NO ONE GETS CLOSER
INVESTIGATE July 2009:
Rankin Breaks Silence FIRST INTERVIEW
Christine Rankin • Apprenticeships • The Deadliest Caveman
The Young Apprentice This could save the NZ economy
The Deadliest Caveman A special report
Issue 102
The Blame Game What’s really behind the economic collapse?
$8.30 July 2009
Comfort is...
simply another name for Stressless® Words like wellbeing, weightlessness and total relaxation come to mind the moment you sit down in a Stressless® recliner. The natural soft leather and cushion ooze cosy comfort. The gentle swing is controlled with effortless ease. And the smoothness of the reclining function reveals the full potential of the superior technology - adding the right body support in any position. Stated succinctly, the comfort offered by a Stressless® recliner from Norway is the key to a more comfortable you. Take our word for it and try one at your local Stressless® studio soon. Because feeling is believing.
STRESSLESS® Kensington
STRESSLESS® Ambassador
STRESSLESS® Vegas
Stressless® recliners are custom made to order in Norway. A wide range of styles, leather colours and wood finishes available, allowing you to match the decor in your home.
SPECIAL OFFER
FREE matching
Corner table worth $699
when you order two Stressless® recliners together in July 2009. STRESSLESS® Studios DANSKE MØBLER Auckland 983 Mt Eden Road, Three Kings. Ph 09 625 3900 • 13a Link Drive, Wairau Park. Ph 09 443 3045 501 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany Town Centre. Ph 09 274 1998 • Hamilton 716 Victoria Street. Ph 07 838 2261 Whangarei Fabers Furnishings Tauranga Greerton Furnishings Rotorua Van Dyks Taupo Danske Møbler Taupo Gisborne Fenns Furniture Napier Danks Furnishers New Plymouth Cleggs Wanganui Wanganui Furnishers Palmerston North Turnbull Furniture Masterton Country Life Furniture Wellington Fifth Avenue Blenheim Lynfords Christchurch D.A. Lewis • McKenzie & Willis • McDonald & Hartshorne Timaru Ken Wills Furniture Queenstown H & J Smith Invercargill H & J Smith
www.stressless.co.nz
NZ DISTRIBUTOR
Contents 28 FEATURES
36
28 The Rankin Interview
She wants a Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand’s social problems, and thinks the anti-smacking laws are chilling freedom of speech. IAN WISHART interviews the new Families Commission member about her baptism of fire and vision for the future
36 The Young Apprentice
In the not so distant past, apprenticeships were the engine-room of the New Zealand economy, giving work and skills to idle hands and providing employers with a critical pathway to business growth. But now apprenticeships are a politically-correct shadow of what they once were, as TREVOR LOUDON reports
44
44 Barbarians At The Gates
Many of us have blamed the economic collapse on the greed of bankers and investors, but ALAN GALLAGHER is worried a growing contempt for capitalist excesses has opened the door for a bloodless socialist takeover in the West
50 The Deadliest Caveman
50
He’s holed up in a cave on the Afghan border somewhere, but Osama bin Laden still has the power to spook Obama and increase world tensions. PHILIP SMUCKER has been in Afghanistan
56 Prince Of Persia
Iran is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons, but like that other failed state Pakistan, Iran has erupted in bloodshed in the wake of controversial presidential elections. A UPI photo team captured these images
56
18
Editorial and opinion 06 Focal Point
Volume 9, Issue 102, ISSN 1175-1290
Editorial
08 Vox-Populi
The roar of the crowd
16 Simply Devine
Miranda Devine on chk-chk-boom
18 Mark Steyn
Obama’s Ode to Arabia
26
20 Global Warning
Joe Fone on climate change
22 Eyes Right
Richard Prosser on the Greens
24 Line 1
Chris Carter on Whine-flu
26 Soapbox
Martin Hanson on Peak Oil
Lifestyle 14 Poetry
Amy Brooke’s poem of the month
66 Money
Peter Hensley on estate planning
68 Education
Amy Brooke on the NCEA
70
70 Science
The end of the world in 2012
72 Technology
Intelligent cellphones
74 Sport
Chris Forster on the Warriors
76 Health
NZ EDITION Advertising sales@investigatemagazine.com Contributing Writers: Melody Towns, Selwyn Parker, Amy Brooke, Chris Forster, Peter Hensley, Chris Carter, Mark Steyn, Chris Philpott, Michael Morrissey, Miranda Devine, Richard Prosser, Claire Morrow, James Morrow, Len Restall, Laura Wilson, and the worldwide resources of MCTribune Group, UPI and Newscom Art Direction Design & Layout
Tel: +64 9 373 3676 Fax: +64 9 373 3667 Investigate Magazine PO Box 188, Kaukapakapa Auckland 0843, NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIAN Editor Ian Wishart Advertising sales@investigatemagazine.com Tel/Fax: 1-800 123 983 SUBSCRIPTIONS Online: www.investigatemagazine.com By Phone: Australia 1-800 123 983 NZ 09 373 3676 By Post: To the PO Box NZ Edition: $85 Au Edition: A$96 Email editorial@investigatemagazine.com ian@investigatemagazine.com australia@investigatemagazine.com sales@investigatemagazine.com helpdesk@investigatemagazine.tv
84 Food
88 Pages
Investigate magazine Australasia is published by HATM Magazines Ltd
78 Alt.Health Toxic plastic
80 Travel
In search of Sherlock Holmes James Morrow on TV chefs Michael Morrissey’s winter reads
92 Music
Chris Philpott’s CD reviews
94 Movies
Up, Land of the Lost
84
Heidi Wishart Bozidar Jokanovic
All content in this magazine is copyright, and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. The opinions of advertisers or contributors are not necessarily those of the magazine, and no liability is accepted. We take no responsibility for unsolicited material sent to us. Please enclose a stamped, SAE envelope. Inquiries in the first instance should be made via email or fax.
Tailor-made medicines
80
Chief Executive Officer Heidi Wishart Group Managing Editor Ian Wishart
96 DVDs
Duplicity, Despereaux
Cover: Ian Wishart
Affordable. Reliable. Productive. Stylish. Believe the hype.
www.epsongenuinerewards.com.au
45086
Across New Zealand, Epson Stylus™ Office printers are generating excitement for their reliability, productivity and style. But did you know they are also affordable? For $179, take home fax capabilities as well as fast print, copy and scan speeds. For $299, you can print up to 38ppm, connect using WiFi and Ethernet, make your selections using a 2.5” colour LCD viewer and choose high capacity ink cartridges. Also, individual ink cartridges on all models mean you only replace the cartridge you use. Choose from the Epson Stylus™ Office range and see how you can increase efficiency and productivity in your small office for an affordable price!
For further information please visit www.epson.co.nz RRP prices include GST.
The quickest of the
H. E. Perry Limited Imaging Supplies
Available from all leading photographic and specialty stores For further information please contact: HE Perry Limited. Phone 0800 10 33 88. Email sales@heperry.co.nz.
species World’s Fastest autoFocus 11 Point Full-twin Cross AF sensor
the main subject is covered by 11 autofocusing points. their precise positioning results from thorough statistical research analyzing countless sample photographs to ensure perfect aF coverage in virtually any situation.
Featuring the world’s fastest autofocus capability*, the E-3 uses an 11 point full-twin cross AF sensor that provides lightning fast and accurate autofocus even in low light conditions of -2 EV steps. Unlike conventional AF sensors that typically utilise single array cross sensors, the E-3’s AF sensor features 11 cross sensors, all with twin line arrays to achieve maximum detection speed and accurate sensing even in very low light or low contrast shooting conditions. suPersoniC wAve drive teChnology
11 Point Full-twin Cross AF sensor systeM
The all new Olympus-designed Supersonic Wave Drive has made an ultra-fast, high-precision AF system possible. Two compact, high power Supersonic Wave Drive devices drive autofocusing at an ultra-high speed, while an ultra-compact optical encoder detects and controls the lens drive position, enabling extraordinary 1/1000mm order
*
1 point single cross sensor with most other digital slrs.
the olympus e3 has an 11 point full-twin cross aF sensor. twin line arrays at all points, vertically and horizontally, result in high sensitivity and superb precision.
precision. Used in the 12-60mm SWD lens, this technology enables the E-3 to provide swift and accurate focusing for a wide range of
supersonic Wave drive
photographic applications, from fast moving reportage and sport, to low light portraiture and studio photography.
www.olympus.com.au *among digital slr available as of october 17 2007. When the 12-60mm sWd lens is used with the e-3 at a focal length of 60mm. Based on olympus’ in-house measurement conditions. 12-60mm sWd lens and the Hld-4 battery grip are optional items.
The Olympus E-3 is the world’s fastest Digital SLR*. Its groundbreaking technology delivers superb image quality with in-built image stabilisation, super-fast autofocus and high powered Dust Reduction. With free-angle Live View as standard and rugged reliability, the Olympus E-3 enables demanding photographers to achieve image perfection in the most challenging environments.
encoder
sWd is a high output, small form factor ultrasonic motor technology developed by olympus. sWd enabled lenses promise easy, fast and precise focusing.
Epson Stylus Photo TX800FW (Available Nov ‘08)
The Epson StylusTM Office printer range is a design innovation for the small office. It has everything - the latest light touch-screen LCD display, up to 40ppm, (the fastest inkjet printer in its class*), auto-document feeder, fax, WiFi, LAN and optional auto-duplexing. Productivity is increased with a choice of high capacity ink cartridges, and you only replace the cartridge you use. What’s more, you can choose an office model with DURABriteTM Ultra for durability or Claria for high definition prints. These small, stylish, heavyweight performers will carry all your office needs! For further information please visit - www.epson.co.nz
Epson Stylus Office TX600FW
Epson Stylus Office TX300FW
(Available Nov ‘08)
Epson Stylus Office T40W
Epson Stylus T20 EPS43100