Scoop Top Stories February 24th 2010 News Summary

Friday, 26 February 2010, 3:24 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

Gordon Campbell: On The Phil Heatley Saga (And More On Low Budget Films)

Phil Heatley's Resignation Statement - Full Video

NZ POLITICS

Auckland: Super City Consultation "A Mockery"

Telecom Outages: Who Do You Call About A 111 Fault?

Environment: Cabinet To Consider Not Mining Everywhere

Not Shrinking: Big Fire Outside Dunedin

Heard That Word Somewhere Before: Gareth Hughes' Maiden Speech

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

Animal Welfare: Pork Industry Will Reap What They Sow Crate

Mineral Gold? Widespread Wins Chatham Rise Permit

That Was In Tents!The Mt Smart Supertop Sells For $10

High Water: Tsunami Risk Management Programme Updated

John Key on GST, police and the XT faults

COMMENT

Scott Hamilton: In Defence Of Brainwashing

Martin LeFevre: The Troll Under The Bridge

World Cheating The Americans: The Pinot Noir Fraud

Mamoon Alabbasi: Two 'Iraq War' Movies Compete For Awards

Welcome To Scannergate: Terror Scares A Boon for Security Grifters

Binoy Kampmark: Alexander Haig Obituary

Gordon Campbell: The Government’s Environmental Credibility Problems In Canterbury

Susan St John: John Key's Claims On Saving Money

LIFESTYLE

Fringe Review: L Is For Love, Love Is For Losers

Arts Fest's Coming: Shapeshifter Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition

Scoop Review of Books: Death Of An Accidental Anarchist

Religion: Atheist Bus Stalls Before Final Destination

The Harbour Isn’t Enough? Wellington’s Gateway Sculpture Idea

Fringe Review: Gods And Heroes

WORLD

Tonga: Ashika Inquiry Chairman Censures PM Sevele Over ‘Inappropriate’ Remark

Peacekeeping: Haiti Tests UN Peacekeeping’s Speed, Says Official

Gordon Campbell: On The Phil Heatley Saga (And More On Low Budget Films)
Normally when there is a personal cloud over a Minister, they would stand down and/or be removed from their responsibilities by the PM. That is, until (a) the matter was cleared up, or (b) in more serious cases, they had paid sufficient penance on the backbenches to have learned their lesson. There can’t be too many precedents for a Ministerial resignation when the PM doesn’t think it is merited, and especially when (simultaneously) the erring Minister rejects out of hand his leader’s attempt to find an interim solution... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/26/gordon-campbell-on-the-phil-heatley-saga/

ALSO:

• Heatley resigns over credit card spending [2]


• Key: Statement on Phil Heatley’s resignation [3]


• Key: Statement on Phil Heatley’s resignation [4]


• Heatley An Opportunity to Scrap Portfolios [5]


• On board the NUShip Perth [6]

[2] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/25/heatley-resigns-over-credit-card-spending/ [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00356.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00356.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1002/S00287.htm [5]

Phil Heatley's Resignation Statement - Full Video
- More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/33072.html

ALSO:

• Release of expenses claimed by Ministers, members [2]


• Members' expenses (PDF) [3]


• Ministers' Expenses (PDF) [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00354.htm [2]

[3] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1002/ExpensedisclosureOctoberDecember2009PDFforpublishi.pdf [3]

[4] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1002/MinistersExpenses011009to311209.pdf [4]

ALSO:

• Today In Parliament 25.10.09 [2]


• Questions for Oral Answer - 25 February 2010 [3]


• Today In Parliament 24.02.10 [4]


• Questions and Answers - 23 Feb 2010 [5]


• Today In Parliament 23.02.10 [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00218.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00360.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00206.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00340.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00331.htm [6]

Auckland: Super City Consultation "A Mockery"
The short time frame of nine weeks (including the Christmas-New Year holiday break) for submissions to the third Auckland governance bill makes a mockery of democracy, according to the Human Rights Commission. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1002/S00303.htm

ALSO:

• New city needs strong democracy to cope [2]


• Party Central will happen on Queens Wharf [3]


• NZ’s business front row forms for Rugby World Cup [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00361.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00382.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SP1002/S00019.htm [4]

Telecom Outages: Who Do You Call About A 111 Fault?
Police are following up on callers who were unable to reach emergency Police services on 111 this morning. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1002/S00374.htm

ALSO:

• 111 system fault unacceptable: Sepuloni [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00377.htm [2]

Environment: Cabinet To Consider Not Mining Everywhere
News that the Government may scale down its plans to mine the conservation estate shows how public opposition is working, the Green Party said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00376.htm

ALSO:

• John Key’s broken promise, on National’s parks [2]

[2] - http://pundit.co.nz/content/john-key%E2%80%99s-broken-promise-on-national%E2%80%99s-parks" target="_blank [2]

Not Shrinking: Big Fire Outside Dunedin
Ground crews have begun working with aerial fire fighting resources to contain the fire burning north east of Dunedin in the Wenita Mt Allan Forest. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1002/S00366.htm

ALSO:

• Protest at Parliament today in support of Radio New Zealand [2]

[2] - http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=21283 [2]

Heard That Word Somewhere Before: Gareth Hughes' Maiden Speech
My first words in this House are going to be about hope. For, as a Green, what motivates me is hope for a fairer and more prosperous future; as a father I hope for a safer world for my son to inherit; and as a young person I am hopeful for a New Zealand that I will continue to be proud of. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00348.htm

Animal Welfare: Pork Industry Will Reap What They Sow Crate
The pig-headed Pork Industry Board continue to damage their own brand with the revelation they are fighting to keep pigs in sow crates, Green Party Animal Welfare spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00381.htm

ALSO:

• Martin Doyle Cartoon: Another bloody pig [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0905/S00184.htm [2]

Mineral Gold? Widespread Wins Chatham Rise Permit
Widespread Energy and its associate Widespread Portfolios have been granted a prospecting permit on the Chatham Rise, allowing them to test whether the area contains an estimated 100 million tonnes of rock phosphate, which could be worth $28 billion. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/26/widespread-wins-chatham-rise-permit/

That Was In Tents!The Mt Smart Supertop Sells For $10
In what must be the bargain of the century, New Zealand’s iconic music venue, the Mt Smart Supertop, has sold today for just $10. The tent went under the hammer at ‘no reserve’ and sold in less than 10 minutes to the Auckland buyer Mike Ransfield. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1002/S00703.htm

ALSO:

• Fisheries decision shows Fish Act is 'hopeless' [2]


• High Court Ruling a Reprieve for Dolphins [3]


• More Protection Needed For Dolphins [4]


• High Court ruling on dolphins satisfactory [5]


• Play it safe with Moko [6]


• NZers asked to help Stop Dolphin Extinction [7]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00335.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1002/S00264.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1002/S00262.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1002/S00336.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1002/S00340.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0709/S00051.htm [7]

High Water: Tsunami Risk Management Programme Updated
New Zealand’s tsunami risk management programme has taken another step forward with the announcement today of a revised national Tsunami Advisory and Warning Plan. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC1002/S00062.htm

ALSO:

• Joyce not fighting for XT customers [2]


• Telecom network executive resigns amid XT outages [3]


• Time for Minister to get on the blower [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00329.htm [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/23/telecom-network-executive-resigns-amid-xt-outages/ [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00312.htm [4]

John Key on GST, police and the XT faults
- More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/32940.html

ALSO:

• 22 Feb: XT network out again [2]


• SMELLIE SNIFFS THE BREEZE: Call Centre Rage [3]

[2] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/22/xt-network-out-again/ [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/19/smellie-sniffs-the-breeze-call-centre-rage/ [3]

Scott Hamilton: In Defence Of Brainwashing
It is unusual for the details of an academic course to become a hot topic of conversation in the blogopshere, but over the last week or so a paper offered by Mohsen al Attar at the University of Auckland’s Law School has engaged the attention... More »[1]

[1] - http://books.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/24/in-defence-of-brainwashing/

Martin LeFevre: The Troll Under The Bridge
Why does Dick Cheney keep setting up this straw man of “we are at war, not dealing with criminal acts,” when the Obama Administration’s handling of captured alleged terrorists is essentially the same as the Bush Administration’s? More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00191.htm

World Cheating The Americans: The Pinot Noir Fraud
Does it really matter that one is not drinking what it purports to be? The stories of fraud and wine are a continuing feature of the industry. In 2000, it was revealed that wine merchants from Burgundy were engaged in a scheme of mixing vintage ‘grand ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00208.htm

Mamoon Alabbasi: Two 'Iraq War' Movies Compete For Awards
James Cameron's "Avatar" and Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" had battled for best film and best director at the BAFTA awards on Sunday. Bigelow's so called Iraq war movie won best film and director awards. It also picked up gongs for original screenplay, cinematography, editing and sound. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00202.htm

Welcome To Scannergate: Terror Scares A Boon for Security Grifters
Call them what you will: bottom feeders, corporate con-men, flim-flam artists, peddlers of crisis, you name it. You can't help but marvel how enterprising security firms have the uncanny ability to sniff-out new opportunities wherever they can find, or ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00188.htm

ALSO:

• Dubious in Dubai [2]


• Mossad is supposed to gather intelligence [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00173.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00147.htm [3]

Binoy Kampmark: Alexander Haig Obituary
The bluff and bluster of history stills itself from time to time, leaving in its wake the busy activity of revisionism and more sympathetic readings of its figures. A figure who is unlikely to deserve such treatment is the late Alexander Haig, a ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00193.htm

Gordon Campbell: The Government’s Environmental Credibility Problems In Canterbury
Reportedly, Ronald Reagan’s aides would go into in panic mode whenever the avuncular President started to ad lib a few additional points of clarification. The aim may have been candour, but the remarks tended to give a terrifying glimpse into the abyss behind the mask... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/23/the-govt%e2%80%99s-environmental-credibility-in-canterbury/

Susan St John: John Key's Claims On Saving Money
As Tapu Misa noted in the NZ Herald (15th Feb) , the victims of the global crisis are now apparently to blame for their own misery. Key states that many of them "lack the will or desire to work as hard for their living as their fellow New Zealanders"... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00171.htm

Fringe Review: L Is For Love, Love Is For Losers
L is for Love, Love is for Losers is a delightful, hour-long addition to the Fringe Festival’s comedy programme. The music is great. The jokes are funny. Plus Gabriel Page is a pleasure to watch and has a great voice to boot! More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00221.htm" name="fringe26th

ALSO:

• Arts Festival 2010 [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00071.htm [2]

Arts Fest's Coming: Shapeshifter Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition
Senses will again be challenged and perspectives shifted at Banks Shoes shapeshifter, one of New Zealand’s premier sculpture exhibitions. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1002/S00427.htm

ALSO:

• Mt Victoria Inner City Festival - It's on TOMORROW [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1002/S00435.htm [2]

Scoop Review of Books: Death Of An Accidental Anarchist
Colin Ward one of the English language’s most eloquent advocates of anarchism has died. The author of Anarchy in Action – a brilliant exploration of anarchist ideas – was 85. This book has illustrated the arguments for anarchism, not from theories, but from actual examples.. More »[1]

[1] - http://books.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/23/death-of-an-accidental-anarchist/

ALSO:

• Fringe 2010 [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00071.htm#fringe [2]

Religion: Atheist Bus Stalls Before Final Destination
The NZ Atheist Bus Campaign, which late last year raised in excess of $20,000 from public donations, has met a set back in their plans. Nationwide bus company NZ Bus, who had tentatively approved the campaign’s ads on buses in major city centres, have now rejected them. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1002/S00380.htm

The Harbour Isn’t Enough? Wellington’s Gateway Sculpture Idea
I knew there was a reason for thinking that Wellington’s gateway sculpture idea sounded grandiose. I was reminded of that reason when a report this week said that the people of Bagdhad are pulling down huge monuments built... More »[1]

[1] - http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=21099

Fringe Review: Gods And Heroes
The Wellington Improvisation Troupe (WIT) presented a show based on a great concept at BATS Theatre on Sunday night. It had flashes of brilliance, and some less watchable moments, too. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00184.htm

ALSO:

• Fringe Review: Comedy Unplugged [2]


• Arts Festival 2010 [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00185.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00071.htm [3]

Tonga: Ashika Inquiry Chairman Censures PM Sevele Over ‘Inappropriate’ Remark
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele, has been censured for making an “inappropriate” personal remark to counsel assisting, in a closing statement he gave to the Princess Ashika disaster inquiry following an... More »[1]

[1] - http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/ashika-inquiry-chairman-censures-pm-sevele/

Peacekeeping: Haiti Tests UN Peacekeeping’s Speed, Says Official
The response to the catastrophic earthquake which devastated Haiti last month has proven to be a test case for the ability of United Nations peacekeeping to respond with speed and flexibility, a senior United Nations official has said. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1002/S00585.htm

ENDS

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