American Samoa politician says girls died for lacking US$20

An American Samoan candidate for governor, Save Liuato Tuitele, has revealed that a female student with heart problems died last year because she couldn’t pay the 20 US dollars to see a doctor at the LBJ Hospital. At a seminar on health care, Save said the Tafuna high school student was brought to the hospital complaining about chest pains. The girl told the receptionist her name and the receptionist asked her if she had $20. She told the receptionist that she had just come from school and she had no money. According to Save the receptionist instructed the student to call her parents to bring $20. The hospital forgot about her. She sat there until everybody was gone, and they finally checked on her. But by the time they got to her she was already dead.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

New front brings heavy rain and gales

By Hayden Donnell
Another front carrying downpours and gales is set to cross the country, forecasters warn. Metservice said the active front should hit the South Island this morning before travelling north in the afternoon. It would bring 200 to 300mm of rain to Fiordland and 100 to 250mm in Westland by tomorrow morning, with rainfall rates reaching 25 to 40mm per hour, Metservice said. The system was expected to bring gale force winds to Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa from this afternoon until midday tomorrow, Metservice said.

Napier and Hastings police set to merge

Napier and Hastings police are set to form a combined Hawke's Bay policing area. Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Bush gave approval for the merger to proceed last week. There will now be one area commander for the Hawke's Bay district, instead of two. Detective Senior Sergeant Dave De Lange will head a combined Hawke's Bay CIB. However, there are no plans to move police staff from their stations.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd

Maori Party threatens to pull support for Govt

The Maori Party is threatening to pull its support for the Government over partial asset sales. The party is concerned the Government will leave out strong Treaty of Waitangi provisions in new legislation that will pave the way for the partial sale of four State assets. The Maori Party supports National on confidence and supply, but co-leader Tariana Turia says the issue could be a deal breaker.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Weather warnings in place in Vanuatu

The tropical depression is currently causing heavy rainfall throughout Vanuatu. In an advisory issued late last night, Vanuatu’s metservice said a Marine Gale wind warning is current for all coastal waters of Vanuatu. It says a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall, flooding and strong inland winds is also in place.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Calls for laws to stop forced marriages

UNICEF wants legislation introduced in New Zealand which targets forced marriages. It comes following the story of a 17-year-old Pakistani woman who was held against her will and forced into a marriage in Wellington. Executive director Dennis McKinlay says it's disappointing to hear of the case. "You would think that the officials that gave out the marriage license should've been more alert to the fact that something wasn't right here, so I think some training of officials would also be useful." Mr McKinlay says there was a select committee inquiry in 2010 which made a set of recommendations to protect young women who could be subjected to the practice. Mr McKinlay says there are about 25 cases of forced marriage a year in New Zealand.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd

More rain to hit soggy Queensland

A town in southwestern Queensland has been lashed by record high rainfall as the rest of the state holds its breath for more monsoonal downpours. With many roads across inland Queensland still cut by floodwaters, the Bureau of Meteorology is warning that more severe rains are expected until the end of the week. Bureau forecaster Pradeep Singh said the Central Highlands would probably receive the worst of the state's weather. "They're looking at 100mm plus for Monday, and that will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday," he said. The NSW government has declared five natural disaster zones in the state's north after days of severe flooding. Emergency Services Minister Mike Gallacher declared the zones for the Bellingen, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore and Richmond Valley local government areas on Monday evening.
Source: AAP

Samoan PM says PNG mutiny attempt a dangerous sign

Samoa's Prime Minister says last week's failed mutiny in Port Moresby is a dangerous sign that Papua New Guinea could go down the same path as Fiji. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi describes the politically-motivated mutiny as harmful, not just to PNG's image but that of the Pacific Islands region as a whole. Tuilaepa says that once a military force gets involved in civilian government, its impact can be dangerously contagious. He says that's the reason why his government has always opposed the military government in Fiji.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Fijians warned more heavy rain coming

Weather forecasters in Fiji are warning of landslides and flooding as more heavy rain and high winds head towards the island nation. Fiji is still clearing up after last week's deluge which caused heavy flooding. Six people died including a family of four who were buried under a landslide near the town of Ba. Fifteen evacuation centres remain open and a state of natural disaster remains in force for Western parts of Viti Levu. Senior forecaster at the Fiji Meteorological Service Amit Singh says rain from a slow-moving depression near Vanuatu is already affecting the country and will be at its heaviest on Wednesday.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand

Gloomy forecast for Indonesian journalists in 2012

Press freedom activists in Indonesia believe 2012 will be more dangerous for journalists than years previous, ahead of the general election in 2014. Reporters Without Boarders has released its 2011 Press Freedom Index which showed Indonesia had dropped 29 places from the previous year, to 146th. The organisation said this deterioration was largely due to the killing, kidnap and assault of journalists in Papua. The President of the Alliance of Independent Journalists in Indonesia, Eko Marryadi, forecasts a gloomy year for media freedom. Mr Marryadi says many journalists have been subject to intimidation after publishing stories that did not agree with local politicians. He says some of those cases ended in assault, and he fears 2012 will be worse than last year.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Hip implants causing concern

By Alexandra O’Hara
Safety concerns about metal-on-metal hip replacements are rising in Britain, as one Auckland lawyer says New Zealand authorities need to launch their own investigation into the implants. James Elliott, who had one of the implants at 43, says they're more harmful than many think, and if action is not taken there could be serious consequences. He says there were “relatively two choices” when he had the operation in 2008 – a ceramic working surface, or metal-on-metal. An investigation by a British newspaper claims the devices could be more dangerous than first thought, especially concerning the long-term effect of having metal in the body. Over 500 New Zealanders have the replacements, and since the 2010 recall these have been monitored closely by the Orthopaedic Association. The Ministry of Health says they are following the situation closely and anyone with concerns should contact their doctor.
3 News

Dairy Holdings sold

One of the country's largest farming groups has been sold to a New Zealand buyer. Dairy Holdings, which is based in Timaru, is expected to announce the sale within a week. Dairy Holdings assets include 58 farms on more than 14,000 hectares, milking more than 40,000 cows. It is substantially larger than the 16 Crafar farms. Dairy Holdings is one-third owned by the failed South Canterbury Finance. Other shareholders include dairy magnate Alan Pye, Christchurch businessman Humphry Rolleston and three United States investors. The New Zealand Super Fund would not comment on speculation that it is the buyer.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Anniversary Day regatta

Crowds are flocking to the Auckland waterfront for the city's annual Anniversary Day regatta. Waka yachts and America's Cup vessels are on the water in a variety of races and displays. The races have been a mainstay of Auckland's Anniversary day celebrations for 172 years. Other parts of New Zealand celebrating Anniversary Day on Monday include Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Buller.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

More weather warnings for Fiji

A flash flood warning is in place for low lying areas in parts of Fiji including the Northern Lau group. Six people died, and millions of dollars of damage was caused in floods last week, in the west of the main island of Viti Levu. Forecasters say a trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain remains slow moving over the Northern parts of Fiji, and flash flooding of low lying areas is possible. Fiji Village reports the weather office is monitoring a tropical depression to the East of Vanuatu which is expected to move East South East towards Fiji by tomorrow. By Wednesday this tropical Depression may develop into a Tropical Cyclone. Occasional heavy rainfall and gale force winds is expected in the Western part of Fiji and other areas from Tuesday.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

No visible tattoos wanted on NSW police

Police officers in New South Wales may be banned from having visible tattoos under a proposal being considered. A draft document soon to go before the state's police commissioner for approval recommends that prospective new recruits with prominent tattoos could also be denied entry to the police academy. The ABC reports existing officers with obvious body art on their arms or legs might be asked to keep them concealed with long sleeve shirts and pants. Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Corboy says there have been complaints from the public about officers wearing tattoos, with some people regarding them offensive.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Auckland teenager makes golfing history

The teenage Auckland golfer Lydia Ko has made history after winning the New South Wales Open in Sydney. The 14-year-old amateur's 4 shot victory makes her the youngest ever winner of a professional women's tournament. Ko, who was runner-up in this tournament last year, fired a final round 3 under par 69 for a 14 under par total. Becky Morgan of Wales was second, 4 shots back. Ko, who turns 15 on 24 April, comfortably takes the title from Gold Coast youngster Amy Yang, who won the Australian Ladies Masters aged 16 and 192 days. Ko is the number one ranked amateur player in the world.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Key wants NZ apples into every part of Australia

The Prime Minister says he will continue to raise with the Australian Government the refusal of Tasmania to accept New Zealand apples. Last August, Biosecurity Australia cleared the way for New Zealand apple imports following a World Trade Organisation ruling that fears of the fruit carrying the disease fireblight were scientifically invalid. It brought to an end a 90-year ban on the Australian import of New Zealand apples. John Key, who was meeting with his counterpart Julia Gillard in Melbourne on Sunday, says the Australian Government has accepted the WTO's ruling on apples.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand

Enjoying ocean's bounty

By Celeste Gorrell Anstiss
Fine weather drew big crowds to the first day of the sixth Auckland Seafood Festival yesterday. Within the first two hours, 5500 people had walked through the doors of the Viaduct Events Centre. Last year 23,000 people attended the festival over three days and more than 30,000 were expected this year, organiser David Savidan said. For $20, festival-goers could sample some of the 120 dishes available, including 30 varieties of seafood. The festival is open 11am-6pm during the long weekend.

Joint cabinet meeting to take place today

The second ever joint cabinet meeting between New Zealand and Australian ministers will be held in Melbourne today. The first was held in Sydney in 2009 and it's understood today's meeting will see an agreement reached to make it a regular occurrence. Better data sharing of people's information, a push by New Zealand to make it easier for Kiwis to get residency across the Tasman, climate change and the economy are all on today's agenda.
© 2012 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Thousands of NZers could get Australian residency

Prime Minister John Key has signalled up to 100,000 New Zealanders living in Australia could be made permanent residents of that country. He says a change in policy being considered by Australia could result in up to 100,000 New Zealanders being made permanent residents of that country.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand

Plans for regulating therapeutic products

The first steps are being planned for a new trans-Tasman body to regulate therapeutic products. Over a five-year period, the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Agency will replace both Medsafe and its Australian counterpart. Ministers have today met in Melbourne and decided to get an information website with advice on adverse reactions to medications up and running by the end of June. They also agreed that the current bodies will over the next 12 months deliver a common recalls portal and early warning system for therapeutic products.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd

3000 people turn out for The Hobbit casting

Police estimate about 3000 people turned out on Saturday afternoon for a casting for Sir Peter Jackson's movie The Hobbit. The casting caused a back-log of traffic and some trouble on State Highway 2 in the Belmont area in Lower Hutt which led to the film's production company closing its doors early. The film's production company, 3 Foot 7, was expecting about 1200 people to turn out for Saturday's casting. Those who didn't make it into Saturday's casting session and are still hopeful can apply online.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Cricket - NZ Black Caps dismiss Zimbabwe

The Black Caps (NZ) have dismissed Zimbabwe for their lowest ever total in test cricket. Zimbabwe's been rolled for just 51 on day three of the one-off test in Napier, in reply to New Zealand's 495 for seven declared. The Black Caps seamers, Chris Martin, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell and Tim Southee, took two wickets each, while Daniel Vettori also chipped in with a wicket. Malcolm Waller top scored for Zimbabwe with 23 and was the only batsman in his side to reach double figures. The 51 eclipses Zimbabwe's previous worst of 54, achieved against South Africa in 2005. The Black Caps have enforced the follow-on.
© 2012 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Summer snow hits Central Otago

By Adrien Taylor
Central Otago's erratic summer has struck again, with a wintry blast that left behind snow-capped mountains. Temperatures around Queenstown began plummeting last night from the mid-20s and fell down to sub-zero in some parts this morning. Local children could not wait to get among the rugged Central Otago ranges, coated with a layer of snow. It is the second freak dumping in just two weeks. The unseasonal snowfall caught mountain bikers ready for sunshine unprepared, but their only complaint was not bringing a snowboard and skis. The weather forecasters say residents’ wishes for warm weather tomorrow are set to come true.
3 News

Record dairy production gives rise to unexpected trade surplus

By HAMISH RUTHERFORD
Record dairy production led to New Zealand running an unexpected trade surplus at the end of 2011, a sign of continued overseas demand, despite fears of a meltdown in key markets. Statistics New Zealand said exports climbed 4.3 per cent in the three months to December 31, boosted by a double-digit increase in dairy products being shipped overseas. Imports were slightly lower than economists had expected, meaning New Zealand recorded a trade surplus of just under $700 million in the December quarter, and a $1.1 billion surplus for 2011. Statistics NZ said New Zealand had now recorded trade surpluses in seven of the last eight quarters.
- © Fairfax NZ News

NZ dollar predicted to rise further

The New Zealand dollar is continuing to appreciate and some analysts say it could fly higher in the next week if a resolution is reached on the Greece's debt talks. The kiwi broke a three month high on Thursday against its US counterpart after the US Federal Reserve said it would keep interest rates low until the end of 2014. Investors reacted by selling the greenback and buying up the kiwi because of its higher yields. By Friday morning the New Zealand dollar had risen above US82 cents, its highest level since September.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand

Maori children over-represented in drowning figures

Water Safety New Zealand says it's a huge disappointment that such a high number of pre-school children, half of them Maori, drowned last year. Last year 123 people died in the water, the worst toll since 2003. Seven of the 14 victims aged under five were Maori. He says Asian, Maori and Pacific ethnic groups are all disproportionately represented in drownings, with Maori making up 20% of the total number of deaths.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

NZer may be unplanned crew member on errant yach

The fugitive Norwegian yachtsman Jarle Andhoey is now headed for Antarctica on his yacht, Nilaya, with a New Zealander who may be onboard by mistake. Mr Andhoey is trying to find traces of his support vessel, Berserk, which sank last February with three crew, during his bid to reach the South Pole. The adventurer has told a Norwegian Broadcasting Service journalist via satellite phone that Immigration Service staff boarded the Nilaya, in Auckland harbour last Monday and told him he was to be deported. The journalist, Tormond Strand, told Radio New Zealand Mr Andhoey said to him the vessel then left in a hurry, taking a Maori man, who had been repairing an anchor and did not have time to get off. "Andhoey didn't know that he was still on the boat but he discovered this when they were setting off from the harbour. They couldn't then go ashore again and they said to me that this man is happy to be on the ship."
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand

PNG leader wants early poll to solve power struggle

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O'Neill, says he will move to dissolve parliament next month and go to early polls to end the current political impasse. The veteran politician, Sir Michael Somare, claims to be the legitimate prime minister based on last month's Supreme Court ruling. But key institutions have opted to keep backing Mr O'Neill as the head of government and he has the backing of the majority of MPs. Mr O'Neill came to power after Sir Michael was ruled to have missed too many sessions of parliament, while he was out of the country receiving medical treatment.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand