Top Scoop Stories 4th February, 2009 News Summary

Wednesday, 4 February 2009, 4:34 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Business.Scoop: Key Offers BizTax Tweaks
Prime Minister John Key announced changes to tax requirements for small businesses that will save the firms some NZ$480 million over the next four years and ease compliance costs.The changes, effective from April 1, include a temporary reduction to provisional tax payments, a reduction in the penalty rates for under-payments, raising the threshold for monthly PAYE and FBT returns, and increasing the amount a business can turnover before it has to register for GST. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/?p=2964

ALSO:

Key: Jobs and Growth [2]

National focuses on jobs and growth with package [3]

Tax changes give businesses $480m helping hand [4]

Help for small business owners [5]

Disputes Tribunal changes to help small business [6]

Government departments to pay bills promptly [7]

Trade credit changes to help exporters [8]

Questions Must Be Asked Around New Package [9]

Nothing for agriculture, bag of peanuts [10]

A few small useful steps – but more is needed [11]

Comments on Government Business Package [12]

Package a boost to business confidence [13]

SME business relief package ‘a brilliant start’ [14]

Govt package recognises importance of cashflow [15]

Small Business Welcomes Government Tax Package [16]

Disputes Tribunal [17]

SME Relief Package – A Useful Start [18]

Govt announces major tax cuts for small and medium businesses [19]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00049.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00043.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00044.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00045.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00046.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00047.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00048.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00051.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00052.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00054.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00072.htm [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00073.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00074.htm [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00076.htm [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00077.htm [16]

[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00036.htm [17]

[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00082.htm [18]

[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/18078.html [19]

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NZ POLITICS

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Foreign Affairs: Where Is The Government On Sri Lankan Conflict?
Labour Associate Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Grant Robertson today called on the National Government to make a statement about the conflict and emerging humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00056.htm

ALSO:

LTTE must release civilians held as human shield [2]

TODAY!! Tamils Protest Sri Lankan Independence Day [3]

Kiwi Tamils to hold vigils throughout New Zealand [4]

Sri Lanka: Un Concerned Over Shelling Of Hospital [5]

Sri Lanka Focuses On Institutional Failure [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00035.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00034.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00030.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00054.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00045.htm [6]

Gordon Campbell: RMA Changes Pose Challenge For Maori Party
The Maori Party and the National Party are strange bedfellows, and this week has offered a few more examples of the tricky footwork required to keep this relationship on track... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/gordon-campbell-on-the-challenges-that-the-rma-changes-pose-for-the-maori-party/

ALSO:

Government Reforms RMA [2]

Changes to Resource Management Act biggest in 18 years [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00072.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/18082.html [3]

Cut-Backs: Nat Govt Pulls Plug On State's Shared Network
State Services Minister Tony Ryall has announced the previous government's Government shared Network (GSN) is to be discontinued because it is financially unsustainable. Participating government agencies will be moved to a new provider in the private sector. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00035.htm

ALSO:

Scrapping Government Shared Network backward step [2]

World-leading project preserves digital memory [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00036.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00041.htm [3]

Ae Marika!: Hone Harawira's Back At Last!
Happy New Year everyone! Yeah, I know I’m way late but the editor reckons people need a real break every Christmas and no politicians ruining their holiday reading. Anyway, just as a bit of a wrap up from last year, here’s what I said during the swearing in ceremony... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00025.htm

ALSO:

Boy racer crackdown should tackle noisy exhausts [2]

Moteliers support action on 'boy racers' [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00011.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00020.htm [3]

Previous Regimes: Bierre Claims Vindication, Drops Suit
Dr Tony Bierre yesterday received a letter from former Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, conceding that he did not commit an offence against the law, as she had previously suggested... The acknowledgement brings to an end defamation proceedings initiated by Dr Bierre against Ms Clark. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00015.htm

Gordon Campbell: Government Media Imagery Diverges From Reality
Last week Paula Bennett was being applauded for breaking up a brawl – and the next thing Prime Minister John Key was telling us that Bennett’s efforts as an opposition MP to convince the Parole Board to release her daughter’s violent boyfriend on bail, were entirely a private matter... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/how-the-government%e2%80%99s-media-imagery-diverges-from-reality/

ALSO:

John Key: Statement on Paula Bennett [2]

Statement from Paula Bennett Re: Letters [3]

Turia Demands Apology From Newspaper [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00005.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00001.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0901/S00113.htm [4]

Audio: PM's - Bank Rates And Racers
The post-cabinet press conference today focussed on the Government's intention to "send a message" to young people who do illegal things in cars. While not wishing to steal the thunder of this weeks planned RMA announcement and economic speech, he was able to share what he told the Australian banks about his expectations of them. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00040.htm

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Copymixed: "Internet Users Rights At Risk"
InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) welcomes the release for public consultation of the Telecommunications Carriers' Forum Draft ISP Copyright Code... “I urge everyone who is interested in the rights of Internet users to read the draft Code and provide input to the TCF’s consultation. Users should not be disconnected based on untested allegations.” More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00085.htm

ALSO:

Draft ISP Copyright Code for Public Consultation [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00083.htm [2]

Dinosaurs!: Most. Awesome. Auction. Ever.
I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers are pleased to announce our third annual New York Natural History auction. With the help of several internationally recognized experts, I.M. Chait has brought together comprehensive collection of rare and exotic specimens including: Dinosauria, Fossils, Meteorites, Artifacts, Mineral Specimens and Gemstones. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0902/S00008.htm

ALSO:

Future role of robots hot conference topic [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0902/S00006.htm [2]

Lightning Strikes Twice: Further Power Cuts In Auckland
Further power outages are occurring in the eastern suburbs that were affected by theoutages yesterday. Consumers are being asked to reduce demand immediately. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00071.htm

ALSO:

Repeat Of Substation Failure “Unacceptable" [2]

Electricity Being Restored In Auckland [3]

Auckland Asked To Conserve Electricity [4]

Power blackout an untimely blow for business [5]

Power outage at Greenlane Clinical Centre [6]

Power outages affecting Traffic lights [7]

Power outage causes business continuity concerns [8]

Auckland Power Outage Risks Information Loss [9]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00079.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00053.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00067.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00047.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0902/S00009.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0902/S00034.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0902/S00042.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00066.htm [9]

Economy: Gloomy Outlook, But Most Feel Unaffected
While a large majority of Kiwis see the economy and unemployment getting worse, most are not cutting back on spending and don’t think things will get a lot worse than they are now. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00036.htm

ALSO:

Feltex directors to defend charges [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00012.htm [2]

Electricity Market: Smart Meters Defended
Consumer New Zealand today said it worried that consumers, who will be able to choose peak and off peak tariffs because of the meters, might cut back on heating when prices are high and affect their wellbeing. The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development said today, however, that Consumer New Zealand appeared to be trying to "find the cloud in the silver lining". More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00019.htm

VDSL2: We're Gonna Need Some Broader Bands
In its latest move to offer New Zealanders world class broadband services, Telecom Wholesale is installing the newest and most advanced standard of super-fast broadband – known as VDSL2 (‘Very High-Speed Digital Subscriber Line 2’). More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0901/S00330.htm

Paleontology: NZ May Be Older Than Thought
Latest research on the oldest tuatara (Sphenodon) fossils to have been found supports suggestions that the New Zealand landmass, once it had broken away from the super-continent Gondwana, had enough dry land to support early relatives of the tuatara, native frogs, and moa. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0901/S00035.htm

ALSO:

Rare Wellington harbour Hector’s dolphin sighting [2]

Rare beaked whale strands on Kapiti coast [3]

Tourism company to help save endangered birds [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0901/S00043.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0901/S00040.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0901/S00042.htm [4]

Weather: "Peak Of Summer," Says MetService
Much of the country has had over 20 millimetres of rain so far this month, but there are several areas that continue to be very dry. The driest areas are between Cape Reinga and Whangarei, between Taupo and Napier, around Cook Strait, around Nelson and Kaikoura, and between Timaru and Oamaru. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0901/S00038.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Images: 7’s Frenzy Begins In The Capital
The Fijian Sevens Team drew crowds to Lambton Quay this afternoon providing photo opportunities and signing autographs for fans young and old. For many of the players this is the first time they have left the islands. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00104.htm

ALSO:

The magnificent Sevens to march through the town [2]

Police Urge Rugby Sevens Fans To Keep 'On-Side' [3]

‘Do it in public’ at NZI Rugby Sevens [4]

Lingerie Models support NZ rugby sevens team! [5]

NZI Sevens auction to help disadvantaged Kiwi kids [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0901/S00209.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00072.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0902/S00022.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00057.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00034.htm [6]

Weather: Mainly Fine Waitangi Day
MetService is forecasting typical summer weather for the ceremonies on Waitangi Day, with an easterly breeze and mainly fine weather. "There may be a brief shower as well", commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0902/S00007.htm

Sport: Vili The Repeat Winner Of Supreme Halberg Crown
The 24-year-old athlete emerged as the big winner at the 2008 Westpac Halberg Awards dinner in Auckland tonight, repeating her performance of last year by winning the Westpac Sportswoman of the Year category and then claiming the supreme Halberg Award. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00053.htm

ALSO:

Wells wins emerging talent category at Halbergs [2]

Dixon Achievement a First [3]

StarJam performance shines at the Halbergs [4]

Manukau Mayor congratulates Halberg champion [5]

Valerie Vili wins big at Halberg Awards [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00055.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00059.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00066.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00070.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/sports/18056.html [6]

Surveys: The Day The Music Died
With February 3, 2009 marking the 50th anniversary of the plane crash in Iowa that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and “The Big Bopper” on February 3, 1959, Social Researcher Jeff Gilling from McCrindle Research reflects upon the generational differences in our attitudes towards music as well as some of our music consumption habits. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00032.htm

Arts: Teen Violinist Wins Chance To Play Classical Spark
At the age of 16, Esther Kim has earned the chance to play to a crowd of over 100,000 at Christchurch’s ASB Classical Sparks on the eve of Waitangi Day. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00015.htm

ALSO:

Classical Sparks ready to shine in Hagley [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00016.htm [2]

Culture: Leaders Explore Change For The Future
New Zealand Chinese Association Auckland Inc. today launched the third Future DragoNZ Leadership and Development Conference 2009, challenging young people’s perceptions of what it means to be Chinese... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00008.htm

Adventure: Waitomo, Where Dogs Went To Sleep... Underground
Patrizia Sigg writes of a ''breathtaking'' adventure under the earth exploring limestone caves at Waitomo in New Zealand's King Country. Sixty five metres underground she floated atop a subterranean stream ''under a dark sky full of glowing stars...'' More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00445.htm

Horsey Style: Fashion in the Field 2009 Supreme Winner
Nicole Lines is 21 years of age, completed a BCA at Victoria University last year and is now working as human resources administration officer at the Department of Building and Housing in Wellington. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0901/S00229.htm

Physical Exertion: Graduate Soon To Be Dancing Up A Storm
Whitireia graduate Jaydean Tautari has secured a one year contract with dance company Black Grace and will be debuting in Artistic Director Neil Ieremia's brand new work Gathering Clouds which he promises will be "beautiful in its fury." More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0901/S00226.htm

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WORLD

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Defence News: AU Soldiers Wounded In Roadside Bomb Attack
Two Australian soldiers and a dog serving with the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-1) have been wounded in a road-side bomb attack in southern Afghanistan. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00060.htm

Myanmar News: UN Envoy Meets With Pro-Democracy Leader
The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Myanmar continued his visit to the South-East Asian nation today, meeting with Government officials and opposition and other political parties, including with detained pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00059.htm

Scoop World News: Clinton Swearing-In Ceremony - Speech
Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Washington, DC (Applause.) Thank you all very much. Thank you. It is an overwhelming honor to be sworn in to assume this position on behalf of our country. I thank my dear friend, Vice President Biden, and I thank ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00061.htm

Cocaine Wars: Drug Trafficking Biggest Threat To Sierra Leone
Although Sierra Leone continues to progress in consolidating peace six year after a devastating civil war, more remains to be done to make the achievements irreversible, with international drug trafficking posing a critical threat to stability... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00064.htm

Scoop Environment and Conservation: Whaling Cave In
Sydney, Australia, 3 February 2009 – A plan released today by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) confirms negotiations to undo the global moratorium on commercial whaling and allow the Government of Japan to kill whales off its coastline and in ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00040.htm

Nuclear: Greenpeace Condemns Nuclear Reactor
Paris - Greenpeace condemns the announcement made by French President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday evening that a new European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) is to be built in Penly, France. It is Greenpeace’s belief that building ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00038.htm

Africa News: Life Sentence Of Former Rwandan Leader Confirmed
The Appeals Chamber of the United Nations tribunal dealing with the 1994 Rwandan genocide today confirmed the life sentence imposed on a former provincial leader convicted for his role in the killings. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00020.htm

ALSO:

UN-Backed Trial of Lyberia's Taylor: Final Witness [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00019.htm [2]

ENDS

Scoop

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Top Scoop Stories 4th February, 2009 News Summary