TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY: MetService Issues Data On 1 In 40 Year Storm
Border Bio-Security Slapstick With MAF
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Movement Rising Against Death Penalties For Children
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES
STORY OF THE WEEK - Brash Backlash Branded Hysterical
THE BIG BLOW SPECIAL REPORT: Flood Damage Hits Rural People Hard - Sutton

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!
Meditations On The Reasons For Religiosity
Chris Sanders: The Global Polyconomy Deconstructed
Satire: GOP Kerry Smear List Readied For Deployment
Manuel Valenzuela: Iraq Ready To Blow
Between The Lines Interview: Israel's Misguided Wall
UQ Wire: Civil Society Summoned For Citizens 911 Inquiry
Cartoons: Two More Unflattering Views Of The Dimson
Daily Katya Rivas Meditations

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Auckland And Government Minds Meet On Transport
Ryall Unimpressed With Govt. Move On Fines Defaulters
Prisoners With Cold Showers Should Harden Up
For Zimbabwean Farmers Work Permits Not Enough
Anderton Has Greens Support On Kids Drugs Programmes
Mark Blumsky New President Of United Future NZ
Export Education Work Programme Announced
Private Prison Wrangling Continues

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00138.htm
Royal New Zealand Flies In To The Rescue

Scoop Is In The House

– For today’s questions for oral answer See... Questions for Oral Answer - Tuesday, 17 February [1] . Come back this evening for the uncorrected transcript of the answers.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00256.htm

LEAD STORY:
MetService Issues Data On 1 In 40 Year Storm

- MetService Weather Ambassador Bob McDavitt described today's storm as extreme and one which delivered more than it promised. See... Eyeing The Storm: 167 km/hr at Beacon Hill [1] SCROLL DOWN FOR - The Big Blow - Special Report... [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0402/S00051.htm
[2] - #spc

Border Bio-Security Slapstick With MAF

- Green MP Ian Ewen-Street said today he was astounded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries' process for accrediting inspections for sea containers. See... MAF Plays Keystone Cops With Biosecurity [1] and Forest and Bird…Family cat gains MAF biosecurity accreditation [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00262.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0402/S00101.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0402/S00099.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0402/S00190.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0402/S00183.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00254.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0402/S00105.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00253.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0402/S00100.htm

Movement Rising Against Death Penalties For Children

- International Week of Student Action: Adding thousands of voices against the death penalty for child offenders See... 1000s against death penalty for child offenders [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00143.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00148.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00149.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00146.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00145.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00144.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK - Brash Backlash Branded Hysterical

- ACT New Zealand Leader Richard Prebble today said that the Labour Government's personal attacks on Dr Don Brash were now verging on the hysterical. See... Labour's Attacks On Dr Brash Hysterical [1] MORE: - Tu Mai Magazine - Positive Counter Brash - Lash [2] - Horomia - Horomia: Debate on the Prime Ministers address 04 [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00250.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0402/S00104.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00249.htm

Thunderstorms And Torrential Rain Hits Wellington

THE BIG BLOW SPECIAL REPORT: Flood Damage Hits Rural People Hard - Sutton

- Floods have hit farmers and growers in Rangitikei, Manawatu, and Wairarapa hard, Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton said today. "There is a time-proven system for Government assistance for farmers during times of adverse climatic events." See... Govt Poised To Help Flood-Affected Farmers [1] MORE STORM NEWS: - NZDF - Images Of Flood Search And Rescue By 3 Sqn RNZAF [2] - Manawatu Dist. - Images: Feilding February 16th Flood & Aftermath [3] - Govt - Cabinet approves Manawatu, Rangitikei relief funds [4] - National - Pitiful Govt assistance fails storm victims [5] - Fed Farmers- How To Help Flooded Farmers [6] - Watties - Wattie’s Severely Hit By Gas Pipe Shutdown [7] - Wellington City - Flooding hits Miramar - slip damage to house [8] - Greater Wellington - Flood defences hold in Wellington region [9] - PN City - Palmerston North City: Call to avoid Flooded Areas [10] - Manawatu Dist. - Feilding and District Relief Trust Fund Establishe [11] - Manawatu Dist.- Manawatu District: The Cleanup begins [12] - Hutt City - Mayoral Flood Relief Fund [13]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00258.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00138.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0402/S00116.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00251.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00266.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0402/S00187.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0402/S00186.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0402/S00111.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0402/S00109.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0402/S00114.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0402/S00113.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0402/S00112.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0402/S00103.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!

- I wondered how long this would take to happen: Apple iPod music players are to be sold through the Sounds music store chain - with download kiosks planned for later this year. The problem, of course, is that copying a song from a CD you have purchased ... See... Public Address 17/02/04 - Pop Life [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00137.htm

Meditations On The Reasons For Religiosity

- Standing outside all religions, and yet being a very religious person, I find it difficult to communicate with people who hold strong belief systems. I once held organized religion in complete disdain, but as I grow older, I understand why many people feel the need to belong to one. See... Meditations: Standing Outside All Religions [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00136.htm

Chris Sanders: The Global Polyconomy Deconstructed

- German foreign minister Joschka Fischer gave a speech over the weekend at the annual Munich Conference on Security Policy. See... SRA Commentary: Servile Politics [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00135.htm

Satire: GOP Kerry Smear List Readied For Deployment

- Complacent after four years of raping the treasury, leading the country into an illegitimate war and torching the environment, G.O.P. mouthpieces have prepared a laundry list of slanders against Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry that they will unveil as soon as they are back in career-destroying top shape. See... Satire: GOP Previews Season Of Kerry Smears [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00134.htm

Manuel Valenzuela: Iraq Ready To Blow

- The brewing cauldron that has been simmering for nearly a year is ready to blow its lid. The quagmire called Iraq is near civil war, anarchy and Balkanization. See... Manuel Valenzuela: The Coming Iraq Debacle [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00133.htm

Between The Lines Interview: Israel's Misguided Wall

- Palestinians Charge Israeli Barrier Will Bring Neither Security Nor Peace - Interview with Mazin Qumsiyeh, co-founder of Al-Awda, Palestinian Right to Return, conducted by Melinda Tuhus See... Barrier Will Bring Neither Security Nor Peace [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00132.htm

UQ Wire: Civil Society Summoned For Citizens 911 Inquiry

- Therefore, this Inquiry intends to bring together, to share what they have learned with the world, independent researchers, questioners, seekers of evidence, authors, film-makers: all those who desire and work to discover the truth about September 11… See... UQ Wire: Int'l 911 Inquiries – SF & Toronto [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00131.htm

Cartoons: Two More Unflattering Views Of The Dimson

- Spring Meltdown & An Empty Shirt In D.C. - two cartoons by John Chuckman… See... Chuckman Cartoons: Spring & An Empty Shirt In DC [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00130.htm

Daily Katya Rivas Meditations

- The element that always fails in you is the lack of order. With God’s things there can be no disorder. Keep guard over the book… See... Katya Rivas: Order Is Lacking in You [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00129.htm

Auckland And Government Minds Meet On Transport

- The Transport Minister Paul Swain says central and local government leaders are now in a position to make real progress on Auckland transport issues, with today's acceptance of the December "Investing for Growth" package. See... Central and local government hail historic agmnt. [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00268.htm

Ryall Unimpressed With Govt. Move On Fines Defaulters

- The Government should be doing more to collect the $500 million dollars owed in outstanding fines, says National's Police spokesman Tony Ryall. See... Another fines gimmick from Government [1] and New fines payment campaign targets worst offenders [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00267.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00260.htm

Prisoners With Cold Showers Should Harden Up

- If prison inmates have found three days without hot water so uncomfortable as to issue riot threats, then perhaps the hot water should be left off a lot longer, ACT New Zealand Corrections Spokesman Stephen Franks said today. See... Hardened Crims Too Soft For Cold Showers? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00264.htm

For Zimbabwean Farmers Work Permits Not Enough

- It's time the Government gave permanent residency to the people from Zimbabwe living here on visitor visas, says National's Immigration spokesman Wayne Mapp. See... Zimbabweans need residency, not work permits [1] and Work permits for Zimbabwe nationals extended [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00263.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00252.htm

Anderton Has Greens Support On Kids Drugs Programmes

Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton has announced the locations of 15 new Community Action on Youth & Drugs (CAYAD) programmes to combat illicit drug use. See... 15 community action programmes to fight drugs [1] and Greens support CAYAD boost [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00261.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00265.htm

Mark Blumsky New President Of United Future NZ

- United Future New Zealand has elected former Wellington Mayor, Mark Blumsky, as party President, after the founding President, Ian ‘Inky’ Tulloch, stood down at the office bearer elections of the United Future Board of Management meeting.. See... United Future elects new party President [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00259.htm

Export Education Work Programme Announced

- Thousand of providers and students in the export education sector will benefit this year from an industry-funded $3.2 million work programme - the first of its kind, Education Minister Trevor Mallard announced today. See... Work programme to boost export education [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00257.htm

Private Prison Wrangling Continues

- Nandor Tanczos has replaced common sense with ideology over the private management of prisons, United Future law and order spokesman Marc Alexander said today. See... Greens replace commonsense with nonsense again! [1] MORE: - PI Advisory Group - Pacific Community Dismayed Over Govt's Prison Plan [2] - Iwi Whanui O Tamaki Makaurau - Greens challenged to support Mäori on prison vote [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00255.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0402/S00103.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0402/S00094.htm

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

CONTACT ALASTAIR THOMPSON

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