Subject: 10 June, 2010
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Copyright, Brian Harmer.

WYSIWYG News had been running for about a year, primarily on the Usenet group, soc.culture.new-zealand when Paul Gilster wrote in his 1995 book "The New Internet Navigator":  To New Zealand by way of Usenet "... a major bonus of this newsgroup is the presence of one Brian M Harmer of Victoria University of Wellington. The indefatigable Harmer updates the list frequently with a digest of local news events drawn from his morning paper." He was of course, referring to this newsletter in its formative years. And now, feeling decidedly "fatigable" after almost sixteen years, and about half a million words of purple prose, I have decided that it's time to fold up my tent, at least in terms of the news aggregation. I may continue the purple prose, and shall inform you in due course where and when that will be accessible, and you can opt in if you so choose.

In this last issue I want to say thank you to all the people who have been involved over the years. Michael Witbrock was our first host, on nznews.com. In recent years, One Squared very kindly picked up the ball when the new owners of NZ News moved on. For many years now, NewstalkZB have generously permitted the re-use of their news, and I am grateful to them for that. A number of people have participated in the formatting, and my daughter Helen was amongst the longest serving of those, though recently it has been formatted by a very talented PhD student from her home in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (how's that for the ultimate telework?). The people who did the collecting and formatting of the news were paid modestly, and you, the readers, made that possible with your kind and often imperfectly acknowledged donations. Many thanks to you for that. On a purely practical matter, there is a small residue in the funds you provided. I intend to deposit that in my student's account by way of severance/holiday pay, and hope you will agree with me that anything that helps her to complete her study is a worthy cause.

Thanks too, to my beloved wife, Mary for her patience over all these years. Thanks are due to her and all members of my family for allowing me to describe various family occasions in my ramblings. You have been with me during weddings, celebrations, birthdays, births, deaths, grief and heartache, and many joyous moments, and always you have been wonderfully supportive. Thanks to those of you who wrote kindly of my attempts at descriptive writing. Your warmth and encouragement meant a great deal to me.

I have made some very good friends as a result of this enterprise, and hope not to lose touch. My very warmest best wishes to each and every one of you. And now for the last WYSIWYG News of all:

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Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, or occasionally "GS" will indicate an opinion from our editorial assistant. In all cases they are honest expressions of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.

All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, Newstalk ZB News. All copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of The Radio Network Limited.

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On with the News.

Monday, 31 May 2010
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RUSSIA DISCUSSES FREE TRADE WITH NZ
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New Zealand and Russia are working on a Free Trade Agreement. The governments are planning negotiations on what may eventually become the world's first FTA involving Russia. Trade Minister Tim Groser says New Zealand's exports to Russia grew by 267 percent in the nine years to 2009. He says current exports total NZ$187 million but there is high potential given Russia's status as an emerging economic powerhouse. Russia is the world's 5th-largest food import market and is one of the world's largest importers of meat and dairy products. Mr Groser says opportunities also exist in the wider agritech sector and in the growing areas of tourism and education.

FARMERS CHEWING OVER ENTERING POLITICS
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Discussions have started in farming circles about starting a political party. Federated Farmers chairman Lachlan McKenzie says he has heard the rumours and is listening with interest. He says the move is not surprising, as farmers were not happy with Labour's policies and are also dissatisfied with the National Government. "With regards to the ETS (emissions trading scheme) and other compliance costs, sheep farmers in particular are not making a profit and dairy farmers are looking at (paying out) an extra $50,000 in the future." Mr McKenzie says under MMP rural people have suffered significantly and their standard of living has declined compared to urban dwellers. He says farmers make up 14 percent of voters so a rural party would hold a significant balance of power. He says no formal discussions have taken place within Federated Farmers about forming a political party, but when people are very concerned about issues, anything can happen. However, he says Federated Farmers is generally apolitical so any party formed would be amongst farmers themselves and not Federated Farmers.

(Frankly, I think any such party would very soon become as distant from its origins and as frustrating to its constituency as any other party - BH)

CALL FOR HALT TO NZ OIL DRILLING
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The Green Party wants the oil drilling programme in New Zealand's Great South Basin to be stopped, until the cause of the US oil catastrophe is identified. Party co-leader Russel Norman says the basin off the South Island's south-east coast, is home to sensitive marine mammals and ecosystems that would be damaged by a similar type of oil catastrophe. BP's disastrous American oil leak began six weeks ago and President Barack Obama has stated that containment could take another three months. Dr Norman wants the New Zealand project put on hold, until experts can explain how the US disaster can be prevented from happening again. He says the oil industry needs to demonstrate that it can plug oil wells in deep water.

(The Sky is falling! - BH)

KEY UNCONCERNED AT DELAYS TO CYCLEWAY
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The Prime Minister's pet project, the national cycleway, appears to have run into problems. Only about 10 kilometres of new track has been developed since John Key launched the 3,000 kilometre project a year ago. The scheme was launched amid much fanfare and touted as a move to help communities through tough economic times. Fifty-million-dollars has been set aside for the trails. However Mr Key says he is happy with the progress. He puts the delays down to problems with contracts and says once those are sorted out, building the actual trails will be an easy job.

FONTERRA BUYS US ITALIAN CHEESE BUSINESS
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A Fonterra joint venture has bought out a United States cheese business, cementing its position as the number two player in the US hard Italian cheese market. DairiConcepts, a joint venture between Fonterra and Dairy Farmers of America, acquired the US hard Italian cheese business of Swiss Valley Farms for an undisclosed sum. Fonterra says it provides a number of strategic benefits for its shareholders. It says the move gives the company a clear position in one of the fastest-growing and attractive cheese categories in the US market. The business, previously owned by SVF's wholly owned affiliate Rochester Cheese, produces private label fresh grated hard Italian cheeses and private label dry hard grated Italian cheeses for retail, food service and industrial customers. The acquisition includes Rochester's plant at Dalbo, Minnesota.

UNINTERRUPTED CUP COVERAGE ON MAORI TV
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Maori TV hopes to attract viewers who do not want Rugby World Cup coverage peppered with advertising. A Parliamentary inquiry into the channel's performance reveals its audience grew by more than 18 percent in the last year, to an average of 1.6 million unique viewers every month. TVNZ has more than three million on a monthly basis. Maori TV is confident it can gain even more audience share and does not think it will need to change its business model to do so. It says its coverage of all 48 games of the Rugby World Cup will be Maori and Polynesian-themed and uninterrupted.

PHARMAC TO SUBSIDISE NEW PAIN-KILLER
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Pharmac is hoping thousands of people will benefit form Tramadol being subsidised. The pain killer's 50 milligram capsules will be funded from tomorrow. It is a replacement for dextropropoxyphene-based products, which are being withdrawn for safety reasons on August 1. Medical director Dr Peter Moodie says it will slip in nicely between over the counter options and serious pain killers such as morphine. He says pain is always difficult to manage and it is important to have a variety of options.

POLL SHOWS DROP IN SUPPORT FOR NATS
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National's loss has been the minor parties' gain in the latest TVNZ Colmar Brunton opinion poll. Its latest survey of a thousand voters shows support for the National Party has dropped five points since April from 54 to 49 percent. The Green Party is up over two points to seven percent while the Maori Party is up 1.5 to 3.6 percent. However Labour's support has remained unchanged on 33 percent. In the preferred Prime Minister race John Key has dropped two to 46 percent but remains well ahead of Labour leader Phil Goff who is also down two points to six percent.

(The prolonged honeymoon has been nothing short of astounding. It had to fall off a little at some stage. I think they are still well clear of any possible contender for the treasury benches, and are likely to remain so until memories of the last Labour government fade, and until there is new blood to replace the ancient regime now in opposition - BH)

Tuesday, 1 June 2010
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CALLS FOR SALARY RESTRAINT HEEDED BY SOME
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Public servants appear to be adhering to the Government's calls for restraint. The Labour Cost Index, shows public service salary increases have been lower than the private sector for five consecutive quarters. State Services Minister Tony Ryall, says the results are pleasing and health workers and police have been particularly restrained. However, he says that local government salaries are higher than the rest of the public service and he is also unhappy with secondary teachers' calls for a four percent pay increase.

MORE GOVT HELP FOR WAIKATO FARMERS
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Waikato farmers will receive assistance under the government's drought declaration, until at least September. Regional Drought Committee chairman Peter Buckley says despite the recent rain, the region is still a drought zone. "The effects of the drought will stay there and even though it has rained, there's still a lot of pressure on farmers for finances and feed." So far 25 Waikato families have qualified for assistance, which includes food grants and childcare subsidies.

HOME SELLERS DROPPING PRICES
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There is evidence house sellers are being forced to drop their prices, due to a glut of properties on the market. Realestate.co.nz reports the average asking price fell 3.6 percent in May, to $407,349, which is the lowest price since January and five percent below the peak of the market in October 2007. The website says sellers are having to lower their expectations to solicit more interest from buyers, as the large stock of unsold houses has persisted for five months. Asking prices in May compared to the prior three months fell 2.5 percent in Auckland to $518,853, Northland -8.3 percent to $371,098, Waikato +1.3 percent to $368,750; Bay of Plenty +1.5 percent to $440,160, Gisborne +3.2 percent to $335,297 , Hawke's Bay -2.1 percent to $335,136, Taranaki +1.1 percent to $320,852, Wellington +0.2 percent to $445,408, Nelson -5.9 percent to $392,161, Canterbury -1 percent to $358,856, Otago -0.9 percent to $268,150, Central Otago/Lakes -3.4 percent to $523,760 and Southland +3.2 percent to $249,385.

MAJOR CHANGES TO VETERANS' PENSIONS
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The Law Commission is recommending major changes to the way pensions for military veterans are handled. It has released a report advising a split approach. It says veterans who served before 1974, should keep receiving the financial assistance they currently get from the Crown. The commission recommends a rehabilitation-focused approach for those who carried out their service after that time. Any veterans with permanent injuries from their service, would receive a lump sum payment, while those in rehabilitation would receive income replacement. There would also be holistic support for their families. The commission's recommendations will now be considered by the Government.

POWER LINE ENGINEERS TAKE INDUSTRIAL ACTION
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Auckland power line engineers are taking industrial action from midnight tonight, following a long running pay dispute. Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union members working for contractor Electrix are taking a stand against the company's proposal for a 30 month pay freeze. The strike action involves a ban on overtime, call outs or standby arrangements. EPMU national industry organiser Joe Gallagher says the majority of Electrix engineers are union members and will not be unreasonable. He says if the public's safety is at risk they will attend to the job.

COUNCIL STAFF SEEM TO BE GETTING FAIR GO
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The Public Service Association says appointment of key staff for Auckland's new super city council does not reflect what is happening with the jobs of other council staff in the region. Only two of the seven key staff appointed currently work for a local body in Auckland. PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilot says the union would be concerned if the same thing was happening for the majority of staff positions, but that does not appear to be the case. She says the association is happy that at least 50 percent of the staff confirmed are from Auckland councils. Ms Pilot says it was always known that senior managers positions were vulnerable.

GREENS WANT CHANGES TO SUPER CITY LEGISLATION
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There is a push to ensure the proposed Auckland super city reassesses its boundaries before the 2013 local body elections. Green MP David Clendon wants enabling legislation currently before Parliament changed so that ratepayers can decide what electoral system they want to use for councillors and local board members and boundaries. He says the Bill, as written, denies that right to Aucklanders despite the considerable disquiet residents in Franklin, Rodney, and Papakura have about being included the super city. Mr Clendon says his amendment would give them the democratic right to choose to make changes for the 2013 election. The Green Party also wants to put a crimp on the powers of the super city's mayor. Under the current bill, the mayor will appoint a deputy, establish council committees and appoint chairs to them. Sue Kedgley wants this dropped as it could give the mayor the power to control the council and its agenda instead of requiring them to govern by consensus. She says there is no reason for Auckland's mayor to have greater powers than any other mayor in the country.

(Perhaps I am becoming more of a curmudgeon, but whatever sympathy I have for green politics is offset by my distaste for the personalities in parliament. - BH)

LATEST FIGURES SHOW BUSINESS CONFIDENCE STILL UP
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The air of optimism about the prospects for the New Zealand economy is holding strong. Figures from the National Bank Business Outlook for May show 45 percent of respondents expect better times ahead and business confidence is at 48 percent. National Bank senior economist Khoon Goh says although it is a slight fall from last month's 50 percent, it is still at a very high level historically. Mr Goh says there has also been a pickup in hiring intentions, which are at their highest since April 2002. He says we should see an ongoing decline in unemployment rates. However, Mr Goh says the survey did not take into account a few important developments with the debt crisis in Europe. He says it also closed before the Budget and Fonterra's announcement on next season's pay out. He says it is too early to say what effect these will have on sentiment, but does not think they will create a major dent.

POLITICAL EXPERT DOUBTS VIABILITY OF FARMERS PARTY
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A political expert does not hold much hope for the chances of a farming party getting into parliament. Federated Farmers says its members, which make up 14 percent of voters, are dissatisfied with the National government and have already been burnt by Labour. There is now talk of starting their own party. Waikato University Politics Senior Lecturer Dr Alan Simpson says they would have to be very lucky to get five percent of the vote. He says Maori represent around 15 percent of voters but the Maori Party get only a third of that. Dr Simpson says farmers are widespread in their views so a farming party definitely would not pick up all 14 percent.

GOVT'S LEAKY HOMES RESCUE PACKAGE TO PROCEED
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The Government says its leaky homes assistance package has the backing it needs to proceed. Unveiled earlier this month, it will see the government and local councils each cover 25 percent of the repair costs for homeowners who qualify for the scheme. The remaining 50 percent is covered by the homeowners themselves. Prime Minister John Key says eight of the most affected local authorities have voted to support the package over the past two weeks. He says collectively they comprise around 90 percent of current leaky home claims so the Government now has the critical mass of support it needs for the package to go ahead.

NZIER WARNS AGAINST INTEREST RATES RISE
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Economic think tank NZIER is warning against an interest rates rise this month. In its June quarterly predictions released today, the Institute says the economy is recovering, but there are clear and present dangers for firms. Principal economist Shamubeel Eaqub says they would like to see the economy on a much stronger footing, before the Reserve Bank starts to put a break on economic growth. He says the domestic economy remains fragile, while the export recovery is concentrated in dairy and forestry and has not yet become broad-based. Mr Eaqub says with the current global economic risks, there is not room to be overly confident about raising interest rates just yet. He says there is a very high probability the Reserve Bank may raise the OCR this month, but waiting after September would be a better course of action.

WANTED - MORE MAORI LANGUAGE TEACHERS
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A potentially major problem has been identified in the provision of Maori language teachers. A new report reveals the demand for Maori language education is outstripping the supply of teachers and schooling options. According to the report, in 2008 there were almost 29,000 students in Maori medium schooling, however, it says getting a sufficient supply of fluent Maori language teachers is an ongoing challenge, as in 2008 there were just 528 kura kaupapa Maori teachers.

Wednesday, 2 June 2010
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MISSED BILLS HARM CREDIT RATING
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One in four New Zealanders have confessed they expect to pay bills late over the next 12 months and credit agency Dun and Bradstreet says a staggering 20 percent indicate they may even skip a mortgage payment. The company's Consumer Payment Priorities Study has found that people aged 35 to 49 are most likely to pay late in the next 12 months, with three in ten (34 percent) admitting they will pay late. It compares to 17 percent of people aged 50-64. Thirty-five-percent say if they were short on cash, they would miss their pay-TV bill. Twenty-seven percent would not pay their mobile phone bill and 20 percent would skip their repayment. Low and high income households are more likely to miss their mortgage payments than middle income households. The survey also shows that many people do not realise how missing a payment can damage their credit profile. The country's credit reporting laws allow payments to be listed if they are 30 days overdue. Six out of 10 or 62 percent of people say they would be more likely to pay their bills on time if they knew their behaviours would negatively impact on their credit profile.

LABOUR CHANGES TACK OVER COURTS BILL
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Labour is accusing the Government of denying people the right to attend their own court hearings. The Courts (Remote Participation) Bill currently before Parliament allows for some hearings to be held by audio visual conference. It is the first of many bills the Government intends to introduce to speed up criminal court procedure. Labour supported the bill through its first reading, but has now endorsed submissions from the New Zealand Law Society and Human Rights Commission which say it has significant human rights issues. MP David Parker says the proposed legislation has the potential to prejudice the accused. He insists an accused person has the right to attend their own trial and taking that away is unprincipled. Mr Parker describes it as the latest in a string of undemocratic moves by National, following on from the sacking of the Environment Canterbury councillors, Auckland's super city legislation and the three strikes law.

ETS SENDS LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER
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Federated Farmers is giving examples of how much its members will be affected by the Emissions Trading Scheme. President Don Nicolson says they have calculated it will take an extra 4.7 million lambs to be slaughtered to cover the energy costs of sheep farmers. He says that is out of a total yearly slaughter of 22 million lambs. Mr Nicolson says the average before tax profit for a sheep and beef farm is around $40,000 and ETS costs will take up about four percent.

Thursday, 3 June 2010
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PRISON BED CRISIS AVERTED
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The number of prisoners behind bars is at an all time high, but Corrections Minister Judith Collins says the bedding crisis has been averted. At unlock on Monday, 8,706 people were in prison, bringing the total to 72 more than the same time the week before. Ms Collins, says double bunking and the 23 new container cells at Rimutaka Prison, means an extra 800 beds have been found quickly. An extra 2,270 prison beds will be required by 2019.

TELECOM'S HIGH HOPES FOR NEW XT PLAN
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Telecom has launched a new campaign, to claw back customer confidence in its troubled XT network. It is introducing a 30 day Risk Free Trial, for customers who sign up to a 24 month plan when purchasing any XT mobile or Mobile Broadband T-Stick. Customers can return the product within a month if they are not completely happy with the service and receive a refund. Telecom Head of Mobile Marketing, Liz Wilson, says the offer is a chance for Telecom to prove itself and earn customers' loyalty. The trial is available to individuals, small-medium business, to CDMA network customers upgrading to XT and to new Telecom customers. An independent report into the failure of Telecom's XT network, found it was not ready to cope with the huge volumes of mobile traffic it received.

AUCKLAND TO GET TRAMS AGAIN
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Trams are returning to Auckland's streets after an absence of more than 50 years. The Auckland Regional Council is bringing back trams as a heritage project, saying it sees a waterfront tramway as part of its legacy to the city. The trams will be housed at the western end of Jellicoe St and initially, will do a circuit around the redeveloped Wynyard Quarter to the Britomart Transport Centre. The project should be ready in time for the Rugby World Cup.

(Mixed feelings. I like trams, but they are a nightmare for their impact on other forms of transport. If they can run on dedicated access-ways and not on city roads, then fine. - BH)

SCHOOLS AVOIDING TEACHING MAORI HISTORY
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New research on the volume of Maori history taught in schools is alarming the Maori Party. A thesis written by academic Dr Richard Manning and a survey carried out by the History Teachers' Association, show that only three percent of 126 schools surveyed taught NCEA level one Maori history. The research also shows 29 percent of schools in Wellington avoid teaching courses with an exclusive Maori focus. Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell says schools must stop sidestepping Maori content in their history classes. He says learning about New Zealand's history is fundamental to the effective education of all New Zealanders.

RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY FOR POLICE
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The Police Association is welcoming a bill which restores the democratic right of police officers to stand for local council elections. Under the Policing Act 2008, police constables are barred from serving on local authorities while still employed on the force. No other state servants are required by law to resign if elected to a council. Police Association vice-president Chris Cahill is pleased the Prime Minister has kept the promise he made last year that the ban would be removed. He says there are no clear examples of law-enforcers facing insurmountable conflicts of interest serving as law-makers. Mr Cahill hopes Parliament moves with some urgency to pass the bill in time for this year's local body elections. Police Minister Judith Collins says the current legislation is undemocratic and she believes police employees must not be treated differently to other state servants.

CORK POPPING OVER WINE FUNDING
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It is hoped a funding injection for the wine industry will crack open an untapped market. The Ministry for Economic Development has pledged $1.2 million to the sector, for use mainly in getting New Zealand's wine more entrenched in the US market although some of the funding will also be used to promote the product in Europe and China. It is hoped the cash will help the industry to achieve its goal of doubling exports over the next decade. New Zealand Winegrowers' CEO Philip Gregan says America has one of the biggest wine markets of any country and the cash is needed to build traction there. Fifty-eight wines will be selected to showcase in the United States and Mr Gregan says the pitches will be tailored to each country, with the US for example liking New Zealand whites while the Chinese love reds.

AUCKLAND, THE CITY OF CYCLISTS
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Cycling is all the rage in Auckland. A survey by Auckland Regional Transport Authority spotted some 12,000 people riding their bikes in March. That is up almost a third on the same time last year. Spokeswoman Sharon Hunter says the number of people who say they feel safe on two wheels is also up by 11 percent. She is putting the increase down to recent improvements in cycling infrastructure across Auckland. Ms Hunter says that is particularly evident with the North Western Cycleway, with 70 percent more cyclists using it.

DISAPPOINTMENT LOCAL IWI IGNORED OVER OIL RIGHTS
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Oil exploration plans off the North Island's East Cape have upset the Maori Party. MP Te Ururoa Flavell is disappointed international firm Petrobras has been granted exploration rights for the Raukumara Basin, given the opposition from local iwi Te Whanau A Apanui. He says much of their way of life is based around the sea and the Government's decision has placed that in a state of threat. Te Ururoa Flavell says the catastrophic impacts of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico are a wake up call when it comes to mining the seabed. He says his party opposes the Crown leasing or selling mining rights for the foreshore and seabed to foreign interests.

SCHOOL POOLS TO GET $2 MILLION UPGRADE
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A decision by the Wellington City Council to fund the upgrade of school pools is likely to ease the congestion on public pools. The Council is making $2 million available for the upgrade of school pools over the next three years. Councillor Helene Ritchie says it is likely the decision will create swimming hubs. She says one school will probably get a grant and then other schools would use their pool.

TOO MUCH CAFFEINE FOR KIDS
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There is a concern kids are knocking back far too much caffeine. A risk profile on caffeine by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority has found energy drinks and shots contain too much for young teens. The popular beverages can contain twice the 80 milligrams of caffeine that is found in a single shot espresso coffee. Public Health advisor Donald Campbell says teenagers' bodies are just too small to handle such high doses of caffeine. Mr Campbell says effects include dizziness, rapid heartbeat, irritability, anxiety, tremors and insomnia.

Friday, 4 June 2010
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MAJOR INCREASE IN NRL SALARY CAP
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After weeks of pressuring the NRL, rugby league's best players have secured their first victory in the battle to see a major increase in salary cap. From next year the NRL will increase the grant paid to clubs by almost $250,000. Players will also receive more money for Origin and International matches. CEO David Gallop says the salary cap is set for a significant lift, once a current review is completed in the next few weeks. The grant increase comes just days after Israel Folau confirmed his multi million dollar switch to AFL.

REPORTS OUTLINE ECONOMIC OPTIMISM
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Two reports are painting a brighter picture of the economy. The ANZ's latest quarterly economic forecast says the domestic recovery is underway, however it says it will be a more gradual recovery over the course of the year than is typically the norm after a recession. The bank says volatility in the economic data over the second half of this year will come from the increase in GST. It expects growth to strengthen from late this year as the boost to the terms of trade flows through the economy. It says there are risks to global growth from inflation in China and sovereign debt concerns in the Euro zone spilling across into the wider economy. The report puts the odds of a double-dip global recession at one in four. The bank says the Budget was a step in the right direction in terms of encouraging saving and enterprise, while lessening the attractiveness of consumption and investment in property "but it is a step that must be followed by others." The bank predicts headline inflation will push past five percent for a while due to government policy changes. The BNZ's weekly overview has also expressed cautious optimism for the New Zealand economy. It says domestic economic indicators continue to go from strength to strength and the economy has so far dodged the bullets fired at it from the international economy. The BNZ says importantly, growth in output is now being backed up by growth in employment and confidence levels are generally high.

NEW JETSTAR PLANES FOR NZ THIS YEAR
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Budget airline Jetstar is expanding its operations in New Zealand with another Airbus A320 in service later this year. It will be the 7th in the fleet and able to operate on domestic or international routes from existing New Zealand airports. Jetstar chief executive, Bruce Buchanan, says 50 new jobs will be created initially and this will increase to 300 new positions. He says the airline is also considering using a A330-200 plane for long-haul flights from New Zealand.

(The long haul they are about to start is from Auckland to Singapore, daily. I never understood how that route was unprofitable to Air New Zealand. There were no empty seats on their 777s when I went. - BH)

MILLIONS EXPECTED FROM MILITARY HOUSES
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The Defence Force hopes the sale of surplus military houses will return up to $50 million to its frontline capability. Demand for houses has fallen significantly since 2008, when changes came into force allowing service personnel to either live on base, or take an equivalent allowance for private accommodation. One in five houses are now vacant. Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, says 174 vacant Army camp houses at the Burnham, Linton and Waiouru bases are being sold for removal. He says property management is not the Defence Force's core business and tax dollars are better spent ensuring frontline capability is maintained.

BOOT CAMP COULD HELP THOUSANDS
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The Defence Force hopes its military boot camps will help almost 2,000 youths a year. A new base is opening in west Auckland today, which is similar to the youth wings at Christchurch and Trentham. Six hundred teens and young adults are expected to go through the facility's six week life skills programme each year. Brigadier Sean Trengrove says the scheme will be able to help hundreds more people gain confidence and get themselves onto a better life path. Anyone keen on taking part can volunteer through Work and Income.

(I have always wondered about the morale sapping potential of this for career soldiers. None of them joined to be prison warders or baby sitters. - BH)

NZ MAINTAINS TOP CREDIT RATING
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Despite potential economic meltdown in Europe, New Zealand has maintained a top credit rating. Standard and Poor's has given New Zealand an AAA rating for Government debt issued in New Zealand and AA+ for debt issued overseas. Business correspondent Roger Kerr says New Zealand's strong fiscal position is behind the top rating. He says there were concerns the European debt crisis would have an adverse effect on the economy, but so far it has done the opposite. Mr Kerr says the resultant sell off of global shares and commodity prices has pulled the kiwi dollar down to below 70 cents. He says this has lifted the profits, confidence and the investment intentions of exporters. Mr Kerr says Standard and Poor's has indicated New Zealand's rating is stable and is not likely to change anytime soon.

SUPER CITY BILL PASSES BUT FIGHT WILL GO ON
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The super city is now a done deal but the legislation continues to ruffle a few feathers. The third and final bill to create the new Auckland Council has been passed by Parliament. ACT and National had the numbers to pass legislation establishing the new council, community boards, and council controlled organisations. Labour and the Greens continue to rail against the restructure. Labour claims it could bring about $47 million in redundancy costs, while Greens MP David Clendon says it is not so much a merger as a hostile takeover. Local Government Minister Rodney Hide is disgusted at Labour's redundancy figure, which he says must have been pulled out of thin air. Mr Hide says because no-one knows who has a job and who has not, it is impossible to know what the redundancy costs are. He says the Transition Agency has not done any of that work yet. Meanwhile, a group fiercely against the super city structure is warning the Government that the fight is far from over. Grassroots Action Group spokeswoman Mels Barton says the only way to change the council now is from the inside. She is encouraging people to get involved in the boards and the council, as it is the community's only opportunity to have a voice.

REVIEW LAUNCHED INTO LAB SERVICE SWITCH
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Two independent reviewers have been appointed to report on last year's troubled transition of community laboratory services in Auckland. Waikato DHB chairman Graeme Milne and Associate Professor Jens Mueller of the Waikato University Management School will take on the job. The review follows a fraught change from Diagnostic Medlab to Labtests. Health Minister Tony Ryall says the purpose of the review is to ensure health services learn from Auckland's experience and help with decision making in the future. The report is due to be delivered to the minister by the end of September.

FAREWELL
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And that's all from me. Thanks so much for sharing the journey with me.