he NZ Transport Agency has confirmed that SH3 through the Manawatu Gorge will remain closed as work continues to ensure the safety of the route.
Transport Agency Highway Manager Ross I’Anson says work is continuing at the two recent slip sites to ensure that the route will be safe for people to use when the gorge is re-opened, including the installation of additional rock fall netting at both slip sites, and the Transport Agency will re-open the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
“We understand that this lengthy closure and the uncertainty around re-opening is frustrating for everyone, especially the businesses in Woodville, the Bridge Café, the Bridge Store and others that remain open and feel the effects of gorge closure. We’re also very aware that local residents continue to be affected by the additional traffic using alternate routes, “ Mr I’Anson says.
With the Pahiatua Track and the Saddle Road continuing as the alternative routes while repairs to the gorge road are carried out, motorists are also being reminded to be patient, drive to the conditions, watch their speed and adhere to the speed limits and other advisory signage when travelling through the Ashhurst community.
| An NZTA release || June 9, 2017 |||
Italian helmet brand Kask will open a dedicated Cycling Division office in Melbourne, Australia, in October to serve the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Kask cycling products have been available in the two countries since 2010 from local distributors, but Kask will begin working directly with dealers to deliver Kask helmets and Koo eyewear there once the new office is operational this fall.
"Kask Cycling in Australia will have a team dedicated to sales, marketing and events, with a focus on customer communication and logistics," the company stated. "Stock and availability of models will be increased and Kask will now meet directly with cycling enthusiasts at local events and demo days, deepening Kask's understanding of the Australian and New Zealand cycling market, and helping the customers' understanding of Kask's cycling products."
Kask CEO Angelo Gotti said, "The Australasian market is of huge importance to us and we look forward to interacting more directly with the Australian and New Zealand market, improving both our service and offering."
| A KASK release || June 7, 2017 |||
The Commerce Commission has published one-page summaries of key performance measures for each of New Zealand’s 29 electricity lines companies.
The summaries are designed to promote a better understanding of each lines company’s performance by providing high-level statistics such as profitability, capital and operating expenditure, asset condition, revenue and network reliability.
Commissioner Dr Stephen Gale said that the Commission has pulled together the data to make it easily accessible for industry, Government agencies and consumers, and to enable comparison across lines companies. The statistics are sourced from more detailed public disclosures.
“Electricity companies reach every New Zealand household and business so over time we want to make it easier for consumers to understand how their own lines company is performing year-on-year. The information in the summaries is still quite technical in nature, but we expect this kind of exposure will in itself help improve lines companies’ overall performance,” Dr Gale said.
“The summaries are a high-level snapshot of the lines companies and are not intended to represent a thoroughly detailed picture of performance. However, they suggest some differences between the performances of different lines companies, such as the health of assets including poles, lines and substation equipment. In cases of apparent poor performance, we will follow up with the companies to better understand their circumstances. We will also undertake further analysis in the future.”
The performance summaries are available on the Commission’s website.
Background
Where did the data for these summaries come from?
The summaries are based on the most recent information that was publicly disclosed by each electricity lines company under our information disclosure requirements (covering the year ended 31 March 2016). Most of the data has either been audited and/or certified by the directors of the businesses. However, we cannot guarantee that there are no errors in the data provided. We have not included Transpower, the national electricity transmission business.
What is the Commission doing to address potential issues of concern?
Lines companies themselves are ultimately responsible for managing their own networks. The Commission cannot get involved in the operational decisions each company makes. However, these summaries are part of a wider programme of performance analysis, which can shed light on the decisions of lines companies and any consequences.
Of the 29 lines companies in New Zealand subject to information disclosure regulation, 17 are also subject to price-quality regulation. If a regulated company breaches quality standards - or example if asset degradation leads to more outages on its network than is allowed - it may face prosecution under the Commerce Act. The remaining 12 lines companies are consumer-owned and are not subject to price-quality regulation.
For more information on our role in the electricity sector see our website.
| A Commerce Commission release || June 9, 2017 |||
Transport Minister Simon Bridges says Auckland’s Waterview Tunnel will open to traffic in early July, marking the biggest milestone in the city’s transport network in more than half a century.
The $1.4 billion Waterview Connection is New Zealand’s biggest and most complex roading project, including twin 2.4km-long three-lane tunnels.
“Once open, it will transform the way people and freight move around Auckland, and will represent the biggest change in travel patterns since the opening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 1959,” Mr Bridges says.
A ceremonial opening on Sunday, 18 June will be followed by public open day’s to allow people the chance to experience the tunnel up close before opening to traffic.
“The Waterview Connection is New Zealand’s largest ever roading project and is a significant part of the strong investment the Government is putting into Auckland. This investment in the strategic motorway system will help support Auckland’s increasing population and economic growth,” Mr Bridges says.
“It largely completes the Western Ring Route, a new 48km route linking the west of Auckland, Manukau, the city and the North Shore.
“Together, the Waterview Tunnel and wider Western Ring Route will give more options to people and freight moving around and through Auckland, creating a more efficient, resilient and reliable network,” Mr Bridges says.
A series of public open day events will be held in the lead up to the operational opening of the tunnel to traffic. The events will be free but people will need to book their place online by visiting www.nzta.govt.nz/waterview| A release from the Beehive || June 12, 2017 |||
Emirates has partnered with BMW Group to provide a fleet of luxury automobiles for its complimentary Chauffeur-drive service for Business Class passengers in the UAE.
The new fleet, featuring BMW 520i Touring cars, is being rolled out progressively from now until the end of the year, as the previous fleet of cars is retired.
This fleet upgrade is part of Emirates’ ongoing investment in product and service both on the ground and on board. Emirates’ Chauffeur-drive service is a complimentary ground transfer service available to customers travelling in First or Business class, whisking customers to and from the airport for a seamless travel experience. The service is available in over 75 Emirates destinations worldwide.
The service complements Emirates’ worldwide lounge offering with seven located in Dubai International Airport’s concourses A, B and C, and 34 dedicated Emirates Lounges in other major airports across the globe. The airline recently introduced “pay-per-visit” lounge access, enabling Emirates Skywards members and their guests travelling on Emirates to enjoy the airline’s First and Business Class lounges at Dubai International Airport and abroad.
To complete the Emirates premium travel experience, new features have also been introduced on board. This includes the world’s first moisturising lounge wear in First Class, luxury blankets, skincare from organic brand VOYA and a new range of amenity kits from Bulgari.
| An Emirates release || June 9, 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