Whittaker's Chocolate

Hi people at Whittaker's. I meant to write you this letter about 5 years ago.
It was when you had just introduce a few new varieties to your blocks of chocolate - the dark ghana, dark orange, Cocoa Nib etc.

The feedback was that it was awesome that you had a great range of vegan chocolate, and that's what gives you brand preference of Cadbury's. (As well as tasting better tbh).
At the time I would have suggested that you introduce a Fairtrade variety, as at the time I was going to Trade Aid to buy their blocks, but since then, both you and Cadbury's have! It's very inspiring to see.

So now:
Though I'm no longer vegan, it would be nice to have a Fair Trade dark block. I guess the problem for you is that increased cocoa content might mean too much increased costs for you. You could try making a smaller block, or charging more for a fairtrade dark (certainly I would pay the extra), but I'm guessing there alsorts of marketing impracticalities there.

Also: I've recently picked up a new hobby - baking chocolate brownie. But there is a definate lack of fairtrade cooking chocolate/cocoa at supermarkets. It would be awesome if you could jump in there. :)

Kind Regards

David.

David,
Thank you for your email and your comments about Whittaker's chocolate. We are always interested to hear from consumers. Whittaker's Creamy Milk 250g block, our biggest selling variety is Fairtrade certified. We may look to extending the Fairtrade certification to other varieties when we are certain about the continuity of supply of Fairtrade ingredients. We source our beans from Ghana because they are amongst the best quality beans in the world. We state on our block packaging that we only use Ghanaian cocoa beans (apart from the Madagascar variety). At present there is only one Fairtrade co-op in which can make the supply a little uncertain. Other co-ops are being developed which may help in the future. Also we have to source the sugar for Fairtrade products from Costa Rica which is a lot more difficult than sourcing from Australia.
I am not sure if you are aware of the work that is being conducted in Ghana by the World Cocoa Foundation to help improve the farming conditions. If you go to the website www.worldcocoafoundation.org this details the programmes that are being put in place. We are members of the WCF and fully support their initiatives.
Currently nobody can give a 100% guarantee that labour conditions are perfect but there are a number of organisations working to eliminate any abusive labour practices in Ghana.
Hope this is of help.
Best regards,
Philip Poole.

Paternity Rights

I'm very pleased with the response I got here.

Hi Gareth - First, let me say that you are one of my favorite NZ politicians.
So I've just read this article:

http://www.canadiancrc.com/Newspaper_Articles/Globe_and_Mail_Moms_Little_secret_14DEC02.aspx

And it gets me thinking, as you do. (What do you think about it? Do you think that it has substance?).

What are the laws in NZ regarding paternity testing and men's obligations to child support?

- Do men have the right to get a paternity test on a child they is believe is theirs when it's born?

- Are children born in marriage assumed to be the man's?

Does the Green party have any policy on this issue? Any suggestions of law reform?What are you personal views here? Or is this something you haven't considered/ aren't interested in? (I think it's OK for one person to not have to cover every single issue).

If you can answer my questions, or point me in the right direction?

Warm regards
David Johnston

I’ve had a look into your questions around paternity and men’s obligations. Firstly, this seems to be an area that the Green Party haven’t really looked in to. It’s also a bit unclear about whose portfolio these issues would come under - and therefore, who would explore this in relation to Green Party policy. This is something I will continue to look in to. In the meantime, below you should find answers to your non-Green Party specific questions. I hope they help.

- Laws in New Zealand regarding paternity testing

The main law in New Zealand regarding paternity testing is:Family Proceedings Act 1980, Sections 54-59

This Act can be accessed on the New Zealand legislation website at:

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1980/0094/latest/DLM39723.html

Courts may recommend that parentage tests be carried out, but cannot order that parentage tests be carried out.

If a person refuses to give a blood or buccal sample for a parentage test, the Court may “draw such inferences (if any) from the fact of refusal as appear to it to be proper in the circumstances.”

The Status of Children Act 1969, Sections 7-10 has information on the Recognition of Paternity, but these sections do not mention paternity or parentage tests.

The Status of Children Act 1969 can be accessed on the New Zealand legislation website at:

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1969/0018/latest/DLM390654.html

- Laws in New Zealand regarding men’s obligations to pay child support

The law in New Zealand which obligates parents to pay towards the living costs of their children is the Child Support Act 1991.

This Act can be accessed on the New Zealand legislation website at:

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1991/0142/latest/DLM253151.html

- Prospective Father’s Right to Paternity Testing

It is very difficult for a man to get a paternity test performed unless the mother agrees to her child submitting a DNA sample (blood or buccal).

If the mother agrees, a paternity test is no problem.

Currently a mother can usually overrule a man's request for DNA testing. But in December of 2004 (T v S), a man successfully won a Court of Appeal battle to have a child DNA tested despite the mother's refusal. This case set a precedent that Family Court judges can now enforce.

A Law Commission report (New issues in Legal Parenthood, New Zealand Law Commission, April 2005) has also boosted fathers' rights by recommending all judges should have the ability to overrule a mother's opposition to DNA testing. The report estimated doubts over paternity existed in up to 30 per cent of children.

If a man feels he is being asked to pay child support for a child he has not fathered a complaint can be lodged with IRD. The Commissioner of Inland Revenue has the discretion to decide whether a man is the parent and can consider evidence such as travel documentation to prove one of the parties was overseas at the time of conception, DNA tests or an admission of paternity from another person in court. If the complaint is not successful, the commissioner's decision can be appealed in the Family Court.

Please see the Maxim Institute Policy Paper, October 2006, Paternity Testing in New Zealand, for further information on this issue.

This is available at:www.maxim.org.nz/files/pdf/policy_paper_paternity_testing.pdf

- Are children born in marriage assumed to be the husband’s?

Yes, children born in marriage are assumed to be the husband’s children, unless there is evidence to the contrary.

This is spelt out in the Status of Children Act 1969, Section 5 which can be accessed on the New Zealand legislation website at:

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1969/0018/latest/DLM390675.html

Section 5 reads: Presumptions as to parenthood·

(1) A child born to a woman during her marriage, or within 10 months after the marriage has been dissolved by death or otherwise, shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be presumed to be the child of its mother and her husband, or former husband, as the case may be.

(2) Every question of fact that arises in applying subsection (1) of this section shall be decided on a balance of probabilities.

(3) This section shall apply in respect of every child, whether born before or after the commencement of this Act, and whether born in New Zealand or not, and whether or not his father or mother has ever been domiciled in New Zealand.

- The Law Commission on these issues

The Law Commission’s 2005 paper:

New Issues in Legal Parenthood can be accessed at:

http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/project/status-parenthood-0?quicktabs_23=report#node-628

The Government response to this paper is available on the Ministry of Justice website at:

http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/g/government-response-to-law-commission-report-on-new-issues-in-legal-parenthood-march-2006

Thanks, Holly(Executive Assistant to Gareth Hughes)

Misleading TV3 news piece.

I haven't bothered looking for a video of the news piece, but hopefully you can understand how it went.

Thu 2/17/2011 12:19 AM
Last night's piece on milk prices.
It mentions that a study suggests that children should drink two glasses of milk a day, and then goes on to say that 'but some children are only drinking milk once a week', and then shows a shot of soft drink in a supermarket isle - insinuating that these kids are drinking soft drink instead. I thought that making that insinuation without any reference to facts was very irresponsible journalism. If the study said that these kids were drinking softdrink instead, then you should have mentioned that in the piece.
I brought this criticism up with my flatmate, and he replied 'that's why you should watch One News'. I will be taking his advice.

Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 1:58 AM
Hi David, it wasn't a study which suggested children drink two glasses of milk a day and teenagers three, it's the Ministry of Health guidelines.
The New Zealand Children's Nutrition survey showed one in three children drink milk once a week.

Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 2:05 AM
Yeah sure. My point was about the using the shot of the soft drink isle to make the insinuation that kids are drinking soft drinking instead, I'm guessing wasn't a part of that Nutrition Survey. If it was - then you should have been more clear about that - as in actually stating it.

Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 2:09 AM
I cannot speak on the reporter's behalf, but there is every chance that the story was longer and did go on to say that, but was cut down for whatever reason (we had three live crosses at the start of the bulletin last night, which mean everything else has to be shorter). If this was cut down at 5.30pm, there wouldn't be enough time to write a new script to the abbreviated time, and that shot may have slipped under an editor's nose, or remained as there wasn't enough time to change it.
Not saying that this is what happened, but there are other possibilities than a reporter trying to play the evil soft drink card.

I'm amused that this conversation took place at 2am.

Eco Tanka (Water Bottle)

Feedback for your eco-tanka.

My sister and her husband gave me an 1 litre Tanka with the insulation sleeve for Christmas, and I absolutely loved it. (Past tense, I've since lost it, so I've bought a new one!). I mainly use mine to take to dance parties, where I previously had frustrations with losing a plastic water bottle amongst others, or having someone think it's rubbish and throw it out.

Some feedback for you:

The plastic cap for the sports lid breaks to easily. At first I thought it might just be me, but the new one I bought broke with a couple of days of me using it.

The metal rings on the sleeve bend out of shape too easily. I found the carry strap kept slipping off the rings through a gap in the metal.

It would be cool if the insulation sleep came with some kind of pocket, it would make it pretty practical! I'm thinking like a stretchy mesh pocket like you see on the outside of backpacks.

But keep up the good work on a quality product. :)

Regards

David Johnston.

Hi David,

Thank you so much for your feedback, it is really appreciated!!

I am so glad that you love your ECOtanka(s) J

We have been aware that the dust cover straps were breaking too easily. We have just had a new lid manufactured as a result,.. please let me know if you need any free sports cap replacements, we can send that out for you.

Thank you for letting me know about the metal rings, that information is new to me, so that helps. I have forwarded it across to our design and production manager.

The pocket idea is a good one! I have also sent that across to the design and production manager.

Thank you again, that is great!!

We will be continuously working to improve our products and add to our range. Please stay tuned! J www.ecotanka.com

Kind Regards,

Sharon Broderick - Director

Those two 'J's are sic.

Cadbury Chocolate

Ok, this is why online 'contact us' forms (as opposed to simply giving an email address) suck ... They've replied to my email but haven't quoted the original. Now I wish I had copy-pasted the original somewhere.

So this what I wrote from memory:

Dear Cadbury

Expressing my appreciation that you now have a Fair Trade block of chocolate.

Also: I appreciate and respect that you backed down over the palm oil issue.

I have recently taken up the hobby of cooking chocolate brownie. Unfortunately supermarkets don't stock any fair trade cooking chocolate or cocoa, so it would be good if you could fill that gap.

Regards

David Johnston

Dear Mr Johnston,

Thank you for taking time to contact us regarding our recent announcement that Cadbury Dairy Milk will be going Fairtrade in Australia. We value any feedback, especially positive feedback like yours.

Cadbury Dairy Milk is the first major Australian confectionery product to achieve Fairtrade certification.

This means that farmers who grow the cocoa beans we use in our Cadbury Dairy Milk will receive a Fairtrade minimum price for their cocoa and over 40,000 Ghanaian Fairtrade farmers and their families and communities will immediately benefit.

It also means that fairer prices under the Fairtrade system will help farmers tackle poverty and grow their businesses, and the Fairtrade premium paid by Cadbury will provide new investment in community infrastructure such as schools, roads, and access to medical services. In addition, Fairtrade certification means better labour standards as Fairtrade standards explicitly prohibit the use of forced or slave labour.

Achieving Fairtrade Certification for each individual ingredient that can be Fairtrade Certified is complex and takes time. We have started with our biggest seller plain Cadbury Dairy Milk first because it's two main ingredients that can be Fairtrade Certified are cocoa and sugar. Other products have additional ingredients such as fruit, nuts, fillings, wafers, etc and each of these need to be individually Fairtrade Certified. It is our hope that we will bring additional Cadbury Fairtrade Certified products to you in the future.

Cadbury Australia believes that Fairtrade certification for Cadbury Dairy Milk is the right thing to do. It builds upon our existing commitment to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers through our $100 million investment in the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership.

To learn more about Fairtrade Australian, please visit: www.fairtrade.com.au

To learn more about the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership, please visit: www.cadbury.com/ourresponsibilities/cadburycocoapartnership/Pages/cadburycocoapartnership.aspx

Once again we thank you for your feedback.

Kind regards

CADBURY


They obviously didn't read my email and just copy pasted a form letter! :(

Not Our Future

Not Our Future is a government funded quit smoking ad campaign in NZ. They have bus stop ads, and for a while had ads on TV.
Check out their website to see the other posters.



My feedback of the campaign.
Overall, I think it's a really good campaign. It's got the right amount of firmness and honesty that will give people the push they need to stop smoking. It's not necasserily a comfortable or pleasant campaign for smokers, but I think it's effective.

However - I don't like the Ladi6 one - 'I see it as a weakness in myself that I smoke' - this just advertises her as a smoker, which legitimises it for others. Smokers will see it and think 'well, Ladi6 smokes and is cool and successful, therefore I can still get ahead as a smoker'. And, I'm assuming that you are paying these celebs for their endorsment, why would you want to pay someone for being a smoker? Pay them when they've quit and can say 'I quit smoking, it's perfectly possible'.

Regards

David Johnston.


Kia ora David,

Thanks for getting in touch. We always appreciate any feedback on the Smoking Not Our Future campaign, and we’re glad that you think it’s effective.

The particular message of Ladi6’s that you mention - “I see it as a weakness in myself that I smoke” - was chosen for a very specific reason. In order to be credible, reflect reality, and appeal to a wide audience, the campaign has a range of smoking statuses and messages amongst the celebrities. Ladi6’s message acknowledges her feelings about addiction, as well as showing current smokers that she’s not happy with her addiction. She’s also showing young people who have never smoked the powerful regret that can come from taking it up. Research shows that many current smokers want to quit, and it’s only the highly addictive substances in cigarettes that keeps them smoking.

However the perspective that you bring up is an important one for us to consider. We’ll bear your comments in mind when next considering which messages to use for the campaign.

Kind regards,

Laura