26 October 2001 Media Statement

Comment on Hamner drownings

“I am profoundly sorry that this tragedy has happened and first want to express my sympathy to the families of the two girls. I also feel for the teachers, parents and other students who were on this outdoor activity.

“The Minister of Education, Trevor Mallard, was informed the girls were missing before he left the country, and immediately had his office contact Water Safety New Zealand.

“I understand Water Safety New Zealand is sending somebody down to Hamner to assist.

“The Ministry of Education is also in Hamner assisting the people involved. The Specialist Education Services Traumatic Incident Team has been dispatched and are on their way to Hamner," Steve Maharey said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>