4 FEBRUARY NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 357

General Notices

HIH Rating Review

Australian-based insurance group HIH International Holdings Pty Limited has obtained in excess of 97 percent of FAI Insurances Limited and is proceeding with the compulsory acquisition of the remaining FAI shares.

The successful acquisition of FAI makes HIH Insurance Australia’s largest general insurer, with A$2.6 billion (NZ$3.15 billion) in gross written premiums and a diversified range of brands and product distribution capabilities.

Following the announcement of the successful acquisition, ratings agency Standard & Poor’s revised the financial strength rating of the HIH Group to “A–” and removed the rating from Credit Watch.

At the same time the rating for FAI (Australia) was upgraded from “BBB–” to “A–”.

Standard & Poor’s have commented that the ratings outlook is stable and operating performance should improve in the medium term.

The rating applies to the following New Zealand entities:

• HIH Casualty & General Insurance (N.Z.) Limited.
• CIC Insurance Limited (New Zealand branch).
• CMG Insurance Company (N.Z.) Limited.

The above ratings are dated on the 22nd day of January 1999.

A copy of the rating scale is available for inspection at any office of the above companies.

This notice is made, pursuant to the Insurance Companies (Ratings and Inspections) Act 1994.

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Departmental Notices

Agriculture and Forestry

Wine Makers Levy Act 1976

Rate of Levy Prescribed Under the Wine Makers Levy Act 1976 (Notice No. 1113)

Pursuant to section 4 (4) of the Wine Makers Levy Act 1976, and after having regard to the recommendation of the Wine Institute of New Zealand Incorporated, I hereby amend the notice that appeared in the New Zealand Gazette on 27 November 1997, prescribing the rate of levy under the Wine Makers Levy Act 1976.

The amended wording of the notice is as follows:

Pursuant to section 4 (1) of the Wine Makers Levy Act 1976, and after having regard to the recommendation of the Wine Institute of New Zealand Incorporated, I hereby prescribe a rate of one dollar and thirty-two and one half cents ($1.325) per hectolitre or part thereof as the rate of grape wine makers levy to be paid by wine makers.

Dated at Wellington this 2nd day of February 1999.

Hon. JOHN LUXTON, Minister for Food, Fibre, Biosecurity and Border Control.

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Civil Defence

Civil Defence Act 1983

Appointment of Disaster Recovery Co-ordinator

Pursuant to section 69 (1) of the Civil Defence Act, I, Honourable Jack Elder, Minister of Civil Defence, hereby appoint Clive Antony Manley as Disaster Recovery Co-ordinator for the Far North District with the duties as outlined in the attached terms of reference.

The powers contained in section 71 (2) and (3) are not conferred as part of this appointment.

This appointment shall come into force on the time and date of the making of this appointment and shall cease at 1700 hours on 4 February 1999.

Time and Date of Declaration: 1410 hours, 27 January 1999.

Appointed by:
Hon. JACK ELDER, Minister of Civil Defence.

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Declaration of a State of Local Civil Defence Emergency

Pursuant to section 52 of the Civil Defence Act 1983, I, Yvonne Sharp, hereby declare a state of local civil defence emergency to be in force in the Far North District.

The state of local civil defence emergency shall come into force on the time and date of the making of this declaration.

Declared by: Y. Sharp.
Designation: Mayor, Far North District Council.
Time and Date of Declaration: 0858 hours, 22 January 1999.

ROGER BOULCOTT, for Director Emergency Management and Civil Defence.

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Extension of a State of Local Civil Defence Emergency

Pursuant to section 55 of the Civil Defence Act 1983, I, Yvonne Sharp, hereby extend the state of local civil defence emergency declared in respect of the Far North District on 22 January 1999, until midnight Wednesday, the 3rd day of February 1999.

Declared by: Y. Sharp.
Designation: Mayor, Far North District Council.