Lack of skilled workers still a problem
New Zealand businesses are the most worried in the world about the skills shortage. A report by international business consulting firm Grant Thornton has found that 60 percent of businesses say the lack of skilled workers is one of their biggest restraints. For Australia the figure is 59 percent and South Africa 58 percent. Grant Thornton spokesman Peter Sherwin says economic alarm bells should be ringing, as businesses may have to move overseas to find the skilled staff they need. He says the skills of migrants coming into the country are often not appropriate or not of the same level of those of migrants heading for Northern Hemisphere countries.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News
New Zealand
Friday 29 June 2007
Wednesday 27 June 2007
Bird Flu
Big culls 'unlikely' if bird flu comes to NZ
Major cullings of wild or farmed birds are "highly unlikely" if the deadly bird flu hits New Zealand, says the Department of Conservation (DOC). An exercise called Operation Gallus in Wellington yesterday and today has department staff working on a response plan for the possibility of bird flu reaching New Zealand. DOC biosecurity chief technical officer Geoff Hicks said culling of birds was not included in the plan as DOC considered it to be ineffective and might spread the disease. However, Hicks said New Zealand was at a low risk of getting bird flu.
Source:The Press
Major cullings of wild or farmed birds are "highly unlikely" if the deadly bird flu hits New Zealand, says the Department of Conservation (DOC). An exercise called Operation Gallus in Wellington yesterday and today has department staff working on a response plan for the possibility of bird flu reaching New Zealand. DOC biosecurity chief technical officer Geoff Hicks said culling of birds was not included in the plan as DOC considered it to be ineffective and might spread the disease. However, Hicks said New Zealand was at a low risk of getting bird flu.
Source:The Press
Cold in New Zealand
It has been the coldest night of the year so far for many parts of the country. TRN's weather analyst Philip Duncan says clear skies allowed polar air from the weekend's storm to settle and freeze. Timaru and Queenstown were shivering on -6 degrees at 7.30 this morning. West Auckland was 1 degree, Hamilton, Taupo and Blenheim were -3, Wanaka -5, and Lumsden -5. Severe frosts are expected again tonight in many areas, possibly as far north as Rotorua.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News
Monday 25 June 2007
Waterfalls in New Zealand
It's no secret that everyone loves waterfalls. This is evident by their popularity and the amount of tourism dollars spent to support their visitation. They even buoy the economy of some countries around the world. And while many have tried to study why we are so drawn to waterfalls, there's no denying that most of us would bend over backwards to see them.
In New Zealand – a land known for stunning natural beauty – there are many waterfalls to complement its already impressive collection of natural attractions and features. Thanks to its position in the roaring 40s (between 40 and 50 degrees South Latitude), it rains frequently and the wet weather comes from all directions – the Tasman Sea, South Pacific Ocean, or Southern Ocean. The Maori name of the land, Aotearoa, means "land of the long white cloud" so its wet climate did not go unnoticed by the early inhabitants as well. Indeed, waterfalls are bountiful and they provide the perfect excuse to see the country while experiencing its incredible scenic diversity.
New Zealand's waterfalls come in all different shapes and sizes. There are short and stocky ones like the powerful powder-blue Huka Falls and the majestically tall drop-down-the-mountain ones like Sutherland Falls. There are the classically rectangular ones like Marokopa Falls as well as the graceful and elegantly tall ones like the Bridal Veil Falls near Raglan. There are even alluring ones that won't overwhelm you with their height but mesmerize you with their character like the multi-tiered Purakaunui Falls. No matter how you look at them, there is a unique beauty about each waterfall. No two are the same and you could spend a lifetime trying to visit them all.
Geographically sprinkled throughout the country in both North and South Islands, the waterfalls allow you to see the best natural scenery that New Zealand has to offer – both on and off the beaten paths. You'll find them in the subtropical settings of Northland, in coastal locales like the Coromandel Peninsula, or the thermal and volcanic wonderlands of Tongariro National Park. Moreover, you can also find them in mythical fiords like the Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the snowy expanses of the Southern Alps, or even the wind-swept Catlins Forest. And since New Zealand is tailor made for self-driving tours, you can take your pick of which waterfalls to visit and which parts of the country to experience them.
With New Zealand Waterfalls, you are not only making the most of your time immersing yourself in nature, but you're also getting good exercise, learning about the land, and collecting memories you will cherish for the rest of your life. So no matter how you look at it, there's no reason not to visit the country's waterfalls. After all, they're 100% pure Kiwi bliss!
By: Johnny T. Cheng
Johnny T. Cheng is author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls (Story Nature Press). Find out more about his book at www.storynature.com or visit his blog at www.world-of-waterfalls.com.
In New Zealand – a land known for stunning natural beauty – there are many waterfalls to complement its already impressive collection of natural attractions and features. Thanks to its position in the roaring 40s (between 40 and 50 degrees South Latitude), it rains frequently and the wet weather comes from all directions – the Tasman Sea, South Pacific Ocean, or Southern Ocean. The Maori name of the land, Aotearoa, means "land of the long white cloud" so its wet climate did not go unnoticed by the early inhabitants as well. Indeed, waterfalls are bountiful and they provide the perfect excuse to see the country while experiencing its incredible scenic diversity.
New Zealand's waterfalls come in all different shapes and sizes. There are short and stocky ones like the powerful powder-blue Huka Falls and the majestically tall drop-down-the-mountain ones like Sutherland Falls. There are the classically rectangular ones like Marokopa Falls as well as the graceful and elegantly tall ones like the Bridal Veil Falls near Raglan. There are even alluring ones that won't overwhelm you with their height but mesmerize you with their character like the multi-tiered Purakaunui Falls. No matter how you look at them, there is a unique beauty about each waterfall. No two are the same and you could spend a lifetime trying to visit them all.
Geographically sprinkled throughout the country in both North and South Islands, the waterfalls allow you to see the best natural scenery that New Zealand has to offer – both on and off the beaten paths. You'll find them in the subtropical settings of Northland, in coastal locales like the Coromandel Peninsula, or the thermal and volcanic wonderlands of Tongariro National Park. Moreover, you can also find them in mythical fiords like the Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the snowy expanses of the Southern Alps, or even the wind-swept Catlins Forest. And since New Zealand is tailor made for self-driving tours, you can take your pick of which waterfalls to visit and which parts of the country to experience them.
With New Zealand Waterfalls, you are not only making the most of your time immersing yourself in nature, but you're also getting good exercise, learning about the land, and collecting memories you will cherish for the rest of your life. So no matter how you look at it, there's no reason not to visit the country's waterfalls. After all, they're 100% pure Kiwi bliss!
By: Johnny T. Cheng
Johnny T. Cheng is author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls (Story Nature Press). Find out more about his book at www.storynature.com or visit his blog at www.world-of-waterfalls.com.
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