University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington have put their academic shoulders to the wheel in backing Newsroom online alternative to print media.
Their other foundation partners include auto company Holden and telecommunications lines outfit Chorus.
The association will allow the US auto manufacturer Holden a fresh opportunity to counter the Japanese auto manufacturers which dominate branding on the free-to-air television channels.
Chorus, which is restricted to wholesale activities only, will benefit from additional use of its telecommunications circuits.
It is unsure at this stage if the two universities will contribute from an investment point of view, supplying content, or both.
The universities have long resented what they see as a failure by the daily newspapers in both Wellington and Auckland to give their universities the coverage that they believe they deserve.
Newspapers have long been disappointed by their circulations in universities. In recent years the dailies have clamped down on publishing learned academic articles. More sensitively still, they have ignored requests from the universities to publish their copious degree allocations lists and other such honoraria.
They have dropped their educational roundspeople as part of general belt tightening, thus exacerbating the resentment
Newroom meanwhile indicates that it will have a full time editorial staff approaching in numbers that of a New Zealand metropolitan daily.
The original Newsroom began as a lunge into vertical markets by the NZX. The high-end web aggregator was then acquired by information technology interests which then in turn aggregated it with Scoop, the pioneering New Zealand online challenge to the dailies.
Results were mixed. Scoop stayed in Wellington. Newsroom gravitated to new parentage in Auckland that groomed it for its current apotheosis as a multi-funded direct challenge to the dailies.
There has been talk of the unflappable family-controlled Dunedin-based newspaper chain centred on the Otago Daily Times being involved. This makes sense because Newsroom will require print pick-up.
The failure of Newsroom Versions: 1&2, and also of Scoop to get print pick up was a signal factor in their struggles.
Newsroom Version 3 must have pick-up disseminated through print to let the public at large know that it exists in the first place.
There is mention of dickering with the Wellington based chain Fairfax in exchanging stories. But whatever the stated reason, the real one will be pick-up.
The new Newsroom is unlikely to get it from NZME’s daily NZ Herald or its radio stations.
NZME which has especially aroused the indignation of its university simply by ignoring it gives all the signs of being the target-in-chief for this curious merger of industry and academia.
| From the MSCNewsWire reporters' desk || Friday 17 March, 2017 ||
Ξ Fletcher Building in trading halt pending review of construction unitFletcher Building in trading halt pending review of construction unit
New Zealand-Argentina agricultural agreement signed
AFT Pharmaceuticals raises $9.1M via redeemable share issue, announces SPP
Mondelez confirms Dunedin exit, will consider using third party for Kiwi candy
While you were sleeping: Wall St declines
Steel Structures Seminar Series Steel Structures Seminar Series
Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing has appointed Rob Scoines as general manager for its New Zealand operation.
Mr Scoines, who most recently served as general manager for Logistics at Sanitarium Australia, brings 40 years of experience in a variety of roles such as accounting, HR and manufacturing in different locations, including Auckland. As general manager for Logistics, he led Sanitarium Australia to be considered a preferred supplier by its trading partners over the past 10 years.
"We’re the country’s number one breakfast food manufacturer and this offers the church a unique opportunity to make a positive impact in the community."
“I believe Rob will bring excellent leadership to this role,” said Sanitarium CEO Kevin Jackson. “He has what it takes to grow a high-performing team as we continue sharing our message of health and hope for a better life in New Zealand.”
Beyond the workplace, Mr Scoines accomplishes remarkable feats of endurance in ultra-marathon events and his passion for making a difference in the community is well known, whether he’s raising funds for a worthy cause or taking part in his local church’s Road to Bethlehem program.
“I see leadership as a privilege,” Mr Scoines said. “It’s the opportunity to positively impact people as they grow and develop while they in turn make an impact on the business and the community. We’re the country’s number one breakfast food manufacturer and this offers the Church a unique opportunity to make a positive impact in the community. I’m honoured to lead the team that’s going to make the most of that opportunity.”
Mr Sciones takes up the role immediately, replacing Pierre van Heerden, who announced he was stepping down as general manager at the end of 2016.
In the last financial year, Sanitarium New Zealand achieved a sales turnover of $150m and provided more than 500 million serves of healthy products for consumers.
| A Sanitarium release | March 17, 2017||
Raise ye the stone or cleave the wood to make a path more fair or flat;
Lo, it is black already with blood some Son of Martha spilled for that!
Not as a ladder from earth to Heaven, not as a witness to any creed,
But simple service simply given to his own kind in their common need.
-From Rudyard Kipling’s The Sons of Martha, 1907
For as long as humans have been around, we’ve had an obsession with being first. Hillary and Norgay are immortalized as the first to conquer Everest. Neil Armstrong will forever be remembered as the first to walk on the moon. And any internet comment section will demonstrate the compulsion to claim this same singular achievement: First!
Naturally, we can’t help but wonder who it was that pioneered our profession.
Who was the first engineer? Let’s review some of the candidates.
Imhotep (2650 – 2600 BCE)
A statuette of Imhotep on display in the Louvre. (Photo courtesy of Hu Totya.)
Imhotep was chancellor to the Egyptian pharaoh Djoser, and his engineering claim to fame is the design of the Pyramid of Djoser. Located in the Egyptian necropolis of Saqqara, the Pyramid of Djoser was the first of the now-famous Egyptian pyramids.
The Pyramid of Djoser is a step pyramid, consisting of six mastabas (sloping rectangular prisms) layered one on top of another, in contrast to the smooth face of the more familiar Great Pyramid of Giza. The limestone-based step pyramid reaches 62 meters (203 feet) high, with a base measuring approximately 109 by 125 meters (358 by 410 feet).
> > > Continue here to view the full article with images | March 16, 2017 ||
Simon Furness, founder of online tyre fitting company Hyper Drive has taken a product that is traditionally not an internet product and turned it in to one proving convenience is what is important to consumers.
With online tyre sales surging over 300% compared to this time last year consumers are liking the fact that they can shop from the comfort of their keyboard.
“Online tyre retailing enables consumers to compare products online and still get it fitted locally” Furness comments. “From research we have done consumers don’t want to have to ring around trying to get prices on tyres, or go into stores to get a quote, then have to go back a few days later to get the product”.
Hyperdrive.co.nz has a network of over 200 garages across the country. These garages are carefully selected to ensure quality service. “Our garage network is growing every week with enquiries from new companies wishing to become part of our Hyper Drive Fit Network”.
Hyper Drive which is based in Penrose, Auckland have invested heavily in the online stock infrastructure to ensure their system shows live stock of what is available to the consumer. They have a logistics team who organise for the tyres to be sent to the garages when an order has been placed.
The entire process is very simple. The consumer enters their tyre size (or in some cases you can even enter your number plate) and a range of available tyres will appear. You choose which tyres you want, where you want to get them fitted and on what day and time. Payment is all done online then the consumer simply turns up at the booked time and their tyres will be there ready to be fitted.
“It just eliminates so much time from the traditional tyre buying process. Let’s be honest, there aren’t many people who enjoy buying tyres so why not make it as convenient and easy for them” says entrepreneur Simon Furness.
Hyper Drive offers all the leading tyres brands including Pirelli, Goodyear, Nexen, Hankook, Yokohama and more.
Hyper Drive is part of the online retail business Hyper Group which also operates www.hyperride.co.nz and www.hypertyres.co.nz.
| A HyperDrive Release | March 15, 2017 ||
The Minister for Seniors Maggie Barry says changes to Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) forms will make them easier to understand and use.
“Knowing you can chose people you trust and who understand what you want, who will make important personal and financial decisions for you if you can’t, gives you peace of mind,” Ms Barry says.
“It should be set up when you are fit and healthy – mentally and physically.”
“The changes, which come into effect tomorrow, make it much easier to take that first step towards protecting your future life wishes on your personal health and well-being issues and property matters.”
“Both EPAs are written in plain english and come with an explanation of what setting one up means.”
“The changes won’t affect existing documents but any medical certificates about someone’s mental capacity must meet new requirements.”
“Everyone should set up an Enduring Power of Attorney so your wishes can be carried out if you are not well enough to express them.”
“Seniors can use their Gold Card to receive discounts at 300 legal firms around New Zealand so EPAs and wills cost less to draw up,” Ms Barry says
More information on EPAs is on the SuperSeniors website www.superseniors.msd.govt.nz. The new EPA forms will be available on the website from tomorrow.
Additional information:
Together with changes to the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 that also take effect tomorrow, the changes will:
| A Beehive release | march 15, 2017 ||
Viña del Mar, Chile - High Level Representatives from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Malaysia, Peru, and Singapore and Vietnam met here today to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on the margins of the High Level Dialogue on Integration Initiatives for the Asia Pacific.
The participating partners reiterated their firm commitment to collaborate in keeping markets open and to the free flow of goods, services and investment advancing regional economic integration and strengthening the rules-based international trading system noting our concern with protectionism in many parts of the world.
They recalled the balanced outcome and the strategic and economic significance of the TPP highlighting its principles and high standards as a key driver for regional economic integration and promoter of economic growth, competition, innovation and productivity, with the potential of generating jobs and lowering costs for consumers.
The high level representatives exchanged views on their respective domestic processes regarding TPP and canvassed views on a way forward that would advance economic integration in the Asia-Pacific.
Senior Trade Officials will meet and consult in preparation for the Ministers to meet again in the margins of the APEC meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade on 20-21 May 2017.
| A Beehive release | March 15, 2017 ||
2017’s already been identified by Vodafone as the year of data explosion, with Kiwis using more and more of it to stay up to date.
But it’s not just being chewed up by the binge-watching habits that online-only series like Netflix’s Stranger Things brings about.
Kiwis are still just as interested in what’s happening around them, and the video and stories giving insight into their changing world.
In fact, hyper levels of mobility in how we consume news - and how often we expect updates - appears to have increased the appetites of everyday readers.
That’s all part of why Vodafone New Zealand is launching its own news website, offering a behind the scenes look into the work the company’s involved in, its people, and the latest trends in technology, industry and community developments.
Chief Executive Russell Stanners said, "Ever increasing levels of connectivity create an expectation that we need to share what’s going on, and we want to get the latest stories, in many instances, direct from those at the centre of what’s happening.
"At the same time this truly is the age of the customer - they’re digitally savvy, empowered by the technology - and they want to understand who they’re dealing with, at a deeper level," he added.
Vodafone News will feature behind the scenes video of important developments, offer advice and readable features across a range of topics for consumers as well as insights from leaders in a range of diverse fields.
Russell Stanners said, "At Vodafone we’re at the forefront of innovation, and Kiwis want to know what we think about topics that are important to them.
"We want to get our story out, we’re proud of what our people are achieving, and so much is set to change in technology trends this year, we want to make sure people can make sense of it all," he added.
People are consuming news and information constantly these days through a range of mediums, and the days of only reading news from just one or two websites has rapidly declined.
Instead, as the recent U.S election illustrated, consumers will browse a wide range of sources - whether that’s hard copy, online or through social media, to read more about what they’re interested in.
Andrea Brady, Vodafone’s Head of External Communications, believes this shift in media consumption habits, opens the door for customers to experience major projects from the inside.
"There are times when Vodafone is hard at work in areas that you might not expect. A good example is our Instant Network team. They’re our first response team who go into emergencies, when everyone else is fleeing them," she said.
The team deployed a year ago when Fiji declared a state of natural disaster in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston, with a series of suitcases and a mobile generator to successfully establish a local communications network.
"They were the first emergency relief to reach Vanua Balavu that had been devastated by the cyclone. Communications were quickly established enabling the village to reach out for medical evacuation for those in need, and so that people could let relieved family members know they were still alive," Andrea said.
Behind the scenes video on Vodafone News paints the picture of how the Instant Network team works, and the powerful impact it can have on communities’ desperately in need.
"There are countless examples of innovation taking place every day in communities and businesses around the country. We’re keen to make sure those get the attention they deserve," Andrea added.
For more information head to https://news.vodafone.co.nz/
| A Vodafone release | March 15, 2017 ||
Executives at Toshiba are now actively considering selling Westinghouse, among other options to deal with the troubled nuclear developer.
The company has expanded a probe into Westinghouse and missed an earnings report deadline for a second time, Reuters reported.
Officials at Toshiba believe it could find buyers for a majority stake in Westinghouse even though it recently lost $6.3 billion. Industry executives believe South Korea’s KEPCO could be a potential buyer. KEPCO indicated it would consider an offer.
However, CEO Satoshi Tsunakawa dodged questions about a potential bankruptcy filing for Westinghouse, indicating only that there are multiple options. Company sources say Toshiba has hired bankruptcy lawyers as an exploratory step.
Even with the extraordinary losses, tied to nuclear project delays, dwindling demand for nuclear and the overvaluation of the purchase of CB&I Stone & Webster, Tsunakawa indicated nuclear construction is only a small part of Westinghouse’s operations.
"Around 80 percent of Westinghouse's revenues come from stable businesses in services and fuel-related businesses so I think that will be taken into consideration too," he said during a news conference.
Toshiba’s goal is to have Westinghouse off its consolidated accounts by the end of the next fiscal year in March 2018.
| A Power Engineering release | March 14, 2017 ||
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242