Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 31 January 2006, 3:45 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Intelligence: Spook Sniffer Boss Fails To Satisfy Critics - Greens
Science: French Scientists Claim NZ Seabed
Politics: Uncle Clayton Wants You... To Fill In Your Census Form
Housing: Nats Say Tenancy Reform Will Cause Rental Housing Shortage
Bi-Culturalism: Hoani Waititi Marae Open Day On Waitangi Day
Safety: Kennel Club Talks Tough On Vicious Dogs
MORE HEADLINES
Kiwi Pride: US Film Festival Audience Falls For NZ Movie
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SCOOP COLUMNS:
Upton-on-Line Salute Auckland Tree Saviours
Bernard Weiner Asks Why the GOP Wants Phone Taps, Bin Laden Tapes, Search Engine Records and No Al Gore
More Commentary

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Industry: Bradford Encouraged AirNZ Taken On Union Solution
Trade: Oxfam Calls For Goff To Pursue Fair Trade -
Legislation: UF Puts Pressure On Govt Over Prostituion

Intelligence: Spook Sniffer Boss Fails To Satisfy Critics - Greens

Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) head Warren Tucker's entry into the public debate over his agency is welcome, but his opinion piece raises more questions than it answers, says Green MP Keith Locke. "We're past the point where New Zealanders can blindly accept assurances that this Bureau is acting in our national interests, when we know that the US National Security Agency is filtering phone, fax and email data coming through Waihopai. See... Spy chief's statement welcome but lacking - Greens [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00172.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00236.htm

Science: French Scientists Claim NZ Seabed

- French ocean research vessel Marion Dufresne stopped off in Wellington yesterday, during an international research effort investigating climate change, sediment deposits and the history of mountain-sized underwater avalanches on the New Zealand sea floor. See... Reseach Vessel Stops off in Wellington on Journey into Past [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00226.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0601/S00035.htm

Politics: Uncle Clayton Wants You... To Fill In Your Census Form

- "Statistics New Zealand is employing 6500 census collectors, has printed more than four million forms, set up an internet form, contacted numerous community groups and developed a comprehensive communication and advertising programme. The television advertising starts tomorrow and runs until after the Census Day. And there is one very simple message: New Zealanders benefit from the census. So today I call on all New Zealanders to participate. See... Cosgrove urges full participation in 2006 Census [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00170.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00171.htm

Housing: Nats Say Tenancy Reform Will Cause Rental Housing Shortage

- Proposed changes to rental housing laws could make the housing shortage worse by driving people away from owning rental properties, says National's Housing spokesman, Phil Heatley. He is commenting on a report that the Government is working on changes to the Residential Tenancies Act that include lengthening the amount of notice landlords must give, from 90 days to six months or even a year, when selling a property or removing bad tenants. See... Rental housing changes would drive landlords away [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00168.htm

Bi-Culturalism: Hoani Waititi Marae Open Day On Waitangi Day

- The Open Marae at Hoani Waititi on Waitangi Day Monday February 6 is expected to attract a full complement of Waitakere residents. An open invitation has gone out to the public, including members of the city’s migrant and refugee communities, to mark Waitangi day in traditional Maori style. The Prime Minister the Honourable Helen Clark is expected to confirm her presence at the Open Marae ceremonies in Waitakere. This event is an ideal opportunity to come and learn about the meaning of Waitangi Day at the Waitakere’s most prominent multi-iwi marae, Hoani Waititi. See... Waitakere community gathers at Open Marae [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0601/S00114.htm

Safety: Kennel Club Talks Tough On Vicious Dogs

- The NZ Kennel Club says that tough penalties in the Dog Control Act are no good if the Police and local councils fail to use the powers the Act gives them. On Sunday night, Pauline Cornelius of Otaki suffered nine puncture wounds in her groin and a deep gouge on her leg when she was attacked by a vicious crossbreed. "Responsible dog owners are outraged that little is being done," said Greg Kerr, chief executive of the NZ Kennel Club, the organisation of responsible dog owners. See... Tough dog penalties no good if not used [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00102.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00169.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00101.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0601/S00222.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0601/S00218.htm

Kiwi Pride: US Film Festival Audience Falls For NZ Movie

- Toa Fraser's Debut Feature Film No.2 Has Won The World Cinema Audience Award - Dramatic at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival Park City, Utah: The winners of the 2006 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prizes, World Cinema Jury Prizes and Audience Awards were announced tonight at the closing awards ceremony. The World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic was presented to No. 2 (New Zealand), written and directed by Toa Fraser. See... Kiwi Film Wows Audiences At Sundance Festival [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0601/S00138.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0601/S00136.htm

Upton-on-Line Salute Auckland Tree Saviours

- What is it that makes Paris such a stunning city to live in or mooch around? The cafés? The metro? The dreamily smooth footpaths tailor-made for roller-blading? Well, yes, all those things. But it’s also the trees and the boulevards wide enough to accommodate them. They stretch for kilometres – the plane trees are probably the most memorable, but flowering chestnuts, limes and a score of lesser species run them close. See... Upton-on-Line - Diaspora Edition [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00233.htm

Bernard Weiner Asks Why the GOP Wants Phone Taps, Bin Laden Tapes, Search Engine Records and No Al Gore

- OK, let's try to puzzle out together some recent political events. The unifying thread will appear; it always does because it's always there, even if sometimes out of conscious reach. 1. Why would the Bush Administration deliberately break the law by engaging in electronic surveillance of Americans without getting the required court warrants? See... Bernard Weiner: Weaving the "Why?" Strands [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00238.htm

More Commentary:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00240.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00228.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00234.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00232.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00227.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00242.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00241.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00237.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00239.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00235.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00231.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00230.htm

Industry: Bradford Encouraged AirNZ Taken On Union Solution

- The Green Party is pleased that Air New Zealand has accepted a proposal that will see its heavy maintenance remain in this country but hopes it will not ask employees to make too many sacrifices. Industrial Relations Spokesperson Sue Bradford says she commends the EPMU and other unions on site for the huge amount of work they have done in putting up an alternative to the airline's original plan to shut up shop and head overseas. See... Greens hope Air NZ deal takes off [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00169.htm

Trade: Oxfam Calls For Goff To Pursue Fair Trade -

New Zealand, along with other rich countries, must change its attitude to world trade negotiations and show leadership to deliver reforms that lift people out of poverty, said international agency Oxfam today on the eve of a World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos. See... NZ Must Avoid 'business as usual' at Trade Talks [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00094.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00161.htm

Legislation: UF Puts Pressure On Govt Over Prostituion -

United Future MP Gordon Copeland wants to know when the police will start prosecuting those who buy the services of under-age prostitutes. He was responding to news that a Christchurch Police swoops have netted several young prostitutes, including a twelve-year-old, from the city streets. "One of the key planks of the Prostitution Reform Act was to criminalise "the use for prostitution" of persons under eighteen years. See... Copeland: time to hit prostitutes' clients [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00166.htm

© 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.

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