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Saturday, December 31

New Year's Honours List.

The New Year's Honours list for 2006 and New Zealand Gallantry and Bravery awards.
The full list...
click HERE for full story
Source:NZPA



New Year hotspots readied with bans.

A number of cities around New Zealand will have liquor bans this New Years Eve in an attempt to curb unruly behaviour. Areas such as Auckland Central, Mount Maunganui, Akaroa, and Hastings will all have bans on alcohol consumption in any public place. Councils have had the power to introduce liquor bans in an effort to try and control the problems caused by alcohol consumption, since the Local Government Act was passed in 2002 . Police at one of the usual New Year's Eve hotspots of Mount Maunganui say they are relaxed about the night ahead. The popular coastal resort has been associated with New Year's headlines in previous years with drunken, rioting youths - but in recent years has cleaned up its act in an attempt to attract family crowds. Detective Inspector Karl Wright-Saint Clair says strict enforcement of the liquor ban has been the key to a more enjoyable night. He says police have worked with the council to provide entertainment and security to ensure a family-oriented evening.
Source:RNZ



Reprieve for geese.

An agreement appears to have been reached over a flock of geese in Christchurch. A major protest by the Gameshooters Club saw thousands of Canadian geese at the Avon Heathcote Estuary spared from lethal injection. The birds were due to be culled because they threaten airport safety and foul local sports grounds. At a meeting with Fish and Game last night, the game shooters agreed to allow the council to cull 1000 of the 3000 geese.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Thousands flock to Rhythm & Vines.

Around 10,000 party goers are flocking to the outskirts of Gisborne to start partying for the New Year. The gates are now open for the Rhythm and Vines festival at Waiohika estate. The entertainment got underway at midday and will climax with Wellington's Fat Freddy's Drop headlining. Caterers estimate they will cook around one thousand breakfasts each morning - which means shipping in over 2000 eggs, 1000 sausages, and 2000 strips of bacon.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Wild weather on the way for the south.

If you thought 2006 was going to be off to a sunny start in the south of the South Island, you could be very disappointed. The MetService has issued a severe weather warning for Fiordland and the Southern Alps with heavy rain predicted for the start of the week. There are concerns up to 250mm could fall on Sunday night.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



NZ citizenship rules get tougher.

Few babies born in New Zealand are likely to be affected by changes to citizenship rights from today. The Citizenship Act has been amended meaning babies will only acquire citizenship at birth if at least one of their parents is a New Zealand citizen or is entitled to be in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue indefinitely. The Department of Internal Affairs says the changes have been brought in to to ensure the benefits of New Zealand citizenship only go to those with a genuine and on-going link to the country. The department says a maximum of one percent of the newborn population will be affected. Meanwhile there are calls to speed up the process of acquiring permanent residency in New Zealand.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



New Year honours.

205 recognised in this year's list, Prof Paul Callaghan gets top honours - Ralph Norris, Michael Campbell, Bic Runga among others
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.
click HERE for full story



Friday, December 30

2006 designated Year of the Veteran.

Next year has been designated Year of the Veteran, Veterans Affairs Minister Rick Barker announced today.
"This will be a year for New Zealand to commemorate and honour the sacrifice and service of New Zealand's service men and women," Mr Barker said in a statement. The Government had established a Year of the Veteran Community Grants Fund, which would be available to local authorities, ex-service associations and community organisations seeking support to organise commemorations of service men and women.
Source: NZPA



Paradise trace internet problem to spam explosion.

Paradise email service delays have been traced to an explosion in the volume of junk email, with TelstraClear warning customers the problem will take time to solve. Customers have for the past few days experienced delays of several hours in receiving emails to their Paradise addresses due to "large volumes". TelstraClear spokesman Mathew Bolland said there had been a 250 per cent increase in spam – junk email "which simply clogs the pipes". While a number of solutions were being worked on, the problem would not be solved today.
Source:NZPA



Police humour unappreciated.

The Police Association is disappointed that an apparently light-hearted remark by a police officer seizing on an Irish accent has resulted in an official complaint. Irishman Frankie Morgan reportedly complained to police that when he approached an officer manning a cordon at a bomb scare in central Christchurch last week to ask what was happening, the officer said: "You should know with an accent like yours". Police confirmed a complaint would be investigated.
source: By Jarrod Booker



Uni to get at least $800,000 from US philanthropist.

Time is running out for poet Bill Manhire, who has one day left to raise almost $200,000 to hit a million-dollar target set by a Las Vegas casino tycoon. Mr Manhire's writing course, the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University, was singled out by American philanthropist Glenn Schaeffer. Mr Schaeffer issued a challenge for the institute to raise $1 million by December 31 – and has promised to match every New Zealand dollar raised with an American dollar, up to a maximum of $US1 million. So far the university's fundraisers have collected $813,889 and have three potentially lucrative donors in the pipeline. A gift of $90,000 two weeks ago had been a major boost.
Source:Dominion Post



Geese saved by protests-but for how long?

Game shooters have saved two thousand Canadian geese from lethal injection at Christchurch's Avon Heathcote Estuary. There's been pressure on the Fish and Game council to reduce the birds' numbers amid concerns they pose a threat. But North Canterbury Game Shooters Club president Don Swift says members are angry the geese can't be left for them to cull as part of the sport. He says members were out at four am this morning forming a human line to protect the geese.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Thursday, December 29

Taupo trout there for the taking.

Grab your fishing rod and head for Lake Taupo - it's expected to be a boomer season for trout over the summer holidays. The Department of Conservation is predicting good fishing, with lots of big fish up for grabs as long as the weather plays ball. Taupo fishery area programme manager Glenn Maclean said a recent count of large trout in the lake using sophisticated acoustic equipment indicated the population was in very good shape. Mr Maclean said that when the surveyed was carried out, the highest densities of trout were measured at the southern end of the lake.
Source:NZPA



Road toll now higher than last year.

The road toll has now officially surpassed last year's final number Two fatal crashes this afternoon have lifted the number of deaths on our roads during the holiday season to at least 13. A car and a light truck collided at the intersection of Awatere Valley Road and Redwood Pass Road at Seddon in Marlborough just before two this afternoon. It is not yet known how many have died in that incident. Last year's holiday road toll was 11. This year's toll period does not end until 6 am on January 4. The worst day so far has been December 27 with 4 people killed in accidents on New Zealand's roads.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Kiwi Kiri to entertain at Games.

Opera diva Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will be the star of next year's Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. The Games organisers have secured the New Zealand born soprano for the March 15 spectacular at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A capacity crowd of 80,000 is expected to pack the stadium for the ceremony, and about 8,000 tickets, fetching up to $590 each are still available.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Three More Dead Whales Found.

The death toll from last week's Golden Bay whale stranding has increased. Around 125 Pilot whales beached at Puponga last week. About a hundred of them were re-floated. However some of the weaker ones appear to have separated from the group. An adult male had to be shot after being found at Pohara Beach three days ago, and a baby was found dead at Tata beach yesterday. Just today three more have been found at Farewell Spit.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Thousands hit by email problems.

Internet users around New Zealand are experiencing problems with their email because of technical issues at one of the country's biggest internet providers. Upgrades to the primary server of internet provider Paradise have disrupted its email services, Radio New Zealand reported. Paradise are working to fix the problem but it is not known when the service will be up and running again.



Concerns ease as lakes fill.

Heavy rain appears to have brought relief to the hydro generating lakes in the South Island. Before Christmas lake levels were dropping and reached levels not seen in 14 years. For the first time since mid- September hydrology figures show there has been a marked increase in water storage. Water inflows into the lakes have been rising consistently since the beginning of the month. However lake storage levels still remain below where they were at the same time in both 2003 and 2004.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Wednesday, December 28

Molesworth road open to public.

A Department of Conservation road through an historic high country station in Marlborough is open to the public and the drive is free for the first time. The Acheron Road through Molesworth station, which is New Zealand's largest farm, will remain open for six weeks, weather permitting. In July control of Molesworth Station, which straddles Canterbury and Marlborough, was transferred to the DOC. The change in status to a reserve means access fees will no longer be charged. However, there are fees for overnight stays in the campsites. Camping fees are $6 per adult and $1.50 per child per night. No open fires are allowed and portable cookers should be carried. DOC spokesperson Colin Davis expects several thousand motorists to make the trip between Blenheim and Hanmer, which takes around six hours
Source:RNZ/TVNZ



National looks to British childcare laws.

National plans to look at new laws in Britain that give schools greater powers to deal with out-of-control children. So-called control orders put pressure on parents to do more to look after their kids, including imposing curfews. Parents who do not toe the line could be fined or even sent to jail. National law and order spokesman Simon Power says it is something that is worth looking at. He says early intervention is an important tool in the fight against crime.
NEWSTALK ZB



Damage to Treaty House already on way to being fixed.

Damage to the historic Treaty House at Waitangi in Northland, will be almost impossible to spot by the end of the day. A man was due in court today on numerous charges after a car was driven around the grounds by the flagstaff in front of the house, into a wooden pillar holding up one end of the verandah and through vegetable gardens at the back.
Source:NZPA



Drink young and crash.

New Zealand's decision to lower the drinking age to 18 has resulted in an alarming increase in teenage car smashes, a landmark American study says. Alcohol was linked to "significantly more" vehicle crashes among 15 to 19-year-olds since the law was changed in 1999 to allow 18-year-olds to buy booze, the American Journal of Public Health says in an article to be published next month. Other figures showed that growing numbers of girls were being admitted to hospital with alcohol poisoning. The number of 10 to 14-year-olds admitted to hospital for toxic effects from alcohol have doubled in the three years since the drinking age was lowered. The findings have rekindled the political debate over restoring the drinking age to 20, with Parliament to discuss the proposal next year.
Source:Dominion Post
click HERE for full story



Tuesday, December 27

Endangered birds enjoy baby boom.

Organisers of a breeding plan to help bolster the endangered native hihi, or stitchbird, are celebrating a baby boom at Wellington's Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. Numbers have more than doubled since 64 of the small birds were transferred from Tiritiri Matangi Island and Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre earlier this year. The birds have produced 75 chicks, 53 of which have left their nests. Sanctuary conservation scientist Raewyn Empson said the result had exceeded expectations. The programme was now believed to be the most successful hihi breeding season ever recorded - either in captivity or in the wild.
Source:Dominion Post



Monday, December 26

Medal honours New Zealand tsunami efforts.

New Zealanders who endured harrowing and dangerous conditions to help victims of the Boxing Day tsunami will get a medal to recognise their work. Defence Minister Phil Goff says an initial 163 people who served in the devastated area in the first two months after the disaster have been identified as being eligible for the New Zealand Special Service Medal. They include personnel from the police, Defence Force, and both official and non-governmental organisations.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Commonsense urged as rivers rise.

Rivers throughout the Otago region are being kept under close watch as levels continue to rise. Steady rain over the last few days has pushed some rivers over flood warning levels. The Pomahaka River in South Otago has raised alarms, but the Taieri River is attracting the most attention after a number of heavy rainfalls across its catchment. Arbuckle says more rain is forecast for the region on Christmas Day so a meeting will be held at midday on Saturday to assess whether any more precautions need to be made.
Source:RNZ



Newborn weighs in as NZ's heaviest.

An Auckland Tongan couple are celebrating Christmas this year with a little more than they were bargaining for - their newest addition to the family is believed to be the biggest baby ever born in New Zealand. Compared to other ethnic groups, Tongan babies are the heaviest on average, but Angelani, born last week, has taken this to a whole new level. The newborn weighed in at 6.63 kilograms (14 pounds, 10 ounces), more than three kilos heavier than the average newborn weight of 3.5 kilograms.
Source:One News



Temporary halt in whaling good present.

Rough weather and high seas have delivered a Christmas present to Greenpeace campaigners trying to frustrate a Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean. The Greenpeace ship Esperanza and its sister ship Arctic Sunrise have been shadowing the fleet, and Esperanza bosun New Zealander Phil Lloyd today said that rough seas had prevented the Japanese fleet from doing its work. "That's a fairly good Christmas present." On Wednesday two Greenpeace boats tracked down the Nisshin Maru off the Antarctic coast and watched a whale being harpooned. They then attempted to stop the boat loading the dead whale. Pictures of the confrontation, filmed by Greenpeace, were beamed around the world. Last week the New Zealand Government released a damning report on Japan's whaling programme, saying it lacked scientific credibility.
Source: NZPA



Up to 100 firefighters attack forest fire.

Up to 100 firefighters and a helicopter were called in to contain a forest fire in the lower North Island. The fire was reported about 6.30pm yesterday in a forest owned by company Earnslaw One at Tangimoana, southwest of Bulls, Earnslaw One duty fire officer Tony Groome said. It was next to a Department of Conservation (DOC) reserve. Between 70 and 100 firefighters had been sent to the fire from volunteer brigades in the surrounding area, along with firefighters from Palmerston North, and crews from DOC, the Manawatu District Council and Earnslaw One.
Source:NZPA



Rescued kiwi home in a couple of days.

The New Zealander rescued after surviving 11 days on a liferaft with no food or water is just days away from returning to Australia, family members say. Steven Freeman, 30, formerly of Nelson, spent Christmas in Vietnam trying to secure a temporary visa to return to Australia. He was scheduled to meet New Zealand Embassy representative Kosta Tashkoff and Australian consulate authorities in the seaside town of Quang Ngai to organise the visa. Freeman was last week rescued by Vietnamese fishermen after the yacht he was transporting from Hong Kong to Australia with Mark Smith, 49, of Hobart, sank in high seas off the coast of Vietnam.
Source:The Press



Burglars replaced goods the morning after.

The conscience of two burglars who stole thousands of dollars' worth of computer equipment and luxury food items from a Greytown hotel got the better of them the morning after their break-in. Damian Veale, 22, and Corey Tamaka, 19, have pleaded guilty in Masterton District Court to a joint charge of Wednesday's burglary of the White Swan Hotel. The court was told Veale and Tamaka took food, laptop computers and a projector from the upmarket hotel. The items were taken back to Veale's home but Tamaka returned most of them several hours later. The pair said it was a foolish act, which they regretted.
Source:Dominion Post



Breast-cancer numbers soar.

The number of women in the upper South Island diagnosed with breast cancer is soaring as access to screening services improves. Pressure is now on treatment providers who are faced with an influx of newly diagnosed cancer patients seeking radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Mammographies provided by BreastScreen South led to 244 women in Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast being diagnosed with breast cancer in the year to November. That figure compares to 159 the previous year and 143 the year before that.
Source:The Press



Sunday, December 25

Wishing you A Very Merry Christmas from New Zealand.


More news Monday....



Saturday, December 24

Auckland tops Aussies' Christmas lists.

Auckland tops the list of the most popular international destinations for Australians to visit for the Christmas holidays this year. A survey by accommodation website Wotif.com shows Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington dominate the top three places Aussies are choosing to visit internationally/ Rotorua is in fifth place, with Queenstown and Hamilton sitting at seventh and eighth place respectively. The only non-New Zealand destinations in the top ten are Bangkok, Singapore, Barcelona and Berlin.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



New Year's Noise Amnesty Till 1am.

The Auckland City Council is allowing residents to make as much noise as they like to see in the New Year, but only until one o'clock in the morning. Spokesman Chris Dee says there will be a noise amnesty from 6pm to 1am but after that, noise should be turned down and noise control officers will be on patrol. He says people must be considerate of neighbours and be mindful that not everybody wants to party their way into the new year. Mr Dee says those who do not comply could have their sound equipment confiscated.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Flooding In Southland.

The week leading up to Christmas in Southland started with a heatwave and is ending in flooding. The main rivers in the region are all above normal and rising after heavy rain overnight and this morning. The Waikaia River is over two metres above at Waikaia and very close to three metres at Mahers Beach. The Mataura River at Gore is 1.25 metres above and rising. Several roads are closed due to flooding and Environment Southland has put out a flood warning for areas along the Mataura and Waikaia Rivers, the Winton Dam at Benmore and Otapiri Stream.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Clear Beaches As Whales Stay Away.

A welcome early Christmas gift for Conservation Department staff in Golden Bay. A spotter plane sent up about 8am has not seen any sign of the 100-strong pod of pilot whales which stranded at Puponga earlier this week. DOC spokesman Greg Napp says the plane was up for about an hour checking the beaches from Separation Point round to Farewell Spit. He says it is a great relief for the staff who worked so hard to save the whales. He says they can now enjoy the Christmas break with a clear conscience. Twenty-five whales died over the 24-hour period that the pod was beached at Puponga
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Petty criminals given chores.

The residents of a small South Canterbury town are backing what is being called an older style of policing to crack down on petty youth crime. Under the regime, young people accused of minor crimes in Waimate are being punished on the spot with chores. "It's probably the way policing has been done in the past - where responsibility was placed back on the offender," says Sergeant Mike Van Der Heyden of the Waimate Police.
Source:One News



Project to create hundreds of jobs.

One of the biggest developments seen on the South Island's West Coast in decades is going to create hundreds of new jobs in Greymouth. The developers of the Pike River Coal Mine have committed to using the port of Greymouth, which means millions of dollars will be spent on upgrades. Coal has been the economic backbone of the West Coast for generations, but in recent times it has been railed out of the district bringing no benefit to the local port. Coal production from the Pike River Mine in the Paparoa Range will begin next year, and the raw product will be trucked 46 km to the Greymouth Port and taken out by sea. An expected 300 jobs are to begin in Greymouth.
Source:One News



End of an era for TV's golden girl.

Television newsreader Judy Bailey has signed off from her last bulletin with TVNZ after more than 20 years with the broadcaster. Bailey who has been dubbed "mother of the nation" and is TVNZ's longest serving newsreader, anchoring the nightly news since 1986. The announcement comes after months of speculation about her future with the organisation after her $800,000 salary caused a public outcry. She was facing a $200,000-plus pay cut in 2006.
Source:One News



Tongan king rushed to NZ.

Speculation has arisen over the health of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga -- one of the world's last absolute monarchs -- after a report that he has been rushed to New Zealand for medical reasons. The Matangi Tonga newspaper in Nuku'alofa reported in the "royalty and nobility" section of its website that since December 19, Tonga's Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, 47, was running the country as the Prince Regent, "until the king returns". "The King of Tonga left Tonga to go to New Zealand ... for medical reasons in what appeared to be a hasty departure.
Source:NZPA



Disarmament cash for Siberian project.

New Zealand is contributing $1.2 million to a Siberian chemical weapons destruction project and to help the decommissioning of Russia's last plutonium-producing nuclear reactor.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



EFT-POS services disrupted.

Christmas shopping is back on track after EFT-POS services hit a wall today. Transactions across the country were declined en-masse when a partial outage caused EFT-POS terminals to become disconnected. EFT-POS operator Paymark says the outage was a one-off, and all connections are now re-established.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



First plans laid for World Cup.

A new board has been set up to undertake the initial planning for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The New Zealand Rugby Union and New Zealand Government have announced the formation of the four man Establishment Board this afternoon. Chief Executive Chris Moller and Chairman Jock Hobbs are the NZRU's representatives, while SPARC Chairman John Wells and KPMG Chairman Alan Isaac represent the Crown.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Friday, December 23

Recycling at record levels.

New Zealanders are recycling more waste than ever, the Government said yesterday. Research showed 77 per cent of local councils now provided kerbside recycling for glass, paper and plastics compared with 10 per cent a decade ago. Recycled packaging material increased from about 130,000 tonnes in 1994 to almost 340,000 tonnes last year.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Meridian eyeing another 10 sites for windfarms.

State-owned electricity generator Meridian Energy – which has just won a controversial resource consent for its Makara windfarm near Wellington – says it is eyeing another 10 windfarms. "Apart from the Makara-project of 210 megawatt (MW), we have so far identified 10 other projects," company spokesman Alan Seay told Danish newsagency Direkt. The $350 million Makara project, with 70 turbines, is currently the nation's biggest, but Mr Seay said that the 10 possible additional sites included the 1000 MW windfarm the company is planning on the Lammermoor Range west of Dunedin. The Dunedin project would cost more than $2 billion and be the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere – generating more than Benmore hydro power station – if it went ahead.
Source: NZPA



Christmas rush hits ferry sailings.

The Christmas rush is clogging streets, shops and even Cook Strait. Interislander sailings yesterday were delayed by up to two hours as staff struggled to cope with ferries stacked with holidaymakers. Toll Holdings spokeswoman Sue Foley said the delays had been exacerbated by speed restrictions on the Kaitaki ferry in Marlborough Sounds. "The reality is that it's had a huge knock-on effect for all our sailings, and then you've got the heavy loadings as well," Foley said. One passenger still waiting for the 10.30am Arahura sailing to depart at noon yesterday said the situation was "a chaotic shambles".
Source:The Press



Specialists plan one-stop cancer clinic.

Christchurch could become New Zealand's capital for cancer treatment and research if a proposed world-class speciality unit goes ahead. A group of cancer clinicians, scientists and supporters has revealed its plan for a one-stop clinic at Christchurch Hospital, at a time of growing patient demand for the latest treatments. "It is an opportunity to provide a co-ordination of care that doesn't exist in any other part of New Zealand," said prominent paediatric oncologist Dr Rob Corbett, of the Canterbury Cancer Network. "It's an honourable cause." Based on Health Ministry figures, about 2500 people in Canterbury are predicted to be diagnosed with cancer annually. Nationally, childhood cancers are rising at a rate of 1 per cent a year.
Source:The Press



Strike action closes 23 Westpac branches.

Westpac staff around the country began striking today, and by mid-morning had forced the closure of 23 branches on the last banking day before Christmas. The staff, members of the financial services union Finsec, are striking for a bigger pay increase than the one on the table and for no sales targets in their contracts.
Source: NZPA



Thursday, December 22

New cancer drug to get clinical trials in New Zealand.

A new cancer drug, claimed to be unique in the way it attacks tumours, will be given to patients in the first human clinical trial at New Zealand's Waikato Hospital, it was announced Wednesday. Auckland University cancer researcher Professor Bill Wilson described PR-104 as a "unique anti-cancer drug that is converted to a DNA damaging agent in the hypoxic (oxygen deficient) regions in tumours". The drug was developed in New Zealand by Proacta Inc, a company founded by leading cancer researchers at the University of Auckland and Stanford University, California.



Boy Discovers Rare Beetle.

A six-year-old Southland boy has discovered a rare beetle. Alex Edwards found the Stethaspis pulcher beetle while he was out with his dad and a Dunedin entomologist group in the remote mountains in the Old Man Range/Kopuwai Conservation area. Group spokesman Brian Patrick says they were about to call it quits when Alex found the insect. He says although it was dead, it was an amazing find. The group eventually found a live specimen. The flightless alpine beetle was first discovered in 1895 but was not seen again until the 1950s
Source: ©2005 Xtra Limited



Govt Coffers Bigger Than Forecast.

The New Zealand government collected NZ$23.03 billion in tax revenue for the five months ending November 30th, 1.0 percent ahead of forecast, according to Treasury data. The data, released on Treasury's Web site, showed direct tax of NZ$15.33 billion was 0.6 percent higher than forecast, while total indirect tax of NZ$7.7 billion was 1.8 percent above forecast.
Source: ©2005 Xtra Limited



TONGAN KING FLIES TO NEW ZEALAND FOR TREATMENT.

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, Dec. 20) – The King of Tonga left Tonga to go to New Zealand yesterday for medical reasons in what appeared to be a hasty departure, since the 87-year-old king had only just returned to Tonga from New Zealand on December 5 and was expected to be at home in Tonga over Christmas and the New Year. Sateki ‘Ahio, the Acting Secretary for the Palace office said today that he was not sure if King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV will stay on in Auckland or will return to Tonga for the Christmas holidays.



NZ govt appoints new Ambassador to Russia.

New Zealand's next Ambassador to Russia will be career diplomat Chris Elder, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced Wednesday. "Russia's political weight and its considerable economic potential make it an important partner for New Zealand. New Zealand's relations with Russia are friendly and constructive," said Peters. Elder has had postings to London, Tokyo and Beijing. He was posted to the latter twice, most recently as Ambassador from 1993-1998. His last assignment was as Ambassador to Indonesia, and prior to that he was political and security deputy secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington.



Greenpeace battles whalers.

Boats capsized and water cannons were used as Greenpeace ships interfered with Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean yesterday. Speaking from Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise off the Antarctic coast yesterday afternoon, expedition leader Shane Rattenbury said two of his organisation's ships had tracked down the Japanese whaling vessel Nisshin Maru in the morning. The second Greenpeace ship, Esperanza, has two New Zealand crew aboard. Japan plans to kill 900 minke whales this season as part of what it calls scientific research. But much of the whale meat ends up on store shelves or in up-scale restaurants, rather than in laboratories. Japan maintains that killing whales helps them study what they eat, among other things.
NZPA, HERALD STAFF



Wind turbines get consent in Wellington.

Meridian Energy has resource consent to build 70 super-sized wind turbines near Makara in Wellington. The contentious $380 million Project West Wind was endorsed by Wellington City Council yesterday. The turbines, covering a 56-square-kilometre area known as Quartz Hill and Terawhiti Station, were subject to an eight-week submission hearing ending last month. The council got 4337 submissions, mostly supporting the project. At full capacity, the wind farm would generate 210 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 110,000 homes, or roughly all the homes in Wellington, Lower Hutt and Porirua.
Source:Dominion Post



Easier access for migrants' scheme.

The points scheme for potential migrants is being changed. From now on people who score 140 points or more in the skilled migrant category will automatically be allowed in. Applicants with between 100 and 140 points who have a guaranteed job will also find it easier to gain residency. Immigration Minister David Cunliffe says an additional three thousand places will be made available for the next two financial years. He says the changes announced today will help employers needed to recruit skilled workers from overseas for their business growth.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Wednesday, December 21

Breast cancer survey underway.

Massey University has just begun the first nationwide study of the causes of breast cancer since the 1980s. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in New Zealand, after heart disease. The study will analyse three groups - Maori, Pacific Island and non-Maori. Dr Mona Jeffreys says little is known about how the lifestyle of Maori and Pacific Island women affects breast cancer. The study aims to understand why Maori women have the same risk of breast cancer when statistic suggest it should be lower. She will also investigate the lifestyles of women with and without breast cancer. Other factors the study will investigate, include the effects of cigarettes, alcohol and family size. Six and a half thousand women will be analysed. The study will take around two years to complete.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Minimum wage goes up.

The minimum wage is going up by nearly eight percent and the Government says employers have three months to prepare for it. Labour Minister Ruth Dyson says more than 90,000 adult workers and around 10,000 youth workers will benefit from the move that will see adult rates rise to $10.25 an hour and youth rates rise to $8.20 per hour . She says the current economic conditions means the wage rise can be made without job loses. The Minister of Labour reviews minimum wage rates annually for adults, youth and trainees, seeking submissions from a wide range of organisations, including employer, union, Pacific, Maori and women's groups. Ms Dyson says the government's goal is for the adult minimum wage to reach $12 an hour by the end of 2008, if economic conditions permit.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Second whale stranding at Golden Bay.

The Department of Conservation says there has been another whale stranding in Golden Bay, hours after more than 100 whales were refloated. At least 10 pilot whales have beached themselves in an area just south of the original stranding, but it is not clear whether they are from the same pod. The 100 whales were herded out from Puponga Beach by hundreds of volunteers on Wednesday afternoon's high tide. Andrew Baxter from DOC says after the first massive rescue effort, the second stranding is extremely frustrating. He says if the whales in this latest stranding come from the same pod some may be beyond help and may have to be put down. He says DOC will put out a call for more help.
Source:RNZ



Tough time ahead for primary sector.

Prospects are looking bleak for the primary sector in the New Year. A Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry report is predicting a downturn in many areas. Export earnings are predicted to decline. Income from agriculture and the price of milk solids are also expected to fall. The outlook for horticultural crops remains subdued but returns on forestry harvesting and lamb kills are expected to increase. MAF spokesman Peter Gardiner believes the sector should be able to ride it out. He says an upturn is likely in 2007 as the New Zealand dollar weakens and international oil prices ease.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Carbon tax 'to be dumped'.

The Government appears set to dump its proposed carbon tax. The tax, which would have placed a levy on businesses producing greenhouse gases, was planned to take effect from April 1, 2007. Critics have said costs would have to be passed on to consumers, with petrol and power prices among items likely to be hiked. But the NZPA news agency said today that it understands a Government review of climate change policies has found the tax is unworkable in its current form. The review, which will be released by Climate Change Minister David Parker around midday, proposes alternative options for reducing carbon emissions.
Source:NZPA



Whales still stranded.

It appears none of the whales stranded at Puponga in Golden Bay have made it back to sea overnight. Around 115 whales are stuck on the beach. High tide was early this morning but none of the whales have refloated. John Mason from the Department of Conservation says the survival rate seems to have been fairly good and only one of the mammals has died over night, although ten perished yesterday. He says volunteers and DOC staff will be trying to keep the whales as calm and hydrated as possible before attempting to free them on this afternoon's high tide. Mr Mason says hundreds of volunteers will be needed if there is to be any hope of saving the whales.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Plan for 10km Milford tunnel.

A new player has entered the high-stakes competition to carry tourists between Queenstown and Milford Sound, this time via a $150 million tunnel. Yesterday, Milford Dart Ltd managing director Tom Elworthy announced the project, declaring it the most "responsible, simple and clean solution to Milford Sound's access and peak visitor problems". The company, backed by former Ngai Tahu head Sir Tipene O'Regan, proposes constructing a 10.2km tunnel believed to be the longest in New Zealand, between Routeburn Road, north of Glenorchy, and Hollyford Valley Road, near Milford Sound.
Source:The Press



Huge downpour wreaks havoc in the South.


Householders and businesses across Southland were mopping up after torrential rain wreaked havoc in the region yesterday afternoon. The 90-minute downpour, described by some as monsoon-like flooded properties in Invercargill, Wanaka, Arrowtown and Queenstown. Heavy rain hit Gore last night, with flooding in many houses.
Southland Times



Tuesday, December 20

NZ volunteers work to save 120 beached whales.

Volunteers and conservation staff are battling to save more than 120 pilot whales stranded on a beach on the South Island of New Zealand. John Mason, the local manager of the Department of Conservation, says the whales became stranded on Puponga Beach near Farewell Spit in this afternoon as the tide went out. Mr Mason says the whales are being kept damp with buckets of water and wet sheets. He says it will be too dangerous for the staff and volunteers to remain on the beach overnight. It is hoped some of the whales will refloat themselves at high tide early tomorrow morning.



NZer alive after 11-day ordeal at sea.

HANOI - A New Zealander and an Australian survived 11 terrifying days in a storm-battered liferaft with no food or water after their yacht sank south of Hong Kong. Steven Freeman of Nelson and Mark Smith of Hobart clung desperately to their liferaft as storms flipped it over and over for days on end. They ate nothing for 11 days, licked rainwater off the raft and were forced to drink their own urine after a wave swept away their carefully prepared emergency supplies within minutes of their yacht sinking. They were finally rescued by Vietnamese fishermen.
Source:NZPA



Best sporting moments of 2005.

With a Lions tour, a successful Grand Slam and winning World Cup hosting rights, you'd expect rugby to dominate sporting headlines in 2005. But the country's most popular sport was overshadowed at times by performances of other sporting codes. Stuff.co.nz performed the arduous task of ranking the top 20 New Zealand sporting moments of the year.
click HERE for full story



More people gaining tertiary qualifications.

More people than ever before are completing tertiary education, according to the latest report on the tertiary education sector released today by the Ministry of Education. Secretary for Education, Howard Fancy said about 128,000 students completed recognised tertiary qualifications in 2004, a 16 per cent increase on the previous year. Between 2000 and 2004 the number of students completing tertiary education increased by 86 per cent. In addition, last year a further 139,500 trainees were engaged in industry-based training including 7200 modern apprentices. The report also showed that more people than ever were enrolled in formal tertiary education in 2004 – 455,000 New Zealanders and 50,400 international students.
Source:NZPA



Hamster Smuggler Goes To Ground.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a woman who smuggled a hamster into New Zealand. The 43-year-old, who has interim name suppression, has admitted to possessing unauthorised goods after sneaking a hamster named Eric into the country in her pocket two years ago. She had purchased the rodent at a pet shop in South Africa. The woman was due to be sentenced in the Wellington District Court yesterday but for the second time, failed to turn up. Eric was taken into the care of Wellington Zoo but has since died of natural causes
Source: ©2005 Xtra Limited



Design for NZ Memorial in Hyde Park, London.

Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Helen Clark, today announced the winning design for the New Zealand Memorial in Hyde Park Corner, London. The winning design, selected from a short-list of twelve, is by Palmerston North sculptor, Paul Dibble, in association with Athfield Architects of Wellington. Rt Hon Winston Peters visited the site designated for the Memorial during his recent visit to London and today expressed his pleasure that the project was proceeding in honour of the role New Zealand has played alongside the United Kingdom in time of war. Helen Clark said the memorial will commemorate the special relationship between New Zealand and the United Kingdom.



NZ economy set to enter 'heavier waters'.

After years of healthy economic growth New Zealand's economy may be about to "enter into heavier waters", Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today. Treasury's latest economic and fiscal update predicts growth will hold up longer than it forecasted for the budget, but would slow down to 1.7 per cent growth in 2007 and 2.5 per cent in 2008. If this occurs it will be the weakest the New Zealand economy has been since 1998 and 1999 following the Asian crisis and a drought.
Source: NZPA



Compulsory driving test for 80-plus scrapped.

From December next year, people over 80 will no longer have to take a mandatory driving test. Scrapping the driving test for New Zealand's older citizens was a key election promise of the Labour Party. Prime Minister Helen Clark today said the mandatory age-based, on-road test for people aged 80 and over would be stopped from December 2006. Drivers will still have to get a medical certificate indicating fitness to drive to renew their licences at 75, 80 and two-yearly intervals after that.
Source:NZPA



Monday, December 19

NZ gets top marks in World Bank survey.

New Zealand has received top marks in a World Bank survey on 'Doing Business in 2006'. The country ranked number 1 in terms of ease of doing business, in the survey of 155 countries by the bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC) division. Australia was sixth on the list, which assessed the ease with which to establish and maintain a business, while Pacific nations Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, ranked 34th, 36th and 39th respectively. New Zealand ranked fourth in terms of starting a business, second in dealing with licenses, fourth in hiring and firing, first in property registration and seventh in getting credit.
Source:NZPA



World headlines for drunken NZ santas.

The story of 40 santas who went on a drunken rampage in Auckland is being reported around the world. Police arrested three of the red-clad rioters on Saturday afternoon, after they threw beer bottles, punched a security guard and robbed a dairy. The santas also urinated in the streets, intimidated people and threw rocks at buses in an unusual protest against the commercialisation of Christmas. One even tried to climb the mooring rope of a cruise liner. The incident has made headlines in Australia, the US, the UK, Japan, Canada, India, China and even in Qatar. Auckland police are defending the fact that only three of the Saint Nick lookalikes were arrested. Senior Sergeant Matt Rogers says with a number of people dressed in the same outfit, it was difficult for any witnesses to confirm who was doing what.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Deficit tipped to hit record $12.6b.

New Zealand's current account deficit probably widened to a record in the year ended September 30 as surging consumer spending and record oil prices drove up the value of imports, a survey of economists indicates. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of 11 economists was for a deficit of $12.6 billion, compared with $11.89 billion in the year ended June 30. Statistics New Zealand will release the current account report on December 21. New Zealand's expanding economy is boosting consumer spending, buoying demand for cars, computers and other imports, and encouraging home lending, which raises profits at the nation's foreign-owned banks. The record trade gap might undermine investor confidence in the kiwi dollar, said Craig Ebert, senior market economist at Bank of New Zealand.



Bacon business sizzling over animal rights website.

An animal rights activist is vowing to fight a major pork manufacturer over the ownership of a website that criticises the company over factory farming. Campaigner Mark Eden has been threatened with legal action by Premiere Bacon Company over his use of the domain name premierbacon.co.nz. The official Premiere Bacon Company website is premierebacon.co.nz, although the website uses both "premier" and "premiere" in referring to the company. Mr Eden said Wellington Animal Rights Network bought the domain name three weeks ago for $25 and set up the site as part of a campaign against Premiere Bacon.Activists this month chained themselves to the bumper of a Premiere Bacon delivery truck in downtown Wellington.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Parliament rises for summer break.

Parliament has risen for the summer break after the House sat in urgency to complete the final session of the year. The Labour-led government passed two of its key election policies - the extension of the Working for Families package and interest-free student loans. Several other bills have had their first readings, including a bill on sports doping and anti-spam legislation. The Cabinet has one more meeting this year and then will meet again in January. The House rose late on Thursday afternoon and will not resume until February 14.
Source:RNZ



Hit list shows schools under review.

A newly revealed list details for the first time which schools were being targeted under the government's deeply unpopular school closures policy. The so-called network reviews were canned last year after public outcry over a series of re-organisations from Northland to Invercargill, which axed about 130 schools. The list shows schools in Gore and mid-Canterbury were judged as being a priority for review. The ministry also proposed a review of 20 schools in and around Ashburton, despite noting community resistance to change. Others districts considered included the Wellington suburb of Miramar, Malvern near Christchurch, southern Wairarapa and 16 schools in southern Tararua.
Source:RNZ



Greens want block on passing spy information to US.

The Green Party has said New Zealand should stop sending information obtained by its spy base to the United States following revelations it could be misused. US President George W Bush has admitted he allowed domestic eavesdropping without court approval following the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks. The Greens' security and intelligence spokesman Keith Locke said New Zealand should suspend the transfer of data intercepted by the Waihopai spy base to the US National Security Agency (NSA). Waihopai is part of the NSA-run Echelon communications intelligence network.
Source:NZPA



Fonterra takes big bite of Asian cheese market.

Chocolate cheese slices developed by Fonterra have been such a success in Taiwan that they have entered the Singapore market and are now being launched in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. The dairy giant is also reaching into more traditional Asian homes by partnering with Singapore company Jolibean to launch chocolate cheese pancakes, a variation on a dish usually eaten with fillings like peanut or red bean paste. Fonterra category development manager Richard Tay said the company's research showed cheese was increasingly being viewed as a healthy and nutritious food in Asia, where consumers have traditionally shunned dairy products.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Where are the reindeer when you need them?.

Santa came within a whisker of a triumphant appearance at the annual Carols by Candelight – but it was the jolly man himself, not the thousands of revellers, who were left hanging when his beard got caught in a pulley. Despite a time-honoured tradition of successful aerial descents, usually down chimneys, Father Christmas was left dangling suspended above the stage in front of an estimated 20,000 crowd at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on Saturday. The lights had to be dimmed to avoid upsetting children in the crowd as staff worked to untangle the man in the red suit. Santa's entrance, via flying fox, was to have been the highlight of the Saturday night celebrations.
Source:Dominion Post



Sunday, December 18

Oxfam Slams New Zealand.

Aid Agency Oxfam has slammed New Zealand, saying it is not supporting developing countries at the World Trade Organisation meeting. The poorer countries are disappointed the Hong Kong meeting has not delivered the promised pro-development outcome. Executive Director for Oxfam New Zealand Barry Coates says the rich countries have offered very little. He says it is disappointing New Zealand has joined the US and the EU to demand so much from developing countries. Mr Coates says New Zealand is supporting moves to extract concessions from some of the poorer countries in exchange for trade access.
Source: ©2005 Xtra Limited





$9.5m Treaty settlement signed.

A Northland Maori group has received an apology, some land and $9.5 million in a Treaty of Waitangi settlement signed yesterday. The settlement to Te Roroa, from Northern Wairoa and South Hokianga, includes: acknowledgements of, and a Crown apology for, historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles; a cultural redress package including the transfer of several sites of cultural significance to Te Roroa; and financial redress totalling $9.5 million, which Te Roroa will receive as a combination of Crown-owned properties and cash. The settlement was supported by 92 per cent of those who voted and will be implemented through legislation during 2006.
Source:NZPA



Three 'Santas' arrested in Auckland.

The arrest of just three people from a group of 40 who dressed as Santas and caused mayhem in downtown Auckland yesterday has upset the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The three were arrested on drunk and disorderly charges. Members of the group were alleged to have knocked over rubbish bins, thrown bottles, stolen from shops and vandalised a Christmas tree at the Skycity casino. They were taking part in what organisers said was "Santanarchy", a phenomenon that started overseas. One website says the aim of Santanarchy, which began in the United States a decade ago, is to celebrate Christmas in anti-commercial manner by mixing pranks and public drunkenness.
Source:NZPA



Maori sports awards go to Michael Campbell.

New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell has received another string of accolades. The US Open Champion has not only taken out the senior Maori Sportsman of the Year award at last night's Maori Sports Awards in Auckland, but also the World Champion award, and the overall Maori Sportsperson award. The New Zealand Maori rugby team was awarded team of the year, squash star Shelley Kitchen the senior sportswoman, and rugby coach Matt Te Pou the Maori coach of the year.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Holiday-home owners face 'rich tax'.

Aucklanders with holiday homes in the Coromandel could be stung by a "rich tax". Tourism Coromandel is pushing for the local council to introduce a special rate for absentee landlords, as the region struggles to cope with its booming popularity. Chief executive Jim Archibald said the region was struggling to upgrade services, with just 25,000 ratepayers, more than half of whom were absentee landlords. "Absentee landlords just pay rates and spend a little when down here for a few weeks, but they also make thousands from renting out their homes during the year and that money never reaches the peninsula, it stays in Auckland.
Source:HERALD ON SUNDAY



Two injured in helicopter crash.

Two people were seriously injured when a helicopter crashed in South Westland last night. Inspector John Doherty of the police southern communications centre said police were alerted just after 8pm that a R22 helicopter had crashed at Mussel Point at Jackson Bay, south of Haast. The two occupants were transferred to Greymouth Hospital by helicopter.
Source:NZPA



Saturday, December 17

Youth focus for Census work.

Government number-crunchers are hoping to get more young people to fill out their Census forms next year - by offering them jobs. The five-yearly census takes place on March 7, 2006. Despite the legal requirement for every person in the country on that date to complete Census forms, young people often don't bother, said Statistics New Zealand spokesman Adam Kearney. Last Census, people aged 15 to 29 were undercounted by 3.1 per cent, or some 116,000 people. Mr Kearney hopes a good number of the 6394 reliable, outgoing people needed to work part-time as collectors from mid-February to late March will be in the 18 to 20-something age group. "Young people are more likely to respond to a young person coming to their doorstep."
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Rare snail given ministerial protection.

A community of giant snails sitting on 5 million tonnes of valuable coal on the West Coast have ministerial protection following a High Court ruling yesterday. The rare Powelliphanta "Augustus" snails were first discovered in 1996 and named after the Mt Augustus ridgeline they were found on, within Solid Energy's Stockton opencast mine. The Crown company wants to mine the snails' 5ha habitat and plans to move up to 100, or 10 per cent of the population, to an adjoining site about 800m away. The Royal Forest and Bird Society says the snails risk extinction if the mining goes ahead, and it asked the court to protect them under the Wildlife Act. Yesterday the court issued a declaration requiring Solid Energy to have the consent of both the Conservation Minister and the Energy Minister before it carries out any activity which would kill the snails or put them in the company's possession.
Source:NZPA



School on the mat over weekly prayer.

An Auckland primary school faces a Human Rights Tribunal hearing over saying the Lord's Prayer at weekly assembly. Victoria Avenue School in Remuera says it has recited the prayer throughout its 52-year-history. But parent Nicki Butt, who has brought the complaint, says a prayer from any religion is not appropriate in a secular state school. "I don't think kids learning about religion is a bad thing, but they should not be coerced into one religion from the age of five or six." Board of trustees chairwoman Sarah Fyfe said the issue was one of tradition. "We are not religious zealots," she said. "We are not promoting any sort of religion. It is about the tradition and history of our school."
Source:NZPA



Friday, December 16

Call to ignore racist posters.

The Government is urging ethnic communities to ignore a poster campaign calling for Sydney-style race riots in Wellington. "These posters are pathetic and their hateful message has been treated with contempt by most New Zealanders," Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter said. The posters were found at Wellington railway stations and called for people to show "white power" and "take back our land". "If Sydney can do it so can we," they said. A crowd of 5000, some waving flags and chanting racist slogans, chased and beat people of Middle Eastern appearance at Cronulla beach, Sydney, on Sunday and rioting has continued since.
Source:Dominion Post



New research shows Vitamin D may keep lungs healthy.

A study from the University of Auckland has shown that Vitamin D may play a role in keeping lungs healthy. The study, by associate professors Peter Black and Robert Scragg from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, showed that people with very low levels of Vitamin D in their bodies had less healthy lungs than those with higher levels of the vitamin. Research showed Vitamin D may also influence how well our lungs work, with greater levels of the vitamin contributing to healthier lungs but further research was needed to determine just what its role was, and whether increases in Vitamin D would actually benefit patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and emphysema, he said. Dr Black says the effect was more pronounced in Caucasians and African Americans than Hispanics.
Source:NZPA



Rugby-All Blacks dates confirmed.

The dates for the All Blacks 2006 southern hemisphere fixtures have been confirmed by the New Zealand Rugby Union. The All Blacks open their international campaign with two test matches against Ireland in mid June before flying to Buenos Aires to play Argentina on June 24. They will return to face Australia in the opening Tri Nations game in Christchurch on July 8, with Wellington hosting the Springbok test on July 22. The All Blacks then cross the Tasman for the second test against Australia in Brisbane on July 29 before the final test against the Wallabies on either Friday August 18 or Saturday August 19 in Auckland. They will wrap up their southern hemisphere season with two test against the Springboks on August 26 and September 2. The venue is yet to be released.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Wet weekend ahead.

The forecast for the weekend is not looking great. There is a heavy rain warning in place for the Coromandel Peninsula and Western Bay of Plenty. MetService is warning residents about persistent rain throughout today, and early tomorrow. Rapidly rising streams and surface flooding could be a problem. Around 100 mm of rain is expected by tomorrow.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Houses, crops, trees hit in 'micro-burst'.

Tornado-like "micro-burst" ripped trees out of the ground, flooded houses and destroyed a $20,000 crop in a matter of minutes in the Heddon Bush area on Wednesday afternoon. Farmers and others in the area 20km north-west of Winton were reflecting yesterday on a frightening experience. 45South Weather Services forecaster Andy Fraser said it was probably a micro-burst of wind and hail during a very active thunderstorm.
source:Southland Times



Bill tries to reduce spam.

A bill to put a stop to unwanted e-mails - spam - passed its first reading yesterday. The Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill will now go to the commerce select committee for consideration. Spam - multiple marketing messages sent by e-mail, text message and instant messaging - can be advertising but is also used to try and defraud people. Information Technology Minister David Cunliffe told Parliament spam hurt businesses and impeded the use of electronic technology. The bill would prohibit spam, enable legal action against New Zealand-based spammers and let New Zealand be involved in international regulatory arrangements to curb the growth of spam. It also sets out penalties such as fines - $500,000 for businesses and up to $200,000 for individuals.
Source:NZPA



Cancer Society challenges claims on sunscreen products.

The Cancer Society has complained to the Commerce Commission about three brands of sunscreen which claim all day protection from only one application. The society, which is being backed by the Health Sponsorship Council, says Piz Buin, Daylong Sunscreen and Once Sunscreen are promoted as having all day protection from one application. The society's chief executive Neil Chave said there was no evidence to suggest that one application would provide eight hours of protection for people swimming and putting clothes on and off. "All the evidence we have suggests that every two or three hours you have to re-apply, particularly if you are swimming, because the effectiveness declines," he said.
Source:NZPA



Maharey expecting massive changes at TVNZ.

Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey says there will be widespread organisational changes at TVNZ and increases are likely in the amount the state broadcaster gets from the public purse. Mr Maharey said the "massive change" would be largely initiated because of technology advancements. "This has been predicted for a long time ... We are on the edge here of having free to air moving on to digital. That is a huge change." The minister's comments came the day after former chief executive Ian Fraser's explosive comments to the finance and expenditure select committee's inquiry into TVNZ. Mr Fraser criticised the TVNZ board and singled out director John Goulter, who he said had "seeded" stories in the media which were designed to undermine him as CEO.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Nurses present 18,000 signature pay petition.

Nurses working in GPs' surgeries today presented an 18,000-signature petition to Parliament, demanding the same pay as their hospital colleagues. Practices nurses say that by next year, a nurse in a general practice will earn about $160 a week less than a registered nurse in a public hospital. Staff and registered nurses, most of whom work in hospitals, are receiving a pay rise of around 20 per cent pay over two and a half years. About 30 practice nurses presented their New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) union petition to Labour list MP Maryan Street at Parliament.
Source:NZPA



Thursday, December 15

Undersized Lobsters Haul Seized.

One of the largest hauls of undersized rock lobsters has been uncovered in Gisborne. One person was allegedly found with more than 70 substantially undersized rock lobsters and a small quantity of undersized paua at Sponge Bay. The Fisheries officers in charge say they were some of the smallest lobsters they have seen. The offender has yet to be charged but could face fines of up to $250,000.
Source: ©2005 Xtra Limited



Schools To Be Used As Birdflu Clinics.

It has been revealed that schools and other community facilities could be used during any birdflu pandemic in New Zealand. Health authorities have unveiled a proposal for special clinics to keep infectious people away from hospital emergency departments and family doctors. They would be staffed around the clock by doctors, nurses, medical students and volunteers. They would be used to provide assessment, advice and referrals for people with infectious symptoms. They could also act as a secure distribution centre for anti-virals and antibiotics. The Ministry of Health says they could be set up in marae, schools, medical centres and community halls, and would help ease the workload on GPs and hospital emergency departments, usually the first port of call for people
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Hamster Smuggler Faces Fine, Jail.

A Wellington woman who smuggled a hamster into New Zealand will appear for sentencing today in the district court. The 43-old year-old, who has name suppression, has admitted a charge of knowingly having unauthorised goods. Eric the hamster was bought at a Durban pet shop two years ago and was sneaked into the country in the woman's pocket. MAF searched her home last year after she showed Eric to a pet shop, claiming to have got him from England The hamster was later put in protective custody at Wellington Zoo, where he died of natural causes. (Oh Yea..do you believe this?) The woman faces a possible five year jail term or a fine of up to $100,000.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



NZ, Aust will 'never be part of Asia'.

New Zealand and Australia will never truly be part of Asia, despite their membership of a new East Asian regional grouping, Malaysia's Prime Minister says. Speaking at the end of the inaugural East Asia Summit (EAS) of 16 nations, including the antipodeans, host Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday New Zealand and Australia had been included because of "common interests". "If you talk about a community of East Asians, I don't know how the Australians would regard themselves as East Asians, or the New Zealanders for that matter," he said. "But we are not talking about members of the community. We are talking about common interests," Badawi said.
Source:The Press



Shortage of tradespeople worsens, finds survey.

New Zealand's shortage of tradespeople is getting worse, a Department of Labour survey has found. It says there is a shortage of about 52 per cent of skilled workers in all trades - such as butchers, bakers, plumbers, sign writers and mechanics - putting them in the acute shortage category. That is up from 19 per cent two years ago. The biggest shortage in workers since 2003 was for electrical and electronic instrument mechanics and fitters, an Auckland newspaper reported today. Demand has grown for blacksmiths and toolmakers, tailors, dressmakers and food and related products processors. The skills shortage is reflected in New Zealand's low unemployment rate, which at 3.4 per cent is the lowest in the OECD.
Source:NZPA



Clarkson keeps seat, defeats Peters' challenge .

National MP Bob Clarkson has kept his Tauranga seat after two judges found he did not overspend on his election campaign. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who Mr Clarkson ousted from the seat in the September 17 election, had lodged an electoral petition alleging he breached electoral law by knowingly spending more than $20,000 during the campaign. Chief High Court Judge Tony Randerson, with Justices Lowell Goddard and Graham Panckhurst, heard the petition in the High Court at Tauranga late last month and Parliament's Speaker, Margaret Wilson, today delivered their findings. Ms Wilson said the judges found Mr Clarkson's election "was not void".
Source:NZPA



King Kong premieres in Wellington.

The stars of Peter Jackson's King Kong walked down the red carpet in Wellington's Courtenay Place on Wednesday evening to the screams of thousands of waiting fans. Some fans camped out all night to get a glimpse of the film's stars who have already traipsed up red carpets at premieres in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. With the Wellington premiere director Peter Jackson returned to where his dreams of making King Kong began. Jackson said that even more than Lord of the Rings, King Kong is very much a Wellington movie. He said he still gets a kick out of the reaction by international audiences to images of his home town.
Source:RNZ
click HERE for full story



Smoke-free laws get first test.

The year-old smoke-free laws are being tested in court for the first time, as a Timaru publican goes on trial charged with letting patrons light up inside his bar. The owner of Timaru's Carlton Hotel, Geoff Mulvihill, is the first publican in the country to face charges for not stopping smoking in his bar. Since last December he has been charged eight times for failing to take all reasonable practicable steps to ensure that no one smoked in his bar. Before the new law, Mulvihill maintained that it was up to the individual to choose whether to smoke in bars. "I'm standing up for the people of New Zealand's basic freedom of rights."
Source:One News



Afghanistan defence force arrives home.

Around 120 members of the New Zealand defence force arrived in Christchurch on Wednesday night, having spent the past six months working in Afghanistan. The contingent was part of the provincial reconstruction team in the Bamyan region, helping with improvements to infrastructure and assessing civil, political and military reform efforts. A new contingent of 94 personnel officially took over on Monday and will also spend six months in the Bamyan province.
Source:RNZ



Wednesday, December 14

Clark rejects link between invite and military ties.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Helen Clark has rejected a media claim that Indonesia wants full military ties restored in return for supporting New Zealand's involvement in a new East Asian bloc. The Christchurch Press reported yesterday that Indonesia is calling on New Zealand to re-start full military ties - cut after the bloodshed in East Timor around its independence in 1999 - in return for its seat at the first East Asia Summit. The report comes as Miss Clark is due to meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Kuala Lumpur, ahead of the summit opening today. New Zealand and Australia are the only non-Asian countries invited to take part in the new East Asia group, and The Press said Indonesia wanted the Government to factor in its support for New Zealand 's place at the table.
Source:NZPA



No Cronulla in NZ says Lebanese community.

New Zealand's Lebanese community is confident Sydney's violence would never happen in this country. The riots in Sydney's beachside suburbs have seen new powers handed down to police to deal with the disruption. President of the Cedars of Lebanon Club in Dunedin, Richard Joseph, says the riots are embarrassing and deplorable. He believes there is little chance of copycat attacks on this side of the Tasman. He says the violence is not symptomatic of the entire Lebanese community. He says it is due to a handful of irresponsible thugs who have compromised the reputation of Sydney to serve their own interests. He says there is no justification for the mob violence which he describes as barbaric and one step away from anarchy, adding that he feels embarrassed about the situation and cannot see how it started. Across the Tasman, Senior Police and the New South Wales State Government will today finalise tough new laws for police in a bid to crack down on the trouble makers behind this week's race riots in Sydney.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



NZRU fails in bid to trademark silver fern.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has been knocked back in a bid to trademark the silver fern for exclusive use in All Blacks merchandise. In an intellectual property rights row that has dragged on for four years, the NZRFU wanted to trademark "a black rugby jersey, or casual shirt made in the style of a rugby jersey, bearing a fern and with a white collar". But 12 clothing manufacturers around the country joined forces to argue that the fern belongs to all New Zealanders and should not be restricted to the union and the All Blacks, an Auckland newspaper reported today. In a judgment released yesterday, assistant commissioner of trademarks Jennie Walden said the fern was "very broad in scope and had a low level of inherent distinctiveness". "Accordingly, the mark is not registrable," she ruled in a written decision. The NZRFU registered a trademark on the words "All Blacks" and on its own stylised silver fern in 1991.
Source:NZPA



Cabbie fined over Santa hat.

A Christmas-loving Hamilton cabbie says he was banned from working for rebelling against company orders to take off his Santa hat. Owen "Butch" Sutton, who works for Hamilton Taxis, said the company had barred him from picking up passengers at 5pm yesterday for refusing to pay a fine for wearing the hat. Mr Sutton said he had been given a deadline of 4pm yesterday to pay the $50 fine. He reluctantly went to the company offices this morning to pay the money because he needed the work. He said the reason given for banning the festive headgear was that it was not part of official uniform.
source:Waikato Times



Man in traction goes AWOL from hospital's spinal unit. (you'll probably recognise him, if you see him)

Police in Christchurch are looking for a man wearing a spinal traction halo and with both his arms in plaster up to his elbows. Dallas Richard Doran, 49, went missing from the Burwood Hospital spinal unit about 5am today. Police said there were concerns for Mr Doran's safety because he was wearing a spinal traction halo attached to his head. If the halo was removed it could cause serious injury or death. Mr Doran is a caucasian of thin build and about 180cm tall. Police are asking anyone who has seen Mr Doran or knows where he is to contact them or the hospital urgently.
Source:NZPA



Waitomo Caves base burns down.

Fire has destroyed the visitor centre at the main entrance to the Waikato's premier tourist attraction, the Waitomo Caves. Tourism Holdings Ltd (THL), which runs the Waitomo Caves, pledged today to reopen the main cave within two days and rebuild the facility. Tourism Waikato chief executive John Rasmussen said the Waitomo Caves, which attract an estimated 600,000 visitors a year, were huge for Waikato tourism and the fire was a blow, especially with the attraction approaching peak season.
source:Waikato Times



Tuesday, December 13

What will Santa bring for Christmas weather?.

Forecasters have made their prediction for what the weather will bring on Christmas Day. While some areas of New Zealand will bask in sunshine, others should prepare for rain or showers. MetService forecaster Paul Bruce says there will be a front going across the country which should bring dry weather to the east, and showers in the west. Auckland can expect showers, while it will be mainly fine in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Temperatures in general, are expected to be average.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Maori religious leader dies.

One of Maoridom's most prominent religious leaders died last night while awaiting surgery. Bishop Max Takuira Mariu, 53, had a congenital heart disease and had been in Waikato Hospital for a week. At about 7.30pm yesterday he was flown to Auckland Hospital but died before surgery last night. Today political, religious and family tributes were flowing for the man known as "Pa Takuira". He had close ties to both the Tainui and Ngati Tuwharetoa kahui ariki or paramount families.
Source:NZPA



Noise control officers' party too loud.

Noise control officials had the tables turned on them when police were summoned to a rowdy staff party after residents complained about the loud music. Kapiti Coast District Council staff - including noise compliance officers - were partying hard and enjoying a night off from investigating complaints, the Dominion Post reported today. But their knees-up drew complaints from Te Horo residents who could not hear their own televisions over the din. Peter Vaughan, who lives opposite the hall in School Rd, said he walked out to inspect the party and was shocked when he saw the council vehicles parked along the verge and realised it was a council function. Sergeant Noel Bigwood was on traffic control when a resident flagged him down outside the hall about 9.20pm to complain about the noise. He told the partygoers to lower the noise level.
Source:NZPA



Good Morning staff walk off the job.

It was not such a good morning for TVNZ today, when staff at the state-owned broadcaster's Avalon studio walked off the job, taking the Good Morning programme off the air. Some 60 members of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) and the Public Service Association (PSA) went on strike at 9am in a dispute over pay and conditions. Viewers were told the weekly magazine programme was not being screened "due to circumstances beyond TVNZ's control".
Source:NZPA



Sharp economic downturn tipped.

A new economic forecast is pointing to a sharp economic slowdown. In its latest Quarterly Predictions, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research expects growth to dip from 3.6% in the year to March 2005, to 0.9% in the year to March 2007. This is is lower than previous predictions that growth would bottom at about 1.5%. NZIER is now picking a more marked downturn over a shorter period, led by an expected 5% drop in house prices in mid-2006. But the institute forecasts that annual growth will rebound to 2.9% in the year to March 2009, led by exports.
Source:RNZ



Monday, December 12

Double joy for NZ gymnast.

New Zealand gymnast Mark Holyoake has won a gold and a silver at the Valeri Liukin International meet in Dallas, Texas. Holyoake has come first on the parallel bars and second on the pommels to finish seventh overall in the senior competition. He is in the top four Commonwealth gymnasts and is expected to be in the Melbourne Games team named in January.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Disgust over 'Maori' brand cigarettes.

One of the world's biggest tobacco companies has caused a furore by using the Maori name in a brand of cigarettes. Tobacco giant Philip Morris produces the l and M Maori mix brand overseas and now there are calls for them to be withdrawn. The Maori mix cigarettes were discovered in Jerusalem, Israel, by a New Zealander, who was so shocked she immediately reported her discovery to the Maori Smoke-Free Coalition.
Source:One News



Low water levels spark power concerns.

There is a warning that already low water levels in the South Island's rivers and hydro lakes will drop even further over summer, sparking concerns about next year's power supply. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research says in the next three months there are likely to be below normal river flows in parts of the North island and all the South island. Hydrologist Charles Pearson says poor winter snow on the Southern Alps means hydro lakes are already low and if they get lower, electricity supply could be affected. Transpower says it can take more power from North Island coal and gas stations if the southern hydro lakes dry up.
Source:RNZ



Last chance for NZ at trade talks.

A large New Zealand team of trade and export sector representatives, including farmers, have headed for Hong Kong for what might be the last chance to achieve some meaningful trade reforms for agriculture. This week's ministerial meeting was meant to nail down a framework agreement for agriculture as part of the Doha round of world trade negotiations. That's now regarded as unlikely, with the European Union holding out on what others regard as an acceptable offer for reducing import tariffs to improve access to its markets.
Source:RNZ



Survey says NZ running out of GPs.

Doctors say New Zealand's GP workforce is not being replenished anywhere near fast enough and training places must double. A survey by the Royal College of GPs shows a crisis surrounding the GP workforce is deepening and New Zealand is heavily reliant on overseas trained doctors. Royal College president Dr Jonathan Fox says 40% of current GPs say they plan to leave for family, retirement, travel or work elsewhere in general medicine within five years. The study of more than 2,000 doctors paints a picture of a stressed and exhausted workforce workforce that's aging faster than it is being replenished. The GPs college and the Medical Association describe it as a crisis
Source:RNZ



No word on hostage, Clark says.

The Government has heard nothing about Auckland student Harmeet Singh Sooden, held hostage in Iraq by a group that is threatening to kill him and three other Christian peace mission workers, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today. The kidnappers are demanding the release of all Iraqi prisoners and their weekend deadline expired with no word about the fate of the hostages. "We're as much in the dark as the family is right now," Helen Clark said on TV One's Breakfast programme. "All I can say is the best news is that there has been no bad news."
Source:NZPA



Antibiotics to be stockpiled for possible pandemic.

The Government is attempting to secure a guaranteed supply of antibiotics for the country in the event of an influenza pandemic. Minister of Health Pete Hodgson said the government drug funding agency Pharmac would contact pharmaceutical suppliers today to request proposals for the antibiotic supply effort. "We know that in the 1918 influenza pandemic, most deaths were caused by secondary bacterial infections," Pete Hodgson said.
Source:NZPA



Thunderstorms hammering the country.

Thunderstorms have been drenching the country over the weekend and will continue to do so for the rest of this week, MetService is predicting. Meteorologists have issued a special weather advisory on thunderstorms for Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupo, Taranaki, Taihape, Wanganui, Manawatu, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, and Wairarapa. "The Tasman Sea is a breeding ground for troughs of low pressure at present, MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said.
Source:NZPA



Sunday, December 11

Heavy rain forecast.

A storm system is about to dump heavy rain on Northland and Mt Taranaki. MetService says up to 100 millimetres will fall during Sunday afternoon and Monday. Heaviest falls will be north of Whangarei.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Cricket-Black Caps on top of the world.

The Black Caps are on top of the world after a history-making chase to top Australia's 331-7 in Christchurch last night. They achieved the unbelievable thanks to mid-innings heroics from Scott Styris and Jacob Oram, finishing poise from Brendon McCullum and the unique striking of Daniel Vettori. New Zealand now has the world record for the highest winning run chase in one-day history. Its score of 332-8 bettered the previous record of 330 made by Australia against South Africa in Port Elizabeth in 2002.



Quarter of births now caesarean.

More than one in four births in New Zealand are caesarean, hospital figures show. In 1988, one in 10 births were caesarean, but that has climbed to just over a quarter this year. In the year to September, 57,620 babies were born in New Zealand, about 1000 more than the average over the past decade. The rise in caesareans is part of a worldwide trend in developed countries. Reasons include an increasingly risk-averse population coupled with safer caesareans, less tolerance for long and complicated labours, the "too posh to push" phenomenon, the rising age of first-time mothers and the obesity epidemic.
Source:Sunday Star Times



Saturday, December 10

Armed air police heading our way.

The Government is moving to introduce a new law to allow armed marshals to ride on aircraft in New Zealand skies. Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven has confirmed to the Weekend Herald that an amendment to the Aviation Security Bill will clear the way for aircraft to carry "in-flight security officers" if a perceived airborne terrorist threat should emerge. He emphasised that a need for their services had yet to arise - and may never do so - but said New Zealand had to be able to move fast to respond to any change in its security status. The legislation would also allow overseas airlines to carry air marshals now banned from flights to New Zealand. It is understood New Zealand has turned down past applications for marshals to fly here. Qantas carries armed Australian federal police as marshals on some international flights, but not to New Zealand.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Thief phones for more cash. (it should have been an Australian story)

A man who stole money from a south Auckland bank two days ago has tried to rob the same bank again – by telephone. The desperate antics of the robber have stunned police. On Wednesday, the man entered the Flat Bush Kiwibank, went to a writing desk and scribbled notes on pieces of paper. Then he handed a teller two notes demanding money and presented what appeared to be a weapon in his pocket. He got away with a small amount of money. Then, yesterday, the Kiwi Bank branch manager was telephoned by the same man. He wanted to meet the manager outside the bank and be given more cash "in a brown paper bag".
Source:Dominion Post



First taste of A1 Grand Prix series for kiwi Indy driver.

Scott Dixon is a step closer to driving for New Zealand in the A1 Grand Prix series. Dixon has had his first drive of the kiwi team's car during free practice at the latest round of the series in Dubai. He says the handling is vastly different to what he is used to in the Indy Car Series in the States. But Dixon says he enjoyed it all the same and would love to jump in the car for the Mexico and Californian races early next year. However, he says that will still require a release from his Chip Ganassi Racing team.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Automatic Citizenship Not Guaranteed For Babies Born Here.

Not all babies born in New Zealand will automatically become citizens under a law change coming into effect on 01 January 2006. The change will affect some of the babies born to up to 500 couples who travel to New Zealand each year to give birth so their children can obtain a New Zealand passport, Stuff NZ reports. The children born in New Zealand to couples who have no claim to New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency will not be entitled to citizenship under the new rules. Children born to New Zealand citizens outside of New Zealand will generally acquire New Zealand citizenship by descent.



NZ leads global trend toward online banking.

New Zealanders lead the English-speaking world in using online banking, according to new research from Roy Morgan. In 2005, 40 per cent of New Zealanders banked on-line or sought financial information at least once every four weeks, which was significantly higher than Australians (30 per cent), Britons (24 per cent) and Americans (21 per cent). Thirty-four per cent of New Zealanders banked over the phone, compared with 24 per cent of Australians, 20 per cent of Americans and 19 per cent of Britons. New Zealand also has the highest overall rate of eftpos purchases with 77 per cent of the population undertaking a transaction in the preceding four weeks, whereas only 62 per cent of the Australian population, 55 per cent of the British population and only 30 per cent of the American population had done the same.



Friday, December 9

Surplus 40% ahead of forecast for Govt.

An embarrassment of riches for the Government. Latest figures show the surplus is running more than 40 percent ahead of forecast. Four months into the Government's financial year, it is in the black to the tune of $2.99 billion - $912 million ahead of predictions. Treasury says the surplus is higher because of higher than expected investment income, lower expenses, and increased tax.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Rugby rights to TV3.

The All Blacks' 2007 Rugby World Cup games will be shown on TV3. Canwest has secured the the New Zealand broadcast rights to the 2007 event in France. TV3 will screen all New Zealand games live, including quarter and semi finals, and the final. TV3 says it will also repeat all the New Zealand games. Schedules for non-New Zealand games will be announced closer to the time.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Dallow and Petrie confirmed for One News.

After months of speculation about who will replace One News newsreader Judy Bailey, TVNZ has announced the new anchors will be Simon Dallow and Wendy Petrie. "We have spent a number of weeks talking to presenters and after a thorough process we have decided that Simon and Wendy will be the faces to take us forward into a new era of One News," head of news and current affairs Bill Ralston said. "Simon and Wendy both bring a tremendous skill base to One News," he said. The duo will be on air from January 23 next year. Confirmation had been held up by discussions over Dallow's contract.
NZPA



Superbug hits newborn babies.

Christchurch Women's Hospital is trying to reassure parents it is in control of an outbreak of a drug-resistant superbug that has infected four babies. But families of newborns remain anxious. The outbreak of the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the new $80 million hospital's neonatal unit has forced doctors to isolate all new admissions, and all babies and staff in the unit have been screened for the bug. A different strain killed three babies in Wellington Hospital this year. But doctors say there are effective treatments available for the strain discovered at Christchurch Women's Hospital.
None of the four infected babies suffered any serious ill-effects, and all have now been discharged.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Govt to fund 1000 new sworn police staff.

The Government is including its pledge of 250 new community constables as part of the 1000 new sworn police it is funding as part of its confidence and supply agreement with New Zealand First. Police Minister Annette King and NZ First law and order spokesman Ron Mark yesterday said their agreement was to provide funding for 1000 more sworn front-line police staff over three years.
Source:NZPA



Maori performers told to be more tolerant of tourists.

Maori performers need to be more tolerant of foreign tourists, says the Rotorua District Council's Mauriora Kingi. Richard Minarapa Mitai-Ngatai pleaded guilty in the Rotorua District Court this week to assaulting Johannes Scheffers by headbutting him during a Maori welcome at Tamaki Tours on November 24. Mitai-Ngatai assaulted Mr Scheffers because he thought he was laughing at the Maori welcome. He hit him in the face with his forehead, causing the Dutch man to fall with blood coming from his nose. Mr Scheffers received a small fracture to his nose and had swelling to his eyes.
Source:NZPA



Thursday, December 8

NZ couple among first gay civil unions in Britain.

Two New Zealanders working at London's Islington Town Hall will become the first gay couple to be "married" in the borough later this month. Viktoria Kingsley and Fiona Dunning -- who both work in the registry office for the trendy suburb in north London -- will step around the other side of the counter for their civil union ceremony four days before Christmas. Britain's Civil Partnership Act came into force on Monday. It allows the first civil partnerships to be formed on December 21. The act gives same-sex couples the same legal rights as heterosexual couples who enter into a civil marriage.
Source:NZPA



Kindergarten teachers march.

About 1770 kindergarten teachers walk off the job today in only the third strike by the sector in 121 years. Rallies will be held in 20 cities and towns across New Zealand as teachers talk to the public and pass out leaflets explaining the reasons for the strike. The 1770 teachers are members of the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa union.
Source:NZPA



Police arrest 15 at cricket international.

Police arrested 15 people and ejected another 46 fans from Wellington's Cake Tin during last night's one-day cricket international in which Australia squeaked home against New Zealand. Those arrested face a variety of charges including disorderly behaviour, offensive behaviour, and possession and smoking of cannabis. Police were generally pleased with the 15,000 strong crowd. "They were vocal but overall we were pretty pleased with the way the night went," a spokesman said.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Three new marine reserves for NZ.

The country has three new marine reserves. They are in Whangarei Harbour, at Volkner Rocks in the Bay of Plenty, and Parininihi in North Taranaki. They bring the total number of marine sanctuaries to 31. Around 7.5 percent of New Zealand's territorial sea is now protected.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Walking school buses are a hit.

It is healthy and children love it - so it is obviously not vegetables. Walking school buses are a huge hit and an Auckland Regional Council study shows they could be a great start to solving New Zealand's obesity problem. A third of primary school children are overweight and do not exercise much. However, an Auckland Regional Council study shows walking school buses are changing children's attitudes towards walking and physical activity in general. Three thousand children and 1500 volunteer adults belong to Auckland's 180 walking school buses.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



E-mail scam targets Kiwibank customers.

Another Internet banking scam is doing the rounds. This time Kiwibank customers are the target. Emails pretending to be from the bank were sent out early this morning. They contain a link to a site which looks official. Bank spokesman Bruce Thompson says staff are working on shutting down the bogus site. He says people should never reply to e-mails asking for confidential details about their banking.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



International flights from Rotorua could start next year.

International flights in and out of Rotorua Airport could start by the middle of next year. Rotorua Regional Airport Company chairman Neil Oppatt said a 150m runway extension was given the go-ahead yesterday by the Rotorua District Council. Chartered international flights between Rotorua and Australia would start in June.
Source:NZPA



NZ Wine Sales Top 100 Million Litres.

Total sales of New Zealand wine have exceeded 100 million litres for the first time according to New Zealand Winegrowers. For the year to September 30, global sales of New Zealand wine, including the domestic market, totalled 103 million litres, up 39 percent on the September 2004 year and up 89 percent on the year ending September 2003.
Source: ©2005 Xtra Limited



Self-employed To Get Paid Parental Leave.

Paid parental leave is to be extended to include the self-employed. The leave is currently available only to employees. Labour Minister Ruth Dyson says around 2,000 self-employed women each year are expected to benefit from the extension, which comes into force in July 2006.
Source: ©2005 Xtra Limited



NZ soldier argues war is illegal.

A New Zealand doctor will launch an historic challenge in Britain on Thursday, claiming that the war in Iraq is illegal. Flight lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith faces a court martial, for refusing to serve in Iraq with the British military. Kendall-Smith is the first British officer court martialed for refusing to serve in Iraq. He says the war in Iraq was illegal - and therefore so were his military orders. A preliminary hearing starts on Thursday - and the British Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith - could be called as a witness.
Source:One News



Sell NZ dollars, warns US bank.

As the dollar surged to new highs yesterday, global investment banking giant Goldman Sachs warned its clients to sell the currency because New Zealand's economy is likely to "slow very quickly" next year. The Wall Street bank's top currency trading tip for next year is to sell the New Zealand dollar - which it says is 20 per cent overvalued
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Graduates want Aussie jobs.

About one in seven New Zealand graduates wants to get their first job in Australia, a survey shows. Students said there were more opportunities across the Tasman, particularly in multinational companies, said Tim Wise, director of the annual Australia and New Zealand Graduate Careers Survey of 7800 final-year students at 16 Australian and New Zealand universities.
Source:Dominion Post



Tuesday, December 6

NZ volcano scientists help monitor likely Vanuatu eruption.

Three New Zealand geologists have rushed to the Vanuatu island of Ambae as fears rise over the likelihood of a major volcanic eruption. Brad Scott and Steve Sherburn of GNS Science, and Shayne Cronin of Massey University expect to be at the volcano, Mt Manaro, for at least a week. The mountain has not been monitored for about a decade, but the New Zealanders have taken portable seismic gear with them and equipment for gas monitoring, a GNS Science spokesman said.
Source:NZPA



More Women Becoming Firefighters.

Increasing numbers of women are volunteering to be firefighters. Fire Service spokesman Vince Arbuckle says the service cannot function without unpaid members and today - being the International Day of the Volunteer - he would like to acknowledge their contribution. He says about 80 percent of the country is covered by volunteer fire brigades, and a significant number of them comprise women. He says several brigades have female Chief Fire Officers or deputies. The Fire Service is looking at reimbursing childcare costs to make volunteer fire fighting more attractive to women, with more than 700 volunteer firefighters being female. At the moment volunteers are reimbursed for having to miss work to attend training, but not for indirect costs like child care, but that policy is being revised.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



French lay claim to Kiwi.

Call your sparkling wine champagne these days and you'll have a French lawyer on your back faster than you can say "sacre bleu". But when a family-run vineyard in Nelson called its chardonnay Kiwi White and exported it to Sweden, a French company threatened it with legal action, saying it had already trademarked the term Kiwi. The Lacheteau wine company registered the name "Kiwi Cuvee" and is prepared to sue anyone, including New Zealanders, for selling wines with the same name anywhere in the European Union. Greg Day, founder of Kahurangi Estate, said he would no longer sell his wines in Sweden even though his first shipment of 1100 cases of chardonnay sold in two months.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd



NZ in close touch with Canada - Clark.

Prime Minister Helen Clark says she is being briefed daily on the plight of the Auckland University student held hostage in Iraq, but the Canadian Government is taking the lead in attempts to gain his release. Harmeet Singh Sooden, a 32-year-old Canadian, was abducted in Iraq nine days ago along with three other members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams doing humanitarian-aid work in the war-torn country. He has been studying in Auckland for the last three years and holds permanent residence in New Zealand.
Source:NZPA



Monday, December 5

Things you need to know about New Zealand

New Zealand Government website with all you need to know about a land down-under....just in case you want to emigrate, return home, need to leave your country rather quickly or just want to visit. There is even an option to send an email to a helpline for any questions you may have.

CLICK HERE for your big adventure.



Rave reviews for King Kong.

Reviewers are raving about Peter Jackson's "King Kong" - the film that inspired him to make movies. Early screenings have been held in New York amid tight security. Dominion Post Arts Editor Tom Cardy describes the remake as tighter and more accomplished than any of the Lord of the Rings series. The Melbourne Herald says New Zealand director Jackson will be sitting on top of the world, while the Toronto Star says the film's special effects will be the talk of the schoolyard. The world premiere of the $292 million epic will be held in Times Square tomorrow. With a duration of three hours, the film is nearly twice the length of the 1933 original.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Rescue efforts fail to save rare dolphin.

A rare baby dolphin had to be destroyed after it became stranded in the surf on Peka Peka Beach, north of Waikanae on Sunday. A Department of Conservation (DOC) spokeswoman said a member of the public reported a stranded orca. But when DOC staff arrived they found a Hector's dolphin, one of the world's most endangered species, in a weak and emaciated condition. DOC marine technology support officer Nadine Gibbs said DOC staff and members of the public repeatedly tried to refloat the baby dolphin, but it was too weak and kept getting pushed back to shore by the waves.
Source:NZPA



Man - parrot - police - whoops!.

Police on Auckland's North Shore are not sure whether to laugh - or shake their heads in despair. A motorist who had been out drinking last night drove his car to the Takapuna police station and parked it in a space reserved for patrol cars. When asked what he was doing, he replied - "I am as p***ed as a parrot".
He thought his car would be much safer if he left it overnight at the police station, while he tried to find another way home. However his addled brain failed to factor in that he had driven his car three kilometres to the police station. A breathalyser test showed him to be two and a half times the legal limit. As a result, his licence has been suspended and he faces a court appearance next month.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Second concert confirmed after U2 tickets sell out.

A second U2 concert in Auckland has been confirmed after tickets for the first date sold out in 90 minutes this morning. The concerts will be at Ericsson Stadium on March 17 and 18. Tickets for the second show go on sale next Monday. The Herald understands the Irish band were asked by tour organiser Michael Coppel to add another concert after today's quick sale. Demand for the 30,000 tickets for the first concert, priced from $99 to $199, caused websites and phone lines to jam after the 9am start.
HERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB, BAY OF PLENTY TIMES


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