Top Scoop Stories - 14 December 2007 News Summary

Friday, 14 December 2007, 2:01 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops - December 14, 2007

LEAD STORY:

Health: Capital And Coast Gets Management Transfusion

NZ POLITICS:

Nature: Greens Welcome Marketing Sanctuary Efforts
Urgency Special: Some bills not mentionsed elsewhere
Auckland Issues: Political Storm Brews Over Housing
Treaty: Agreement In Principle On Wellington Claim
Bali: Parker Tells The World About NZ Climate Policy

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:

Insecticide: How To Kill Pests Without Killing The Earth
Commerce: New Offer Open For Auckland Airport
Retail: Petrol Bucks Sales Decline
Transport: Air NZ Giving Away A Plane

WORLD:

United Nations: East Timor Will Need UN Assistance For Some Time
Conservation: Governments Agree On UN-Backed Pact To Protect Sharks
New Orleans: Stop Racially Motivated Public Housing Demolitions
Health: PHR-Israel: Call To Paris Conference Attendees

COMMENT:

Lawrence Velvel: Denegration of News to the Level of Entertainment
Allen Roland: Excerpts From Al Gore's Nobel Acceptance Speech
Henri Bou Saab: Lebanese parliament closer to choosing President
Bruce Dixon: Oprah & Obama - Corporate Marketing for a Corporate Campaign

LIFESTYLE:

Laffs: Grammy Nominees, Boy With Tape, "Dick Smith" Seek NZ Comedy Awards
Audio Tragedy: Blackout Blows Out Historical Recording
Faith: Free Course Explores Jesus' Eating Habits
Grooving: The "Ray Charles" Of Cambodia Confirmed For Womad

Health: Capital And Coast Gets Management Transfusion - Minister of Health David Cunliffe has announced his decision to appoint a new Chair and Crown Monitor to Capital and Coast District Health Board. The Crown Monitor, who will report directly to the Minister, is Dr Ian Brown an Obstetrician Gynaecologist, who was the Director of Medical Services at Northland DHB until November this year... The new Chair is Sir John Anderson the current Chairman of TVNZ. More >> [1] ALSO:

• United Future - Dunne pleased with Anderson appointment [2]
• National - Culture change needed at Capital Coast [3]

• ACT - Business As Usual At CCDHB [4]
• Association of Salaried Medical Specialists - Calls For Commissioner At Capital DHB "Loopy" [5]
• TV3 Video - Wellington hospital: Government plans to be announced today [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00287.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00301.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00308.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00306.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0712/S00055.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/3967.html

Nature: Greens Welcome Marketing Sanctuary Efforts - The Green Party believe that there is a great economic opportunity for DOC in making Rangitoto and Motutapu islands into sanctuaries for endangered birds species... the new sanctuary will bring added value to 'guerrilla marketing' stunts and this will generate extra revenue for DOC who could charge premium rates for the privilege of the islands' use. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Rangitoto and Motutapu to become totally pest free [2]

• mintshot.co.nz - Rangitoto blows her top ... or did she? [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00319.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00304.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0711/S00291.htm

Urgency Special - Some bills not mentionsed elsewhere:

• NZ Govt - Injury Prevention, Compensation Amendment Bill [1]
• NZ Govt - ACC for workers suffering traumatic event exposure [2]
• NZ Govt - Maryan Street ACC Amendment Bill (No. 2) Speech [3]
• New Zealand Labour Party - ACC Bill gives fairer casual worker compensation [4]
• New Zealand Labour Party - Darien Fenton ACC Amendment Bill (No. 2) Speech [5]
• Maori Party - Tariana Turia ACC Amendment Bill (no 2) Speech [6]
• NZ Govt - Bill amendment to strengthen dog control [7]
• Maori Party - Flavell: Dog Control Amendment Bill [8]
• Maori Party - Speech - Reserve Bank Amendment Bill - Hone Harawia [9]
• Maori Party - Flavell: Mauao Historic Reserve Vesting Bill [10]
• Maori Party - Flavell: Customs and Excise Amendment Bill [11]
• Maori Party - Harawira: Electricity Industry Reform Amendmt Bill [12]
• Maori Party - Financial Service Providers Bill: Hone Harawira [13]
• Maori Party - Dr Pita Sharples - Maori Purposes Bill [14]
• Greens - Electoral Finance Bill - the Green position [15]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00285.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00298.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00299.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00323.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00307.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00309.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00280.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00294.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00289.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00295.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00314.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00315.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00321.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00320.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00296.htm

Auckland Issues: Political Storm Brews Over Housing - There is a political storm brewing in the corridors of Auckland City Council over 'affordable housing' which Mayor John Banks had publicly issued calls for its scrapping during his election campaign. His contention is that 'affordable housing' is the province of Central government and the local councils have no role to play in it. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Syed Akbar Kamal - UPDATE on Affordable Housing [2]
• Greens - Auckland mayor a disgrace over affordable housing [3]
• Dr Cathy Casey - Banks must honour affordable housing contract [4]
• Methodist Mission Northern - Council plans to break affordable housing contract [5]

• NZ Govt - Street: Affordable Housing Bill [6]
• NZ Govt - National sides against aspiring homeowners [7]
• National - Rinky-dink housing no substitute for good law [8]
• Maori Party - Harawira: Affordable Housing Bill [9]
• Pavletich Properties Ltd - Housing: Stop Playing Games - Focus On Real Issues [10]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00177.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00199.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00231.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00145.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00122.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00261.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00290.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00260.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00263.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00097.htm

Treaty: Agreement In Principle On Wellington Claim - The Crown and Port Nicholson Block Claims Team have signed an Agreement in Principle to settle all outstanding historical Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi claims of Taranaki Whânui (Wellington), Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Michael Cullen announced today. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Port Nicholson Block Claim - Agreement signing a major milestone for Wellington [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00275.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00173.htm

Bali: Parker Tells The World About NZ Climate Policy - We all know climate change presents a significant challenge for governments around the world. We must design policies which re-orientate how we live. We must maintain economic growth. And we must do this without too much regulatory complexity hobbling the economy. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Parker: New approach to addressing deforestation [2]
• NZ Govt - Parker: Building the global carbon market [3]
• Greens - Leadership by example needed - Greens [4]
• Greens - Call of the kiwi: get on with it [5]
• NZ Govt - Anderton: Climate Change Response Bill [6]
• Greens - Climate change Emissions Trading Scheme Bill [7]
• Greens - Green climate change bill must proceed ASAP [8]
• Maori Party - Hone Harawira: Climate Change Bill [9]
• The Wilderness Society - Protests Highlight ANZ's Role In Climate Crisis [10]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00264.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00267.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00265.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00288.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00282.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00259.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00242.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00226.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00250.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00147.htm

Insecticide: How To Kill Pests Without Killing The Earth - There are about 50 to 60 million insect species on earth - already over 50% of these thousand pests are already resistant to our volatile, dangerous, synthetic pesticide poisons. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00252.htm

Commerce: New Offer Open For Auckland Airport - The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) partial takeover offer is now open, with offer documents being mailed to shareholders today. The offer would take CPPIB's holding to 40% of Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL), if successful. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Auckland Airport - Airport Directors' Recommendation Due Monday [2]

• Air New Zealand - Evacuation of Cargo Building [3]
• Auckland Public Health - Measles in air traveller triggers alert [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00253.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00254.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00242.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0712/S00054.htm

Retail: Petrol Bucks Sales Decline - In October 2007, seasonally adjusted total retail sales fell 0.7 percent ($40 million), Statistics New Zealand said today... The only notable increase recorded was for automotive fuel retailing, up 3.5 percent ($18 million). More >> [1]

ALSO:

• J P Morgan - Retail sales in New Zealand slump in October [2]
• J P Morgan - Australia adds a massive 52,600 jobs in November [3]
• Fonterra - Fonterra Increases Payout Forecast [4]
• Business New Zealand - Strong growth in manufacturing continues [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00224.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00225.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00234.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00227.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00229.htm

Transport: Air NZ Giving Away A Plane - Ever wanted to have your very own plane for the day? Well thanks to Air New Zealand's grabaplane promotion, which launches today, one lucky Kiwi will have that wish come true! The winner and forty of their mates will take off on their own special Q300 flight to their choice of any of the 26 spots around New Zealand to which Air New Zealand flies. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00230.htm

United Nations: East Timor Will Need UN Assistance For Some Time - Despite the tremendous gains achieved by Timor-Leste since achieving independence in 2002, it will continue to need United Nations assistance for some time to address its political, security and economic challenges, according to a Security Council ... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S00827.htm

Conservation: Governments Agree On UN-Backed Pact To Protect Sharks - Dozens of governments agreed in principle today to a new United Nations global agreement to protect sharks, which have long been neglected by conservationists and overexploited by the modern fishing industry. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S00843.htm

New Orleans: Stop Racially Motivated Public Housing Demolitions - Residents were chanting ''no demolition'' and challenging plans of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to start demolishing over 4,000 much-needed apartments. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S00850.htm

Health: PHR-Israel: Call To Paris Conference Attendees - On Dec 17th, the donor countries convene with the aim to provide financial and political support to the Palestinian Authority. This support should enable the Palestinian Authority to develop the capacities to build a viable State. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S00851.htm

Lawrence Velvel: Denegration of News to the Level of Entertainment - The U.S. mass media "is controlled by a handful of very large companies" such as General Electric, Disney, Westinghouse, CBS and Fox that "are under very strong pressure to make a lot of money" and do so... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00198.htm

Allen Roland: Excerpts From Al Gore's Nobel Acceptance Speech - So today we dumped another 70 million tons of global warming pollution into the thin shell of atmosphere surrounding our planet, as if it were an open sewer. And tomorrow we will dump a slightly larger amount, with the cumulative concentrations... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00202.htm

Henri Bou Saab: Lebanese parliament closer to choosing President - Lebanon is famous for its high-mountain winter skiing and its sunny summer months on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean. What is perhaps not so well known outside the country is that we have the oldest Parliamentary... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00201.htm

Bruce Dixon: Oprah & Obama - Corporate Marketing for a Corporate Campaign - Two of the best marketers in the U.S. teamed up for a three-state weekend extravaganza of vapid, substance-devoid entertainment posing as presidential politics. Oprah Winfrey - a certified genius of self-salesmanship - and the faux progressive, fraudulent anti-war... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00183.htm

Laffs: Grammy Nominees, Boy With Tape, "Dick Smith" Seek NZ Comedy Awards - FOTC's comedy EP, "The Distant Future" has been nominated for the "Best Comedy Album" Grammy... Flight Of The Conchords are also nominated in two categories at this years' NZ Comedy Guild Awards, to be announced at The Classic Comedy and Bar on Dec 16th. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0712/S00186.htm

Audio Tragedy: Blackout Blows Out Historical Recording - Thirty years of historical broadcasting disappeared in the blink of a blackout last weekend, as a suspected power surge wiped out the recording of Radio Active 89FM's historical RetroActive broadcast. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0712/S00175.htm

Faith: Free Course Explores Jesus' Eating Habits - A new free course from Focus invites you to join Jesus in his mealtime encounters with different people in Luke's Gospel. Each session includes discussion starters and a Bible passage about one of Jesus' mealtime encounters. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0712/S00181.htm

Grooving: The "Ray Charles" Of Cambodia Confirmed For Womad - One of NYC's hottest DJ's, the "Ray Charles" of Cambodia and an award winning percussionist join the already stellar line-up of artists heading to New Zealand for Womad New Zealand 2008. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0712/S00179.htm

ENDS

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