Peter Jackson meets Tehanu, Scoop goes to the beech, E-warfare against the PM and much much more....
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A Great Day For Icecream
TOP SCOOPS
Tehanu Meets Peter Jackson In Hobbitton
- After spending months being a stone in the film company’s shoe, I was sick of it. Perhaps they weren’t enjoying it
either, because when I asked to meet the producer Barrie Osborne he agreed. Two days later I was at the Wingnut
production headquarters in Matamata, boggling at a selection of concept art pinned up on the wall. Scary castles, bits
of Hobbiton, things I couldn’t recognise. Spy heaven, in short. ‘Some people at the set want to meet you,’ said Barrie.
‘Who?’ ‘Peter Jackson.’ See... THEONERING.NET: Tehanu Visits Hobbitton Set [1] in the Headlines wire for an exclusive report from Scoop’s content partner http://www.theonering.net/ [2] .
Hawaii Treaty Law Gathers Momentum
- The US Federal Court in Hawaii has given a citizen leave to appeal to the International Court of Arbitration in the
Hague over a claim that the US violated an 1849 Treaty of Commerce, Friendship and Navigation it had with the Hawaiian
Kingdom. John Howard Reports. See... Hawaiian Treaty Case Sent International Court [1] in the Headlines wire.
The Name of The Drug Smuggling Billionaire
- The legal wrangle over the name suppression of a billionaire is back in the Otahuhu District Court today, with the
New Zealand Herald newspaper appealing the original suppression order made by Judge Peter Harvey. Judge Harvey has
reserved his decision on whether to lift the suppression order. Scoop will update as soon as the outcome is known.
Scoop Opinion: Countering Doom and Gloom
- A few days ago I watched a programme made by Nicholas Booth in 1997 for the BBC Counterblast series, called “The End
of the World?”;. As with John Pilger's documentaries, viewers were warned that this programme represented a critical
“personal view”. Keith Rankin writes. See... Rankin On Thursday [1] in the Headlines wire.
Gulf Petroleum and Petrol Prices
- The smallest player in the petrol business, Gulf Petroleum, says while the price of crude oil continues to climb, it
is determined to keep its prices of oil and petrol down. Meanwhile the four main petrol companies put up the prices of
petrol by 3 cents a litre on midnight yesterday tonight. In the US, petrol companies increasing prices are being accused
by officials of price gouging. John Howard reports. See... Petrol Price Rises [1] in the Headlines wire.
MORE SCOOPS
Guerrilla Warfare In Timberlands
- Prime Minister Helen Clark and the Minister responsible for Timberlands, Pete Hodgson, said they would be demanding
to know from Timberlands why a senior employee was participating in what amounted to guerilla warfare against the
government. See... PM Wants Answers on New Timberlands Allegations [1] . The Green Party is urging the Government to call for the sacking the executive. See... Greens say Timberlands' head must roll [2] both in the Paliament wire.
More Money For Oldies
- Married superannuitants will receive another $21.42 a week in their pockets from April 1. See... Pensions to rise as Super wage floor restored [1] for the announcement from Finance Minister Michael Cullen. Deputy Prime Minister and Alliance leader Jim Anderton
says he is pleased to deliver on policy promises. See... Alliance pleased to deliver on NZ Super [2] . ACT says that Alliance and Labour's pension is good news for pensioners but provides nothing for their children
or grandchildren. See...Good News For Pensioners But What About Their Kids [3] . National says New Zealanders want the politics taken out of superannuation. See... Take Politics Out Of Superannuation [4] all in the Parliament wire.all in the Parliament wire.
New Apia High Commission
Foreign Minister Phil Goff today participated in a ground-breaking ceremony for a New Zealand High Commission building
in the Samoan capital of Apia. See... Goff Opens New NZ High Commission In Apia [1] in the Parliament wire.
Interim Health Bosses Named
- Health Minister Annette King today announced the four directors of an interim board to oversee the process of
bringing the Health Funding Authority into the Ministry of Health. See... Re Health Funding Authority Directors [1] in the Parliament wire.
Corrections Minister Listens At Ngawha
- Minister of Correction Matt Robson today visited the Ngawha area in the Far North to listen to local opinion both for
and against the proposed new prison for the North. See... Minister listens to local concerns for new prison [1] in the Parliament wire.
Electricity Prices Need Inquiry – Minister
- The latest electricity price statistics confirm the need for an inquiry into the electricity industry, the Minister
of Energy, Pete Hodgson, said today. See... Electricity Statistics Confirm Need for Inquiry [1] in the Headlines wire.
Plugging Tax Loopholes
- High earners will successfully avoid up to $250 million more tax in the next three years as a result of the Finance
Minister Michael Cullen’s tax changes which aim to gather an extra 1.5 Billion for government coffers. See... Work Under Way To Minimise Tax Avoidance [1] . National says the Minister is kidding himself if he thinks he can plug the tax loopholes. See... Cullen Too Late On Tax Avoidance Measures [2] . ACT, meanwhile, challenges the Minister to come clean over his proposed tax avoidance measures. See... Cullen Challenged To Come Clean On Tax- ACT [3] all in the Parliament wire.
Prisons and Problems
- Police will be called to investigate a major fraud of $96,000 dollars taken from the Mount Eden prison in the last
two months. Meanwhile Corrections Minister Matt Robson is consulting with locals in Northland to decide whether to erect
a new penitentiary there. See... Correction Minister Visits Prisons [1] in the Parliament wire.
Tourism Ministry Needed
- The Green Party is urging the Government to set up a Ministry of Tourism in recognition of the importance of the
industry to the economy and its potential to create jobs. See... Tourism Deserves Better - Greens [1] in the Parliament wire.
Pinochet Protest
- The purpose of today's hearing is to ensure that Augusto Pinochet's fitness to stand trial is decided fairly and
according to law. The implications of the decision go far beyond the fate of one man. See... Human Rights Groups Pinochet Statement [1] in the Politics wire.
Bad Month For Building
- Statistics New Zealand estimates the number of new dwelling units authorised in December at 1,963, substantially
lower than in each of the preceding nine months. See... December 1999, New Dwellings Decline [1] and the Deutsh Bank Analysis... Estimate of New Dwelling Units - December 1999 [2] both in the Business wire.
Money Back In The Farm
- Federated Farmers Sharemilkers' Section Chairperson Michael Pallesen says he is pleased that dairy farm owners are
choosing to invest their Kiwi Bonus Share issue payment in farm development, or are passing a portion onto their
sharemilker. See... Farmers Investing Kiwi Bonus Share Payout On Farms [1] in the Business wire.
Tampon Tax – Aussie Whingers
- A Nelson women's group, the LUNA Collective for Women's Wellness, believe all the fuss about paying more for sanitary
products in Australia once GST is introduced is completely unnecessary. See... Stop Ya Whinging ! [1] in the General wire.
The Cost of National’s Advice
- State Services Minister Trevor Mallard said today that the unacceptable high cost of consultants under the former
National Government highlights the need to crack down on their use. See... Government Releases Information On Consultants [1] in the Parliament wire.
Health Costs “Flakey”
- The Health Minister's figures for the restructuring of the health sector are "flakey" and lack supporting evidence,
Opposition Health spokesperson Wyatt Creech said today. See... Health Restructuring Costs Hot Air - Nats [1] in the Parliament wire.