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The State Services Commission is shelling out up to $50,000 a time to lure top bureaucrats to New Zealand. The "relocation payouts" are happening more frequently as the commission struggles to fill chief executive positions from the ranks of domestic applicants. The money covers flights, freight, up to eight weeks' accommodation and visa expenses. The commission refused for a year to reveal details of the payments after the Herald on Sunday sought them under the Official Information Act, but finally complied after a ruling by the Ombudsman's office. Director-General of Health Kevin Woods, and Education Ministry chief executive Lesley Longstone are among senior public sector bosses recruited from offshore in the past two years. The last thing NZ needs is more pen pushers.                                               Article

Waitangi is set to be a flashpoint of protest today with threats to once more hijack official celebrations, although strangely Maori activists are no longer dominating the charge.
Two bus-loads of Mana Party supporters armed with flags and banners arrived in Paihia yesterday containing more than 100 protesters promising to cause mayhem when Prime Minister John Key arrives at Te Tii Marae this morning. But the face of the protesters has changed � unionists, anti-capitalist protesters fresh from occupying Aotea Square and left-wing activists filed off the Mana buses. Maori appeared in the minority. Unionist and Mana Party supporter Joe Carolan said they were bringing the attack against state-owned asset sales to Waitangi. "Key will clearly see the message. This anger has been bubbling away under the surface. This is the year it erupts." It's suck up day to the Maori for the politicians.        Article

Fears that China is gobbling up New Zealand land are misplaced, official figures show.
Americans, Canadians and even Liechtensteinians are buying far more land. Figures released by the Overseas Investment Office show that of the 872,313 hectares of gross land sold to foreign interests over the past five years, only 223ha were sold to Chinese.
People from the landlocked principality of Liechtenstein had purchased 10 times more land than the Chinese - 2,144ha in the same period. The top buyers were the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Israel. The United States had 194 purchases for a total of 193,208ha. Don't panic! I've just bought New York for three bottles of wine. Hic!             Article

The former mines boss charged over alleged failings leading up to the deaths of the Pike River 29 has founded a new business which consults on issues such as mine safety.
Peter Whittall, the former chief executive of Pike River Coal, has formed Wellington-based Peter Whittall & Associates and is offering mining consultancy services. Last November, the former mine boss was one of three parties who had charges laid against them by the Department of Labour following the Pike River tragedy, which killed 29 men. Maybe he needs the practice?            Article