Lakes News:
National News
Anzac day services in BoP
Thousands will stand in honoring New Zealand's servicemen and women tomorrow for the 98th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings by New Zealand and Australian combined military forces.
Dawn and civic memorial ceremony's will be held throughout the Bay of Plenty region.
Rotorua:
5.45am - Dawn service and parade at Ohinemutu
8.50am - Parade of service personnel, cadet corps and local community groups, Lake front.
9.30am - Civic ceremony, Rotorua Convention Center
Tauranga:
5:45am - Assembly at Hayes Avenue, Greerton
5:55am - March off
6:00am - Service at RSA Cenotaph, Cameron Road, Greerton (If it is wet the service will be moved to the Greerton Community Hall).
9.00am - Tauranga Civic ceremony at the Cenotaph, Memorial Park, Tauranga.
Mt Maunganui:
5:45am - Assembly at Mount Drury Reserve
5:55am - March off
6:00am - Service at Cenotaph
9:15am - Assembly Mount Drury Reserve
9:25am - March off
9:30am - Service at Cenotaph (If it is wet the service will be held in the RSA Clubrooms, 544 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui).
Te Puke:
10.00am - Te Puke Memorial Hall
Matata:
5:30am - Ngati Rangitihi Marae.
Kawerau:
5:00am - Navy Club, Onslow St
Te Teko:
8:30am - Gather at Te Teko War Memorial Hall followed by breakfast at Kokohinau Marae.
Whakatane:
5:45am - Dawn servie, march off, Wairaka Marae, Whakatane.
8:45am - Civic Ceremony, Whakatane war memorial service
Ruatoki:
5:30am - Tauarau Marae
8:30am - Gather at Te Teko War Memorial Hall followed by breakfast at Kokohinau Marae.
Whakatane:
5:45am - Dawn servie, march off, Wairaka Marae, Whakatane.
8:45am - Civic Ceremony, Whakatane war memorial service
Ruatoki:
5:30am - Tauarau Marae
Former Bay lawyer steps upto presidents job today
Former Whakatane lawyer Chris Moore will take over as president of the New Zealand Law Society today.
Mr Moore will succeed Jonathan Temm as President at the Law Society Council meeting in Wellington.
Mr Moore says there are several key areas which he intends to focus on during his term.
"The maintenance of New Zealand’s hard-earned reputation for access to justice is at the top of my list. This position can only be maintained while it is underpinned by a strong legal profession, well-functioning courts administration and a high quality judiciary as well as a viable legal aid system," he says.
Mr Moore graduated with an LLB from Otago University and practised for a short time in Auckland before moving to Whakatane, becoming a partner in the law firm now known as Hamertons Lawyers Ltd.
He returned to Auckland to join Russell McVeagh, where he was a partner for 10 years. From 1999 to earlier this year Mr Moore was a partner at Auckland law firm Meredith Connell. At the start of April 2013 he moved to a partnership with national property firm Greenwood Roche Chisnall.
Mr Moore has been closely involved with the Law Society, and has been a member of the Law Society Council since 2003, becoming Vice-President (Auckland) in 2012.
He chaired the Property Law Section from 2003 until this year and was President of the Law Society’s Auckland branch from 2009 until March 2013.
Mr Moore is married with three adult children. He enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as running, swimming, tennis and snowboarding.
Charge laid over Ryder video footage
Christchurch Police have arrested and charged a 28-year old Christchurch man with breaching suppression orders in the Jesse Ryder assault case.
The charge relates to the publication on YouTube of video footage of the two men who have been charged with the assault on Ryder.
It is alleged that the man posted video footage which he captured on a cellphone, in breach of suppression orders issued by the Court which prohibited the publication of the names or faces of the men charged.
The man was interviewed by Police this afternoon after he presented himself at the Christchurch Central Police Station.
He has been charged with one count of breaching a suppression order. He has been remanded on bail to appear in Christchurch District Court on Monday 15 April.
Detective Sergeant Ash Millen says Police hope that the arrest will serve as a deterrent to any other people who may have downloaded, accessed or distributed the video in question, or are considering doing so.
Brownlee to represent NZ at Thatcher funeral
Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee will travel to London to represent New Zealand at the funeral of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
"The passing of Baroness Thatcher is an enormously sad time for her family - our thoughts are with them, and the people of Britain," Mr Brownlee says.
"Baroness Thatcher was one of the most remarkable and influential politicians of our time and will be remembered as a strong and determined leader.
"Her leadership was transformational, positively impacting countries beyond her own, and leaving an enduring legacy in economic and political thinking across the globe," Mr Brownlee says.
Baroness Thatcher’s funeral will be held at Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London, on Wednesday 17 April.
"I am greatly honoured to be representing New Zealand at the service, which will mark the life and work of a remarkable woman," Mr Brownlee says.
Danish Mp disses powhiri as "uncivilised and grotesque"
A Danish MP has dissed the powhiri she received on a visit to New Zealand as "uncivilised and grotesque".
She wrote in an opinion piece in a Danish newspaper, politician Marie Krarup says she was shocked to be welcomed by a dancing "half naked man."
She says on arrival at the Devonport Naval Base, her group was greeted by a man shouting and screaming in Maori, and poking his tongue out.
Krarup goes on to say she felt like an idiot giving a hongi and the waiata performed by naval personnel sounded like a Danish children's song about a happy ladybird.
The politician was part of a defence delegation which visited last month
Govt financial statements released
The Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the eight months ended 28 February 2013 were released by the Treasury today.
These financial statements are compared against forecast tracks based on the 2012 Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU), released on 18 December 2012.
The Operating Balance before Gains and Losses (OBEGAL) was in deficit by $3.0 billion, which is $556 million lower than forecast largely owing to core Crown tax revenue being $719 million higher than expected. There were two tax types contributing to the higher than forecast tax revenue:
Tax from source deductions was $266 million above forecast owing to a higher than expected effective tax rate. Total labour force earnings were in line with forecast, however the composition of the labour force has changed with a fall in employment concentrated at the lower end of the income scale. Overall, this means the same amount of income was earned by fewer workers, increasing the average tax rate due to the progressive nature of the personal income tax scale.
Tax from other individuals was $326 million above forecast, primarily owing to higher taxable income being declared, part of which was from investment income on the back of strong equity markets.
Core Crown expenses were $370 million below forecast at $45.0 billion. This was largely due to delays in finalising complex negotiation issues in Treaty of Waitangi settlements.
Including net gains, the operating balance was in surplus by $4.3 billion, some $4.8 billion ahead of forecast, largely owing to significant net investment gains made by the New Zealand Superannuation Fund ($1.5 billion) and ACC ($0.6 billion). In addition, ACC has recorded higher than expected actuarial gains on its outstanding claims liability of $1.5 billion, largely due to favourable changes in the discount rate and claims experience.
The residual cash deficit was $434 million smaller than expected, largely reflecting higher tax receipts than forecast.
Net debt was $614 million lower than forecast, reflecting the residual cash result and higher than forecast levels of currency in circulation.
Arrest made in Jesse Ryder assault case
Police have arrested a 20 year old male in relation to the assault on the former Black Cap's player Jesse Ryder.
Ryder remains in a critical condition in Christchurch Hospital in a induced coma.
Police say they have interviewed a 20 year old man and charged him with assault, Police are also looking for another person involved in the attack.
He will appear in the Christchurch District Court on Thursday on April 4.
It is understood that Ryder has a fractured skull and serious internal injuries, people nearby came to Ryder's rescue and wrestled off the attackers, an Ambulance was called to the scene at about 12.30am and transported Ryder to Christchurch Hospital's emergency department in a critical condition.
- Don’t wash cars or boats unless absolutely necessary and bucket-wash if required
- Don’t refill or top-up swimming pools
- If you know you have leaking taps, fix them now
- Flush toilets sparingly
- Don’t use your bath and cut your shower time down as much as possible
- Turn taps off when they’re not required
- While you’re waiting for hot water to flow through to showers or taps, catch the unused water in a bucket for use in washing machines or other purposes.
Water restrictions in place for Whakatane
As from 13 March, garden watering can only be undertaken with a hand-held hose, between the hours of 6.00am and 8.00am and 7.00pm and 9.00pm, on alternate days. Properties with an ‘odd’ street number (such as 3 or 23) can use a hand-held hose for garden watering on odd days of the month (March 15 or 17, for example). Properties with ‘even’ street numbers can only water on even days of the month (such as March 16 or 18).
Whakatāne District Council Infrastructure General Manager Tomasz Krawczyk says the aim of the restrictions is to build upon the voluntary conservation measures most people in the community have already adopted and ensure that essential supplies can be maintained for households and emergency purposes.
“The flow in the Whakatāne River is extremely low at present and until the current drought breaks, we think it’s necessary to ban the use of garden sprinklers and other unattended irrigation systems on any residential properties supplied by the Whakatāne and Ōhope Water Supply Schemes,” he says.
“Salt water intrusion at high tides is restricting pumping into our water treatment plant and while we are installing an extension to our emergency upstream intake, it will be some days before we can evaluate whether that overcomes the immediate problem. Even then, if the river level continues to drop, it’s likely that the salinity problem will extend further upstream, which would put us back to square one.”
The Council is also encouraging households and businesses to undertake a range of voluntary water conservation measures. Some simple water conservation tips include:
Action from the 50th Halberg Awards
 |
| Photo [Supplied] |
Olympic men's pair rowing champions Hamish Bond and Eric Murray have taken the top prize at the 50th Halberg Awards in Auckland.
The duo, unbeaten in four years, won Olympic gold by boat lengths in London. They were first named the team of the year at the Halberg Awards before going on to claim overall honours.
To win the supreme award, Bond and Murray headed off other Halberg Award contenders - single sculler and sportsman of the year Mahe Drysdale, sportswoman of the year Valerie Adams and disabled sportsperson of the year Sophie Pascoe.
Golfing legend Sir Bob Charles, the first athlete to win the trophy in 1963 after Sir Murray Halberg resurrected the awards, presented Bond and Murray with the award on Thursday night.
It was a big night for rowing, with coach Dick Tonks also claiming the coach of the year trophy ahead of fellow rowing coach Calvin Ferguson, yachting's Nathan Handley and canoeing's Gordon Walker.
Valerie Adams, who went through the year unbeaten in all shot put competitions and defended her gold medal at the London Olympics, won the sportswoman of the year for the seventh time.
She beat home Olympic K1 200m canoeing champion Lisa Carrington, Canadian Women's Golf Open champion Lydia Ko and BMX Olympic silver medallist Sarah Walker.
Drysdale, who won Olympic gold in the men's single sculls in London, edged out All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, world No.1 ranked equestrian Andrew Nicolson and Olympic keirin bronze medallist Simon van Velthooven.
Para-swimming sensation and last year's winner Sophie Pascoe again took out the disable sportsperson of the year category, after securing three golds and three silvers at the London Paralympics.
She beat home fellow Paralympic swimming champions Cameron Leslie and Mary Fisher, and para cyclist Phillipa Gray who, with pilot Laura Thompson, won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Paralympics.
Golfing prodigy Lydia Ko claimed the emerging talent award, with a $10,000 sporting scholarship part of the prize.
Also at the award ceremony, Olympic gold medal-winning boardsailor Bruce Kendall and former New Zealand rugby and cricket representative Jeff Wilson were inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
Baby Zebra born at Hamilton Zoo
Yet to be named, the male foal was born early Monday morning. He is the first zebra to be born at Hamilton Zoo since 30 November 2011.
The foal is the fourth for mother Marble (nine years) who was born in Hamilton Zoo in 2003 and the 11th for father Bwana (eight years) who was born in 2004 at Adelaide Zoo and imported to Hamilton in 2005.
Yesterday’s birth takes the number of zebra at Hamilton Zoo to a total of seven, including three males and four females.
Both mother and foal are doing well and Zoo Keeper, Louise van der Sande, is very excited about the new addition to the Hamilton Zoo team.
“The foal is doing really great! He’s healthy and is walking and drinking from his mother. Like horses, zebras are highly sociable animals so our new zebra
There are around 20 zebras held in New Zealand.
If you want to check out the cute new addition then make sure you come along to Hamilton Zoo and say hello. He can be found in the savannah enclosure along with the giraffes and antelopes.
Fluoridation expert to visit Bay
Dr Paul Connett’s upcoming tour is set to inject further momentum into the groundswell of opposition to adding fluoride chemicals into the public drinking water.
Dr Connett is a world leading expert in fluoridation, the coauthor of a book The Case Against Fluoride and Executive Director of Fluoride Action Network International (FAN). His talk provides explosive, irrefutable evidence that fluoridation is not only ineffective in reducing tooth decay but is unsafe for human consumption and the environment.
In New Zealand there are now only 23 councils out of 67 that have any fluoridation and Fluride Action Network NZ hope this year will bring the figure down to 19 and force the remaining councils to respond to the persistent calls from their residents to also stop.
New Zealand’s opposition is growing in parallel with the world-wide movement to stop fluoridation. Eight communities in Queensland have just announced their intention to stop and cities such as Witchita, Kansas recently voted against it. There is no water fluoridation in continental Europe.
"When a community fluoridates it is doing to everyone what an individual doctor can do to no one – i.e. force an individual to take a medicine against their will. Very few states or countries in the world have taken on this arrogant power of forcing all its citizens to take a medicine without their informed consent." says Dr Connett.
Dr Connett is welcoming any chance to debate or present at meetings with proponents of fluoridation. He will be speaking in Auckland, Hamilton, Thames, Whakatane, Hastings, Palmerston North, Dunedin and Invercargill from 17 February to 10 March.
For more information please visit www.fannz.org.nz
Police seek help after child held at gunpoint
As they arrange specialist interviewers to speak to a young girl held up at gunpoint during an aggravated robbery of a takeaway bar over the weekend, Hamilton Police are appealing for information from the public.
Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall of the Hamilton CIB said Police were called to a takeaway shop in the suburb of Dinsdale shortly after 10pm on Saturday after reports a man with a blue handkerchief over his face had entered the store.
"The man is alleged to have confronted the 10-year-old girl working behind the counter and pulled out a handgun before demanding money from the till.
"The offender made off on foot, taking a small sum of cash and was last seen running towards the Riflerange Rd- Killarney Rd intersection."
Mr Keall said a priority for the enquiry team is ensuring the wellbeing of the child and that she gets appropriate Victim Support.
Adult members of the girl's family were present at the store at the time of the robbery.
"We will also be arranging an interview with specialist child interviewers. This interview will also require the assistance of language specialists or translators as well.
"Police would like to speak to anyone in the area at the time of the incident who saw someone running from the scene or acting suspiciously."
Mr Keall said the offender was described as thinly built with a fair complexion and distinctive blue eyes wearing a grey or light coloured hooded sweatshirt with a blue handkerchief or bandana over his face.
Anyone with any information on the identity of the offender or who saw anything suspicious is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Ricky Thompson at the Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 858 6200.
Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Two quakes strike Taranaki
An Earthquake has stuck Taranaki at 10.03pm.
An earthquake also hit New Plymouth at 9.28pm.
The magnitude 3 at a depth of 5km felt like 'a truck was hitting the house' says New Plymouth resident Andrew Manick.
The quake has been reported to geonet as 'moderate'.
The quake has been felt as far down as the lower North Island near Wellington and 'severe' in New Plymouth.
Armed cops not supported by Police boss
The safety of police staff is our highest priority and our focus is on providing officers with the tools, training and support they need to do their job safety, Commissioner Peter Marshall said.
He called for “cool heads and calm minds” in the wake of Friday night’s assault in Kawhia in which the sole charge officer Constable Perry Griffen was beaten and stripped of his OC spray, taser and pistol by a group of angry people as he tried to arrest a young man wanted on warrant.
The Commissioner said any assault on an officer doing his or her lawful job was one too many. “It’s not good enough and it should not happen, but putting it perspective, policing is an inherently dangerous job. Our people attend hundreds of calls for assistance every week where an element of violence is present – people have alcohol or drugs in their system, or are simply bad individuals.
Most of the 1.8 million calls received annually for service by our communications centres end with out any real incident, regrettably there are some that end up with our staff being assaulted.
The Commissioner said that: “This is why we have in recent years included the provision of the stab resistant body armour, and the rollout of increased numbers of tasers and firearms into frontline vehicles. This is supported by improved training of tactical tools and support for staff in the use of these tactical options.”
Using a firearm as the primary weapon is not the tactic of choice. Each situation is assessed on its merits starting with communication to de-escalate events. De-escalation is not always possible despite the very best efforts of the police officer or his or her colleagues and this is when other tactical options such as oc spray, the taser and ultimately the firearm can be used.
“While the kinds of attacks seen on officers in recent weeks are thankfully uncommon, they are reflective of the risks that officers sometimes face in the course of doing their duty to keep their community safe.
“The recent spate of serious assaults on police which has left officers bruised, bloodied and with broken bones is a concern.
“Officer safety is a top priority and we take any assault on any officer very seriously. We continually think about how officer safety can be improved. Our officers are trained to assess and manage risk and we provide them with protection including body armour (SRBA and ballistic vests when appropriate), OC pepper spray, batons, the taser and in the most serious of situations they have firearms available to them should they be required.
The use of a firearm as the primary weapon in the Kawhia incident was not appropriate and this was suppported by the Kawhia officer and his supervisors. “This is not a time for political point scoring exercises,” the Commissioner said.
“Unfortunately risk is part of the policing job and can never be eliminated, especially when assaults happen with out warning.
“When officers are assaulted we do review incidents to determine whether there are things we could have done differently or aspects we can learn from. It is too early to comment on what the outcome will be of the debrief into the Kawhia incident – the priority is getting Constable Perry Griffin well.
“I have spoken with Constable Griffen this morning and in his words, he is “keen to get back onto the saddle of the horse as quickly as possible.” He will however receive a few days off first.
“It is important to acknowledge the excellent help Constable Griffen received from a group of local people include local fightfighters and district council staff who were present and responded to the officer’s activation of his call alert button, another new safety innovation. We are grateful for their speedy arrival and their help demonstrates the close cooperation between those in emergency services roles in rural communities.
When it comes to the Kawhia situation, that was cowardly. But what was really encouraging was the immediate response from members of the public, including Kawhia volunteer firies to help a mate who was in trouble.
“I have talked with the senior person from the Kawhia Volunteer Fire Brigade today to thank him and his colleagues.
“Policing isn’t an activity that we can do alone. We all need to work together to ensure there are good levels of safety in the community. Thankfully the public recognises that and time and time again good people come to our assistance to help deal with drunks, thugs and other idiots, as well as helping us with information to assist serious crime including rape and other crimes of violence.
Any community that becomes too frightened to speak out, to know and respect the line between right and wrong, will risk loosing its moral compass and once that seed is planted it is very hard to root out."
Any community that becomes too frightened to speak out, to know and respect the line between right and wrong, will risk loosing its moral compass and once that seed is planted it is very hard to root out."
2000 attempt to quit first week 2013
 |
2000 people signed up with Quitline to quit smoking in the first week in January, and the use of the blogging community almost trebles
Quitline had over 2,000 people signing up to use its services in the first week of January 2013. "2,171 people from all over New Zealand signed up to our telephone and web-based support services in the first week of 2013. We are thrilled that so many New Zealanders want to quit smoking, improving their own health and the health of their family," said Quitline’s Director of Strategy and Communications, Bruce Bassett.
The people who signed up with Quitline came from throughout New Zealand, which reflects Quitline’s services that are freely available to all New Zealander’s. Canterbury, Southern and Lakes, Counties Manukau, Waitemata and Auckland were the regions providing the most new Quitline clients, followed closely by Waikato, Wellington and Mid Central area.
The most exciting statistic for the first week in January has been the sharp increase in the number of people blogging and emailing for support. Quitline’s Quit Blogs have almost trebled in use, with 2,476 people blogging in the first week of January compared to 963 for the same period in 2012.
"Clearly, there is very strong interest by people to quit smoking and it is fantastic that people throughout New Zealand are engaging with Quitline through our phone and online services to support the achievement of their smoke-free resolutions".
"This is a phenomenal increase and shows that our Quit Blog support service really strikes a chord with people who are quitting smoking. By using Quit Blogs, our clients are connected with a community of support with many people having gone through, or going through, the same experiences. You just need to read some blogs and understand how powerful support from peers is, and how it makes a difference to know you are not alone in your quitting journey", says Bruce Bassett.
While Quitline research finds that most people giving up want to quit for family or health reasons, tobacco tax increases undoubtedly provide the trigger that some smokers needed. Most smokers knew the 1 January 10% price increase was coming and this has hit them hard in the wallet. The cost of a pack of 20 cigarettes has increased from $14.40 to $16.00, and a pack of 25’s from $18.00 to $20.00," continued Mr. Bassett.
"Getting people to quit smoking matters to New Zealand, as we move towards our goal of a Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025. With more people quit, health costs related to smoking will go down, there will be a reduction in respiratory problems and this will improve the health of everyone in the family, not just the smoker - add to that they will save many thousands of dollars a year,".
"We know the more Quitline services a person uses, the higher their rate of success. Smokers can pick and choose the support services that work best for them, including phone, email, blogs, text and online support to help people beat their addiction," says Bruce Bassett.
As expected, Quitline has been very busy in the first seven days of January 2013. Call volumes have increased by 0.3%, website visits increased by 13.9% and blog postings increased by 174% higher than the first 7 days in January 2012.
For the month of January 2012, 8,222 people quit smoking with Quitline’s help and Quitline expects a similar volume for January 2013.
The more Quitline services used, the better the quit rates-
-Phone-only quit rate is 21.1%
-On-line only 25.7%,
-Phone and online 30.6%.
-With Blog use, the quit rate increases further - phone, blog use and online us is 33.2%
-7-day Point Prevalence, Intention to Treat’. To explain: the survey respondent is ‘quit’ if that had not smoked at all in the last seven days, and that people in the sample that cannot be contacted are assumed to be smoking. This is a standard method internationally and provides a conservative estimate of the quit rate.
People who use Quitline’s services and support are five times more likely to successfully quit than those who quit alone. Anyone seeking support can call Quitline on 0800 778 778 or visit www.quit.org.nz for online support.
January 1 to 7 2013 Breakdown of Quit Attempts by region
Quit Attempts by region
Canterbury 259 Counties Manukau 234 Waitemata 205 Auckland 186 Southern 156 Lakes 64 Waikato 148 Wellington 144 Mid Central 125 Bay of Plenty 75 Hutt 74 Taranaki 74 Northland 67 Hawkes Bay 56 Nelson Marlborough 47 Whanganui 23 South Canterbury 21 Tairawhiti 16 Wairarapa 16 West Coast 11 Unknown region 170
Total 2171
Quad bike design 'a potential lifesaver'
Industrial design student Tom Marshall wants to reduce the alarming injury toll from people riding quad bikes and believes a couple of key modifications he has made to the existing farm quad bike design could help realise that goal.
The 22-year-old has designed the Huntaway, a prototype model of a quad bike that features a roll-cage-type rooftop and a seat that locks in at what would otherwise be the bike’s tipping point.
More than 800 people are injured on farms riding quad bikes on farms every year in New Zealand. So far there have been five fatalities in 2012.
The Labour Group of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and employment has expressed a commitment to reducing the number of injuries and fatalities caused by quad bike accidents - something Mr Marshall wants to achieve with his design.
The Huntaway acts as an interim between farm ute and a farm bike, he says, and would be ideal for small jobs like fixing fences.
"The Huntaway bike has been developed specifically for farmers on their farms and has involved direct input from farmers within the design process," he says using an online community of farmers for feedback.
Mr Marshall believes with its roll cage, and the potential to eventually be fully enclosed, the Huntaway would be of interest to users outside the rural environment including the military and Department of Conservation workers.
"The bike is a safer alternative to the quad bike whereby the Huntaway’s design enables riders to be enclosed, important equipment to be transported more efficiently and applies physical feed back when pushed in terrain it cannot handle."
Its other key modification is the way it addresses the issue of weight distribution. Riders can be buckled into the seat, which allows their body weight to be shifted around to match the direction being driven - in a similar sensation to riding a motorcycle -, but the seat then locks when it senses the bike may overturn.
He has attempted to counter differences in industry opinion as to the merits or dangers of riders being buckled in by seatbelts to design his seat so that it does move from side to side.
"The seat is able to lean side to side to a point of 15 degrees each way. This swivel point is located near the base of the seat to enable effective movement of mass. This movement of mass improves the performance of the quad bike especially when cornering and moving along slopes."
Mr Marshall’s design also lowers the centre of gravity, with horizontal engine pistons fitted that move from side to side rather than up and down, while the gap between the body of the quad bike and its wheels has also been reduced.
Other modifications include a light all-weather sail cloth-type fabric roof top and a ‘step-through’ design for the swivel seat, rather than the traditional design which involved the rider putting one leg over the seat before sitting down.
Mr Marshall, who is of Ngai Tahu descent, says he became interested in addressing quad bike safety after time as a casual worker on farms during his summer holidays. ‘It’s something everyone was talking about wherever you went on the farm."
His design features from Saturday November 10 at Exposure an annual showcase of work by emerging young artists and designers from Massey’s College of Creative Arts, which traditionally opens the BLOW creative arts festival.
Fellow student, Nick Marks, from the Albany campus, has also worked on a quad bike design, specifically to counter control loss. His design, with the capability of shifting the vehicle’s centre of mass to keep a low centre of gravity preventing it from overbalancing, is part of is part of Design Exposure being held at Auckland as part of the BLOW.
Fonterra to carry out bone health checks across Asia and the Middle East
Fonterra has today announced its commitment to carry out a record seven million Anlene Bone Health Checks across Asia and the Middle East over 12 months.
The Anlene Bone Health Check is programme run by Fonterra across the region, providing people with free bone scans to help them understand more about their bone health.
Fonterra Managing Director ASEAN/MENA Mark Wilson said this commitment builds on Fonterra’s ongoing efforts to help raise awareness about the importance of bone health – a key component of the Co-operative’s advanced nutrition strategy in the region.
“Fonterra has been working to raise awareness and generate interest in bone health for more than a decade – we initiated our regional Anlene Bone Health Check in 1999 and have provided free bone scans to more than 13 million people in the last five years alone.”
According to data analysed from the Anlene Bone Health Check, a free bone scanning programme run by Fonterra in Asia, by the age of 35, one in three people in Asia are classified as at medium – high risk of developing osteoporosis. There is no cure for osteoporosis but Anlene, the only high calcium milk clinically proven to improve bone health, can play a role in helping prevent its onset.
“Raising awareness about bone health and highlighting the simple lifestyle and nutrition choices that people can make to prevent osteoporosis is essential in helping to reduce the prevalence of this crippling disease in Asia and the Middle East. Our Anlene Bone Health Check is one of the key ways that we can do this,” said Mr Wilson.
Today’s announcement follows events across Asia and the Middle East at the end of October to mark World Osteoporosis Day. Fonterra’s Anlene brand sponsored mass movement and awareness raising events in countries across the region with an estimated 20,000 people came together to ‘move for bones’ in Indonesia alone.
Mr Wilson added: “Since Anlene began sponsoring World Osteoporosis Day, we have encouraged more than 1 million people across the region to participate in mass physical activity events to help highlight the dual role a balanced diet, rich in calcium and protein, and regular weight bearing exercise play in helping people maintain their bone health.”
Anlene is the leading high calcium milk brand in nine out of 10 markets across Asia and the Middle East. It is also a leader in China, becoming the number one high calcium milk brand in Shanghai and Guangzhou just over a year after launch. Earlier this year, the brand hit another major milestone, selling 1 billion serves in 12 months for the first time.
“Asia is characterised by fast-growing, increasingly urban and ageing populations who are living more sedentary lifestyles. At the same time, people are becoming increasingly affluent, driving interest in health and nutrition. People are looking to stay fit and active for longer and good bone health is essential in them achieving this goal.
“Helping raise awareness about the importance of bone health and highlighting the role that dairy has to play in maintaining mobility are key to Fonterra’s advanced nutrition strategy in Asia and the Middle East,” said Mr Wilson.
China Now New Zealand’s Second Largest Tourist Market
China has jumped to become New Zealand’s second largest tourist market, recording a 37 percent increase in expenditure over the last year.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s quarterly International Visitor Survey, released today, shows Chinese visitors spent $555 million in the year to September 2012, which for the first time puts them ahead of the United Kingdom (spending $545 million), but still well behind our largest tourist market Australia (spending $1.7 billion).
The Ministry’s Tourism Research and Evaluation Manager Peter Ellis says the ongoing growth in Chinese visitors is a significant change which will have major implications for our tourism industry.
“In the last three years China has overtaken Japan, the United States and now the UK tourist markets to become our second largest tourism market, as we forecast 14 months ago would happen around this time. The number of visitors from China has increased by 37 percent in the last year alone, and just as importantly, the amount they spend while here has also risen by 37 percent.
“The Chinese tend to have shorter trips to New Zealand than visitors from other countries, and their experience of New Zealand tends to be focussed on Auckland and Rotorua, although Queenstown has been growing in importance in recent years.
“The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is working with relevant agencies and tourism industry stakeholders on a China Market Review. The aim is to identify actions to improve the quality of experiences for Chinese visitors and maximise the potential of this surge in tourism.”
Overall, the International Visitor Survey showed that total visitor spend had decreased by two percent, despite an increase in arrivals numbers of two percent. This is due in large part to a change in the visitor mix, with visits to friends and family increasing from 33 to 35 percent of the total.
The International Visitor Survey is based on interviews of 5,200 tourists per year departing from New Zealand airports.
Sports awards announces world-Class finalists
 |
| Lisa Carrington is a finalist for Senior Maori Sportswoman of the Year 2012. Photo / Lani Hepi. |
Gold medal winners in London this year, Olympic canoeist Lisa Carrington and Paralympic swimmer Cameron Leslie, as well as bronze medal winner Storm Uru, are among the finalists and recipients in contention for the supreme title – the Albie Pryor Memorial Maori Sports Person of the Year.
The 22nd awards ceremony will be hosted by Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust at Auckland’s TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre on Saturday November 24 from 5.00 pm.
Executive director Dick Garratt says the record number of Maori athletes achieving on the world stage over the past 12 months is testament to the vision of the event’s founder, the late Albie Pryor.
In 1991, Pryor (Ngati Awa) established the black-tie extravaganza to promote and encourage Maori in the pursuit of sporting excellence. He later expanded that brief to identify and support young Maori talent so they could achieve at Olympic, Commonwealth and international competitions.
“Albie would be proud of the window of opportunity that he has created for our Maori youth, sportspeople and organisations – as well as the general public of Aotearoa-New Zealand.”
The 2012 Maori Sports Awards finalists are:
MAUI TIKITIKI-A-TARANGA – Maori Sports Administrator of the Year:
Mavis Mullins MNZM (Rangitane, Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi, Te Arawa) of Dannevirke – shearing
Marinna Millanta-Lowrey (Te Whanau-a-Apanui) of Porirua – waka ama
Tiki Edwards (Whakatohea, Ngati Tuwharetoa) of Wellington – rugby
Mavis Mullins MNZM (Rangitane, Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi, Te Arawa) of Dannevirke – shearing
Marinna Millanta-Lowrey (Te Whanau-a-Apanui) of Porirua – waka ama
Tiki Edwards (Whakatohea, Ngati Tuwharetoa) of Wellington – rugby
TE TOIHUAREWA – Disabled Maori Sports Person of the Year:
Jane Parsons (Taranaki) of Waikanae – tandem cycling
Cameron Leslie (Ngapuhi) of Whangarei – swimming
George Thomas (Te Arawa) of Rotorua – waka ama
Jane Parsons (Taranaki) of Waikanae – tandem cycling
Cameron Leslie (Ngapuhi) of Whangarei – swimming
George Thomas (Te Arawa) of Rotorua – waka ama
TE ARATIATIA – Maori Sports Umpire/Referee of the Year:
Amber Church (Te Aitangi a Mahaki) of Poverty Bay – hockey
Dwayne Paul (Ngati Haua) of Matamata – netball
Glen Warrick Jackson (Ngai Tahu) of Tauranga – rugby
Amber Church (Te Aitangi a Mahaki) of Poverty Bay – hockey
Dwayne Paul (Ngati Haua) of Matamata – netball
Glen Warrick Jackson (Ngai Tahu) of Tauranga – rugby
NGA IKA A WHIRO – Maori Sports Team of the Year:
Aotearoa Whakaarorangi of Waikato-Tainui – waka ama
Cam Ferguson (Ngati Kahungunu) of Waipawa, John Kirkpatrick (Ngati Porou) of Napier – machine shearing
Joanne Kumeroa (Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi) of Victoria, Australia, Joel Henare (Ngati Porou) of Gisborne – wool handling
Aotearoa Whakaarorangi of Waikato-Tainui – waka ama
Cam Ferguson (Ngati Kahungunu) of Waipawa, John Kirkpatrick (Ngati Porou) of Napier – machine shearing
Joanne Kumeroa (Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi) of Victoria, Australia, Joel Henare (Ngati Porou) of Gisborne – wool handling
TE MARU O TUMATAUENGA – Maori Sports Coach of the Year:
Waimarama Taumaunu (Ngati Porou) of Wellington – netball
Noeline Taurua (Ngapuhi) of Rotorua – netball
Jamie Joseph (Rangitane) of Southland – rugby
Waimarama Taumaunu (Ngati Porou) of Wellington – netball
Noeline Taurua (Ngapuhi) of Rotorua – netball
Jamie Joseph (Rangitane) of Southland – rugby
TE TAMAHINE-A-PAPATUANUKU – Junior Maori Sportswoman of the Year:
Tyla Nathan-Wong (Ngapuhi) of Blockhouse Bay, Auckland – sevens, touch, tag
Kataraina Brown (Ngati Hako) of Manurewa, Auckland – waka ama
Paige Hourigan (Ngati Tuwharetoa) of Whanganui – tennis
Tyla Nathan-Wong (Ngapuhi) of Blockhouse Bay, Auckland – sevens, touch, tag
Kataraina Brown (Ngati Hako) of Manurewa, Auckland – waka ama
Paige Hourigan (Ngati Tuwharetoa) of Whanganui – tennis
TE TAMA-A-RANGINUI – Junior Maori Sportsman of the Year:
Jason Emery (Ngati Maniapoto) of Manawatu – rugby
Elliott Paerata-Reid (Ngati Tuwharetoa) of Piha – surfing
Apirana Pewhairangi (Ngati Porou) of Newcastle, Australia – rugby league
Jason Emery (Ngati Maniapoto) of Manawatu – rugby
Elliott Paerata-Reid (Ngati Tuwharetoa) of Piha – surfing
Apirana Pewhairangi (Ngati Porou) of Newcastle, Australia – rugby league
HINEAHUONE – Senior Maori Sportswoman of the Year:
Vesna Radonich (Ngati Maniapoto) of Waikato-Tainui– waka ama
Kayla Sharland (Rangitane) of Manawatu – hockey
Lisa Carrington (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) of Ohope, Bay of Plenty – canoeing
Vesna Radonich (Ngati Maniapoto) of Waikato-Tainui– waka ama
Kayla Sharland (Rangitane) of Manawatu – hockey
Lisa Carrington (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) of Ohope, Bay of Plenty – canoeing
TE TAMA-A-TANENUIARANGI – Senior Maori Sportsman of the Year:
Shane Cameron (Rongomaiwahine) of Auckland – boxing
Liam Messam (Ngai Tuhoe) of Hamilton – rugby
Storm Uru (Ngai Tahu) of Cambridge – rowing
Shane Cameron (Rongomaiwahine) of Auckland – boxing
Liam Messam (Ngai Tuhoe) of Hamilton – rugby
Storm Uru (Ngai Tahu) of Cambridge – rowing
For more information about the Maori Sports Awards, go to the website:www.maorisportsawards.co.nz.
Exciting news for travellers to New Zealand
A company Wiflinz, www.wifli.co.nz has set up a rental service for travellers to New Zealand that eases the costs of data roaming.
It’s simple, easy to use. You just book online your dates, and where you wish your pocket wifi to be delivered to, and it will be waiting for you at your hotel before you arrive.
You can take it anywhere while travelling within New Zealand. Simply post back in a prepaid envelope before you leave.
Renting this pocket device allows you to use in meetings, catch up with your facebook friends or simply talk, all at local prices. No need to get a sim that gives you a foreign number, it’s still your own number, so people can reach you while you are on our shores.
Michael Jones, Manager of Wifli says ‘while he was travelling to the U.S he needed to be reached at all times so rented a pocket wifi. It meant I could hit the ground running with no hassles. I wanted travellers to New Zealand to be able to access the same service here.’
‘The people who have used our service find it cheap and easy to use. You can have up to 5 devices from your laptop, cellphone, or tablet at any one time. Yes, you can find free wifi around cities or cafes but this can be a real hassle. You don’t want to be hanging round in the cold or rain outside just to email or talk back home’ he says. Hotel can charge up to $45 a day and you are stuck to only using in that actual hotel, for as low as $10 a day you can go anywhere’.
Surveys have shown most travellers to New Zealand travel to more than one place, so to have the flexibility where you can be on top of Mt Ruapehu, seeing where the hobbits were filmed or seeing our majestic mountains in the South Island, you can still be connected to internet, this is a huge plus.
This service is portable, easy to use and when you leave simply post back in the prepaid bag. Travellers will know they are not going back to expensive roaming charges on their bill. It will make their experience in New Zealand an even better one!