Top Scoop Stories May 22nd, 2009 News Summary

Friday, 22 May 2009, 4:58 pm
Column: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Auckland: Hide Announces Auckland Transition Agency
Local Government Minister Rodney Hide today announced that Mark Ford would chair the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA). The Agency will manage the transition from the existing seven territorial authorities and one regional council, to a single unitary authority for Auckland and 20 to 30 Local Boards. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00396.htm

ALSO:

National MP flip flops on Super City [2]

Super City steamroller cranks up a gear [3]

Hide readies bulldozers for Auckland democracy [4]

Mayor Harvey congratulates transition leaders [5]

Manukau Mayor ‘cautious’ on transition agency [6]

Former Rodney Mayor on Auckland Transition Agency [7]

Auckland Agency must honour democratic processes [8]

PSA seeks meeting with Akld transition agency [9]

Continuity of Business Key for Auckland Transition [10]

Possible traffic disruption on Monday 25 for Hikoi [11]

Report Calls For Auckland Super City [12]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00404.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00403.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00401.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0905/S00309.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0905/S00310.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00301.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00298.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00297.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0905/S00629.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0905/S00311.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00344.htm [12]

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NZ POLITICS

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Consultation: Electoral Finance Act Issues Paper Launched
An Issues Paper that aims to generate public discussion and ideas about how to address issues around electoral finance reform has been released, Justice Minister Simon Power said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00400.htm

Gordon Campbell: Electricity And The Politics Of Reform
A Rotorua couple get $10 million overpaid by Westpac into their bank account and hive off with it, with Interpol and the police in hot pursuit. The four main power companies get $4.4 billion overpaid into their bank accounts by the New Zealand public and hive off with it scot free... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/05/22/gordon-campbell-on-the-power-company-rip-offs/

ALSO:

Cartoon: Making ends meet with electricity [2]

Smellie Sniffs The Breeze: Unloved Power [3]

NZ generators gouged customers, didn't breach rule [4]

No Power Price Rises for Five Months - Brownlee [5]

Electricity Cos have not breached the Commerce Act [6]

Report raises serious and legitimate concerns [7]

Energy Policy in Disarray Under Brownlee [8]

Labour welcomes report on energy sector [9]

Winter rebate from electricity companies [10]

Profits must spur Government to rein in gentailers [11]

Shocking electricity rip off continues [12]

Comm'n must investigate retail electricity [13]

Consumers being duped by expensive electricity [14]

Meridian Energy claim huge profits not possible [15]

Energy minister Brownlee warns power companies to keep prices stable [16]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00233.htm [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/05/22/smellie-sniffs-the-breeze-unloved-power/ [3]

[4] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/05/21/nz-generators-gouged-customers-didnt-breach-rule/ [4]

[5] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/05/21/no-power-price-rises-for-five-months-brownlee/ [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0905/S00555.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00384.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00398.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00388.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00402.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00286.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00299.htm [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00289.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/22269.html [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/22283.html [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/22290.html [16]

Mt Albert: Another Headline For Lee
Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman confirmed today that he wants to represent Mt Albert after National candidate Melissa Lee said she was aiming for second in the by-election. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00394.htm

ALSO:

Lee Drops Out - Boscawen Still In The Running [2]

Judy Turner: Wait a minute, John Boscawen [3]

Libertarianz: Melissa Lee Almost Right [4]

People's Choice stand a candidate in the Mt Albert [5]

RAM endorses Norman in Mount Albert by-election [6]

Lee admits she would be happy with second place in Mt Albert by-election [7]

Chauvel calls for Govt action against loan-sharks [8]

Labour MP wants crackdown on loan sharks [9]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00395.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00295.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00288.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0905/S00303.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00302.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/22308.html [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00351.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/22231.html [9]

Torture: Maori Party Supports UN Concerns Over Taser Guns
The latest report from the United Nations reinforces the reasons why police in this country shouldn't use tasers, Maori Party police spokesperson Hone Harawira said. ''We agree with the UN when its says that the severe pain caused by tasers could be ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00391.htm

ALSO:

$10 million to complete national taser roll out [2]

Taser Use Is Torture Says UN Report on NZ [3]

Smacking Equated with Torture and Death Penalty [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00399.htm [2]

[3] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00363.htm [3]

[4] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00274.htm [4]

Missing Emails: Brash Requests Inquiry Into Police Investigation
Former Opposition Leader and Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash has today written to Prime Minister John Key and Police Minister Judith Collins formally requesting a Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of the New Zealand Police in relation to their ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00277.htm

ALSO:

Brash Emails: It wasn't me [2]

Hager responds to police cover-up allegations [3]

Review Of Brash Investigation w Independent Input [4]

Key must take action on Brash emails [5]

Nicky Hager on Pundit [6]

Brash calls for inquiry into email investigation [7]

Police to review investigation into 'stolen' Brash emails [8]

Scoop Full Coverage: The Hollow Men [9]

Lyndon Hood: Nat Email Hacked In Parallel Universe [10]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00300.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00228.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00284.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00378.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/good-pr-relies-on-bad-journalism-the-stolen-e-mails-story" target="_blank [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/22251.html [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/22274.html [8]

[9] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0611/S00405.htm [9]

[10] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00009.htm [10]

Funding: Melissa Lee Gets Big Tick From NZ On Air
A report conducted by NZ On Air into funding of Asia Downunder has found that the agency was not misled, and that there is no evidence public funding was misused. More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00278.htm

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Scoop Business: Smellie Sniffs The Breeze: Unloved Power
Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee just doesn’t make sense when he dismisses the reality of rising electricity production costs as “one little aspect of a business plan.” That’s how he characterised the fact that no matter where you look - to wind, hydro, new gas, post-carbon coal, geothermal, tidal, solar and pretty much anything else you care to name - new energy sources cost more than the old ones. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/05/22/smellie-sniffs-the-breeze-unloved-power/

Scoop Advertising: The Advantage Of Breasts In Social Networking
How do you advertise on social networking sites? You are a thirsty stranded marketer and over the desert horizon a shimmer, an oasis, of a vast network appears to quench your parched sand-dried throat. Between you and that cool cool feeling of success, are dunes of client concern... you could quench your thirst by following the Hot Milk Lingerie people. More »[1]

[1] - http://advertising.scoop.co.nz/2009/05/phil-bilbrough-yummy-mummies-and-milky-daddies/

Equity: Govt Prepares For Embarrassment On World Stage
The New Zealand government is preparing to explain to an international forum why it intends to move backwards on women’s rights at work. An official New Zealand delegation, including the Minister of Labour, Kate Wilkinson, is preparing to attend ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00276.htm

ALSO:

Women on boards a competitive advantage [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0905/S00564.htm [2]

Scoop Business: NZ Migrant Inflow Picks Up, Aiding Economy
New Zealand migrant inflows rose to a five-year high last month, stoking optimism that new arrivals will help stoke the nation’s weak economy. A net 2,160 migrants arrived in April, the highest since January 2004 and up from 1,730 in March, according to Statistics New Zealand. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/05/21/nz-migrant-inflow-picks-up-aiding-economy/

Mammals: Look Out For Endangered Southern Right Whales
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is calling on the public to keep an eye out and report sightings of southern right whales which are starting to move along the New Zealand coastline. More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0905/S00270.htm

Here Comes The Science: PM Appoints Chief Science Advisor
Professor Peter Gluckman has been appointed by John Key as the first Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor. "The establishment of this new office demonstrates government recognition of the importance of science in New Zealand's future," says University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0905/S00083.htm

ALSO:

PM appoints Chief Science Advisor [2]

Science appointment may turn be a bitter irony [3]

Appointment of Chief Science Advisor [4]

Backgrounder: PM's Chief Science Advisor [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00357.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0905/S00365.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0905/S00028.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0905/S00029.htm [5]

Weather: Winds, Rain, Snow And More To Come
South Island farmers are being urged to prepare for widespread snow to low levels and strong winds over the next few days, especially in Canterbury. This follows a warning issued yesterday by Canterbury Civil Defence. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0905/S00521.htm

ALSO:

Ready for winter conditions? [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0905/S00257.htm [2]

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COMMENT

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Richard Ehrlich in Bangkok: Suu Kyi On Trial Because American Had "A Vision"
BANGKOK, Thailand -- Burma's military regime wants the world's most famous political prisoner, Aung San Suu Kyi, to confess why she allegedly broke the law to shelter an American Mormon who ''had a vision,'' sneaked into her mildewing villa, and made ... More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00229.htm

Gaza Disowned: The Pope, Israel & ‘Reconciliation'
“Gaza is not on the Pope’s itinerary, nor will it be. There will be no change in these plans. But I’ll say it very clearly, the Pope is absolutely not going to Gaza.” Such were the astounding comments made by the Pope’s spokesman in Israel, ... More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00231.htm

Gordon Campbell: The Power Company Rip-Offs
Spot the difference. A Rotorua couple get $10 million overpaid by Westpac into their bank account and hive off with it, with Interpol and the police pouring over the paper trail, in hot pursuit. The four main power companies get $4.4 billion overpaid ... More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00222.htm

Binoy Kampmark: Twittering Novels – The Great And The New
It had been said that President George W. Bush could only have appreciated Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address through a power point presentation. Lofty, moving, and unsettling language, reducible to dots on a screen. Then came the networking ... More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00230.htm

"Shallow Throat": Is Obama Turning Into Bush Lite?
Maybe this happens to you, too. You go away on vacation for a few months, come back and sort through your snail/email and back copies of magazines and 'net stories, only to find that a good share of the mail is third-class junk/spam and not all that ... More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00207.htm

Martin LeFevre: Where Did Man Go Wrong? Part Four
The great irony of evolution is that, though it took billions of years to evolve a brain capable of awareness of the sacred through self-knowing, employing time prevents us from the realization of that potential. Most people believe, consciously or sub-consciously, ... More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00211.htm

Doctors Warn: Avoid Genetically Modified Food
On May 19th, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) called on “Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM (genetically modified) foods when possible and provide educational materials concerning GM foods ... More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00214.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Cardenio: Scoop Reviews Lost Shakespeare Play
It's not often one gets a chance to review a new play by William Shakespeare. On the other hand, what we have here isn't so much a reconstruction of Shakespeare and Fletcher's lost work as an enthusiastic punt at how it might credibly have been. Or perhaps, the way we might wish it was. And as it turns out, that's rather fun. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00206.htm

ALSO:

Full production of Shakespeare’s lost play [2]

'Lost' Shakespeare play to have world premiere in Wellington [3]

[2] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0904/S00365.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/entertainment/22225.html [3]

The Potato: Accomplished Blower Of Own Trumpet
The promotional work of Potatoes New Zealand for the 2008 United Nations International Year of the Potato has been recognised in a top award. Potatoes New Zealand won recognition at the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) awards on 20 May for their ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0905/S00605.htm

Mental Health: You Want To Talk About It?
“Counselling changes peoples lives,” said Jeff Sanders, CEO of Relationship Services, one of the organisations supporting Counselling Awareness Week (May 17 – 22). More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0905/S00274.htm

Literature: De Goldi Wins Children’s Book Of The Year
Kate De Goldi has won the country’s highest accolade in children’s and young adult writing; tonight she took the 2009 New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award for her novel, The 10PM Question. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0905/S00267.htm

ALSO:

Art Guide for Kiwi Kids Wins NZ Post Book Award [2]

Letterboxes undergo literary treatment [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0905/S00282.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0905/S00090.htm [3]

Primary Health: Schools Challenged To Become Healthier
More than one quarter of New Zealand schools should be participating in the popular Healthy Heart Award by the end of the year. That is the hope of the Heart Foundation as it re-launches the health and wellbeing programme, with a brand new name and stronger ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0905/S00157.htm

Religion: Dalai Lama Visit Confirmed
The Dalai Lama Visit Trust New Zealand is pleased to confirm the dates of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to New Zealand in December 2009. The Dalai Lama will give a Public Talk in Auckland at the Vector Arena on Saturday December 5th 2009 commencing ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0905/S00238.htm

Community: African Youth Fest Premieres in Auckland
The first African Youth Festival (AFRYFEST '09) to be held on Sunday 31 May 2009, 4pm at the Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, will bring together community professionals, government officials and cultural groups to deliberate on how we can build strong ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0905/S00234.htm

Depression: Land Of The Long Black Cloud
We all have crappy days, even crappy weeks. Somewhere down the line, a persistent crappy mood morphs into that monster we call clinical depression. The key symptoms are a consistently low mood, low energy, and a loss of interest and pleasure... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0905/S00132.htm

ALSO:

Medicate Me [2]

Quiet pages: the reporting of suicide in NZ media [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0905/S00133.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00235.htm [3]

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WORLD

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Religion: Guilty Plea To Attack On Scientology Website
A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to his role in a cyber attack on Church of Scientology websites in January 2008 that rendered the websites unavailable. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00321.htm

Development: Food Purchase From Small-Scale Kenyan Farmers
New York, May 19 2009 2:10PM The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has for the first time bought food from small-scale farmers in Kenya under a new initiative aimed at boosting agriculture by connecting farmers to markets. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00324.htm

Education: World’s First Tuition-Free, Online University
New York, May 19 2009 2:10PM A leading arm of the United Nations working to spread the benefits of information technology today announced the launch of the first ever tuition-free online university. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00326.htm

Refugees: Pakistan: The Issue Of The Internally Displaced
Internally displaced persons are human beings and citizens. They are in a displaced situation not of their own choice but due the fact the government has failed to provide them the protection to enable them to remain in their homes. Displacement does not ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00311.htm

ALSO:

More Camps For Pakistan’s Displaced [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00340.htm [2]

Mock Trial: Aung San Suu Kyi's Trial Begins
Aung San Suu Kyi's court hearing finished for the day. The next hearing begins tomorrow at 10am. Her lawyers were diverted from the usual route away from Insein prison by authorities due to the large number of crowds that have gathered over the course ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00284.htm

ALSO:

Vigil For Aung San Suu Kyi in Wgtn on Thursday [2]

Day Two Of Aung San Suu Kyi’s Trial [3]

Myanmar: Arrest Of Pro-Democracy Leader [4]

Influenza A(H1N1) Cases Rises To Nearly 6,500 [5]

Guidance For Influenza A(H1N1) Caregivers [6]

A(H1N1) Cases Now Reported In 33 Countries [7]

Pause In Deaths From Influenza A(H1N1) [8]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00251.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00312.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00335.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00269.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00242.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00256.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00198.htm [8]

Sri Lanka: Rebels Within A Dysfunctional Democracy
Following the demise of the LTTE leadership there is now much discussion about the LTTE itself. In 1971 a similar movement in the south to the LTTE was the JVP and this movement, lead by Rohana Wijeweera, took to arms again from 1987 to 1991. Today ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00310.htm

Ethnic Tension: Its Genocide In Niger Delta, Says Group
GRASSROOTS Initiative for Peace and Democracy (GIPD), a civil society group, yesterday claimed that what was going on in the Ijaw area of Warri in Delta State ''is a premeditated war of genocide aimed at wiping out the Ijaw people''. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00315.htm

Cook Islands: World’s First Recession Free Country
The Cook Islands Government today announced that the nation has officially decided not to take part in the worldwide recession, making it the world’s first Recession Free Oasis. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00280.htm

Somali Pirate Attack: Australian Navy Deters Somali Pirates
The Royal Australian Navy Frigates, HMA Ships Sydney and Ballarat, last night came to the aid of the merchant vessel MV Dubai Princess, after she raised distress signals in the Gulf of Aden. The MV Dubai Princess claimed it was under attack from pirates, ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00282.htm

ALSO:

Additional Imagery And Audio Available [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0905/S00283.htm [2]

ENDS

Scoop

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Top Scoop Stories May 22nd, 2009 News Summary