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Dec 5, 2017 - The grounding of one of the world’s biggest container ships off Southampton was caused by pilot error, an investigation has concluded. In a report, the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch found standards of navigation, communication and use of electronic charting aids “did not meet the expectations of the port or the company”.
The 399m Vasco de Gama, at the time the largest ship under a UK flag, ran aground in August 2016 as it attempted a tricky turn to enter Southampton docks.
Continue here to read the full article || December 5, 2017 |||
Dec 5, 2017 - New Zealand will develop a close relationship with China, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Tuesday, putting to rest fears that his protectionist campaign rhetoric would fuel tension with a key trading partner. The 40-year political veteran played a decisive role in bringing the centre-left Labour Party to power in October after an inconclusive election left his nationalist New Zealand First party holding the balance of power.
But many in China see New Zealand as a model for the Asian giant's relationship with Western countries, with President Xi Jinping last year calling the depth of the bond "unprecedented".
"Our record of trade and economic firsts is dramatic," Peters, who is also deputy prime minister, told academics and diplomats in Wellington, setting out his stance on China for the first time since taking office.
"New Zealand will continue to seek closer cooperation with China as both countries focus on sustainable economic development and the wellbeing of our peoples," Peters said, giving a complimentary account of 45 years of diplomatic ties.
Continue here to read the full article on investing.com || December 5, 2017 |||
Dec 5, 2017 - Auckland Airport advises passengers travelling internationally in December 2017 and January 2018 to allow an extra 30 minutes for their journey through the terminal building.
The top-ten 10 busiest days at Auckland Airport’s international terminal building during this summer peak season are expected to be:
| An Air New Zealand release || December 5, 2017 |||
Dec 5, 2017 - Auckland Airport advises passengers travelling internationally in December 2017 and January 2018 to allow an extra 30 minutes for their journey through the terminal building. Anil Varma, Auckland Airport’s acting general manager – aeronautical operations, says, “December and January are the busiest months of the year at our international terminal. Known as the summer peak, this year we are expecting around 162 international flights every day, with international passenger numbers expected to be approximately 6% higher than last summer. We are also expecting an average of around 37,500 passengers to use the international terminal on each of our ten busiest days this summer.”
“Many of us have a standard routine when departing or arriving Auckland Airport. Just like last year, we recommend everyone allows an extra 30 minutes for travel through the international terminal over the next couple of months. This will help ensure they have a more relaxed journey. They should also give themselves extra time to travel to and from the airport, given the high level of roadworks happening around the Auckland region again this summer.”
“Auckland Airport has worked extensively with stakeholders at the airport, including both the airlines and joint border agencies, to ensure the airport can operate efficiently and effectively during the busy summer period.”
Throughout the year Auckland Airport has invested more than $1 million every working day to make improvements to help support the growth in international passengers and aircraft, including building:
· a new outbound border processing and security screening area, and a new space for departing international passengers to repack and relax after security screening;
· a new gate lounge with two airbridges on Pier B of the international terminal – Gate 17 – to accommodate a large B787 or A380 aircraft, or two smaller aircraft. This new gate lounge increases the capacity of our western Pier B by 50%;
· the first half of our exciting new international passenger lounge and its retail hub;
· new toilet facilities in the international departure area;
· a new Strata Lounge – a comfortable and relaxed space for travellers who do not belong to an airline lounge programme plus 14 airlines that choose to use the lounge to accommodate their premium passengers prior to boarding;
· an upgraded bus lounge on Pier B to further improve journeys for travellers transferring between the terminal and an aircraft parked on remote airfield stands; and
· a new fully-serviced remote airfield stand to accommodate international aircraft.
In preparation for this summer we have also:
· reconfigured the international check-in area to provide seven more service counters – an 8% increase;
· invested in 15 more mobile international self-service check-in kiosks – increasing the total number of available mobile check-in kiosks to 60;
· purchased two new Aviramps to provide a safer and better boarding or disembarking experience for passengers whose aircraft is parked on a remote airfield stand; and
· recruited extra staff, including 70 Passenger Experience Assistants, to help passengers at the airport.
We have also continued to work closely with the New Zealand Aviation Security Service, Customs New Zealand and the Ministry for Primary Industries. The New Zealand Aviation Security Service has installed four new state of the art security screening machines in the international departure area to increase passenger processing times. Customs New Zealand has increased the eligibility for their eGates to include Chinese passport holders, and more nationalities are expected to be delivered throughout the summer period. Auckland Airport has built a new Green Lane for use by pre-selected New Zealand and Australian passport holders who are arriving in the country and have no biosecurity items to declare to the Ministry for Primary Industries.
We have also been working on a number of initiatives to improve the transport network around the inner airport roads, and working with the New Zealand Transport Agency and Auckland Transport to help improve traffic flows and reduce travel times to and from the airport. These initiatives include:
· a new slip lane and free left-turn as part of NZTA’s upgrade of the SH20A / Verrisimo Drive intersection;
· improving access to the domestic terminal forecourt for passengers, commercial transport operators and buses;
· completion of the first stage of an upgrade of Nixon Road to provide a new route from the south-east to Auckland Airport’s Park&Ride on Verissimo Drive that avoids the need to use Tom Pearce Drive and George Bolt Memorial Drive;
· an outbound bus and T2 lane on Tom Pearce Drive;
· increasing the frequency of Auckland Transport’s Airporter 380 bus service to every 15 minutes during peak periods; and
· Auckland Airport staff located within the Auckland Transport Operation Centre on peak days to assist with the proactive management of traffic light phasings for Auckland Airport’s network.
Passengers can play their part to help keep things moving at the international terminal this summer by:
· booking a car park online, well ahead of their day of travel to maximise their choice of location and to secure a better deal;
· allowing 30 minutes extra for their journeys through the international terminal building;
· ensuring their hand luggage meets airline requirements;
· completing their international departure card before reaching Customs;
· ensuring any liquid, aerosol and gel containers in their hand luggage are not larger than 100ml, and are all placed in one re-sealable, transparent plastic bag (20cm x 20cm or smaller) and put in an easily accessible location;
· following airline advice for recommended check-in times for passengers travelling to North America, due to additional security requirements for these flights;
· asking the person who is picking them up to park in The Wait Zone, until they receive a text or phone call saying you are ready for collection; and
· checking the Auckland Airport website and App for the latest flight and travel information.
“We thank everyone in advance for their understanding and support during our busiest time of the year,” says Mr Varma.
| An Auckland Airport release || December 5, 2017 |||
DEc 5, 2017 - Inflation in New Zealand and world-wide has been persistently low since the 2008 global financial crisis, partly because of factors such as globalisation, the growth of China, the rise of the digital economy, and low inflation expectations. In a speech today to the Institute of Directors, in Auckland, Reserve Bank Governor Grant Spencer said that persistently low inflation has prompted the Reserve Bank to think about whether it needs to tweak it’s approach to monetary policy. Mr Spencer explained a number of significant changes over the past decade have affected the outlook for inflation: · Globalisation over the past 10 years has led to outsourcing of labour-intensive production to cheaper locations, which has lowered the price consumers pay for a wide range of goods and also placed downward pressure on wages for lower-skilled jobs in advanced economies. · The scale and growth of China’s economy has also had a profound effect. China has become the largest exporting nation in the world and its expansion of capacity has restrained the prices of industrial materials and a wide range of manufactured goods. · New digital distribution channels and falling prices for ICT equipment have lowered import prices and reduced barriers to entry across a range of markets. Online competition in retailing, financial services, travel services, education and health has significantly altered the competitive landscape and put downward pressure on prices. · The domestic economy has become more integrated with global markets, resulting in greater competition in traditionally sheltered sectors. Increased international labour mobility has been an important driver. · Low inflation expectations have influenced the way businesses set prices and wages, adding further momentum to low inflation. These global trends appear to be changing the nature of the price formation process in New Zealand. “These factors may be reducing the leverage monetary policy has over inflation, although their persistence and impact on inflation in New Zealand remain uncertain,” Mr Spencer said. Monetary policy has less than fully offset the weakness in imported inflation which was not expected to be so persistent and has been overlaid with uncertain commodity price movements. The on-going shock has resulted in CPI inflation running below the 2% target mid-point. The policy response has been consistent with our flexible inflation targeting framework. More recently we have been assuming greater persistence in low global inflation and this is contributing to our current flat track for future OCR levels. “The changes in domestic pricing behaviour are causing our flexible inflation targeting approach to become more flexible. In pursuing our long term price stability objective, relatively more weight is being attached to output, employment and financial stability. However, this can only be sustained if monetary policy’s long term price stability credentials are maintained” Mr Spencer said. Read the speech: Low inflation and its implications for monetary policy
| A RBNZ release || December 5, 2017 |||
Dec 5, 2017 - Fujifilm is introducing the Fujifilm X-T2, a compact mirrorless camera with 24 megapixels and 4K HD video that can do the hard yards for any adrenaline junkie with a photographer’s streak. Photographers will find the X-T2 is made of sterner stuff, with a solid magnesium alloy body that is both highly durable and lightweight to ensure it can be taken into any situation. Weather-sealed to keep salt spray and drizzle at bay, and combined with one of Fujifilm’s extensive range of Fujinon XF lenses, the X-T2 will be ever-reliable through each step of the adventure.
For those that might find themselves in a tight spot (whether shooting in a cave or from the passenger seat of a helicopter), the X-T2’s tilting LCD screen can help set up those adventure shots, when looking through the viewfinder isn’t an option.
New macro lens
Fujifilm is also announcing the FUJINON XF80mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro Lens, now available in New Zealand joining a massive XF lens line-up bringing the first 1.0x magnification mid-telephoto macro lens for X-Series mirrorless cameras.
The new macro lens achieves high resolving power at the focus point and beautiful bokeh, making it optimal for shooting flowers and insects. Combine this lens with Fujifilm’s unique Film Simulations, such as Velvia, for truly stunning close up photographs.
New Zealand X-Series specialist Craig Robertson says the new 80mm lens will be another great addition to the FUJINON line-up, already renowned for their outstanding image quality.
“This lens is going to enable people shooting X-Series to be able to take their photography to new levels of detail and create quality, close-up images in true 1 to 1 reproduction,” says Robertson.
The FUJINON XF80mmF2.8 features a focal length equivalent to 122mm (on a 35mm format), a maximum aperture of F2.8, and 1.0x magnification factor.
Designed to be versatile and to suit all photography styles, users can shoot on a tripod or hand-held with the help of the Optical Image Stabilizer system suppressing shift shake*. The lens also provides fast and silent Auto Focus with a clever system of linear motors.
Suitable for use in a wide range of outdoor shooting conditions, the FUJINON XF80mmF2.8 can operate in temperatures as low as -10°C. and is weather and dust resistant.
The exterior design is luxurious yet robust for a premium feel. The aperture and focusing rings have been designed for maximum comfort and usability.
Robertson notes that photographers shooting with older X-Series cameras will also be able to enjoy the new lens.
“The latest free firmware update ensures previous X-Series models are ready to go with the Auto Focus system of XF80mm as Fujifilm is dedicated to continuing to support our older cameras,” says Robertson.
The new FUJINON XF80mm Macro Lens retails for RRP$1999.
Dec 5, 2017 - Residential building activity volumes rose 4.1 percent in the September 2017 quarter, following a relatively flat period in the first half of the calendar year, Stats NZ said today. This figure excludes the effects of higher construction costs and typical seasonal patterns. Non-residential building work, from office blocks to factories, also picked up, rising a seasonally adjusted 0.6 percent, following falls in the previous two quarters.
Combined, total building activity volumes rose 2.7 percent in the September 2017 quarter compared with the June 2017 quarter.
Percent changeResidential and non-residential building work put in place, seasonally adjusted percentagechange in quarterly volumesResidential buildingsNon-residential buildingsSep-15Dec-15Mar-16Jun-16Sep-16Dec-16Mar-17Jun-17Sep-17-505-1010Stats NZJun-16● Non-residential buildings: 4.6
“Residential building activity is at a record high, while non-residential activity peaked in late 2016,” construction statistics manager Melissa McKenzie said.
“While the volume of residential building activity is at a record high, the number of new homes consented was higher in the mid-1970s and 2004. This may reflect that homes and alterations being built now are often bigger, more complex, and subject to different regulations.”
These quarterly statistics are a measure of past building activity, whereas building consents issued, which showed a decrease in the October 2017 month, is an indicator for the pipeline of upcoming building work.
| A StatsNZ release || December 5, 20127 |||
Dec 5, 2017 - New Zealand based health and safety technology start up Safe365 has confirmed entry into the Canadian market on the back of a strong initial 12 months in New Zealand since launch. Canadian businesses of all sizes and industries will be able to access Safe365’s ground breaking web application that assesses, diagnoses and supports continuous improvement in health and safety capability from 5 December 2017. For Safe365, it means entry into the lucrative North American market and the capacity to scale product uptake rapidly.
Safe365’s Country Director – Canada, Michael Matthews said “as an experienced health and safety professional, having reviewed a large number of solutions in the market internationally, when I came across Safe365 I just wanted to get involved and make it available to Canadian businesses.” Mr Matthews is a well-known figure in the Canadian health and safety sector having performed executive roles in the energy sector, Coca-Cola and founded the HSE Job Hunter group on LinkedIN with over 130,000 members. “It was great being down-under with the Safe365 team in New Zealand recently and seeing first hand the impact the product is having with their clients there. I’m really excited to be able to bring the product to Canada and support improvements in our health and safety performance as a country” says Matthews.
Safe365’s kiwi co-founders Nathan Hight and Mark Kidd are very pleased their solution will add value beyond New Zealand’s shores. “We have users in 8 countries now using the NZ edition of Safe365, however this is our first targeted offshore market with a product specifically aligned to meet the needs of the Canadian market” says Kidd. “This is a really significant step forward in the journey we are on with Safe365 to take a world class solution to the global market that saves lives and improves business” says Hight.
Safe365’s early stage success has been built on the back of its innovative diagnostic platform that allows businesses to purchase the product online, use it “out of the box” and within 60 minutes have clarity on the status of the businesses health and safety capability. The product then provides nearly 300 specific solutions to support continuous improvement through a simple, easy and intuitive interface. “These philosophies and features are very strong differentiators from other tech based health and safety solutions currently in market” says Hight.
Customers purchase a Safe365 subscription for the business ($999 annually or $99 monthly) which enables them to access the software through their web browser on any internet enabled device. With minimal barriers to entry, the product is proving extremely popular with businesses wanting to do the right thing when it comes to workforce health and safety.
Safe365’s customers range from small contracting businesses and farming operations through to some of New Zealand’s largest entities and government departments. The product enables businesses to share their health and safety capability at the click of a button reflecting the modern work environment where multiple entities are responsible for worker health and safety.
“Over 500 businesses in New Zealand have benefited from the power of Safe365 in our first year being live, so we are thrilled that we are able to extend this significantly through our partnership with Mr Matthews in Canada” says Kidd.
| A safe365 release || December 5, 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
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