Domestic airfare price war expected; Meridian Energy paid DoC for not opposing wind farm project; boot camp for young offenders; National Library to shed jobs; police warn about meeting internet amours in person; prices rise sharply at Birthcare
Australian budget airline Jetstar is expected to enter the NZ domestic market and ignite a price war, reports the Dominion Post. Four airlines would be flying the main trunk line between Christchurch and Auckland--Air New Zealand, Qantas, Pacific Blue and Jetstar--with the major price war expected to flare between Jetstar and Pacific Blue.
Meridian Energy paid the Department of Conservation $175,000 for not opposing the Project Hayes wind farm near Ranfurly, according to the Herald. Radio NZ, which broke the story, says DoC Otago Conservator Jeff Connell is standing by the agreement while Meridian Energy will not comment.
The Government will today announce its plans for boot camps for the worst young offenders, reports the Otago Daily Times. The proposal includes a 12-month programme called Fresh Start, including up to three months in boot camp, and the doubling of youth court sentences.
The National Library is set to lose 30 staff at the same time $70 million is spent to extend the Molesworth St building, reports the Dominion Post. Jobs in the finance and property services, national digital library, technology services and Alexander Turnbull Library departments are expected to go.
Police are warning internet daters about the risks of meeting up in person, reports the Otago Daily Times. A Dunedin house was raided at the weekend because police had fears for the safety of a German woman who came to New Zealand to meet a man she had encountered online. The woman became concerned about the man when she met him at the airport and it was obvious he had misrepresented himself.
Auckland maternity hospital Birthcare has put up the prices of private rooms for postnatal accommodation. The Herald reports that until this month it charged $280 a night for a single room and a more "upmarket menu", costs not covered by the Auckland District Health Board. Now it costs $320 for each of the first two nights and $480 for the third. Women in shared rooms do not have to pay.