Top Scoop Stories - 17 December 2007 News Summary

Monday, 17 December 2007, 2:04 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops - December 17, 2007

LEAD STORY:

Treaty: Waikato River Agreement in Principle

NZ POLITICS:

Elections: Ex-Labour-PM Against Bill
Poll Watch: End Of Year Polls Say National Governs Alone
Legislation: Peters Goes On Electoral Finance Bill Offensive
Health: 9 Out Of 10 Senior Doctors Vote For Industrial Action
Education: Tertiary Funding Round Leaves Some Hungry
Policing: CATT releases report on Taser Trial

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:

Kiwi Pride: NZ Scientists Triumph On Dating Scene
Employment: ACC Ends Mediation With AFFCO
Employment: Balance Key For Kiwi Workers
Commerce: Auckland Airport Advises Against Takeover Offer
Conservation: Missing Kiwi Causes Concern

WORLD:

India: Officials Concede Narmada Dam Illegal
Conservation Blueprint: A Dozen Ways To Save The Tiger
Hush Hush: Is Japan Secretly Planning A New Whaling Ship?
Indonesia: An Orangutan Plan To Curb Carbon Emissions

COMMENT:

Pablo Ouziel: Fantasyland for Poker Diplomacy: Iran
Bob Fitrakis & Harvey Wasserman: Ohio Secretary of State confirms 2004 election could have been stolen
Rosalea Barker: Prelude to the 2008 Elections, Part 1

LIFESTYLE:

Lingo: Word The Year 2007: Te Qaeda
Dance: Royal New Zealand Ballet's Season of RED
Body Movement: Next Generation Of Dancers Kick-Start Careers

Treaty: Waikato River Agreement in Principle - Waikato-Tainui and the Crown have reached a major milestone towards the settlement of the tribe's Waikato River claim. An Agreement in Principle was signed today at a special meeting of the tribal Parliament for Waikato-Tainui, Te Kauhanganui o Waikato. More >> [1]

ALSO:
• NZ Govt - Waikato te awa - he piko he taniwha [2]
• NZ Govt - Agreement in Principle With Waikato-Tainui [3]
AND:
• NZ Govt - Bill returns the title of Mauao to tângata whenua [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00363.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00360.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00362.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00370.htm

Elections: Ex-Labour-PM Against Bill - Outspoken criticism of the Electoral Finance Bill by former Labour Prime Minister Mike Moore shows Labour needs to dump it, says National Party Leader John Key. "He is so concerned about it that he says the restrictions it brings are without precedent in the free world." More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Scoop Full Coverage - Election Finance Bill [2]

• Scoop Full Coverage - Mike Moore Opinion Piece Ruckus [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00369.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0711/S00319.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00413.htm

Poll Watch: End Of Year Polls Say National Governs Alone - Two voting intention polls over the weekend have given National an outright majority - suggesting that if an election were held now National would be able to govern alone. A 3 News-TNS poll put National on 51% and a One News-Colmar Brunton Poll gave them 54%, extending their lead over Labour to 15 and 19 points respectively. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• TV3 Video - Blue leaves red and green behind in xmas election poll [2]
• SOLO - Sense of Life Objectivists - Clark-Cullen Fascism On The Way Out! [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00209.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/4035.html
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00205.htm

Legislation: Peters Goes On Electoral Finance Bill Offensive - "Ordinary New Zealanders can still say what you like, do what you like, protest, shout, chant slogans and walk to the steps of parliament or whatever. Those who are part of this largely foreign owned clique who have pillaged our economy since 1984 cannot buy the next election!,"More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Greens - National's chilling effect on free speech [2]
• Greens - Electoral Finance Bill - the Green position [3]
• National - Shadbolt may feel wrath of Labour's election law [4]
• National - News Worthy: Electoral Finance Bill [5]
• www.mccully.co.nz - 14 December [6]
• David Thornton - More madness possible from Electoral Finance Bill [7]
• Scoop Full Coverage - Scoop Full Coverage: Election Finance Bill [8]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00340.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00356.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00296.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00343.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00345.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00350.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00181.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0711/S00319.htm

Health: 9 Out Of 10 Senior Doctors Vote For Industrial Action - "A sea change has occurred in New Zealand's health system with 9 out of 10 senior doctors voting for limited industrial action," said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Medical Association - Urgent action needed on industrial situation [2]
• CTU - Quick Resolution Needed In Senior Doctors Dispute [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0712/S00065.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0712/S00066.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0712/S00067.htm

Education: Tertiary Funding Round Leaves Some Hungry - The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has announced more than $2.2 billion of the approximately $3.3 billion a year that it invests in tertiary education on behalf of the taxpayer. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Tertiary reforms to 'encourage excellence' [2]
• NZ Govt - Hapi appointed as new Tertiary Commissioner [3]
• National - Bad start for latest tertiary reforms [4]
• National - Shadbolt right, TEC wrong on tertiary reforms [5]
• National - Hodgson still silent on open uni access [6]
• United Future - UF backs Southland [7]
• Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics NZ - 1.2% funding increase leaves ITPs (and NZ) short [8]
• Association of University Staff - Tertiary reforms on right track, say staff [9]
• Otago Polytechnic Student's Association - National Admits Success of Free Education [10]
• Otago Polytechnic Student's Association - It's All about the Bling [11]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0712/S00062.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00223.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00276.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00237.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00268.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00330.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00337.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0712/S00063.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0712/S00064.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0712/S00058.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0712/S00065.htm

Policing: CATT releases report on Taser Trial - The Campaign Against the Taser (CATT) has today released its report on the police Taser trial... "A shocking forty percent of incidents were in breach of the Standard Operating Procedures." More >> [1]

EARLIER:

• Amnesty International - AI calls for moratorium on Taser decision [2]
• Police Association - Taser Opponents Lack New Zealand Perspective [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00191.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00125.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00149.htm

Kiwi Pride: NZ Scientists Triumph On Dating Scene - Our national sporting teams may have had a patchy year, but New Zealand scientists have done their bit to put the country on the international map. A water dating laboratory operated by GNS Science has come out top in an accuracy test in which 70 water dating laboratories around the world participated. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0712/S00043.htm

Employment: ACC Ends Mediation With AFFCO - The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has withdrawn from mediation with AFFCO over a $1 million debt owed to the Corporation. "In 2000 AFFCO entered an agreement with ACC that explicitly stated they would be responsible for any injury that occurred on their premises, whether or not they were at fault. In return Affco paid reduced ACC levies." More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00203.htm

Employment: Balance Key For Kiwi Workers - New Zealand's leading remuneration consultants say more money isn't the key to keeping Kiwi workers - it's improving their work-life balance and supporting their careers. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• ASB Group Investments - Up To Half Of KiwiSavers Showing No Preference [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00281.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00282.htm

Commerce: Auckland Airport Advises Against Takeover Offer - The board of Auckland Airport is advising its shareholders to reject the partial takeover offer from the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) for $3.6555 per share... "We do not believe the offer fully reflects the value of Auckland Airport. More >> [1]

EARLIER:

• Canada Pension Plan Investment Board - Partial takeover offer opens for AIAL shares [2]
• Auckland Airport - Airport Directors' Recommendation Due Monday [3]

• Air New Zealand - Evacuation of Cargo Building [4]
• Auckland Public Health - Measles in air traveller triggers alert [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00283.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00253.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00254.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00242.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0712/S00054.htm

Conservation: Missing Kiwi Causes Concern - Whakatane Kiwi Project staff are worriedabout the fate of a 10 month old kiwi, after its transmitter and harness were found cut off the bird. The transmitter and harness were found on November 29 in the crown of a ponga tree, however the bird, which is normally located in Ohope Scenic Reserve, has not been seen since. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00169.htm

India: Officials Concede Narmada Dam Illegal - A director of the government agency responsible for India's controversial Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam has admitted that the construction of the dam to the height of 121.9 metres has led to the illegal submergence of houses and farms. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S00907.htm

Conservation Blueprint: A Dozen Ways To Save The Tiger - Following recent reports that the world's wild tigers have dwindled to as few as 3,000, one dozen of the 14 countries with remaining wild tiger populations recently publisheda unified global ''roadmap'' to save the tiger from imminent extinction. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S00903.htm

Hush Hush: Is Japan Secretly Planning A New Whaling Ship? - All around the world, increasing numbers of people are urging Japan to give up its whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Back in Japan however, there is evidence that plans are emerging to build a brand new whaling factory ship. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S00899.htm

Indonesia: An Orangutan Plan To Curb Carbon Emissions - ''In the last 35 years about 50,000 orangutans are estimated to have been lost as their habitats shrank. If this continues, this majestic creature will likely face extinction by 2050,'' said Indonesian President Susilo Bambang. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S00908.htm

Pablo Ouziel: Fantasyland for Poker Diplomacy: Iran - After reviewing the mainstream media reports on the political response to the National Intelligence Estimate, it seems clear to me that the leaders of the 'Axis of Good' are bent on betting all their stakes on Iran. Although the summary of the findings ... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00218.htm

Bob Fitrakis & Harvey Wasserman: Ohio Secretary of State confirms 2004 election could have been stolen - Ohio's Secretary of State announced this morning that a $1.9 million official study shows that "critical security failures" are embedded throughout the voting systems in the state that decided the 2004 election... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00217.htm

Rosalea Barker: Prelude to the 2008 Elections, Part 1 - This first part of a series, provides background and a summation of activity to date on what has become an extremely hot and divisive topic in the world of verified voting activists: the banning of DREs. Although this April 2007 YouTube... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00210.htm

Lingo: Word The Year 2007: Te Qaeda - The ironic coinage "Te Qaeda" is the Public Address readers' Word of the Year for 2007. Readers of the award-winning group blog site Public Address (publicaddress.net) ranked their top five words or phrases from a list of 22 finalists generated in a discussion thread on Public Address System, the community section of the site. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00211.htm

Dance: Royal New Zealand Ballet's Season of RED - The Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to bring you the TOWER Season of RED. This exciting programme comprises three works from outstanding choreographic voices. From a 19th Century classic to exciting contemporary works, RED promises to ignite your passion for dance. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0712/S00203.htm

Body Movement: Next Generation Of Dancers Kick-Start Careers - To top off a stellar year for the New Zealand School of Dance, thirteen students from the School have recently secured professional contracts with prestigious professional dance companies. More >> [1] >

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0712/S00189.htm

ENDS

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