Putting the WOW back in Wellington

The first rounds of judging are complete and the cream of creativity is again preparing to dazzle audiences at New Zealand’s famous Montana World of WearableArt (WOW) Awards Show. The 2010 event opens in Wellington on 23 September when 191 finalists - selected out of 300 entries from New Zealand and around the world - show their weird and wonderful creations in a spectacularly unique blend of art and fashion. What began as novel idea, by a then small-town sculptor, has blossomed into a major international event that now attracts creations from artisans and designers from all over the world. WOW has attracted double the number of international entries this year, and more than 100 garments were shipped to New Zealand for the first round of judging. They are competing for NZ$100,000 in prizes including the Supreme Award, and the highly coveted Weta Award selected by Oscar-winning designer Sir Richard Taylor.
See sidebar for link to WOW website.
Copyright 1999-2010 Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand is Lonely Planet’s place to stay

New Zealand has won a prestigious travel award from Lonely Planet, the world’s most famous guidebook - in the inaugural ‘Lonely Planet Awards’. Thousands of British travellers voted online in various categories for the awards - which showcase some of the most fantastic places and experiences around the world. New Zealand topped the category ‘I’d happily stay forever in …’ New Zealand’s win meant that readers and travellers most wanted to put down roots and settle down forever in the country. Australia was their second choice.
Copyright 1999-2010 Tourism New Zealand

Don't drink alcohol if you're pregnant

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has made a plea to pregnant women - don't drink any alcohol. Mr Dunne quotes figures showing 29 percent of women still drink while pregnant and most of those are Pakeha. 500 babies a year are born with foetal alcohol syndrome and the Minister says no level of alcohol consumption is worth the risk to the unborn child. Speaking to health professionals at the launch of a guide on drinking and pregnancy, Mr Dunne said he's aghast that so many people still don't realise the dangers.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

$400k penguin platform for Otago

A $400,000 penguin-viewing platform is to be built on the Otago Peninsula. The group behind the venture, Pukekura Trust, was yesterday granted consent for the four-level platform and walkways at Pilots Beach, on the east side of the Otago Harbour. Under the proposal, groups of up to 50 people would pay to view the penguins coming ashore at dusk. The reserve is owned by Dunedin City Council, which has agreed to lease the area to the trust.
NZPA

Abducted Australian boy found in Amsterdam

A six year old Australian boy who was abducted by his mother almost three years ago, has been found in Amsterdam. His father, former NSW deputy fire chief Ken Thompson, has been looking for his son since April 2008. A school principal enrolling the boy, became suspicious and contacted police after noticing the child's passport had expired. The mother is believed to be in police custody and the boy is with a foster family.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Jobs surge in Australia

A surge in full-time jobs has cut Australia's unemployment rate from 5.3 to 5.1% The Bureau of Statistics figures show 53,100 full-time jobs were created in August. The job surge has surprised economists, who were expecting the unemployment rate to dip only slightly.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Canterbury Quake brings life

Some Christchurch families will have living, life long reminders of the date the quake hit. Canterbury District Health Board executive director of nursing Mary Gordon says the frightening shakes have been sending pregnant women into labour. Ms Gordon says the birthing suite had just reported they were steady, and within an hour came an influx. There were 23 women in labour yesterday - a significant increase on the usual numbers. She says cardiology units have also been busy as the number of heart attacks has increased, but they're coping with the volumes.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Kiwis, Aussies world-class givers - survey

New Zealand and Australia shared first place in a first-of-its kind survey ranking 153 nations on the willingness of their citizens to donate time and money to charity. China ranked near the bottom, barely higher than last-place Madagascar. The report, released on Wednesday by the British-based Charities Aid Foundation, showed striking variations in charitable behaviour around the world. The overall rankings were a composite of three categories - the percentage of people who donated money, donated time and helped a stranger in the month prior to being surveyed. New Zealand and Australia topped the index with an average score of 57 percent, trailed by Canada and Ireland at 56 percent, and the United States and Switzerland at 55 percent. Several of the world's most populous countries were near the bottom of the index - including India in 134th place, Russia in 138th and China in 147th. Only 4 percent of Chinese people donate their time to charity, and only 6 percent of Russians donate money, according to the survey.
AP

Naked and Famous win songwriting award

The Auckland band the Naked and Famous has won New Zealand's top songwriting award, the Apra Silver Scroll, for its No 1 hit song "Young Blood". New Zealand music heavyweights such as Anika Moa, Julia Deans and the Mint Chicks were contenders for the prize. Among other awards, Jamie Greenslade took the Maioha Award for contemporary Maori music writing and Chris Cree Brown won the award for excellence by a contemporary composer.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

One year exactly to Rugby World Cup kickoff

The Rugby World Cup begins exactly one year from today, and the event organiser says it's all looking really good. More than half a billion dollars of taxpayer and ratepayer money is being spent on preparations for the event. Most of the funds are being spent on transport infrastructure, the redevelopment of stadiums and building the new Dunedin ground. The chief executive of the event organiser, Rugby New Zealand 2011, Martin Snedden, says the tournament is in a really good state a year out from kick-off.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Store brands scrub up

It might be time to stop looking down at Pams or Signature Range products. A new study has found supermarket "store brand" food products often match premium labels for taste and nutritional value, as well as being much cheaper. Australian Consumer group Choice selected more than 160 food items and compared major brands with their store brand equivalents. Most were found to be equal in taste and sometimes lower unhealthy nutrients such as fat, saturated fat, sugars and sodium.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

OECD report shows NZ teachers well paid

An international report indicates New Zealand teachers are among the best paid in the OECD relative to the nation's wealth. After 15 years of work, a teacher's pay is 1.4 times New Zealand's per capita GDP. Of the other 31 OECD countries, only Germany, Korea and Spain had significantly higher figures. The report also shows teachers' pay is closer to the national average for tertiary-educated workers than in most OECD countries. Radio New Zealand's education correspondent says the latest New Zealand figures are better than last year's edition of the report. They come amid pay talks for secondary and primary teachers.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

PM congratulates Gillard on election result

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says Australian residents will be pleased a government is now settled and he is sending his congratulations to prime minister Julia Gillard. Independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott announced on Tuesday they will back Labor, giving the party 76 votes in the 150-seat lower house. Mr Key says he will also pass his commiserations on to the Coalition leader, Tony Abbot. He says his Government has a good working relationship with the Australian Labor Party. Mr Key says New Zealand is proof that minority Governments can work and be effective, and that will be the challenge ahead for Ms Gillard.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Male moa stayed at home to sit on eggs

Male moa (large, extinct,flightless bird), the weaker sex of the species, looked after their unhatched young while the huge mums went out on the prowl, research has suggested. Auckland University and Auckland Museum scientists used DNA extracted from eggs to show that the mother birds - up to twice the size of the males - would have smashed their eggs had they sat on them for incubation. Genetic information from the shells enabled scientists to match eggshells with seven of the 10 known moa species, and compare the thickness of the shells with the estimated weight of adults of each species. Despite their large sizes, moa eggs were fragile and the researchers were able to show that in most cases the bigger and heavier females would have probably broken the eggs. The scientists at Auckland University and Auckland Museum worked with Queensland's Griffith University to recover DNA from moa egg shells estimated to be 400 to several thousand years old. The findings were consistent with living members of the ratite family, such as the kiwi and emu in which the male was responsible for incubation.
NZPA

Prepare for more flooding - weather analyst

Regions hit by flooding this week should brace for a possible repeat this weekend, according to weather analyst Philip Duncan. "Computer models for the next seven days indicate that a series of fronts and lows are going to bring more heavy rain into sodden western areas of both islands," said Mr Duncan, WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst. Areas of Whanganui, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Wairarapa were lashed by wind and rain this week. On Saturday a larger low will move in from the Tasman Sea again bringing heavy rain to western New Zealand - possibly the entire west coast from Fiordland to Northland. More wet weather was expected next week from fronts coming in from the west.
NZPA

New subjects chosen for scholarship exams

Samoan and dance will be in school scholarship exams next year, but three other subjects have been turned down. The Qualifications Authority reviews the list of scholarship subjects every two years. After its latest review, it approved the inclusion of dance and the Samoan Language, but turned down applications for health, home and life sciences, and earth and space science. The Samoan Language Teachers Association had argued that Samoan is widely spoken in New Zealand and inclusion in scholarship exams would give it higher status.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Canterbury earthquake-"Real Time" updates

Go here for 'real time' updates.
Civil Defence: CLICK HERE

Australian Labor back in by the thinnest majority

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Labor Party has won another term of government, with two of the three independent MPs who held the balance of power announcing that they will support Labor. At a nationally televised news conference in Canberra on Tuesday afternoon, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott threw in their lot with Labor, ending two weeks of speculation about the election outcome. The election on 21 August produced a hung Parliament. The three independent MPs had been expected to stick together but earlier on Tuesday Bob Katter broke away and said he would back the opposition Coalition led by Tony Abbott. Labour is thus re-elected by the thinnest of majorities, with 76 seats in the federal Parliament compared to the Coalition's 74.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Donations for the Canterbury earthquake

Details of how people can donate money to support Canterbury residents and businesses in the aftermath of Saturday's earthquake.
The following organisations are accepting donations for those affected by the earthquake.
Donate online at www.salvationarmy.org.nz
By Post: The Salvation Army , PO Box 27 001 Marion Square, Wellington 6141, New Zealand
Please specify that your donation is for the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal
The Red Cross has launched an 0900 Appeal Members of the public can make an automatic $20 donation by phoning 0900 33 200. Telecom is offsetting all charges for Red Cross relating to that number, ensuring 100% of donations go to the fund.
ASB Donations can be made at any ASB branch, via internet banking direct to the appeal account or through ASBs Contact Centre (0800 803 804). Merchant fees for credit card transactions have been waived for these donations.
Account details are: Canterbury Earthquake Appeal 2010, 12-3192-0015998-01
ANZ and National Bank branches nationwide.
ANZ branch (account number: 01-1839-0188939-00) or at any National Bank (account number: 06-0869-0548507-00).
Kiwibank
The account number is 38-9009-0759479-00 and the account name is Red Cross.
BNZ Donations can be made at any BNZ branch or online to:
Canterbury Mayoral Relief Fund Appeal Account: 02-0800-0840040-000
BNZ Salvation Army Canterbury Earthquake Appeal Account: 02-0500-0989994-000
BNZ Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal Account: 02 - 0500 - 0982004 - 000

Flooding worsens in Victoria

The threat of further flooding forced residents of several towns in the Australian state of Victoria to spend Monday night in emergency accommodation. The ABC reports that almost the entire state is affected. More than 300 people have left their homes since Saturday. Dozens of roads are closed. The State Emergency Service says its biggest concern is the town of Shepparton, where up to 200 homes could be affected by flooding from the Broken and Goulburn rivers. At nearby Wangaratta, dozens of residents spent the night in emergency accommodation after 60 homes near a weak stopbank were evacuated.
NSW
A large part of southern New South Wales has also been declared a natural disaster zone after a storm along the coast on Sunday. The area includes the Illawarra and Wollongong, the Shoalhaven on the south coast, the far south coast and Riverina.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Vanuatu launches biometric passport

Vanuatu has officially launched a new electronic passport system, made possible through aid assistance from New Zealand. Part of that money is going towards a new passport office in Port Vila, which should be completed next year. The director of the Vanuatu passport, Henri Tamashiro, says that more than a thousand of the new-style passports have already been printed.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

PM Key cancels trip to Europe

Prime Minister John Key has cancelled his trip to Europe to stay at home and deal with the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquake. Mr Key was due to leave for Britain on Friday night for a week long trip that would have included meetings with the British Prime Minister and President of France. However, he has now decided that he should remain in New Zealand.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Seal has an audience

Wellington police are keeping watch over a seal they've had to shepherd off the motorway at Petone. It's sitting on rocks after being moved on. The seal made its way onto the road causing traffic to back up as people stopped to watch. Now it's under police guard just in case it gets any more ideas about making a bolt for the road.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

17 deaths linked to swine flu

Swine flu has claimed its 17th life this winter, but the number of people being infected appears to be falling, the Ministry of Health says. The number of influenza-related calls to Healthline was back to normal, although the overall number of calls had increased since Saturday's earthquake in Christchurch, ministry director of public health Mark Jacobs said. At midday today, there were 648 confirmed cases of H1N1, including 11 people still in intensive care. Thirteen of the 17 deaths have been confirmed as swine flu. "It's important to seek medical advice early, particularly for people with underlying medical conditions or who are severely overweight or pregnant as they are at greater risk of a more severe illness," Mr Jacobs said. Symptoms of influenza can include a high fever, headache, cough, sore throat, tiredness and aching all over.
NZPA

No downgrade of NZ rating after quake - agency

Standard Poors says it has no immediate plans to downgrade New Zealand's rating following Saturday's earthquake. The ratings agency says the Government's strong financial position should not be affected by reconstruction costs from the quake. Treasury has estimated the cost of the cleanup at $2 billion.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

NZ journalist discloses Israeli spy base

New Zealand journalist Nicky Hager has uncovered one of world's largest "eavesdropping" intelligence bases in Israel, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports. Hager said the base in the Negev region, 33km west of the city of Beersheba, was central to the activities of the main Israel Defence Force's signals intelligence unit, one of the largest in the world, according to the newspaper. It said Hager - writing in Paris-based magazine Le Monde Diplomatique - described the base as having 30 antennas and satellite dishes of different sizes and types, capable of eavesdropping on telephone calls and accessing the e-mail of "governments, international organisations, foreign companies, political groups and individuals." One of the base's main purposes was to listen to transmissions from ships in the Mediterranean, and it played a key role in tapping underwater communication cables, mostly in the Mediterranean, connecting Israel with Europe.
NZPA

Fiji Reserve Bank cash stolen

More than $US500,000 destined for the Fiji Reserve Bank has been stolen in Fiji. The money, all fresh notes, was taken from a vault in a container which arrived from Britain late on Friday. Police say a special task force had been put together to track down the robbers.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch's penguin population - ok

By Anna Cross - NewstalkZB
The penguins at Christchurch's International Antarctic Centre are safe and well after being sloshed around during the earthquake. Director Richard Benton says the centre has received dozens of calls from concerned residents. He says water spilled from the penguin pool and they got moved around but are all okay. Mr Benton says the Antarctic Centre was surveyed this morning and is structurally sound.

DNA sampling laws take effect

The first stage of controversial DNA sampling laws take effect as of today. Legislation passed last year changed the rules around police DNA sampling practice and allows them to take DNA from suspects charged with criminal offences. Previously DNA could only be taken via judicial order, or after conviction - the law change was bitterly opposed by human rights groups and the Green Party. The rule change is being introduced in stages, as of today police can take DNA from people charged with serious offences. From the middle of next year they'll be able to take it from anyone charged with a imprisonable offence.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Kiwi makes history at Burghley

Caroline Powell and her 17-year-old mount Lenamore have won Burghley Horse Trials. Powell is the first New Zealand female to win the three day competition - and the first New Zealander since Blyth Tait in 2001 - while Lenamore is the oldest horse to win the Land Rover Perpetual Challenge trophy. The pair were leading after the cross-country and after a clear showjumping round finished on their dressage score. "Goodness that was good" Powell said when she came out of the showjumping arena.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Whale frolicking in harbour 'awe-inspiring

By BRITTON BROUN - The Dominion Post
A southern right whale seen in Wellington Harbour may signal the return of an endangered species, a scientist says. Dozens of people watched from the shore while a pair of divers and kayakers came within metres of the 13-metre giant as it swam around Scorching and Karaka bays on Miramar peninsula on Saturday. Conservation Department marine mammal scientist Louise Chilvers said the right whale species was threatened. "They've been virtually absent from New Zealand since the whaling days. They were almost hunted to extinction. It's just amazing that they are coming back. "They are very cool animals. Even though they are 18 tonnes ... they are so gentle." Dr Chilvers said the whales fed in Antarctic waters before calving in the Auckland Islands, about 465 kilometres south of Bluff, during summer. It was believed they once calved around New Zealand, and Dr Chilvers hoped the sighting on Saturday was a sign they were coming back.

Sharples in China with Maori business leaders

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples is in China this week looking for openings for Maori business. Dr Sharples is taking 15 Maori business leaders to visit Beijing, Shanghai and Guizhou. He says they are calling the visit 'Te Ara ki Haina' because they believe the cultural relationships formed will open up pathways for trade and business. Dr Sharples told Waatea News that China is now New Zealand's second largest market for exports. After visiting the World Expo in Shanghai, he will help open a massive carved waharoa (gateway) at the Baoshan folk arts museum.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Flooding worsens in Victoria

Defence will help evacuate residents in the north of the Australian state of Victoria, as a flood crisis there worsens and more than 250 houses are underwater. The ABC reports floodwaters are rising in north-east areas such as Wangaratta and Benalla. Residents from around 20 homes in Skipton, near Ballarat, have been advised to evacuate. The State Emergency Service says some towns have been split by the floodwaters. Fifty Defence Force personnel and 150 extra police will be deployed in the north on Monday to help.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

NZ win Women's Rugby World Cup

The New Zealand women's rugby team has beaten England 13-10 to win their fourth World Cup. The score was 7-0 at halftime in London on Sunday after a try by winger Carla Hohepa. Second five Kelly Brazier kicked the conversion. The New Zealand team celebrate with the trophy after beating England in the Women's Rugby World Cup final in London. The New Zealand team celebrate with the trophy after beating England in the Women's Rugby World Cup final in London. The BBC reports the Black Ferns, who were victorious over England in the finals of both 2002 and 2006, were reduced to 13 players in the first half after two yellow cards. Earlier, Australia sealed third place in the competition with a 22-8 victory over France.
New Zealand's Carla Hohepa has been named the International Rugby Board's women's personality of the year. She was presented with the award after the final in London. Hohepa, 25, finished the tournament as joint leading try scorer.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Govt to appoint Quake Commissioner

The Minister of Civil Defence says the Government will appoint a special Commissioner to help with reconstruction in Canterbury after the earthquake on Saturday. A state of emergency is now extended until Wednesday as much of central Christchurch and its surrounding towns remain shut down because buildings are still deemed unsafe. It was New Zealand's most damaging earthquake since the Napier disaster in 1931. The ministers of Civil Defence, Agriculture and Social Development will present a report on the damage to the Cabinet on Monday. Civil Defence Minister John Carter told Morning Report he has three or four people in mind that could take on the special Commissioner role.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Silver Ferns lose in final quarter to give Australia netball series

The New Zealand netballers have lost 46-40 to Australia in their third and final test in Auckland. Australia had a five-goal lead, 14-9, after the first quarter, but the Silver Ferns managed to bring it back to 22-all at half-time. They stayed in touch with the visitors, with the scores still tied, at 31 apiece, going into the last 15 minutes. But the Silver Ferns were no match for the Diamonds' defence in that final quarter, scoring only nine goals to Australia's 15 to give the Diamond's the series win and the new Constellation Cup, which will be contested by the two sides on an annual basis. The Silver Ferns beat the Diamonds 59-40 in the second Test in Wellington after being well beaten in the first Test in Australia, 43-48. Australia now have the psychological edge going into next month's Commonwealth Games in India.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Earthquake-Tap water unsafe

The Canterbury District Health Board is warning people to take care to avoid getting sick with stomach bugs and other water-borne illnesses. Medical Officer of Health Alistair Humphrey says people living in the Christchurch, Waimakariri and Selwyn Districts should assume that tap water is unsafe and contaminated aafter the earthquake. He says all tap water should be boiled for three minutes before drinking, brushing teeth or washing/preparing food. Councils will be testing water supplies intensively over the next few days and will advise when water is safe to use without boiling. People are also being asked to assume river, sea water and any other surface water is contaminated with sewage.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Kiwi woman to 'vanish'

By NEIL REID - Sunday News
A young Kiwi woman is being "vanished" to escape an arranged marriage by her Middle Eastern parents. The woman – in her early-20s – has hired one of the world's leading privacy experts, New York-based Frank Ahearn, to break free and start a new life. Sunday News is not disclosing her location, country of origin or other information about her background to avoid tipping off her family. But Ahearn, author of worldwide best-selling book How To Disappear, said the woman had hired him to escape her "controlling" father. "She is being forced into an arranged marriage. She doesn't want to do it," Ahearn told Sunday News from America. "But her father has made it clear to her about the path that she is going to go down. "We have been talking for about two months now. She has come to the decision, `I have to go, I cannot live like this'. Her father is a very dominating guy – she is ready to go for good." Ahearn said he was completing details of his latest New Zealand client's "exit plan". Her "fiance" was yet to arrive in New Zealand from the Middle East.

Christchurch earthquake

Civil Defence: All latest updates.CLICK HERE

U2 announce second NZ concert

Disappointed U2 fans who failed to get tickets to the band's Auckland show on November 25 will get another chance to see the Irish superstars after they announced a second Mt Smart concert on November 26. Tickets to the band's concert sold within an hour of going on sale last week. The response in Australia has been just as great, with second dates announced for Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Tickets for Auckland's second show go on sale on Thursday at all usual outlets but U2.com subscribers will be able to buy tickets ahead of the public.
Sunday Star Times

Earth quake-Cabinet to be briefed on Monday

Prime Minister John Key says Cabinet will be briefed on Monday on the Canterbury earthquake by Civil Defence Minister John Carter. Mr Key returned to Auckland on Saturday night after visiting Christchurch after the magnitude 7.1 earthquake, but says he will return there with a group of ministers on Tuesday or Wednesday. He told Morning Report that by then, they will have a better idea of how vast the reconstruction will be. Mr Key said the priority is firstly, people's welfare and secondly, ensuring buildings are safe. Mr Key said that a decision is yet to be made on whether a curfew in the inner city on Sunday night will be reinstated and whether people can return to work. He said the army is available to help and he expects soldiers will be dispatched for back-up support at some point.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Rugby-Last-minute victory for Wallabies

The Wallabies beat the Springboks 41-39 at Bloemfontein with a last-minute penalty on Saturday in the Tri-Nations rugby series. Australia scored four tries in the first 26 minutes and led 31-13 at half-time, but South Africa stormed back in the second half. The outcome was uncertain until a long-range penalty was kicked by Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale right on full time. Beale, wing James O'Connor, hooker Stephen Moore and flanker and captain Rocky Elsom scored tries, all of which were converted by Matt Giteau. The series has been won by New Zealand. Australia were second.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Severe weather in Australia

Three states in Australia are experiencing severe weather. In Victoria, the State Emergency Service says it's in the midst of a serious emergency with hundreds of houses threatened by flooding. In South Australia, more than 40,000 houses are without power after gale force winds on Saturday. The State Emergency Service said it had received more than 1000 calls since midnight on Friday. In New South Wales, people have been told to prepare for extreme weather in the south of the state with winds of up to 130km per hour.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand