NEWSROOM: 08 July - 14 July 2007

Ex-NZ Soldier killed in Iraq
14 July 2007 - Source: NZ City

A former New Zealand soldier working for a private security firm has been killed in Iraq.

Thirty-four-year-old Darryl de Thierry was in an armoured vehicle that ran over a landmine on Tuesday. He worked for London-based ArmorGroup, the same security firm which employed Teina Ngamata, the former New Zealand soldier who was killed in Baghdad last year.

Mr de Thierry's father, who lives in the Waikato town of Te Aroha, says his son's body will be brought back to New Zealand some time next week for burial.

Mr de Thierry was married and has a young daughter. The couple lived on the Gold Coast after moving to Australia a few years ago.

ArmorGroup says it employs more than 9,000 "highly trained and experienced employees, comprising some 40 different nationalities." The security company says it chooses employees that have demonstrated their capabilities in volatile or operational environments and staff are fully insured including cover for war risks
 

Silver Ferns win by record margin over Jamaica
13 July 2007 - Source: Sportal

New Zealand racked up a record 80-36 win over Jamaica in cool conditions in Christchurch's Events Centre on Thursday evening.

New Zealand had scored 71 goals against Jamaica in a 1994 Test and fell just short of the record 48 goal margin that stands as the record in contests between the two.

New Zealand shot 91 percent to 80 landing 80 from 88 attempts while the dominance was seen in the 49 turnovers conceded by Jamaica compared to the Silver Ferns' 29.

Coach Ruth Aitken said the win felt a lot better than losing, after the Silver Ferns' three previous losses.

"The team was just superb. We were up and down a wee bit but we just need to get the machine rolling," she told TV One after the game.

Jamaica coach Connie Francis said her side had a very disappointing start. She felt the side would have overcome the cold conditions but it had been a flat performance.

"Our attacking team suffered the most. The ball wasn't flowing as we like it to. It
was a sloppy game," she said.

Thriving on outstanding shooting from Irene van Dyk, who made a powerful statement about her accuracy and commitment, and Jodi Te Huna and Maria Tutaia, who was superb from long distance, the New Zealanders took advantage of an indifferent Jamaican side which departed from its usually strong defensive game.

New Zealand's own defence was spearheaded by goalkeeper Casey Williams, who had an outstanding game in partnership with goal defence Joline Henry.

After a slightly hesitant start to the game, the Silver Ferns upped the pace and spread the Jamaican defence with quality, speedy and accurate passing which resulted in quality shooting opportunities which van Dyk especially used to advantage, hitting 15 from 15.

That allowed her to quickly make her point to those who had been critical of her lack of shooting form during New Zealand's tour of England.

New Zealand led 22-9 with most of Jamaica's scoring coming from the 18-year-old 6ft 6in goal shoot Romelda Aiken.

Complementing van Dyk's effort was Jodie Te Huna, the goal attack, who proved especially proficient with her longer shots and in working to get van Dyk into quality shooting positions.

Early in the second quarter, the Jamaican management pulled Aiken from the court to get captain Elaine Davis on court. She provided accuracy from wide in the circle in a bid to escape the clutches of the New Zealand defence.

The Jamaicans struggled to match the New Zealand clarity of passing through the mid-court taking much longer to set up scoring plays. However, they did manage to pull off more intercepts toward the end of the second quarter which ended with New Zealand's lead extended to 20 goals at 41-21.

New Zealand replaced Te Huna with Maria Tutaia and Julie Seymour at wing defence for Shreyl Scanlan and while that might have suggested time spent in developing continuity, it didn't prove the case.

The pace was maintained with some accurate and clever play from captain and wing attack Adine Wilson providing the spark as New Zealand benefited from Tutaia's shooting to extend the three-quarter lead to 59-29.

With such an extensive lead, van Dyk was substituted in the final quarter having achieved a 97 percent shooting record as Te Huna came back into the game.

New Zealand finished strongly with a 21-7 margin in the final quarter.
 

Pacific And Maori Dying While Fishing
12 July 2007 - Source: Newswire

Water Safety New Zealand says cultural practices could be causing too many Maori and Pacific people to drown.

Its latest statistics say two thirds of Maori and Pacific people who drowned last year were carrying out recreational activities, mainly gathering seafood.

Water Safety's General Manager, Matt Claridge, says evidence suggests that many of them were fishing for the family table.

In contrast, only a quarter of New Zealand Europeans who drowned did so during a recreational activity.

Mr Claridge says they agency has noticed the disparity over the last year and is keen to investigate further.

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) says it will work to address the growing number of recreational-based drowning deaths amongst Maori and Pacific Islanders.

The organisation was also working to enhance the Swim For Life, campaign aimed at encouraging all New Zealand children to develop swim and survival skills.

Market research showed the level of awareness around drowning as a social issue in New Zealand was low, Mr Claridge said.

Drowning statistics for the year to date released today show there were five drowning deaths during the month of June, raising the 2007 drowning toll to 53.

At the same time last year a record low of 46 drowning deaths had occurred in New Zealand, on the way to a record low annual toll of 89.

There have been 24 recreational related drowning deaths this year along with a further 29 non-recreational drowning deaths.
 

All Blacks announce team to play South Africa
11 July 2007 - Source: NZRU

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen and fellow selector, Sir Brian Lochore, have announced the team to play South Africa in Christchurch on Saturday 14 July at Jade Stadium:

"Our goal is to improve on the first two Philips Tri Nations Tests," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry. "We can play better and these two home matches are our last chance to do so before the Rugby World Cup."

"We also want to see some players get more time on the field, so there have been changes to the line-up. The challenge is to make sure everyone in the squad is raising the standard."

The All Blacks selectors drew the team from a 30-man squad; Ross Filipo and Rico Gear remain with the squad as injury replacements for Ali Williams and Leon MacDonald respectively.

ALL BLACKS:

Mils Muliaina
Doug Howlett
Isaia Toeava
Luke McAlister
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Dan Carter
Piri Weepu
Rodney So'oialo
Richie McCaw (c)
Reuben Thorne
Keith Robinson
Chris Jack
Carl Hayman
Keven Mealamu
Tony Woodcock

Reserves:

Andrew Hore
Neemia Tialata
Jerry Collins
Chris Masoe
Brendon Leonard
Conrad Smith
Nick Evans 
 

David Tua prepares for Mexican Saul Montana
10 July 2007 - Source: Newstalk ZB

David Tua's quest to win a world title bout is back on track: he will fight next month. Tua will take on Mexican Saul Montana in a heavyweight bout in Salt Lake City on August 18, almost six months after his last fight.

Tua's promoter Cedric Kushner says after spending the last couple of months in New Zealand, Tua is returning to the United States this week to prepare to meet Montana.

He says Tua is very excited about returning to America to train and they have already organised some sparing partners.

Kushner is pleased to have his main draw card back in the ring, as he has not fought since beating American Robert Hawkins in February. The Montana event will be his sixth fight since returning from a hiatus in 2005.

Kushner says he also hopes to finalise another fight for Tua on October 13 in Russia.
 

Solomon Islands win Oceania Beach Soccer Champs in NZ
09 July 2007 - Source: Oceania Football Confederation

The Bilikiki Boys from Solomon Islands are once again Oceania Beach Soccer Champions after beating Vanuatu 5-3 in the final of the 2007 OFC Beach Soccer World Champs qualifiers held on Auckland’s North Shore on Sunday.

After taking an early 2-0 lead, Vanuatu came back to be within one goal in the third period 3-4 until eventual player of the tournament, James Naka, scored the winning goal for Solomon Islands sending them to Brazil in November for the FIFA World Beach Soccer Cup.

In the earlier game, New Zealand in their first ever Oceania event defeated Tahiti 5-3 to take third place.

“This has been an overwhelming success” says OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas.

"Despite being played in the middle of winter, we wanted to introduce this format of football to the New Zealand football public and we have heard nothing but positive feed back. Tournament sponsors such as Cue Sports Foundation, Lotto, Ole Ole.com, North Shore City Council, Vuksich and Borich expressed an interest to be involved in future editions of this tournament.”

The tournament will move to February 2008 in the North Shore as part or an agreement to be signed between North Shore City Council and OFC to have the event in the city until 2010.

The following awards were made:

Fair play trophy: Team of NEW ZEALAND,

Best goal keeper: Mr Chikau MANSALE from Vanuatu

Top scorer: Mr Teva ZAVERONI #5 from TAHITI with 11 goals scored

Best player: Mr James NAKA #10 from Solomon Islands

Bronze Medal: team of New Zealand

Silver Medal: team of Vanuatu

Gold Medal: team of Solomon Island.
 

Fair hearing welcome news for Field's lawyer
08 July 2007 - Source: NZ City/Newstalk ZB

Taito Phillip Field's lawyer is pleased the case against his client is proceeding to the next stage.

Police want to bring 14 corruption and bribery charges against the Mangere MP, but are obliged to seek permission from the High Court first because he is a member of Parliament.

Mr Field's lawyer Satiu Simativa Perese is pleased Justice Randerson has now set out ground rules, so the defence can argue its case at the next hearing. He says his intention is to argue the matter properly, and all he can ask for is a fair hearing.

Field has welcomed the news that the High Court is giving due consideration to a decision over whether to charge him. He says the process has been long, stressful and grossly unfair through the QC report and police inquiry.

Mr Field says he understands that is the process, but simply wants to have his name cleared. "In a proper legal process, not trial by media or by people with a kangaroo court or lynch mob mentality."

The second hearing will be held on July 26.
 

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