Air NZ wins top honours

By 3 News online staff
Air New Zealand has won top honours at the Skytrax World Airline awards in France overnight. The awards were handed out at the prestigious Paris Air Show, where Air New Zealand won all three Premium Economy categories including best premium economy class, seat and onboard catering. The awards are in recognition of the premium economy class available on the Boeing 777-300 fleet. The cabin offers travellers the Spaceseat, as well as New Zealand food and wine. The World Airline awards are determined each year by the Skytrax passenger satisfaction survey, with travellers from over 160 countries. The survey covers more than 200 airlines.
3News

Aussies snap up our homes

By Anne Gibson
Australians are contributing to New Zealand's skyrocketing house prices, with new research showing they bought more property than any other overseas group. The figures have prompted calls to ban purchases by foreigners or impose a tax on top of the sale price. BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander has found Australians are the biggest single group of overseas buyers with 22 per cent of all property purchases by foreigners. Chinese are second at 20 per cent and British at 13 per cent. The BNZ-REINZ survey asked real estate agents to identify the proportions of their sales to various groups. It found 8 per cent to 9 per cent of sales were to foreigners.

Dalziel running for Chch Mayor

Labour MP Lianne Dalziel has formally announced she will run for Christchurch's mayoralty later this year. The long-serving Christchurch East MP confirmed it on Twitter, saying "it's official now - I'm running for the Christchurch mayoralty". Ms Dalziel had said in March that she was "99 percent sure" she would not stand against Mayor Bob Parker, but a month later she was revealed to have courted Student Volunteer Army leader Sam Johnson to be her running mate and deputy mayor. However, Mr Johnson, who is on the Riccarton-Wigram Community Board, turned down the offer. Local body elections take place in October.
NZN / 3 News

Fonterra to stop taking milk from farms with oil and gas waste

Fonterra will no longer accept milk from new farms that have converted marginal land into dairy pasture using oil and gas drilling waste. Waste made up of ground rock, drilling mud, and lubricant fluids is increasingly being dumped in the practice known as 'land farming'. The sludge is trucked to about a dozen sites in Taranaki, stored in pits to let petrochemicals settle before being spread thinly across the land where it is covered and becomes pasture. Fonterra currently collects milk from six farms that have spread petroleum-tainted mud, but says it won't take on any more farms. The company said the cost of specially testing the milk for petroleum contaminants is too high, about $80,000 per year, and the testing is more trouble than it's worth. Taranaki Regional Council backs the use of the waste spreading saying it is strictly monitored and the drilling muds improve coastal sandy soils for productive farming.
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

More community clout over liquor licensing

A new law is in force giving communities a bigger say on whether new bars or liquor stores should be allowed in their neighbourhoods. It's the first part of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to be implemented, and it's effective from today. Justice Minister Judith Collins says people can oppose a liquor licence application if they believe the location of the premises will have a negative impact on the neighbourhood, including increased noise or vandalism. Previously, applications could only be opposed on the grounds of the applicant's suitability to hold a licence. "The Government has given communities the tools they need to challenge unwanted bars, bottle stores and other licensed premises and stop them from setting up in particular parts of their neighbourhood," Ms Collins said.
Source: NZN

Parliament TV to get a shake up

By Kate Shuttleworth
A shake up of the way proceedings in Parliament are broadcast is underway. The Government has put out to tender the contract to deliver Parliament TV. Kordia has held the $3 million contract for six years and a spokeswoman for the Office of the Clerk would not say if they one of "several" companies who had been shortlisted to deliver the service. A spokeswoman for the Office of the Clerk said they have asked companies to put forward idea on how to make better use of the Parliament TV channel. The office is also looking at webcasts and podcasts from some select committees. There will be no funding for this, so it will initially be trialled and screened via the Parliamentary website to see if there is an appetite for it.
- APNZ

Another international award for Kim Hill

Radio New Zealand's Saturday Morning presenter Kim Hill has won a second international broadcasting award. The gold medal for best talk show host was awarded by the grand jury at the 2013 New York Festival Radio Awards. In November, Ms Hill was named the 2012 international radio personality of the year by the Association for International Broadcasting in London.
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

Target bank to be named by a class action group

The first bank to be taken to court accused of charging high bank fees to customers will be named at 1pm. The Fair Play on Fees group will make the announcement. The group will also introduce the legal team who will represent the bank's customers in a class action. Fair Play on Fees was launched in March to fight excessive bank fees. It claimed customers are charged on average $15 every time they overdraw their accounts, pay their credit card late or bounce a cheque, but these cost banks only a few cents. The group said up to 1 million people in New Zealand could be eligible to claim excessive default fees, estimated to be around $1 billion over the past six years.
Note: The bank named is the ANZ bank.
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

Polar blast to bring heavy snow

By Matthew Backhouse
There will be a brief reprieve today for towns cleaning up from yesterday's floods as they prepare for the threat of "blizzard conditions" later this week. Snow could reach as far north as the Coromandel Peninsula and the Kaimai Range later this week as a huge winter storm looks set to batter the country. MetService has issued a special weather advisory for the entire country, warning of a "significant cold outbreak" expected to start sweeping up the South Island from tomorrow night before reaching the North Island on Thursday and Friday. Temperatures are expected to be "very cold", snow may fall in many areas, and "strong, cold, blustery" winds will affect most of the country. "People should be aware that snowfalls are likely to cause widespread disruption to traffic especially about alpine passes and higher level roads, and more generally in Marlborough, Canterbury, Southland and around Dunedin," the bureau said. "Exposed parts of the South Island east coast are likely to experience blizzard conditions for a time during Thursday and Friday, which will put stress on livestock and make outdoor pursuits hazardous." MetService said it would issue warnings throughout the week for the "significant winter storm".
- APNZ

NZ Truth to cease publishing after 125 years - reports

Tabloid newspaper NZ Truth will reportedly cease publishing after 125 years. Staff at the newspaper, which was founded in 1887, were reportedly told today that it would not go to print on Thursday and there may not be another print edition. The paper's website this evening made no mention of its print edition ceasing publishing.
- APNZ

Drink bottle designed to fight child obesity

By Sonya Bateson
A Tauranga student hopes his product - aimed at making drinking water fun - will help combat child obesity. Sam Thorpe, a University of Otago student who grew up in Tauranga, began developing the Flowbot drink bottle nine months ago and hopes it will be on shelves next year. It features pictures and games on the side that are only activated if the bottle is filled with water or a low-sugar drink. The 21-year-old said he and some classmates created the bottle as a result of their goal to try to tackle child obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. There will be two versions of the drink bottle, one aimed at under-5s and another for older children. The first will display a happy face when filled with water or an discouraging message when filled with a high-sugar drink. The older children's version will have a pinball-style game on the bottle that will be de-activated if the bottle is filled with a high-sugar drink.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Kaipara rates case in High Court next month

Mangawhai ratepayers who refuse to stump up for the debts of Kaipara District Council, will have their day in court next month. Landowners in the coastal town are seeking a judicial review of rates charged for a sewerage system that was supposed to cost about $25 million - and ended up costing nearly $60 million. A bill to validate the dubious rates retrospectively, has passed its first reading in Parliament. Mangawhai Ratepayers Association chairman Bruce Rogan said the wrong-doing involved is too important to be swept under the carpet. He said the council borrowed without the ratepayers' knowledge to cover cost blow-outs that were also hidden from the public and the Auditor-General failed to pick up those errors. Mr Rogan said ratepayers should not have to pick up the bill where a council acted illegally. The Kaipara rates case is set down for 16 August, in the High Court at Whangarei.
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

McCully travels to Israel for bilateral meetings

By Kate Shuttleworth
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will travel to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories today for bilateral meetings and discussions on the Middle East Peace Process. Mr McCully will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as senior members of their governments. "I will be making clear to both parties New Zealand's strong wish to see them commence direct talks while the two-state solution remains a viable prospect," Mr McCully said. "With a balanced and constructive approach New Zealand can well support this process." Mr McCully will also visit Cyprus for meetings with President Nicos Anastasiades and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides.
- APNZ

Consumer confidence at highest level in three years

Consumer confidence is at its highest level since before the first major earthquake in Christchurch nearly three years ago. The Westpac - McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index rose 6 points to nearly 117 in June, the highest it has been since June 2010. A figure above 100 indicates optimists outnumber pessimists. Westpac says it appears economic optimism has surged, prices for many consumer goods have fallen, and sentiment in rural regions has recovered as the immediate impact of the drought fades, and is replaced by the prospect of higher dairy payouts
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

Massive dinosaur fossils found in Outback

A dinosaur dig in outback Queensland over the past two weeks unearthed a "treasure trove" of massive fossils, believed to be 98 million years old. Field palaeontologist David Elliott of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs at Winton said giant limbs and two-metre ribs were uncovered. "We didn't stop finding stuff - as fast as you would try and dig around one bone, you started uncovering another,'' he told the ABC. "We had some (plaster) jackets there the size of the back of the ute - they were massive. "In actual volume, I suppose there is a couple of tonne of bones, and in actual bones I suppose there would have been over a couple of dozen." Mr Elliott said it will be next year before they begin preparing the bones. "That is a new species and it is like nothing else on the planet.''
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

Big snow set to follow the rain

MICHAEL DALY
Canterbury could be hit by the worst snowfall in 20 years as the warm wet weather causing havoc in the South Island turns icy later in the week. Today, rivers in north Otago are at or above record highs as police urge motorists to avoid much of the South Island's roads due to flooding and slips. The comparatively warm, wet weather that has been battering the country will give way to icy blasts later in the week, with the possibility of snow in Christchurch.
© Fairfax NZ News

New Zealand can take advantage of demands for fruit in Asia

A report on the fresh fruit sector released this week suggests New Zealand can become a fruit bowl for Asia. It also also addresses the obstacles such as the high tariffs imposed in some of those markets. Earlier, Zespri said the summer drought has helped to make sweeter fruit, which is boosting sales in Asia. The Coriolis Research report, Driving Growth in the Fresh Fruit Sector, is the latest in a series of reports released under the Food & Beverage Information Project. Exporters and producers are focusing more attention on Asia to take advange of higher prices and lower freight costs and shipping times, compared with traditional markets such as Europe. Sweeter tasting new varieties of apples and other fruits are specifically being developed to cater for Asia taste preferences. The report says that avocados, cherries and blueberries stand out as having the potential for export growth. The wine industry is also crediting the long, hot summer for what's expected to be one of its best vintages.
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

Australia puts national ban on synthetic drugs

The Australian government is imposing an interim national ban on 19 synthetic drugs after Sydney teenager Henry Kwan took an LSD-like drug and fell to his death. The ban will prohibit the sale and supply of the drugs for 120 days, giving state and territories time to update their legislation and outlaw synthetic drugs, AAP reports. "Synthetic drugs are dangerous substances that can kill and should not be available for sale," minister assisting for deregulation David Bradbury said. "The synthetic drugs market is fast-moving and suppliers have shown they are willing to change brand names and packaging to get around bans made under consumer laws." He called on the state and territory governments to conduct an urgent review of their drug laws to make sure that synthetic drugs "are not falling through the cracks".
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

Sisters sue dad over lost pocket money

Two teenage sisters have successfully sued their father for the return of $20,000 worth of pocketmoney they earned from their grandparents. Ellisha and Amanda Basher, now aged 18 and 15, worked as young children in their maternal grandparents' joinery business doing odd jobs on weekends and school holidays over several years. The Napier pair each had a bank account that their father, Wayne Basher, deposited their pay cheques into. When mother Karleen died of breast cancer in 2005, family relationships deteriorated, with the girls and their grandparents on one side and Wayne Basher on the other. The grandparents got custody of the girls. Ellisha said that in 2008, she and her sister discovered their bank accounts were empty; Ellisha was missing $11,154 and Amanda $9226. When asked about the money, Wayne sent them an email saying: "The money in the savings account WILL be returned upon Ellisha turning 25, not BEFORE!!" Fortunately, the grandparents kept "careful business and banking records" that detailed what each girl had been paid during their childhoods. The court ruled that, "Put simply, it is not his money and now the time has come for him to return it to his rightful owners."
Source: Fairfax

Rugby - All Blacks touch down three times on way to easy win over France

The All Blacks delivered their promised of improving in Saturday night's second Test in Christchurch, with a 30-0 thrashing of France. It was New Zealand's 500th Test and it also marked captain Kieran Read's 50th game in black. The French were unlucky not to score first, missing a penalty and a dropped goal. The All Blacks took advantage with an early try by Julian Savea, which was converted by Aaron Cruden, who later kicked a penalty, to lead by ten points at half-time. The second half saw a long-range try by Ben Smith, converted by Cruden who also kicked two penalties. And there was a try in the final minutes, another long-range effort, by replacement Beudan Barrett, which was again converted by Cruden. The win means New Zealand take out the three-test series following their 23-13 victory last Saturday in Auckland. The third and final test is at New Plymouth next weekend.
Copyright © 2013, Radio New Zealand

Rugby - Lions slammed as 'serial cheats'

The British and Irish Lions would sooner "cheat" the best than "play" the best rugby, and it's no surprise given their coach is a New Zealander, according to former Australia coach Bob Dwyer. Dwyer, who guided Australia to their maiden World Cup triumph in 1991, told The Australian newspaper the Lions were cheating at the scrum, the breakdown and in loose play. The comments are certain to ignite tensions between the Warren Gatland-coached Lions and the Wallabies ahead of their three-match series starting with the first Test in Brisbane on June 22. "One comment I'd like to make after having seen the Lions in action on tour is that it doesn't come as any surprise they're coached by a New Zealander because they play outside the laws of the game as every New Zealand side does Dwyer said." Dwyer, 72, has long accused New Zealand teams of cheating, and in recent years has criticised captain Richie McCaw and the All Blacks forwards for using negative tactics and duping a succession of referees. On Saturday, however, he failed to mention the Wallabies are also coached by a New Zealander, Robbie Deans, who was a long-term coach of McCaw at the Canterbury Crusaders before he took the Australia job in 2008.
Source: Reuters

Trans-Tasman cable project out for tender

A tender has been put out for the construction of a new undersea cable between New Zealand and Australia that could make the internet cheaper. In February, Telecom and Vodafone in New Zealand and Australia's Telstra signed a memorandum of understanding to construct the $71 million cable which they expect to be in place by 2015. Expressions of interest are now being sought from several international submarine cable contractors. The successful tender will be chosen in the next few months and construction of the 2300km cable is expected to begin next year. Internet NZ's chief executive, Jordan Carter, says the new cable would be a big boost to New Zealanders. "At the moment there's only the Southern Cross cable, so having a second link would be good for resilience and should help bring down prices on that route. It would also be good of they could land it at Raglan or somewhere other than where the Southern Cross lands to give a bit more physical diversity to the network."
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

Google launches balloon internet project in Canterbury

Google has launched an ambitious project in a bid to bring the internet to rural areas - using balloons. The online giant aims to build a network of balloons, floating high in the stratosphere, which would beam internet down to the earth below. Google revealed the plan today at a press conference in Christchurch, where it has begun trialling the idea. It has launched 30 balloons into the skies over Canterbury, and has around 50 testers ready to try to connect to them. It is hoped that the "balloon-powered internet access" will eventually be rolled out around the globe, to form a ring which would enable people to connect to the web no matter where they are in the world. The New Zealand pilot was launched this week, starting with a few dozen balloons in the Tekapo area. A group of around 50 testers in Christchurch and other parts of Canterbury now have special internet antennas which can connect to the balloons when they are in a 20km radius. Cantabrians have been invited to come along to Google's Festival of Flight at the Air Force Museum in Christchurch tomorrow, to be among the first people in the world to see the technology behind Project Loon. The Festival kicks off at 10am and finishes at 2pm, at the Air Force Museum at 45 Harvard Ave, Wigram, Christchurch.
Source: ONE News

Fijians offered rewards for catching invasive ignuanas

A bounty programme to capture American Iguanas has been launched in Fiji. American Iguanas, which can grow up to 2m and weigh 9kg, aren't native to the Pacific and cause damage to indigenous ecosystems. Fijians will receive a reward of about $NZ6 for every adult iguana handed in over the next four months. The introduced lizard has become established on the Fijian island of Qamea and there are fears it will spread to other islands. The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and the nature conservation trust, Nature Fiji, hopes the programme will eradicate the pest.
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

Mt Hutt skifield opens today

Mt Hutt ski field officially opens for the winter season today. Mt Hutt, located 80km west of Christchurch, is the second ski field to open this year, after Coronet Peak opened last week. Thousands turned out for the first day of action with Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Copland saying he hoped the good start meant a good season. Conditions are "looking great" for its opening day, Mt Hutt ski field said. The Remarkables in Queenstown is scheduled to open on June 22.
Source: ONE News

Elder son to stand in for ill King Tuheitia

By James Ihaka
Ill-health has forced King Tuheitia to stand down from public-speaking arrangements and choose his eldest son to represent him in the immediate future. A King's Council will also be established to advise the son, Whatumoana Te Aa Paki. Iwi leaders and members of the kahui ariki (royal family) met at Turangawaewae House, Ngaruawahia, yesterday where King Tuheitia, who is 58, told them that Te Kaunihera a te Kiingi (the King's Council) had been established, and his elder son would represent him until his health improves. A statement from the King's office said his ill-health was affecting his ability to carry out his official duties.

Kiwi's unwanted place in cricket history

MARK GEENTY IN CARDIFF
New Zealand test opener Hamish Rutherford joined an unwanted chapter of Essex cricket history today as the English county side were dismissed for 20, their lowest total ever. Batting at No 3 in his first county championship match, Rutherford scored a three-ball duck as Essex were skittled in 14.2 overs and 68 minutes by Lancashire on their Chelmsford home ground, which is renowned as batter-friendly. Lancashire won the second division match by an innings and 105 runs after totalling 398 in their first innings. It was the sixth-lowest total in county first-class history, and the worst since 1983 when Essex dismissed Surrey for 14, also at Chelmsford.
© Fairfax NZ News

Eye specialist helps Cambodia treat childhood eye problems

A New Zealand ophthalmologist will travel to Cambodia to help show local surgeons how to treat eye problems in children. Australia-based charity Sight For All Foundation is paying to send 12 eye specialists to Cambodia over the next 18 months. Justin Mora will be the first to go and says when he arrives next month he will begin teaching two ophthalmologists how to treat children, because Cambodian eye surgeons are trained only in adult eye care.
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand

NZ soldiers install water systems for Samoan schools

New Zealand Army personnel have helped to provide freshwater resources to schools on Samoa's Upolu Island. They're being led by their American counterparts in giving humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. In December, Cyclone Evan caused major flooding in Samoa, wrecking buildings and destroying crops before moving on to batter Fiji. The Defence Force says water catchment systems installed by its crews will benefit more than 3000 staff and students. It says a number of its medics have also treated thousands of people and performed dental examinations. The Defence Force says some personnel have since gone to Tonga to do further aid work.
Copyright © 2013 Radio New Zealand