NZ backs off Indon military ties.

New Zealand is not ready to restore co-operation with Indonesia's army, despite the United States' decision to resume full military education and training programmes, Foreign Minister Phil Goff said. Both the United States and New Zealand suspended military co-operation in protest over the brutality of Indonesian soldiers in East Timor during the former province's struggle for independence in the 1990s. "The matter will be kept under review, but there are no plans for a change," Goff said from China where he is making an official visit.

Smoking controls get tougher.

Tobacco manufacturers risk legal action for labelling cigarettes "light" and "mild", as international legislation takes effect. The World Health Organisation's convention on tobacco control becomes international law today, bringing with it a raft of provisions. New Zealand is bound by the treaty, which it signed in 2003 and ratified in January 2004. It includes strict rules around labelling, which say tobacco products must not be promoted "by any means that are false, misleading, deceptive".
Source: The Dominion Post.

5pc pay rise or else - Unions.

The battlelines have been drawn. New Zealand's 300,000 unionised workers will take nothing less than a 5 per cent pay rise. The biggest union, the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, has drawn on the support of 32 other Council of Trade Unions members in announcing the biggest concerted push for a wage rise in years. Strikes are likely, with the benchmark set at 5 per cent and the EPMU alone negotiating 1000 collective agreements this year, covering 50,000 members.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Israeli 'sorry' not enough for PM.

The Government is encouraged by Israeli President Moshe Katsav saying sorry over last year's spy scandal during a television interview, but is still pursuing an official apology through diplomats. President Katsav, the equivalent of our governor-general, told an Australian current affairs show yesterday that he was "very sorry about the last development in our relations with New Zealand" and said he regretted what had happened. Relations have been chilly since Israel refused to apologise for what Prime Minister Helen Clark described as "utterly unacceptable" behaviour surrounding two alleged Mossad agents, Uriel Zoshe Kelman and Eli Cara, who tried to fraudulently obtain New Zealand pass-ports.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Aussies humiliate NZ.

NEW ZEALAND's chief bowler was humiliated, returning batsman hospitalised and its identical twins fell to carbon copy run outs as Australia scored a series-clinching one-day win at Eden Park tonight.The world champions took an unassailable 3-0 series lead and ended a six-series NZ home streak with a 87-run win by bundling the Black Caps out for 177 in the 42nd over.

Traffic fines treble.

The number of traffic fines issued by police has more than trebled under the Labour Government, figures show. Police Minister George Hawkins released the figures to ACT deputy leader Muriel Newman in response to written parliamentary questions. They showed 433,934 traffic offence and infringement notices were issued in 1999, compared with 1.3 million last year.
Source: NZPA

Overseas travel media focus on NZ attractions.

New Zealand is attracting huge coverage from overseas media this summer, with more than 50 groups visiting before the end of March. Print and broadcast media groups from as far afield as China, Germany and Argentina are among those covering tourist attractions around the country, according to Tourism New Zealand.
In its latest issue, glossy Chinese magazine Vision devoted 72 pages to New Zealand, focusing on Wellington and Nelson. With a circulation of 228,000, the magazine targeted the well-off consumers Tourism New Zealand aimed to attract, chief executive George Hickton said.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Row over Treaty jobs clause.

Public sector bosses are under pressure from the Government to insist job applicants have a knowledge of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, an employment law expert says. But Race Relations Minister Trevor Mallard and the State Services Commission have denied this, saying it is up to agency chief executives to decide how they advertise for workers. The National Party has criticised Mr Mallard for advertising for an electorate secretary with a "commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi" while at the same time reviewing race-based policies. Source: The Dominion Post.

National to strip treaty references from public servant.

A National government would strip references to "vague" Treaty of Waitangi principles from public service contracts, leader Don Brash has pledged. Dr Brash told a business lunch in Auckland that knowledge of the treaty and its "supposed" principles would not be a condition of employment. National would adopt a "less exotic" approach to recruiting public servants; it would seek auditors who could audit, managers who could manage and accountants who could count, Dr Brash said.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Spammers face big fines under proposed law.

Spammers will face big fines under new legislation because the only way to beat them is to make the business uneconomic, Information Technology Minister David Cunliffe said today. Mr Cunliffe yesterday announced the Government's proposed law to deal with spamming, which will make it illegal to send multiple marketing messages emails, text messages and instant messages to anyone who has not asked for them.
Source: NZPA

Flu drug ordered as fears grow.

New Zealand should have enough doses of an antiviral drug to cover a fifth of the population by the middle of the year as fears of a global flu pandemic escalate. The Health Ministry said yesterday it had brokered a deal with drug company Roche to supply more than 800,000 doses of the drug Tamiflu, which reduces the severity, duration and infectiousness of the flu if it is taken as soon as symptoms develop.
Source: The Dominion Post.

De facto law to rekindle debate.

The last act in the contentious Civil Union Bill is about to be played out with the return of contentious legislation placing gay and de facto relationships on the same footing as marriage. But the controversy is likely to shift to the status of de facto couples under the Statutory References Bill, which is expected to rekindle debate over when couples who live together should be treated as married in the eyes of the law. It is also likely to restart debate about the Property Relationships Act, which treats de facto couples who have lived together for three years or sooner if they have shared custody of a child as though they are married.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Fleming: "We were pretty loose"

It was a visibly disappointed New Zealand captain that greeted media after Tuesday night's second successive loss to Australia in the five-match one-day series in Christchurch. The Black Caps were given a cricketing lesson by the world champions after being sent in to bat and posting 324 off their 50 overs. Australian then bowled New Zealand out for a paltry 208.
source: TVNZ

No surprises at Halberg Awards.

There were no major surprises at the Halberg Awards on Thursday night as Olympic gold medallists Sarah Ulmer and Hamish Carter took out the top awards. Ulmer took out both the top sportswoman and top sportsperson of the year, adding to her list of high achievements in 2004. In other awards, Dick Tonks took out coach of the year for his efforts with the Black Sox and Hamish Carter received the sportsman of the year award for his Olympic triathlon gold medal. The Olympic gold and world champion Evers-Swindell twins came away with the team of the year award.
source: TVNZ

Milestone For Immunisation Programme.

A milestone has been reached for the meningococcal B immunisation programme. The number of doses given has hit the half million mark. The programme aims to immunise an estimated 1.1 million people under the age of 20.
source:XTRA Ltd

School becomes a water only area.

Oranga School is one of the first in the country to become a "water only" school and no one is exempt from the rule - not even the principal. Many primary schools have banned sugary fizzy drinks and some actively encourage a water only philosophy. But at Oranga, there is a blanket ban on anything except water.
Source: NZPA

NZ voted safest travel destination.

New Zealand has been rated by travellers as the safest nation on Earth, but the British travel magazine behind the award has adamantly denied it means New Zealand is boring. Wanderlust magazine polled its readers about the best countries on Earth and awarded the top spot to Namibia, knocking New Zealand off the overall No. 1 rating from last year. But the one category where New Zealand maintains its No. 1 rating is safety, outpolling even Switzerland and Singapore.
source: The Press

Eleven-year-old conquers Cook Strait.

In a choppy southerly with waves two metres high, 11-year-old Aditya Raut has become the youngest person to swim Cook Strait. Aditya swam the 26 kilometres from north to south Ohau Pt to Cape Koamaru in nine hours and nine minutes.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Anti-spam law change proposal outlined.

Organisations that send spam could be fined up to half a million dollars and individuals $200,000 under legislation to be introduced to Parliament.The bill will apply to e-mails, text messaging and instant messaging requiring that senders of multiple commercial electronic marketing messages only send them to people who have agreed to get them. Senders of promotional electronic messages will be required to stop sending messages if recipients decide to opt out.
Source: NZPA

Benefit attacked from all sides.

Plans for a single benefit have been branded a "cleverly disguised swing to the right" by the Greens and a sop by National. Former Work and Income head Christine Rankin also claimed yesterday that officials rolled their eyes when Social Development Minister Steve Maharey first raised the idea of a single benefit in 2000. Mr Maharey this week announced an overhaul of the benefit system which he billed the biggest revamp since 1938. The moves would see seven existing benefits - the unemployment, sickness, invalid, widows and three branches of the domestic purposes benefits - merged into one.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Two Kiwi pilots killed in Papua New Guinea crash.

Two pilots, believed to be New Zealanders, have died in a plane crash in Papua New Guinea. The two men were flying a Twin Otter aircraft with 11 people on board when it crashed in Star Mountains. The aircraft was believed to have been owned by the Mission Aviation Fellowship.
Source: NZPA

All Black discharged over assault on pregnant wife.

An All Black rugby player who pleaded guilty to assault after trying to force his pregnant wife back into their house was today discharged without conviction. He also had suppression of his name made permanent, when he appeared in the Waitakere Family Violence Court, a special pilot being trialled in west Auckland. Judge Philip Recordon said the assault, which happened on October 23 when the victim was five months' pregnant, was at the lower end of the scale.
Source: NZPA

Nurses' pay hike leaves teachers behind.

Teachers with eight years experience will earn about $4000 less a year than nurses with five years experience under a new pay scheme ratified yesterday. The pay increase of between 20 and 30 per cent which will mean nurses earn more after five years than a police constable of equivalent experience will be introduced over the next 16 months. At the lowest grade, nurses will earn about $46,000 (including penal rates), while a teacher earns $39,425, and a police constable $50,562 per year. A teacher with at least eight years experience will earn $58,327, while after five years a registered nurse will earn $62,100 (including penal rates) per year. A police constable will earn $55,239 after five years.
source: The Press

NZ currency soars against US dollar.

The New Zealand dollar has climbed to its highest level since the country adopted a free-float exchange rate 20 years ago -- and its highest level against the U.S. dollar in 22 years.The Kiwi, as the New Zealand unit is known colloquially, hit a high of 72.96 cents in Asia trade Tuesday. The previous post-float high was 72.75 cents, reached in June 1988.

Marshall Back For The Crusaders.

Justin Marshall now looks likely to play in the Crusaders' highly anticipated Rebel Sport Super 12 opener against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday. The veteran halfback has been suffering from a virus and has not played in any of the pre-season matches in what will be his farewell campaign.
source: newstalk ZB

Aceh pull-out not far off - PM.

Prime Minister Helen Clark says New Zealand is "not far off the point" of pulling troops out of Aceh after suggestions terror attacks could be mounted against foreigners assisting with tsunami relief efforts. Clark discussed the possible threat to New Zealand aid workers and troops helping out in the devastated northern Sumatra region with Australian Prime Minister John Howard in Auckland yesterday
source: The Press

'Diplomatic conversation' begins with Israel.

A "diplomatic conversation" has begun between Israel and New Zealand in an attempt to thaw chilly relations caused by the Israeli spy affair. Relations have been on hold since Israel refused to apologise for what Prime Minister Helen Clark described as "utterly unacceptable" behaviour by two alleged Mossad agents, Uriel Zoshe Kelman and Eli Cara, who tried to fraudulently obtain New Zealand passports. The two were deported in September after serving two months of their six-month prison sentences.
Source: NZPA

Govt says revamp to put 4000 into work.

The Government expects to save $20 million a year and move 4000 people into work with changes to the benefit system billed as the biggest revamp since 1938. Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey will announce changes today which will recategorise all beneficiaries and wipe well-known benefit names, such as the DPB, from the statute books.The rejig - merging seven existing benefits into a single core benefit - would leave no one worse off, Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Call for public wananga inquiry.

ACT MP Ken Shirley is calling for a High Court judge to head a public inquiry into the way Te Wananga o Aotearoa has used nearly a quarter of a billion dollars of taxpayer funding. Mr Shirley, who last week raised a series of allegations about misuse of public funds at the wananga, said a full judicial inquiry was the only way to establish how it received $239 million from the Government last year and where it had gone. The auditor-general is already investigating the educational institution, but Mr Shirley said a public inquiry would be more wide-ranging and would allow a probe into any trusts associated with it.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Inmates may fill labour gaps.

Prisoners will be offered formal training for jobs such as driving diggers under radical plans to cut reoffending and fill labour shortages. Under the proposals yet to go to the Cabinet every prison will have an officer responsible for managing inmates due for release, and Work and Income will be charged with finding accredited training for those who show motivation. The plan, likely to apply only to prisoners serving more than a year, is being worked on by Corrections and Labour Minister Paul Swain and Associate Social Development and Employment Minister Rick Barker.
Source: The Dominion Post.

A jolly good show.

Thousands glammed it up to the nines in classical 1930s style as Napier turned back the clock for a three-day art deco party. The 17th Art Deco Weekend set to grow to a week-long festival next year is being hailed as the biggest and best yet. Art deco enthusiasts young and old decked themselves in attire ranging from vintage pinstripe suits to flamboyant dresses for the party. There were hats aplenty, colourful art deco era umbrellas keeping the sun away and swing dance outfits. Revellers came from as far away as Hawaii, Australia and England to celebrate Napier's art deco buildings, which transformed the city after the 1931 Napier earthquake.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Beehive refit felled again.

The $40 million Beehive refit is facing a two-month delay after contractors ran out of wood panelling a legacy of the infamous decision to use endangered African timber. As a result, MPs face a longer wait to enjoy the remodelled bar and restaurant on the building's third floor. Four years ago, the Government discovered panels made of African rainforest timber were being used in Beehive foyers, and quickly ordered their removal.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Unruly behaviour prompts review.

Cricket officials plan to review security arrangements for the remaining one-day matches between Australia and New Zealand after unruly spectators marred the first game. Several Australian players were pelted with bottles during their ten run win over the Black Caps at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.
source:RNZ

New Zealand travelers warned to avoid Indonesia.

The New Zealand government has warned that terrorists may be planning attacks against foreigners involved in tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia, in particular in Aceh and northern Sumatra. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) reissued its travel advisory Saturday advising against all non-essential trave lto those areas. The ministry advised New Zealanders not to travel to Banda Acehor to other parts of Aceh unless the aid organization they work for has a robust security plan, approved by the Indonesian authorities.
It also recommended New Zealanders who are not covered by such arrangements to leave the area immediately.

Australia beat New Zealand by 10 runs.

Australia beat New Zealand by 10 runs in their opening one-day international in Wellington today.Australia made 236 for seven from their 50 overs with Matthew Hayden (71), Ricky Ponting (61) and Andrew Symonds (53) all making half-centuries. Scott Syris took 4-40 for the Kiwis. New Zealand were bowled out for 226 in the 49th over after they appeared certain to win. Hamish Marshall top-scored with 76 and Nathan Astle made 65 but Glenn McGrath took 4-16 to swing the game Australia's way.>

It's 24-hour drinking in Auckland City.

Auckland City has pressed ahead with moves to officially sanction 24-hour licensing of bars despite warnings from alcohol watchdogs it will lead to increased violence. A council committee has voted to entrench 24-hour licensing in its new alcohol strategy, disappointing alcohol groups who say they have grave fears about the move.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Howard leaves for NZ.

Prime Minister John Howard left for New Zealand hoping to further strengthen economic ties between the trans-Tasman neighbours. Mr Howard is in New Zealand until February 21 for his annual talks with Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Support for V8 race in Wellington.

Wellington residents and businesses have shown overwhelming support for plans to host the V8 Supercar race in the capital. Initial results from a Wellington City Council survey of about 600 residents found that 72 per cent were in favour of the event, 14 per cent were against and 14 per cent were unsure.
Source: The Dominion Post.

DNA nabs rapist a decade on.

For years, a rapist went free. But science has finally caught up with him. For more than a decade William Wii Katipa's crime went unpunished. But yesterday science caught up with him. Katipa, 39, had already been jailed for the rape of a 13-year-old girl in 2002 when a DNA sample was taken from him. It matched a pubic hair found during a 1994 investigation of the earlier rape in the north Waikato. Katipa subsequently admitted charges of rape and burglary over the earlier attack. Yesterday in the High Court at Hamilton, Justice Nicholson sentenced Katipa to preventive detention - a sentence which could keep him in custody for the rest of his life.
source:waikato times

US lawmakers urge free-trade pact with NZ.

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers have urged the Bush administration to begin free-trade talks with New Zealand, a deal that could boost US exports to NZ by 25 per cent. New Zealand has long been interested in such a pact with Washington, but was forced to sit on the sidelines while the United States negotiated a free-trade agreement with New Zealand's neighbour and close economic partner, Australia. A group of 54 lawmakers, split nearly evenly between Republicans and Democrats, launched a campaign to persuade the Bush administration to begin negotiations.
Source: NZPA

Backyard Auck dentist puts patients at risk.

Close to 1200 patients of an unregistered Auckland dentist have been put at risk of blood infections, the Health Ministry says. Mt Roskill woman Rong Fang Zhang was yesterday convicted of charges relating to unlawfully practising dentistry. Ministry acting director of public health Ashley Bloomfield said it was found that Ms Zhang had carried out a large amount of invasive dentistry, including root canal therapy, fillings and extractions and treatment of infection in sub-standard conditions. She had no effective means of sterilising her equipment, he said.
As a result, 1190 patients over the last four or five years had been identified as having been put at risk of blood-borne infection
Source: NZPA.

Crunch time for apple orchards.

Hawkes Bay apple growers and packhouses will know next week whether they have enough seasonal workers. The apple-picking season will be in full swing next week, and about 6000 seasonal workers are needed in Hawke's Bay.
Source: The Dominion Post.

NZ's Budget surplus beats forecast.

The New Zealand government's operating surplus for the six months ended December was up $936 million on forecasts, the Treasury said.Crown Financial Statements released showed the operating surplus was $4.526 billion, ahead of the forecast $3.590 billion.
source:AAP

Wananga Cuban course a rort, says MP.

New Zealand's largest tertiary institution enrolled students and staff in a Cuban literacy and numeracy course to get more money from the Government, Parliament was told yesterday.Act's Ken Shirley alleged in the House yesterday there had been 5455 enrolments in the "Greenlight" course, which originated in Cuba and began three years ago.Mr Shirley alleged the course was sold to the Te Wananga o Aotearoa for "an extraordinary seven-figure sum" by chief executive Rongo Wetere's fiance, Marcia Krawll. The allegation is the latest in a string of claims by Act against the Te Awamutu-based wananga.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Campbell and Hirschfeld.

Seven years ago almost to the day, a much younger and very nervous John Campbell sat next to Carol Hirschfeld and for the first time both of them read from the autocue.Tonight they will do the same, for the last time. Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Universities get tougher over 3Rs.

Students who failed to reach minimum numeracy and literacy standards at high school are unlikely to be allowed into university this year.This year is the first that university entrants have needed to hold NCEA level 1 numeracy and NCEA level 2 literacy qualifications if they wished to study at university. Until now, students needed only to have credits in any three level 3 subjects.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Electronic road tolls supported by public, says Transit.

The prospect of New Zealand drivers having to pay electronic road tolls is a step closer with Transit to review methods of collection. "The report found that there is support for the concept of a nationally integrated electronic toll collection system for toll roads in New Zealand," Transit chief executive Rick van Barneveld said. Transit wants to use tolls to pay for the construction of new roads.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Gallipoli rock concert 'totally inappropriate', says Clark.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said today Gallipoli was not the place for a rock concert. She made the comments after a row over apparent plans for Australian singer John Farnham to play at a 90th anniversary Anzac service at the site in Turkey. Australian newspaper the Herald Sun reported Farnham's management team spent five months making arrangements for him to perform at Anzac Cove, but Helen Clark vetoed his appearance because she believed it was inappropriate.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Protester on indecent exposure charge arrives at court naked.

An environmental protester charged with indecent exposure arrived for his appearance at Auckland District Court today naked. Simon Oosterman, 24, a computer technician, was charged during the Auckland Naked Bike Ride last Sunday, an event he organised to protest against society's dependence on the car. Today, Oosterman and three supporters, two males and a female, stood outside the couthouse naked and bearing a banner that read: "Stop indecent exposure to vehicle emissions".
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

NZ businesses hope to profit from Kyoto protocol.

Kiwi businesses stand to benefit from their Australian counterparts using New Zealand as a backdoor to trade carbon credits with signatories of the Kyoto protocol. The international treaty to address climate change comes into force today, setting limits on greenhouse gas emissions. New Zealand ratified the agreement in 2002, but Australia has chosen not to join the 141 countries that are part of the pact. That means Australian businesses wanting to trade carbon credits can do so only by partnering a business from a ratifying country. Source: The Dominion Post.

Airlines slug it out to lure transtasman travellers.

Air travellers are beginning to reap the fruits of an airfares war as Air NZ's low-cost Freedom Air bids to undercut the fares of newcomer Pacific Blue. The local wing of Australian Virgin Blue is marking its foray into the Auckland market by selling $89 one-way fares to Brisbane and the Gold Coast - plus taxes and charges from $40.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Samoan, Cook islands brace for `super cyclone'.

Residents of the Cook Islands, Samoa and American Samoa were warned Monday that they faced a "critically dangerous" situation as two major cyclones bore down on the south Pacific nations. The Australian-Pacific Center for Emergency and Disaster Information said seven countries lay in the potential paths of major cyclones Nancy and Olaf, which were forecast to strike populated islands with damaging winds and high seas within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Kyoto Protocol in force today.

The Kyoto Protocol comes into force today, and the Government says New Zealand will play its part in reducing greenhouse gases which are causing climate change. The protocol, so far ratified by 141 nations, sets binding emission reduction targets for the world's developed nations.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

NZ to give $2m to immunise Pacific children and fight aids.

New Zealand is giving $2 million over three years towards helping Pacific children. The money would be used to vaccinate children and towards HIV/AIDS prevention in Fiji, the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Wananga used $239m 'poorly'.

New Zealand's largest tertiary institution has been accused of poorly handling almost $250 million of taxpayer money in a culture of extravagant spending by its managers. Te Wananga o Aotearoa has also been asked to explain itself over fresh accusations of dodgy enrolment practices by giving inducements to prospective students, a practice for which it was rebuked in 2002.
Source: The Dominion Post.

One New Face In Silver Ferns Squad.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken has named her team to take on England in next month's test series with the key feature being the inclusion of mid-courter and NZ U21 captain Laura Langman. Lesley Rumball (nee Nicol) has been named touring captain with Anna Rowberry still unavailable due to injury.
source:XtraMSN

Shania Twain Lodges House Plans.

Singer Shania Twain has lodged plans to build a $1.5 million house near Wanaka. Twain and her husband Robert "Mutt" Lange bought Motatapu Station for $21 million last year. The house plans are reported to be modest and include two guest cottages.
source: NewstalkZB

Clark backs Hawkins, says there will be no cabinet changes.

Prime Minister Helen Clark is backing embattled Police Minister George Hawkins, rejecting opposition calls for him to be sacked and saying there will be no cabinet changes before the election. Mr Hawkins had a torrid time in the debating chamber last week when he faced persistent questions about police responses to 111 calls and claims that traffic patrols were not attending emergencies.
Source: NZPA

Torrential rains leave towns awash.

More than 100mm fell overnight Sunday and yesterday, putting extreme pressure on Timaru's stormwater system and flooding parts of Temuka. Shopkeepers sandbagged some shops in Temuka's main street at the height of the flooding yesterday morning, and water was still flowing across State Highway 1 between Pareora and Makikihi south of Timaru late yesterday.
source: The Press

Naked bike riders protest with '21-bum' salute in Auckland.

Police ordered naked cyclists to get their gear back on in central Auckland yesterday, after arresting their leader for alleged indecent exposure. Even so, motorists were treated to a "21-bum" salute, equating to the number of scantily-clad cyclists who rode in convoy to protest against the world's dependency on oil-fuelled transport. They all had to wear underpants or briefs after the police intervention, although several female cyclists were allowed to remain topless, with or without body paint. The expose was part of the World Naked Bike Ride, a growing movement in which cyclists in 15 countries are daubing their flesh with anti-oil slogans to "reclaim the streets for people", Auckland organiser Simon Oosterman said.
Source: NZPA

Rockin' Rod soccers it to 'em.

Rock star Rod Stewart kicked a soccer ball into the crowd before strutting on stage at Napier's Mission Estate Winery. In black leather jacket and jeans, he arrived to the sound of bagpipes and told the 25,000 fans gathered on Saturday night they had better be in for the long haul he had 28 songs to do. "It's going to be a long night," Stewart said to cheers and waves. Soon he had 25,000 backup singers accompanying him.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Diesel spill almost cleared.

A cleanup effort following a spill of up to 10,000 litres of diesel into Christchurch's Heathcote River was today almost complete. The spill stretched about 20km down the river affecting hundreds of birds, many of which were caught by rescuers during the weekend. At least 20 ducks had died, some having been put down, since the spill as the effects of hydrocarbon toxicity set in, a local vet said yesterday.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Support for National climbs.

The One News/Colmar Brunton poll last night showed the gap between the two parties had closed to 5 per cent. Labour was on 44 per cent, down 3 from December, and National was on 39 per cent, up 4 per cent in the same period. New Zealand First remained on 5 per cent, while the Greens were down 1 point to 4 per cent. Act was also down 1 per cent to 2 per cent, while the Maori Party was up 1 to 2 per cent and United Future remained steady on 1 per cent.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

From Oxford to Oxford in an Oxford.

Nine months ago, Britons Tim Nicholson and Joanne Bowlt set out from Oxford, England, travelling in a 1954 Morris Oxford. Yesterday they arrived in Oxford, New Zealand, to a gala welcome including hundreds of vintage cars, a good sprinkling of Morris Oxfords, Morris dancers, sheep-shearing, spinning and stalls. The pair set out on the long drive to raise awareness of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent charities. Their journey took them through France, Spain, North Africa, Egypt and India, then to Australia via Singapore and finally to Canterbury.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Frantic efforts to save ducks.

Volunteers have been working through the night cleaning up ducks and other birds caught in a diesel spill on the Heathcote River in Christchurch.The spill covers about 15 kilometres of the river, from the southern motorway to Hansen Park.It is thought thousands of litres of fuel got into the river from a drain at Sockburn.
source:NZcity

Kids, put down that playdough ... it's culturally offensive. (more PC crap)

Playdough, potato stamps and the use of other food for art and play has been banned by some kindergartens because it is considered offensive to Maori and other cultures. Pre-school teachers say the ban is out of respect to Maori beliefs that food should be respected for its nutritional qualities and not used "as a plaything". This comes just weeks after a Wellington City Council holiday programme co-ordinator was told not to use real eggs for egg and spoon races, partly because it offended "some cultures".
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Scientist labels NCEA a disaster .

Nobel laureate Professor Alan MacDiarmid has described the NCEA scholarship as a "disaster" for science in New Zealand. "It's done a great disservice to the country because New Zealand needs, for its national security in the future, to encourage science education and this is going to put kids off," he said. The scholarship exams have angered teachers and students due to huge discrepancies between subjects, especially sciences and the arts. They say too many of the country's brightest students failed the exams. Only 91 out of 1000 chemistry students passed scholarship, less than 10%, compared with 219 out of 576 in English.
Source: Sunday Star Times

NZ on top of the world as unemployment falls again.

New Zealand now has the lowest unemployment rate in the developed world.
The stunning new figure a 20-year low of 3.6 per cent combined with surprisingly strong job growth has handed the Government a dream election-year platform but raises the spectre of higher mortgage rates. The country was "on a roll" and everyone should take credit. "New Zealanders always take pride in being best in the world and first in the world. These figures are truly spectacular." New Zealand's 3.6 per cent rate bettered South Korea's 3.7 per cent, leapfrogging us from second to first among OECD members.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Ferry branded 'unfit for passengers'.

The problem-plagued Interislander ferry Aratere has been released from detainment but is not allowed to carry passengers till further notice. Maritime Safety Authority director Russell Kilvington refused yesterday to lift the detainment order, saying the ship had arrived from Spain six years ago in a shocking state and had continued to have problems. The order was put on the Toll-owned ship on Wednesday night after the steering failed on entering Wellington Harbour, with about 188 passengers on board.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Unemployment falls to 20-year low.

The unemployment rate tumbled to a 20-year low of 3.6 per cent in the December quarter, Statistics New Zealand announced today. The rate in the September quarter was 3.8 per cent. SNZ said New Zealand now had the lowest rate in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) club of rich nations, overtaking South Korea.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Ferry passengers not in danger, owner says.

Losing rudder control on the interisland ferry Aratere in Wellington Harbour last night did not endanger its passengers or crew, the vessel's owner, Toll Shipping, said today. However, the Maritime Union says it is considering industrial action over the latest in a long list of incidents involving the problem-plagued ferry, detained in Picton today by the Maritime Safety Authority (MSA). Toll general manager Paul Garaty said today the vessel's crew reported to the company it was having steering problems in Wellington Harbour about 8.50pm yesterday. Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

New Twist For Ballerina.

A former ballerina is among the 56 new recruits graduating from the Police College this week. Karin Wakefield danced with the Royal New Zealand Ballet from 1979 to 1996, then taught dancing in New Zealand and overseas. She says her decision to join the police was driven by a desire for a real and challenging career based in her home country.

SPCA gives $20,000 to tsunami animal aid.

The Royal New Zealand SPCA has pledged $NZ20,000 to the emergency fund set up by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) for tsunami affected countries. SPCA's national chief executive Robyn McDonald said today New Zealand animal lovers and animal welfare advocates were playing their part in helping the countries around the Indian Ocean to recover from the catastrophic Boxing Day tsunami.
Source: NZPA

Police commissioner accused of playing politics.

New Zealand First MP Ron Mark says the police commissioner is playing politics and missing the point about traffic units not responding to 111 calls. On Monday Mr Mark released documents showing traffic units ignored repeated calls to respond to an emergency and yesterday Police Commissioner Rob Robinson put out a statement saying the calls were responded to within minutes.
Source: NZPA

NZ opens doors to young Germans for working holidays.

New Zealand is removing the limit on the number of young Germans who can take working holidays in New Zealand. The Government announced the move at a joint press conference with visiting German foreign minister Joschka Fischer yesterday. His New Zealand counterpart Phil Goff said the current limit of 2000 Germans, aged between 18 and 30, a year would be removed.
Source: NZPA

Gangs target of United Future bill.

Gang members will have to prove their assets are the result of legal activities or have them seized, with no conviction needed, if United Future MP Marc Alexander gets his way. Mr Alexander has drafted the Criminal Assets Confiscation Bill, a member's bill under which the Crown needs only to show good cause to suspect assets were derived from crime within the previous six years to launch action.
Source: NZPA

Aucklanders face 11 per cent rates rise.

Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard is proposing an 11 per cent rates rise for residents. And those with homes worth more than around half a million dollars are set to pay 16 per cent more. Mr Hubbard said the $60 million this would bring in over three years would go towards what Aucklanders say they categorically want fixed - congestion.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Wage increases running hot.

Wage increases grew bigger and more widespread in the December quarter, squeezing corporate profits and testing the Reserve Bank's patience. Amid shortages of skilled labour and the lowest unemployment rate in 18 years, wage inflation rose 0.7 per cent in the December quarter. The steepest increases in pay rates were in the construction sector, utilities (electricity and gas) and "personal and other services" - the likes of hairdressers.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Kiwis in UK back to one-year work visa.

Young New Zealanders heading to Britain on their "OE" will again only be able to work one year out of a two-year stay. Under changes the British made in 2003, young kiwis were allowed to work in any field and stay in the same job for two years. Previously, New Zealanders granted a working holiday visa were only allowed to work one year out of their two-year stay and had to work in unskilled or low-skilled jobs that were not their profession.
Source: NZPA

Vodafone NZ boss to head UK operations.

Vodafone New Zealand boss Tim Miles has been appointed to one of the global telecommunication giant's top jobs - chief executive of Vodafone UK. Miles - managing director of UK-based Vodafone's wholly owned local subsidiary since early 2002 - replaces current UK chief executive Bill Morrow

Swedish PM and German minister due this week.

Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer will both visit New Zealand this week.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Tua dukes it out in court.

When boxer David Tua brought a $7.5 million property at Pakiri, north of Auckland, he dreamed of one day retiring there, watching his children play and growing taro. But the dream has been put on hold because of a dispute over ownership of the land with former managers Kevin Barry and Martin Pugh. Tua told the High Court at Auckland today he always believed the property was his and his alone. But Barry and Pugh say they own part of the beachside property because they have 50 per cent ownership in the company which bought it.
Source: NZPA

Dunedin downpour causes millions of dollars damage.

Flash flooding ripped through Dunedin early last night, leaving retailers and emergency services mopping up throughout the night. The damage bill is expected to climb into the millions of dollars. Scores of businesses and homes were flooded as up to 17mm of rain was dumped on the city in just 15 minutes.
Source: NZPA

One New Zealand's first women ambassadors has died after a long illness.

One New Zealand's first women ambassadors, Barbara Angus, has died after a long illness. Ms Angus, 81, died at Paraparaumu on Friday. Ms Angus, who was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1988, became one of the first women to head a New Zealand post overseas when she was appointed ambassador in Manila in 1978.
Source: NZPA

NZ population growth slowing.

New Zealand's population growth is slowing and the number of teenagers falling, official figures released today show. In the year to December 31, 2004, the population grew by 44,800 (or 1.1 per cent) compared with 63,500 (1.6 per cent) the year before, Statistics New Zealand said.
Source: NZPA

NZ troops arrive for Afghanistan election mission.

The fifth and largest contingent of New Zealand soldiers to be sent to Afghanistan arrived on the snow-covered strip of dirt that is Bamiyan airport in Afghanistan. The new 121-member New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team will help communities in Bamiyan Province as well as assist in the country's April parliamentary elections.
source NZ Herald

Pitbull neutering deadline looms.

The deadline for Auckland pit bull owners to have their dogs neutered is drawing closer.One hundred and twenty owners are affected by an order which requires all dogs to be neutered by February 18.They will have to be muzzled in public, and microchipped by July next year.
source:nzcity

Legislation website two years late, $4 million over budget.

A project to set up a website containing all New Zealand's laws is running two years late and more than $4 million over budget, a report shows. The Justice and Electoral Committee's financial review of the Parliamentary Counsel Office, tabled in Parliament yesterday, said the office's annual report showed its Public Access to Legislation Project "remained paused throughout the year". The project had an original launch date of February 17, 2003, but was unlikely to go online before the second half of next year.
Source: NZPA

Heatwave hits the south.

A heatwave is hitting parts of the South Island, with temperatures nudging record levels, water levels falling and dogs dropping dead from heat exhaustion.
Summer may have got off to a cold and wet start, but temperatures are now hovering around 35deg in Alexandra and above 30deg in Queenstown.
source: The Press

Almost 1500 bus trips cancelled by stopwork meeting.

Almost 1500 Auckland bus trips were cancelled during a stopwork meeting yesterday at which Stagecoach drivers strongly rejected a company pay offer. More than 800 drivers returned to work at 2pm as scheduled, in time to collect children from school, but not without a bid from the floor of the meeting for an immediate strike.
Source: NZPA

Alcoholic Labour MP in rehab.

Invercargill Labour MP Mark Peck is in rehab for alcohol addiction and has been summonsed to appear in court for drink-driving and careless use of a motor vehicle.
Mr Peck said yesterday he had referred himself to a residential-based recovery programme in Auckland after he crashed his car about three weeks ago.
Source: The Southland Times

Lomu's return strikes surgery hurdle.

Jonah Lomu's attempted comeback to top-class rugby, following a kidney transplant, has struck a hurdle. The giant wing will undergo ankle surgery next week to remove a bone spur in a potential setback to his hopes of completing Martin Johnson's testimonial match at Twickenham on June 4. Lomu's doctor, John Mayhew, last night said the operation would in no way affect the comeback plans.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Conflicting polls for National.

Two political polls are registering conflicting results for National. Last night's TV3-TNS poll has seen support for the party rise by six per cent to 38, following leader Don Brash's second Orewa speech. That puts the two main parties just eight points apart. But the NBR's first Phillips Fox poll of the year shows National has lost two points since December, putting it on 34 per cent, 10 points behind Labour.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Prince Charles to visit New Zealand next Month.

Prince Charles will visit New Zealand next month, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Thursday. Welcoming the visit, Clark said the Prince of Wales would be in New Zealand from March 5-10 after visiting Australia. While in New Zealand Prince Charles would focus on conservation,environment, agriculture and education. He would visit Otago, Wellington and Auckland before going to Fiji, according to the Prime Minister.

Meningococcal vaccinations for six-week-old babies.

Babies as young as six weeks old in Auckland will now be eligible for immunisation against Meningococcal B. The MeNZBTM vaccine was approved last year for babies six months and older but has now been extended. Ministry of Health Director-General Karen Poutasi announced that from today, the vaccine could be given to babies aged from six weeks in the Counties-Manukau, Auckland and Waitemata District Health Board (DHB) areas.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Banks considering standing for ACT - Hide.

Former Auckland mayor John Banks is considering returning to Parliament as an ACT MP, party leader Rodney Hide said last night. Mr Hide said he talked to Mr Banks in December and met him again last month. "He's considering his options, and one of those options is whether to return to Parliament," Mr Hide said.
Source: NZPA

Brash moves to quell dissent in the ranks.

National Party leader Don Brash has moved to quell dissent in his ranks as fingers are pointed at him and his advisers for their handling of the Katherine Rich affair. Rakaia MP Brian Connell was yesterday pulled into line after criticising Dr Brash's handling of Ms Rich's sacking as welfare spokeswoman after she disagreed with the leader over his hard line on welfare. Mr Connell had earlier described the sacking as "stupid" and questioned Dr Brash's management skills. He also described it as a "tragedy" that someone of Ms Rich's ability should be sacked.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Tony Blair's wife to speak at charity dinner.

A charity dinner involving the British Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Blair, is expected to raise a "substantial six-figure sum" for the Starship FoundationAfter speaking in Auckland, Mrs Blair heads across the Tasman for a similar series of engagements on behalf of Children's Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA). Her week-long visit to Australia has sparked an outcry in Britain, after claims that she could be paid fees totalling as much as 100,000 pounds ($NZ265,000).
Source: NZPA

6-Month Tax Take 0.5% Above Forecast.

The government collected NZ$25.0 billion in tax revenue for the six months to December 31, 0.5 percent above forecast, Treasury data shows. The data, released on Treasury's Web site (www.treasury.govt.nz), showed direct tax of NZ$16.3 billion was 0.8 percent higher than forecast, while total indirect tax of NZ$8.7 billion matched forecasts.

Disagreement On Retaining Waitangi Day.

United Future leader Peter Dunne is asking Parliament to consider changing the name of Waitangi Day. Mr Dunne believes February 6 has become more a symbol of what divides New Zealand rather than what unites people.
source:newstalkzb

New Zealand overtakes Spain in OECD per capita income table.

New Zealand has made a small step toward the government goal of regaining the top half of the OECD in per capita income by overtaking Spain, according to a report released Wednesday.However, the report Economic Development Indicators 2005, jointly prepared by the Treasury and the Ministry for EconomicDevelopment, shows it has a long way to go to achieve the goal -- New Zealand now lies 20th out of the 30 member club of industrialized nations.

Abandoned baby buried by community.

Baby boys Aaron and Moses, who were abandoned by their mothers shortly after birth, now lie side by side in a Hastings cemetery.The boys were named by police, not by their mothers, who are still unaccounted for.
source: TVNZ

NZ announce revised tour dates

A Test series against Sri Lanka postponed after the Indian Ocean tsunami has been rescheduled for April, New Zealand Cricket said Wednesday. NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said Sri Lanka would play the Black Caps in two Tests beginning in Napier on April 4 and Wellington on April 11.

Govt to boost home-based childcare to increase workforce.

Government initiatives to encourage more women to return to the workforce were yesterday welcomed by the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and Barnados. Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said yesterday new initiatives to increase home-based childcare for parents unable to access existing resources were expected to be finalised for this year's budget."We are looking at our set of policies - across parental leave, child and out-of-school care, flexible working hours and work-life balance - to see how best to move ahead."
Source: NZPA

Westport farmer leaves $900,000 to charity.

A retired Westport dairy farmer who died following a car crash last year has bequeathed about $900,000 to two local charities. Shemus Murphy left around $800,000 to St Vincent de Paul Society's Westport branch and $100,000 to the Buller Cancer Support Group.
Source: NZPA

Shaken capital warned of more quakes.

Wellingtonians are being warned to expect more earthquakes after being woken by one yesterday measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale. The quake, at 6.31am, was centred 40 kilometres southeast of Martinborough at a depth of 20km.
Source: The Dominion Post.

NZ rated one of the top tourist destinations.

Independent travellers from across the globe have rated New Zealand as one of the best places they've been and one of the most desired places to go next.Australia topped the poll asthe destination travellers would most like to visit next, the annual Lonely Planet Travellers' Pulse Survey revealed yesterday. After Australia, the most desired destinations to visit in the future were Chile and Brazil with New Zealand and India rounding out the top five.
Source: NZPA

Rich sacked from welfare portfolio.

National MP Katherine Rich has been sacked from her welfare portfolio after refusing to commit to selling the policies outlined by party leader Don Brash at Orewa. An announcement from Dr Brash came at 12.20pm today in which he made it clear he expects 100 per cent support from his spokespeople. Mrs Rich will move from the No 4 position on the frontbench to the No 10 spot on the second bench.source:newstalkzb

The Government has put off finding a replacement for Governor-General.

The Government has put off finding a replacement for Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright till after the election. Dame Silvia's term was due to expire in April next year but the job of selecting a replacement would have had to begin this year. Former National prime minister Jim Bolger and rugby great Sir Wilson Whineray have been rumoured in the running and there has been speculation that Sir Wilson was sounded out. Source: The Dominion Post.