15/12/10 - Data shows LPG boom

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LPG production is up, demand for petrol down and coal generated electricity is at an eight-year low, new energy information shows.

The New Zealand Energy Quarterly for the September quarter was released today by the Ministry of Economic Development.

It showed increased LPG production at the Kupe and gas field had resulted in the largest quarterly LPG production since the June quarter in 2006.

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said that meant New Zealand did not need to import LPG for the fist time since the March quarter in the same year.

The figures also showed demand for diesel was up for the first time in two years, while demand for petrol was 0.6 percent lower than the same quarter last year.

New Zealand recorded the largest ever quarterly electricity generation in the September quarter, that was almost entirely attributable to the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter returning to full production, the report said.

Electricity generated from renewable sources was at 74 percent, having ranged between 70 and 76 percent since the December 2008 quarter.

Hydro generated electricity accounted for 55.1 percent of all electricity in the September quarter. Gas was the second highest source with 22.8 percent.

Meanwhile coal generated electricity continued to fall and was at an eight-year low for the quarter at just 3.8 percent of all electricity. That was largely to due to the increased availability of gas, the report said.

Electricity generated in New Zealand produced 1562kt of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in the quarter.

That was relatively low per unit of electricity due to the reduction in coal and increase in hydro generated electricity.

The report also showed expected increases in petrol and electricity prices due to the emission trading scheme and GST rise respectively.

A survey on November 15 showed electricity prices for customers on an average 8000kwh a year went up 2.6 percent.

Fuel companies rose their prices by an average 3 cents/litre following the introduction of liquid fuels into the ETS on July 1.

The annual New Zealand Energy Quarterly would also be released later today

(Source Dominion Post)

15/12/10 - Petrol price shoots past the $2 a litre shock barrier

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Petrol prices have hit a two-year high, breaking the "shock horror" point of $2 a litre, the Automobile Association says.

Petrol prices rose 3 cents a litre yesterday, taking increases since September to 22c a litre. Some car owners are now paying more than $100 to fill their tanks.

Part of the 22c rise relates to the October increase in GST.

Greenstone, which operates Shell stations, put up 91 octane to $1.95.9 a litre, with its 95 octane rising to $2.02.9 a litre. Diesel rose 4c a litre to $1.32.9.

Other big petrol companies are expected to follow suit.

Small player Gull said it would hold off till next Monday, with its prices 4c a litre less than Shell.

Greenstone blamed the latest increase on the steadily rising cost of oil, which is now about US$88 (NZ$117) a barrel.

The New Zealand dollar had also weakened, making fuel imports more expensive.

Oil prices have risen because of increased demand after the severe cold in Europe this winter. There is also continued strong demand from emerging economies such as China and India.

AA general manager Mike Noon said it could see why petrol had gone up, although diesel profit margins were now at the top of the usual range in New Zealand.

"We would have expected any move on diesel to be 2c a litre, not 4c," he said.

The "psychological number" for drivers was $2 a litre. The cost of 91 octane was close to $2 and 95 octane above that mark already.

"The shock horror factor comes when they say that is so expensive ... when you fill the car up and it is more than $100 [a tank]," Mr Noon said.

Even smaller cars were costing close to $100 to fill.

"That's a lot of money close to Christmas and before holidays when people go off to drive. It is not a good time for prices to be going up."

(Source Dominion Post)

14/12/10 - New Zealand GDP to Grow 2.1% in Year to March, Survey of Economists Shows

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New Zealand’s economy will expand at a slower pace than previously predicted amid sluggish consumer spending, according to a survey of economic forecasters.

Gross domestic product will increase by 2.1 percent in the year ending March 31, 2011, according to the average estimate of 10 economists surveyed by the Wellington-based New Zealand Institute of Economic Research Inc. Three months ago, they forecast a 2.8 percent expansion. Growth will be 3.5 percent in the year through March 31, 2012, stronger than the previous prediction of 3.1 percent, according to the survey.

“Economic data has been disappointing since the September release,” the institute said today in an e-mailed statement. “These are consistent with slowing economic conditions before recovery from mid-2011.”

Slower near-term growth adds to signs that the central bank will keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged until the second quarter next year. Governor Alan Bollard last week lowered his 2010 growth forecast and increased his 2011 projection, saying rebuilding after a magnitude 7 earthquake that struck the South Island city of Christchurch in September will buoy activity over the next two years.

The quarterly survey includes the forecasts of the Reserve Bank, Treasury Department, seven bank economists and the institute.

(Source Bloomberg)

15/12/10 - Bid to stop cricketer's deportation fails

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Wellington club cricketer Sachin Cooray was a rising star until his deportation this week.

Cooray, 23, left Auckland yesterday on a flight to Thailand that would eventually return him to his homeland, Sri Lanka.

He came to New Zealand on a student visa, which had lapsed.

A last-minute appeal to Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson to allow him to stay was turned down.

However, if Cooray repays the cost of his flight, the Government would waive the usual five-year stand-down period, meaning that he could apply immediately to return.

Cooray had been working as a coach with Cricket Wellington and played for Wellington Collegians premier team. Cricket Wellington chief executive Gavin Larsen said he was an exceptionally talented young man who had been careless and naive about his immigration status.

"He's been turning the heads of selectors here in Wellington; undoubtedly he still is on our radar."

Cooray was also a good person and was making a superb contribution to the community, Mr Larsen said. Cricket Wellington would love to have him back and would help him with future visa applications.

Cooray said he was sad to be leaving but still loved New Zealand. He was unsure whether he would try to return.

(Source The Dominion Post)

14/12/10 - Man jailed over illegal workers loses appeal

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A Hawke's Bay man jailed for conspiring to assist overstayers and ship jumpers to live and work illegally in New Zealand has failed in a bid to have his sentence reduced.

Former company directors Michael Porter, Miles Elliot, Darminder Singh and his father Surjit Singh, went on trial in May this year for employing illegal workers between September 2004 and December 2006 and paying them in cash.

Three days into the six-week trial, all pleaded guilty.

The former directors were jailed for three years, with Surjit Singh given nine months' home detention.

Elliot went to the Court of Appeal, which decided imprisonment was appropriate given the seriousness of the offending.

The court said a 15% discount the judge in Hastings gave for a late guilty plea was generous.

(Source Radio New Zealand)

14/12/10 - Immigration to New Zealand – The Safest and Friendliest Places to Live

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New Zealand is world renowned as one of the safest and friendliest places to live, as well as for having one of the most unique and beautiful environments, with a plethora of outdoor activities to choose from.

As one of the most popular tourist destinations, this international appeal extends further to individuals and families who wish to make the move to New Zealand permanently.

In accordance with immigration policy, there are various categories under which entry may be applied for, including the skilled migrants, business and investment, family quotas, refugee status, and other miscellaneous categories relating to the relationships New Zealand has with its Pacific neighbours.

However, the skilled migrant category is by far the main pathway to residency in New Zealand, ensuring that those people entering the country have the desired skills, experience and knowledge to further contribute to the growth of the economy and the creation of employment opportunities.

Additionally, as a result of the most recent housing boom and following economic recession, the situation of zero and negative equity has been experienced by many, as properties were purchased in the height of the housing boom at exuberant prices.

The effect of recessionary pressures and rising unemployment rates during the past year has meant a double blow for many homeowners, with reducing equity and worth for their properties, coupled with poor labour market conditions, crippling many households with hefty mortgages that are now harder to service.

However, as the market is indicating the first signs of recovery, the willingness of owners to place their house on the market is increasing, with many bargains available throughout the entire country.

Escalating demand for a pre-set number of places results in many suitably qualified individuals being denied, as only the best prepared applications will be accepted.

A licenced professional and experienced consultant that specialises in New Zealand immigration is best placed to provide sound advice on eligibility criteria and the submission process, increasing your chances of being accepted.

Not only can consultants reduce the stress and time involved, they can also streamline the process and provide the necessary information and assistance in relation to employment, housing, relocation and adaption to the New Zealand culture once your application has been accepted.

Don’t become one of the thousands of statistics denied due to improperly filed ppalications.

Contact a licenced immigration consultant to ensure that your relocation to New Zealand is as enjoyable as your new life in this great country will be.

14/12/10 - Leniency urged on island overstayers

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A parliamentary report into New Zealand's relationship with the Pacific Islands has called for a semi-amnesty on overstayers, saying Immigration should go easy on otherwise law-abiding overstayers who front up.

The inquiry by the foreign affairs select committee began under the Labour government in 2007 and has taken four years to complete, including visiting several island nations.

Although it predominantly looked at Pacific countries, it also addressed the plight of Pacific Islanders in New Zealand saying it was concerned that overstayers' children were not getting the education or healthcare they needed because parents were afraid they would get caught.

The committee rejected calls for an amnesty, saying it would send the wrong signal about respect for the law.

However, it recommended immigration give "sympathetic consideration" to granting residency for otherwise law abiding overstayers who were well-settled and who voluntarily approached Immigration. It also proposed extending the regional seasonal employment scheme to reduce the incentive to overstay.

The report also called for more attention to be given to countries for which New Zealand has some constitutional responsibility - Niue, the Cook Islands and Tokelau - as well as Polynesia and Kiribati.

It said the Government should ensure those countries received similar standards of health, education, policing and justice services that a town or city of similar size would expect in New Zealand.

Rules for pension eligibility should also be relaxed so people could return or move to those islands without affecting their pensions. Such a move would help the economy of the islands as well as injecting that money directly into the economy rather than filtering it through "island bureaucracies".

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the Government would give consideration to the "thought provoking" recommendations before giving its formal response, due next March.

He was already considering the pensions issue, saying there was currently a "massive incentive" for people who would otherwise want to go to the islands to instead remain in New Zealand for pension eligibility.

However, other recommendations were likely to be expensive and required fuller thought.

Overall, the report said the $600 million in aid should be closely focused on the Pacific rather than spread too thinly wider afield.

It recommended more investment in young businesses, including the setting up of a $100 million fund to lend money for new business ventures and providing natural disaster insurance to give investors more confidence.

The committee said it was "deeply concerned" about the welfare of the people of Fiji following the December 2006 coup, but endorsed the sanctions.

Committee chairman John Hayes said the report was the most significant review of relationships with Pacific countries in more than 25 years.

(Source Claire Trevett, NZ Herald)

14/12/10 - Amnesty for overstayers urged

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A lawyer who represents overstayers says there is a compelling argument for some to be given amnesty.

A Parliamentary report into New Zealand's relationship with the Pacific recommends the Immigration Service give sympathetic consideration to granting residency for otherwise law-abiding overstayers, who were well settled, and who voluntarily approached Immigration.

Immigration lawyer Richard Small says the great untold story of overstaying in New Zealand is the unlicensed immigration consultant industry.

He said up to three-quarters of his clients had eligibility for either long term permits or residents, but were let down by immigration consultants.

The report also stated concerns about the number of Pacific Island children not going to school because their parents are overstayers.

Mr Small says there is still a high level of confusion and fear for families and his office often sees teenagers who have not been to school for eight or so years. He says giving amnesty to those people saves the country social problems.

An Auckland city councillor Arthur Anae agrees, saying the children must be educated and get medical attention, otherwise "they're going nowhere".

The report urges leaders of Pacific communities to encourage overstayers to step forward for the sake of their children.

(Source Radio New Zealand)

10/12/10 - NZ-based Burmese refugee wins Human Rights award

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A Wellington-based political refugee from Burma has won Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand's Human Rights Defender award.

Naing Ko Ko was presented the award in Auckland this evening after being selected from a short list of 16 nominees.

The award celebrates outstanding contributions to the defence, promotion or advancement of human rights in the Asia-Pacific region.

Amnesty International said Naing Ko Ko took part in the pro-democracy student demonstrations in 1988. He was arrested in 1992 and spent seven years in prison, where he was tortured by military intelligence officers - partly for trying to learn English.

"It was like high treason," he said. "Political prisoners were not allowed to read and write."

He fled to Thailand in 1998 upon release and was accepted as a refugee in New Zealand in 2006.

"I am very humbled to receive this award, but I know that with this honour, also comes a responsibility to continue our work to ensure the Burmese people can one day enjoy human rights, democracy and peace," he said.

This year he joined Amnesty International on its Freedom Campaign calling for the release of more than 2200 political prisoners.

Naing Ko Ko said the recent elections this year, won by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, were anything but free and fair.

"They are totally sham elections run by the military junta to try to improve their international credibility."

(Source NZPA)

09/12/10 - Tougher rules for overseas buyers

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Overseas investors wanting to buy up large tracts of farmland will find it tougher under changes announced today.

Finance Minister Bill English has issued a directive to the Overseas Investment Office setting out changes the Government had previously announced.

However two new factors have been added which will have to be considered when investors want to buy areas of farm land that are 10 times or more larger than an average farm.

Debate over foreign ownership has been heated since Chinese interest in buying Crafar Farms. Hong Kong-based company Natural Dairy wants to buy 16 Crafar farms being sold by receivers.

That debate fed into a review Mr English was doing into overseas investment.

He said the changes he made struck a balance.

"They increase ministerial flexibility to consider a wider range of issues when assessing overseas investments in sensitive land, while providing extra clarity and certainty for potential investors and the Overseas Investment Office (OIO)," he said.

The OIO uses a test to evaluate the benefit to New Zealand of sales. The new considerations announced today include an "economic interests" factor. That would allow ministers to consider whether New Zealand's economic interests were adequately safeguarded and promoted.

"This will improve ministerial flexibility to respond to both current and future economic concerns about foreign investment, such as large-scale ownership of farmland."

The second was a "mitigating" factor enabling ministers to consider whether an overseas investment provided opportunities for New Zealand oversight or involvement -- for example, by appointing New Zealand directors or establishing a head office in this country.

"The letter, sent this week, directs the OIO to give these factors high relative importance in any decision of whether overseas investment in large areas of farm land is likely to benefit New Zealand."

Mr English said the definition of large areas of farm land was 10 times the average size of any given type of farm. For example, based on Statistics NZ data, the average dairy farm is 172 hectares, so the threshold will be 1720ha. The average sheep farm is 443ha so the threshold will be 4430ha.

The new factors were in addition to a range of existing factors and a good character test. Regulatory changes will kick in early next year.

Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson said it supported investment but accepted the public was worried about large sales to overseas corporates.

"We're worried that this may be used as the basis for vertically integrated production, processing and marketing business models that send economic benefits overseas.

"All we ask is that appropriate scrutiny is delivered by the authorities, so pre-emptive calls by politicians to make it much harder for foreigners to buy farmland are lessened." Mr Nicolson said farmers wanted to be able to sell land to the highest bidder.

"Any new rules on overseas investment must preserve certainty to landowners, as well as allowing beneficial investment to continue."

He said the trigger point of large farms reduced the risk of unfair decisions but he said he wanted to know about the new mitigating factor.

(Source Otago Daily Times)