternoon on Sunday and 8pm last night. .30pm and 10pm.
"I'm sure if we did, one of us would have grabbed the phone.
"I'm sure if we did, one of us would have grabbed the phone
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Police question 12 about brain-injured baby
By – Sunday, 02 November 2008
Adozen adults are thought to have had contact with a four-month-old Motueka boy last weekend before he was hospitalised with a fractured skull and brain damage.
Police had yesterday not ruled out any of them as having caused the injuries but there was "no doubt" they were not accidental.
Nelson Detective Sergeant Kevin Tiernan said it was unclear what, if any, the long-term effects of the damage would be – but they could include muscle weakness or intellectual disability.
The baby was yesterday in intensive care at Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital where an MRI scan had confirmed he suffered brain damage.
The baby had been at his home 54km north-west of Nelson when he began showing possible signs of brain injury last Sunday. The extent will become clear as the boy develops and reaches certain milestones, he said.
"Off the top of my head there were eight people visiting," Tiernan said. He lived there with four adults, including his parents and grandmother, but extended family members and friends had been "coming and going" over the long weekend. All were being "very co-operative". All had been interviewed by police yesterday, including a youth in Porirua who "may have seen or heard something". .
"They are nice people," Tiernan said."
The baby's 21-year-old mother and 30-year-old father were "pretty upset and want to know . I do suspect that someone knows. . .
The baby began sweating profusely on Sunday but the parents kept mopping him down and monitoring him. they're baffled". By 7pm he was convulsing and his eyes stopped focusing. They did not suspect anything was wrong until 3pm on Monday when he began twitching. When she returned home they called an ambulance after 11pm. The parents called one of the boy's grandmothers in Porirua for advice because the grandmother who lived with them was out.
Friends and relatives would probably be re-interviewed this week and it could be weeks before charges were laid, he said.
Tiernan said it was likely the delay in calling an ambulance was because the parents were inexperienced and did not realise the seriousness of the situation.