NZ and Malaysia set to announce trade agreement.

Malaysia and New Zealand will later today announce a free trade agreement that will open the doors to greater market access and lower prices on both sides, a Malaysian newspaper, the New Straits Times reports.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Five Cent Coin Dumped.

The Reserve Bank has confirmed proposals floated last year, to get rid of the coin as part of a wider revamp of loose change. The 50, 20 and 10 cent pieces will be smaller and made out of cheaper plated steel. The one and two dollar coins remain the same and the existing images on the 50, 20 and 10 cent pieces do not change, including the image of the Queen.
©2005 Xtra Limited.

Dutch clog embassy in final rush for passports.

The front counter at the Dutch embassy was like the ticket office at Amsterdam Central Railway Station yesterday with people queuing in a last-ditch effort to get Dutch nationality and European passports. Today is the final day New Zealanders of Dutch extraction can apply for passports they were previously ineligible for after changes to the Netherlands Nationality Act which took effect two years ago.
Source: The Dominion Post.

TV3 did hatchet job on me - Tamihere.

Labour MP John Tamihere has lashed out at TV3 reporter Duncan Garner, accusing him of being part of a hatchet job with ACT leader Rodney Hide and Waipareira Trust chief financial officer Bruce Bryant. Speaking under parliamentary privilege, Mr Tamihere said it was appropriate for the media to put politicians under scrutiny. He wanted to pose questions, however, about "the very cosy and close relationship between Duncan Garner at TV3 and his soulmate Rodney Hide". Mr Tamihere resigned from the Cabinet in November after two investigations were launched into allegations against him. The Serious Fraud Office subsequently found no evidence against him, and a QC said he was not responsible for paying tax on a $195,000 payout from the trust.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Rail service 'ditches' several North Island towns.

Several North Island towns are to be given the chop by rail company Toll Holdings. The rebranded Toll NZ, which bought Tranz Rail in 2003, says its Overlander passenger trains will "stop stopping" at Te Kauwhata, Huntly and Te Awamutu from April 10. The same news is being given to Waiouru, Taihape, Otaki and Waikanae. The cuts will slice 40 minutes off the Auckland-Wellington train journey.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Lax security blamed for theft of Lions tickets.

Failure to follow security rules was behind more than 500 tickets for the Lions match against Manawatu being stolen, the New Zealand Rugby Union says. The tickets were stolen over the weekend from the Ticket Direct office near Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Overhaul Of Support Staff Funding Wanted.

The primary teachers' union believes there needs to be an overhaul of the way funding is allocated for school support staff. Meetings are being held around New Zealand starting in Wellington today to decide on whether to push for a six percent pay rise and better conditions. NZEI President Colin Tarr says presently support staff are paid out of a school's operations budget, but he claims that is not providing a fair deal.
©2005 Xtra Limited.

Next phase of Working for Families to start.

The next phase of the Government's Working for Families package kicks in on Friday, when an extra $600 million will be committed to increased support for living costs, housing and childcare. The April 1 changes represent more than half of the total package. Implementation began in October last year and will be completed in 2007. "More than 88,000 New Zealanders have already benefited from Working for Families," Social Development Minister Steve Maharey said today.
Source: NZPA

Whistleblower rehired and promoted by UN.

A New Zealand doctor who effectively lost his job with the United Nations for writing about corruption and incompetence has won a new contract and a promotion. Andrew Thomson, who has worked for the UN for 12 years, was rehired and promoted to senior medical officer after his case was taken up by the Government Accountability Project, a United States-based whistleblower support agency.
"My smile couldn't be broader," said Dr Thomson, whose contract was terminated in December, apparently in retaliation for co-authoring a book critical of the UN and its peacekeeping operations.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Govt keeps denying early election talk.

The Government is continuing to pour cold water on increasingly heated speculation that it is preparing for another early election. Some Opposition MPs, particularly those from National, say they are certain there will be an election in July. Those picking another winter election campaign point to the fact that Labour would be prepared for an election well ahead of the final possible date - September 24.
Source: NZPA

Ponting Smashes Australia To Victory.

The Australian batsmen have battered the New Zealand bowling attack to win the third test at Eden Park on Tuesday. It took only 30 overs for Australia to chase down the 164 runs needed to claim the match and the series.
©2005 Xtra Limited.

Rents falling throughout many Auckland suburbs.

The falls are being attributed to an oversupply of properties and the rush of investors into residential property since the boom started in 2001. The biggest decline was a 23 per cent drop for four-bedroom places in Takapuna and Milford, rented last February for $652 a week, but now going for $500. Next biggest decline was a 20 percent drop for four-bedroom Sandringham properties, rented at $475 a week last February, but now at $380.
Source: NZPA

Cooler weather eases fire risk in upper South Island.

Rain at the weekend and the onset of cooler weather means fire bans around the top of the South Island are being lifted. A six-week total fire ban in the Kaikoura district, imposed on February 16, will be lifted tomorrow. A decision on Marlborough south's fire ban was to be made later today, but principal rural fire officer Ross Hamilton expected it would be lifted.
Source: NZPA

NZ aid volunteers 'safe' after killer quake.

New Zealand volunteers working for an international relief agency on the Indonesian island devastated by a major earthquake today are believed to be safe. Indonesian officials on Nias island off Sumatra's west coast have said about 300 people died in the 8.7-magnitude quake. Volunteers at New Zealand-founded SurfAid's base on the island were all safe and well, the agency's New Zealand spokesman Tony Walsh told NZPA.
Source: NZPA

Smacking still has big part in NZ society.

The child-smacking debate has been rekindled with a new Government survey finding that half of all parents with young children admit physically disciplining their kids. A Social Development Ministry survey of 612 parents and 539 caregivers with children under five years old found half of parents – and a fifth of caregivers – said they had used physical discipline or had used it in the past three months. Asked why they smacked their children, 42 per cent said they were trying to end misbehaviour "immediately", while 14 per cent said they used it to teach children about safety and danger.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Bahrain Premier begins New Zealand visit.

Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa will visit New Zealand from today until Wednesday at the invitation of his New Zealand counterpart Helen Clark. He will also hold talks with Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright and other officials centred on ways of bolstering bilateral co-operation.
Copyright © 2004, Gulf Daily News

Old Chinese camp unearthed.

An archaeological dig in Lawrence, a small town on the South Island of New Zealand, has unearthed an old Chinese camp and found a number of historical treasures, local media reported Monday. An archaeologists team is working on a remote Otago paddock which was once New Zealand's largest Chinese camp. The site was the gateway to the Otago gold fields, the team said. Archaeologists said they had spent more than a week at the historic site and were thrilled with their findings. They had gone across what looks like a really well formed cobbled pathway, with carefully laid stones.
Copyright ©2003 Xinhua News Agency

Cultural claims over Maori dismissed.

The Maori Party is dismissing claims that cultural studies are getting in the way of the academic attainment of young Maori. It follows concerns by Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia concerns that Maori students are spending too much time learning about their culture. He says they should be concentrating on science and trades which pay the bills. He says language and customs should be learnt in spare time, not school time.
© 2005 New Zealand City Ltd

Laws making waves in the river city.

Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws faces the biggest test of his five-month leadership when he fronts up to a code of conduct hearing this week. Mr Laws, who defeated 18-year veteran Chas Poynter in last year's local election, faces six complaints brought by citizens concerned at how he is running Wanganui. The flamboyant radio and television broadcaster, writer and newspaper columnist has dismissed the complainants out of hand, referring to them as "single-issue nutters".
Source: The Dominion Post.

The Easter road toll is the highest in 10 years.

Four people were killed in crashes yesterday, taking the road toll to eight – the highest since 1995. The Easter holiday period still has a day to run and police are braced for heavy traffic as motorists return from their holidays. Unsettled weather had contributed to the high number of non-fatal crashes this weekend. Last year, four people died during the Easter holiday period.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Easter flooding clean-up under way in Nelson.

Nelson residents are cleaning up after floods swept across the Nelson region on Friday. Bridges were washed out, trees uprooted and farm fences torn down during heavy rain and high winds. Flooding closed State Highway 6 56km southwest of Nelson, after the Motupiko River burst its banks and several other streams and rivers in the region overflowed on to farms and roads.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Wine Row Surrounds Former Speaker.

A well known wine connoisseur is embarrassed that the next High Commissioner to London has been put on the spot by what he calls a misinformed politician. National MP Lockwood Smith has accused former speaker Jonathan Hunt of taking advantage of his new role. Mr Smith claims Mr Hunt has agreed to promote a Blenheim winery while in England, and that he has also accepted an $8000 barrel of wine from the Blenheim company.
©2005 Xtra Limited.

Breeding success for rare kakapo.

Down on a lonely island off the southern tip of New Zealand, three new kakapo have just been born. These new chicks bring the total number of one of the world's rarest birds to 86. The critically endangered kakapo - fat, green, musty-smelling nocturnal parrots, which cannot fly but which can climb trees - are confined to New Zealand's offshore islands. Decimated by introduced predators, the kakapo population dwindled to just 51 in the mid-1990s, but an intensive conservation effort has boosted kakapo numbers in the past few years.
source: BBC

Game show, radio soap among new Maori language programmes.

A television game show, a radio drama and an interactive website are among new broadcasting initiatives being launched by the Maori Language Commission this year. The programmes are part of Korero Maori, a four-year information programme being funded with $1 million a year by the Government through Te Puni Kokiri.
Source: NZPA

Kiwi teen faces jail on US bank charge.

A New Zealand teenager is facing up to 25 years in a United States jail after he and a friend allegedly netted $NZ174,000 in an armed bank heist at an exclusive ski resort. New Zealander Anthony Harold Prince and Australian Luke Gabriel Carroll, both 19, were arrested on Wednesday at Denver International Airport as they attempted to flee the country. The pair have been charged with the armed robbery of a WestStar Bank branch in Vail, Colorado, a popular and expensive ski destination.
source: The Press

NZ pavilion excites visitors to Expo.

The $10 million New Zealand pavilion at the 2005 World Expo in Japan captured the imagination of visitors to the massive site on its first day, outdoing some big-budget operations. Snow flurries and a bone-chilling wind did not deter tens of thousands of people from queueing to be among the first to see the exposition in Aichi prefecture. The six-month event was officially opened amid tight security on Thursday night at a glittering event attended by Japanese royalty and dignitaries, including Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
source:The Press

Inspectors find 33 traders open on Good Friday.

Labour Department inspectors hunting out shops illegally opening on Good Friday found several retailers trading yesterday. The inspectors visited 40 businesses around the country yesterday, 33 of which were trading, a Labour Department spokeswoman said. Several were open in defiance of a law which forbids all but essential trade. The maximum penalty is $1000. "The inspectors visited 40 stores and found 33 retailers open, though whether they were all in breach of the law or not I'm not sure," the spokeswoman said.
Source: NZPA

Coutts settles Alinghi row.

Former Team New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts has settled his row with Alinghi. Coutts left the Swiss syndicate after a bitter falling out with head Ernesto Bertarelli. A joint announcement issued in Geneva overnight says the parties have now settled their dispute. As part of the deal, Coutts has agreed not to sail for another team.
NEWSTALK ZB

Twister leaves trail of destruction in Bay of Plenty.

Two small tornados have ripped through the Bay of Plenty region, bringing down power lines, uprooting trees and flooding some roads. A trail of destruction has been left after a twister struck between Kawarau and Te Puke and another between Manawahe and Otakiri. Police report several roads including state highways around the region are affected. MetService says the Bay Of Plenty will see more thunderstorms and high winds over the weekend.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Stem-cell patient walking after controversial surgery.

Rotorua stem-cell recipient Willie Terpstra is up and walking after her revolutionary surgery in China. Mrs Terpstra, 64, had her operation on Monday afternoon in a Beijing hospital, and says she is doing well. "So far I have no side-effects, no headache or anything else." Mrs Terpstra, diagnosed with motor neurone disease about a year ago, had the surgery in a bid to stop the disease which had been gradually reducing her ability to eat and talk, among other things.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Camilla will never be Queen of NZ, says Clark.

Prime Minister Helen Clark is adamant Camilla Parker Bowles will not be Queen of New Zealand, should Prince Charles become king. Prince Charles and Mrs Parker Bowles will marry on April 8, and Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright and Mr Peter Cartwright have accepted an invitation from the Queen to attend the service of prayer and dedication at Windsor Castle. But Helen Clark said today: "The Queen of New Zealand is the sovereign, such as the Queen herself now is. "If Camilla were referred to in the context of king and queen, it would clearly be as Queen consort." New Zealanders would "definitely not" be her subjects -- something Helen Clark was comfortable with. The Prime Minister also revealed the Government considered not giving Charles and Camilla wedding present before deciding upon plants and trees.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Hunter 'wants half' Rod's $180m fortune.

New Zealand model Rachel Hunter reportedly plans to sue estranged husband Rod Stewart for 35 million pounds ($NZ91 million), estimated to be half his personal fortune. The Sun says Hunter "flew into a rage" when reading in that London tabloid that Stewart was engaged to marry Penny Lancaster. Hunter, 35, and 60-year-old singer Stewart have two children from their nine-year marriage which ended when she left him in 1999. They are understood to be in the final stages of their divorce, but The Sun reports a friend of Hunter saying she was "upset and humiliated" when she found out about Stewart's marriage plans.
Source: NZPA

3 years jail for runanga fraud.

A respected Maori businesswoman has been jailed for plundering runanga funds to feed her $1.6 million gambling habit at the Christchurch Casino. Maria Tait, 54, earned plaudits for introducing strict financial governance at the Tuahuriri Runanga in North Canterbury to deal with its share of the dividends from Ngai Tahu's treaty settlement. But Christchurch District Court Judge David Saunders told her she had proved incapable of practising what she preached when her gambling became out of control.
source:Press

Royals get wedding gift that keeps on growing.

New Zealand's wedding gift to Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles will be a selection of plants and trees, Prime Minister Helen Clark says. The couple will marry on April 8. Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright and her husband, Peter, had accepted an invitation from the Queen to attend the service of prayer and dedication at Windsor Castle, Miss Clark said yesterday. Charles' advocacy for the natural environment and love of gardening were well known, she said. "The New Zealand High Commission in London is working with a UK-based nursery on identifying an appropriate selection of plants.
Source: NZPA

Coro Street to stay on TV One.

Prime has lost its battle for top-rating soap Coronation Street, but TVNZ's new deal has come under fire for costing taxpayers millions. It is understood TVNZ has signed a deal worth more than $8 million for the British soap. Both Prime and TV3 have eyed the Granada programme, to which TVNZ has held the rights for the past 40 years. Prime chief executive Chris Taylor said bidding got too expensive for the Australian-owned channel
Source: The Dominion Post.

Government steps in over tug of love.

The Government is stepping in to battle for a New Plymouth woman forced to return her Romanian foster son to his homeland. Romanian officials have demanded six-year-old Iani Lingurar, who has been in the fulltime foster care of Alana Cleland for four years, be returned to his birth country. He could end up back in an orphanage. But yesterday, as Miss Cleland and Iani - who believes he is going to visit his grandmother - set off on their heartbreaking journey, government officials moved to have the pair brought back to New Zealand. Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff was expected to call the Romanian ambassador to Australia in the hope she could encourage her government to treat it as a special case
Source: The Dominion Post..

Skills shortage big barrier, shows survey.

A lack of skilled workers is a bigger problem for New Zealand business owners than their counterparts in 23 other countries, a survey says. Half the 150 Kiwi firms questioned in the annual Grant Thornton International Business Owners survey said a lack of skilled workers was their biggest barrier to expansion. These findings back up those from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's last quarterly survey. In January, it said companies were finding it more difficult to recruit staff than at any time since 1974.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Petrol price to rise when NZ increases oil reserves.

The price of petrol is likely to increase when the Government moves to increase New Zealand's oil reserves, Cabinet papers said today. Energy Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the Government would hold a tender to meet New Zealand's international obligations to hold 90 days of reserves. Officials have projected that New Zealand will be about 28 days under the 90-day-obligation in 2005 and 2006, and the shortfall will reach 34 days by 2009.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

NZ reports massive balance of payments deficit.

New Zealand had a massive $3.11 billion balance of payments deficit in the December quarter, Statistics New Zealand reported today. Economists had on average forecast the figure, also known as the current account, measuring all New Zealand's dealings with the outside world, at $2.653 billion. The annual deficit of $9.39 billion was the highest on record in nominal terms but as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product has been worse. It equated to 6.4 per cent of GDP. It has deteriorated from $5.63 billion, or 4.2 per cent of GDP, a year ago.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

NZ Will Have A Vote For New Pope.

Cardinal Tom Williams still gets to vote for a new Pope, despite stepping down as head of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. Cardinal Williams has just turned 75, the age at which it is mandatory for Archbishops to offer their resignation. However, as a Cardinal, Tom Williams still has Vatican responsibilities and says he will be called to Rome when the Pope dies. He says Cardinals remain active in their duties until they are 80.
NewstalkZB

Offer Vanunu a passport - Locke

The Green Party wants New Zealand to offer Israeli anti-nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu a passport, but the Government does not think it is a good idea. MP Keith Locke said the passport offer should be made to Mr Vanunu "in recognition of his continued persecution for exposing Israel's nuclear weapons programme 18 years ago". He said Mr Vanunu had served 18 years in jail, and now he had been charged with breaching an order preventing him from speaking to foreign journalists or trying to leave Israel. "A New Zealand passport might be his path to freedom," Mr Locke said in a statemen
Source: NZPA

Parents face prosecution over unregistered Nthland school.

The Ministry of Education is poised to prosecute parents and management of an unregistered school near the Bay of Islands which has defied repeated orders to close. Parents and management of Orauta School near Moerewa, about 70km north of Whangarei, have been sent letters warning they had seven days to enrol their children at a registered school and cease operating or the ministry would "consider prosecution". The rural school has defied the order stating it had a right to remain open as Maori were guaranteed the right to govern their own matters (tino rangatiratanga) under the 1835 Declaration of Independence.
Source: NZPA

Kakapo Hatchings Cause For Celebration.

Conservationists are celebrating the hatching of three kakapo chicks on Codfish Island. The hatchings are significant given the total population of the native bird is below 100. Conservation Minister Chris Carter believes this could be a boomer breeding year for the birds, with at least four more chicks expected from the 25 eggs laid this season. The three latest hatchings bring kakapo numbers to 86.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Nats Want Penalties For Parents.

Parents could face thousands of dollars in fines under National's tough new youth justice policy due to be announced this afternoon. Under a National government the Youth Court would be able to order parents to take specific steps to change their child's behaviour, which could include seeking counselling for their own addictions or ensuring curfews are enforced. If parents fail to comply they could be fined
©2005 Xtra Limited

Biggest Pavolva Record Broken.

Students from the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawke's Bay have created the largest Pavlova in history. It took 5,000 egg whites, 150 kilograms of sugar and 150 litres of cream to build "Pavkong". The giant Pavlova stretched 64 metres, beating the previous record of 45 metres, held by Te Papa Museum in Wellington.
©2005 Xtra Limited.

Brash vows to cuts artists' dole scheme.

National leader Don Brash has vowed to axe a programme which allows would-be artists to receive the unemployment benefit. He told his party's Canterbury-Westland conference in Christchurch on Saturday that this programme was another example of the Government's inability to set realistic priorities for quality public spending. The Pathways to Arts and Cultural Employment programme was last week defended by the Government as a success story in getting people into employment. But Brash said that among the 1200 on it were fashion models, five hopeful radio or television announcers, a florist and a stuffed toy maker.
source; The Press

Peace group declares war on police.

A peace group has declared war on police, claiming heavy-handed and provocative actions during a protest in Auckland at the weekend. About 100 protesters - part of a Global Peace and Justice Auckland organised march - demonstrated outside the ANZ bank in the central city protesting over military action in Iraq and the bank's involvement in a consortium managing the Trade Bank of Iraq. Four people were arrested as police broke up the Saturday demonstration. Three were charged with obstruction and a fourth with assaulting a police officer. But a peace group committee member, John Minto, yesterday attacked the police actions, calling their behaviour "provocative, heavy-handed and violent".
Source: NZPA

CTU says minimum wage rise not enough.

The minimum wage rise today should be the first of many, Council of Trade Union secretary Carol Beaumont said yesterday. The adult minimum wage rises 5.6 per cent to $9.50 an hour from today, with the youth rate rising to $7.60 an hour. It is estimated that the changes will help 35,000 adult workers and 6500 16 and 17 year olds. Ms Beaumont said the minimum wage level was still too low at 47 per cent of the average wage. The CTU said the minimum wage should initially go up to $11.05 an hour to take it to just over 50 per cent of the average wage.
Source: NZPA

Fiji end NZ world cup dream. (Rugby 7's)

HONG KONG: Fiji dashed New Zealand's rugby sevens world cup title defence in a one-sided final in Hong Kong yesterday. Earlier, Samoa beat Portugal to win the plate final and Italy downed Canada to win the bowl.

Peter Jackson throws giant banana party.

New York was brought to life for one final time with a king-sized carnival to celebrate the end of King Kong filming. Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson hosted more than 1000 people at the film's elaborate 1930s New York set at Seaview, Lower Hutt, on Saturday. Every person who had a hand in the movie – from Hollywood stars to construction staff – was invited to the carnival-themed family event and no expense was spared.

GPs 'not passing on all subsidies'.

A Merivale GP charges the highest fees in the country, at $45 for a child under six and $85 for a casual adult visit.
Essence of Health, in Merivale, which also charges $65 for an enrolled adult patient, is a member of Christchurch's largest primary health organisation (PHO), Partnership Health, but is also an alternative GP practice offering naturopathy, acupuncture, and homoeopathy.
source: The Press
The survey can be seen online at www.consumer.org.nz.

NZ, Samoa police sign co-operation agreement.

Greater co-operation and increased skill levels should result from an agreement signed with Samoan police, says New Zealand Police Commissioner Rob Robinson. The arrangement, signed in Apia at the weekend, followed a visit to New Zealand by Mr Robinson's Samoan counterpart Lorenese Neru in December. The arrangement will include an annual activity programme designed to boost the skills and experience of police in both countries, Mr Robinson said in a statement today.
Source: NZPA

Labour rides deepening gloom.

There is growing pessimism about the economy, and approval of the Government's performance is eroding, according to the latest opinion poll. However, that is cold comfort for National. With a general election no more than six months away, it has fallen further behind Labour. A One News/Colmar Brunton survey yesterday showed Labour on 46 per cent, up two points on the same poll a month ago. National slipped four points to 35 per cent, leaving an 11 point gap between the main parties.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Australia posts solid total on day two of the second cricket test.

Damien Martyn has helped Australia post a solid total on day two of the second cricket test against the Black Caps in Wellington. Play got underway early, after day one was washed out. New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming won the toss and sent the visitors into bat. At stumps, Australia is 337 for 5 with Martyn unbeaten on 106 and Adam Gilchrist the other not-out batsman on 45. Opener Justin Langer was the first Australian batsman to go for 46, Ricky Ponting went for 9, Matthew Hayden racked up 61, Michael Clarke could only reach 8 while Simon Katich added 38. Daniel Vettori and James Franklin have both picked up two wickets each, with Nathan Astle getting the other.
© 2005 NZCity, IRN

Silver Ferns romp to a 55-40 win over England.

Plenty to mull over for the Silver Ferns coaches after beating England 55-40 in the final netball test in Invercargill. The Silver Ferns were a little loose once again and struggled to gain ascendancy. However coach Ruth Aiken will still be happy with the form shown by most of her squad so early in the season. Their combinations worked well, particularly in defence, although there will be some concern over the lack of shooting depth.
© 2005 NZCity, IRN

Don Brash gears up his party for the election campaign.

National leader Don Brash is signalling a change of tactics as he gears up his party for this year's election campaign.Dr Brash says National has a limited choice when it comes to potential coalition partners. He says the Greens, Progressives and the Maori Party have all ruled out the possibility of dealing with National. Don Brash feels it's too early to say whether National and New Zealand First can still work together, given the falling out between the two during their last term in office together.
© 2005 NZCity, IRN

Bill Ralston launches stinging attack on Prime TV.

TVNZ's news chief has launched a vitriolic attack on rival news channels, on the eve of TV3's venture into the 7pm current affairs slot. Bill Ralston has trashed Prime TV's progress in the genre, and says TV3 is making a strategic blunder with the new John Campbell show.He says Prime waltzed in talking big, but has dismally failed to register with viewers. He calls the Paul Holmes show crap. Ralston is quoted as saying TV3 would be 'wetting themselves' at a ratings slide since new presenters were installed on its six o'clock news.
© 2005 NZCity, IRN

Staff shortages remain critical.

The New Zealand Government has begun a campaign to encourage New Zealanders to return home because of a chronic shortage of skilled and experienced workers. While the Government is pinning its hopes on its ability to entice expats to return home as a solution to the problem, it provides new opportunities for potential migrants to consider New Zealand as a migration destination.
source: NZ News Uk Lltd

Crusaders thrash Blues

Canterbury 41... Auckland 19
Doesn't get any better than that!

Ferns sending a message to the Aussies.

The Silver Ferns will hope to send a message back to Australia in tonight's final test against England at Invercargill's Stadium Southland. Australia spanked the English by 40 goals in a one-off test before the tourists arrived in New Zealand and, after a slow first outing, the Silver Ferns upped the ante with a 44-goal result in Wellington on Wednesday night.
source; The Southland Times

Wilson faces baptism of fire.

Two weeks into the Speaker's job Margaret Wilson is in the middle of a full-on stoush with the nation's media, has had to call on the sergeant at arms to biff out ACT leader Rodney Hide, and is trying to control 119 politicians with the scent of the election in their nostrils. "If this is a honeymoon it's not one I would quite describe as a honeymoon," Ms Wilson says with a laugh as she sits at the vast desk occupied for the past five years by Jonathan Hunt.
Source: The Dominion Post.

US envoy change raises NZ hopes of free-trade deal .

United States President George W Bush's nomination of Rob Portman as his new trade representative could finally get New Zealand the bilateral free-trade agreement it has been seeking. The Capitol Hill veteran was one of several congressmen who signed a letter to Mr Bush in 2003 urging him to start negotiations for a free-trade agreement with New Zealand..

Source: The Dominion Post.

NZ firm in deal to cut spread of Aids.

A Lower Hutt company has landed a multimillion-dollar deal to make an anti-HIV gel that could save millions of lives. Industrial Research Ltd has teamed up with Australian biotech company Starpharma to make the building blocks for its product VivaGel – a revolutionary microbe-killing gel designed to prevent the sexual spread of HIV. VivaGel is expected to bring in $600 million by 2012, and the joint venture is predicted to be worth about $60 million to the New Zealand industry.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Vaccine find eases winter flu fears.

An extra 360,000 doses of full-strength flu vaccine have taken the edge off the public health crisis, providing effective cover for the most vulnerable patients. The extra supplies will not be delivered till early May and concerns remain about the impact the delay will have on the annual flu season. The Health Ministry and drug-buying agency Pharmac have been scouring the southern hemisphere for surplus supplies of alternative vaccines, after it was revealed the 750,000 doses they ordered from Sanofi Pasteur had only two-thirds of the recommended strength to protect against the most common and dangerous of the three flu strains expected this winter.

Source: The Dominion Post.

Nats would review DOC's functions - Brash.

A National-led government would review the Department of Conservation's core functions and order an independent audit of its performance, party leader Don Brash said today. National in opposition would push for changes to "bad policy" and in government would want the department restricted to protecting unique plants and endangered species. "In government we will carry out a major review of DOC's functions, starting with an independent audit of its current performance," Dr Brash said.
Source: NZPA

Battle brewing for Dairy Foods.

Global food groups Nestle and Danone are expected to join the bidding for Graeme Hart's New Zealand Dairy Foods. This would set up a three-way battle with Philippines food and drink group San Miguel for the company that owns the Anchor, Fernleaf, Fresh n Fruity and Calci Yum brands. The sale of NZ Dairy Foods for up to $700 million would be another trading profits coup for New Zealand's richest man.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Kiwifruit crop close to last season's record harvest - Zespri.

Zespri International is forecasting a New Zealand kiwifruit crop of a similar size to last year's record volume when the first kiwifruit of the 2005 season is picked next week. Zespri chief executive Tim Goodacre said he expected 60 million trays of green kiwifruit, the same as last season, and 14.5 million trays of gold kiwifruit, down from 15.2 million last season.
Source: NZPA

Bird flu fears as kids sick on plane.

A bird flu scare sparked an emergency services callout to Wellington Airport after two Chinese children became violently ill during a flight from Melbourne. Fire service and ambulance officers were waiting for the Air New Zealand flight carrying 93 passengers that arrived at Wellington on Tuesday afternoon. Some passengers had originally travelled from Asia. It is understood authorities held grave fears that the children could be sick with the bird flu which has killed at least 47 people in Asia.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Heavy seas threaten Hawke's Bay houses.

Two houses in Hawke's Bay are in danger of being washed away by heavy sea swells. The occupants have been evacuated from the houses, which are in the coastal area of Haumoana/Te Awanga. The sea has washed over some stop banks and is pouring into drains near the homes. Protective sea walls by two other sea walls have been destroyed, and the back fence of one house has already been swept away.

Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Currency: Kiwi hovers just under historic high.

At 5pm in Wellington today (thursday 17/3) the kiwi was at buying US74.43c, from US73.93c at 5pm yesterday, having hit a new high of US74.67c during the offshore session.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Freedom Air flights to Brisbane to end.

Air New Zealand?s budget wing Freedom Air is axeing its flights to Brisbane, handing over the route to its full-service parent. In return, Freedom will take over one of Air NZs leisure routes, including between Wellington and Fiji. Pacific Blue now has full control of the low-cost market between the main New Zealand cities and Brisbane.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

NZ Post reports $40.4 million half year profit

New Zealand Post today reported a net profit of $40.4 million for the half year ended December 31, up from $21.7 million for the previous corresponding period.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Hollywood star takes her NZ fruit case to court.

The case of the apple, the orange and the Hollywood movie star comes up at Manukau District Court tomorrow. Double-Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank's reasons for failing to declare an apple and an orange in her luggage to New Zealand biosecurity staff when she landed at Auckland International Airport on a flight from Los Angeles in January will be considered behind closed doors by a Judge or Justice of the Peace.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Grand Slam Could Be On For ABs.

The All Blacks hopes of a Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland at the end of the year have been rekindled with Wales doing an about face on a Cardiff clash with New Zealand. The All Blacks are scheduled to play Ireland, England and Scotland at the moment and the New Zealand Rugby Union had wanted to include the Welsh to line up the four Home Unions. Now the Welsh have cleared the decks and signalled they are prepared to host the All Blacks on November 5, a week before New Zealand face the Irish.
source: ExtraMSN

Silver Ferns step up to clinch series.

New Zealand 74 - England 30
New Zealand comfortably sealed the three-test netball series against England in Wellington last night, cruising to a massive victory in the second test. The Silver Ferns dominated England from the outset at the Events Centre winning the first quarter 21-7 before building what proved to be an unassailable 37-16 halftime lead.
Source: NZPA

Households richer but overspending.

The average Kiwi household is worth about $235,000, up almost 9 per cent in the past year, but as people feel richer they are also borrowing heavily and spending more than they earn. In the past two years, average household wealth has risen about $60,000 - most of it concentrated in the hands of homeowners, according to Spicers' quarterly household savings report. The report shows the total pool of net wealth including assets such as the family home, shares and cash, less debts, reached more than $358 billion in 2004, up about $8.4 billion in the December quarter alone.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Tamihere wants his old job back.

John Tamihere is staking a claim for a speedy Cabinet comeback after he was cleared of wrongdoing by the Serious Fraud Office. But Prime Minister Helen Clark effectively ruled out a pre-election return, despite the SFO finding no evidence Mr Tamihere was involved in allegations relating to his time at Auckland's Waipareira Trust.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Tua comeback undercard confirmed.

Undercard action is confirmed for the Tua of Duty, as the countdown to David Tua's heavyweight comeback hots up. After two years out of the ring Tua stages his return on Thursday March 31 at west Auckland's Trusts Stadium when he meets Talmadge Griffis from the United State of America over 10 rounds.

Rebels deny Kiwi death threat.

New Zealander Hamish Sands seems to be getting good treatment from the rebel forces detaining him as an alleged mercenary and assassin in the West African country Ivory Coast. Red Cross and United Nations representatives were allowed to visit Sands yesterday in detention in the northern city of Bouake, stronghold of the New Forces rebel group. While they were there, Hawke's Bay-raised Sands wrote a letter to his sister in Wellington, which the Red Cross is passing on. A New Forces website said his human rights were being respected.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Two more complaints laid against Michael Laws.

A new date to hear allegations that Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws breached the district council's code of conduct would be announced soon, Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon said yesterday. Two more complaints were lodged against Mr Laws last Friday. Ms McKinnon said yesterday the council needed to decide whether to hear the latest complaints the same time as the other four.
Source: NZPA

Tuariki Delamere faces fraud charges.

A former minister for immigration and customs, Tuariki John Delamere, is facing 10 charges of fraud and forgery brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), it was revealed yesterday. Delamere has been charged with seven counts of fraudulent use of a document and three of forgery. Delamere set himself up as an immigration consultant after losing his parliamentary seat in 1999.
Source: NZPA

NZ snubs senior Israeli officer.

The New Zealand government said on Tuesday it had refused to allow a senior Israeli military officer to visit New Zealand. Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said Deputy Chief of Staff Major-General Gabi Ashkenazi was refused a visa for a one-day trip because of a freeze on high-level contact announced after the arrest of two Israeli agents on passport fraud charges. The alleged Mossad agents, Uri Kelman and Eli Cara, were convicted of trying to fraudulently obtain New Zealand passports.

Netball: Wobbly win, but it's a start.

It was a start, and the Silver Ferns will be better for having got their first test of the year behind them. The 52-30 win at North Shore Events Centre put New Zealand 1-0 up over England in the three-match series. But it was a mixed bag, some smart, slick play interspersed with passages of scrappy, loose netball. Much the same could be said of a plucky England, and, having had several weeks together, they should improve in the second test in Wellington on Wednesday.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

On a wing and a song, bellbirds gatecrash own surprise party.

A small songbird mostly restricted to living offshore anywhere near Auckland has moved into a new mainland home before getting the official invitation. Around 100 bellbirds have been discovered in Tawharanui Regional Park near Warkworth over the past three weeks, making plans to re-introduce the birds redundant. The birds are thought to have flown over from nearby Little Barrier Island, about 20km off the coast of Tawharanui, because their "dialect" was similar to the island's birds, according to ARC scientist Tim Lovegrove.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Weight loss drug to be sold over the counter.

The weight loss drug Xenical is now available without a prescription. New Zealand is the second country to approve the drug's use without prescription - Australia reclassified it last May. Xenical will be sold only to people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more after an initial face-to-face consultation with a pharmacist, and all customer details must be recorded.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Prime still coy on Holmes' ratings.

Prime Television is still playing coy on how many people are actually watching its new flagship Paul Holmes programme. Prime yesterday released ratings figures for selected programmes in its stable, Top Gear, Prime News: First at 5.30 and Household Shoppers among them, but Paul Holmes was noticeable by his absence.
Source: NZPA

Decision On Flu Vaccine Today.

The Ministry of Health is due to announce how it intends to deal with the sub-strength flu vaccine. The vaccine only protects against two out of the three influenza strains expected this winter, but the Ministry says it is still an option. Health officials say the injection is safe, but is just too weak to effectively offer protection against the third strain.
source; newstalk zb

NZ Cities Rank Among World's Safest.

Two New Zealand cities made the top 20 in a worldwide survey of the safest places to live. Auckland dropped three places to eighth, tied with Bern, Copenhagen and Sydney. Wellington came in at 14, up one from last year.
source: newstalk zb

Chinese oil and gas giant eyes NZ.

Chinese oil and gas giant Sinopec has New Zealand in its sights as China moves to slake its thirst for fuel. Sinopec president Wang Jiming, who discussed broad opportunities in a private meeting with Prime Minister Helen Clark at Auckland's Hilton Hotel on Thursday, said his company was focused on gas fields in Taranaki and Northland.
Source: NZPA

UN criticises foreshore law.

The Government is standing defiant in the face of damning criticism from the United Nations over its controversial seabed and foreshore law. A UN committee has found the Seabed and Foreshore Act discriminates against Maori and urged the Government to address the issue.
source: The Press

Ivory Coast rebels hold NZ 'mercenary'.

BOUAKE: Ivory Coast's rebels say they have arrested a suspected mercenary from New Zealand and accuse him of planning to assassinate some of their political and military leaders. In a statement, the rebels said they had detained the man, whom they named, on Friday as he was on his way to the rebel stronghold of Bouake in a passenger coach from the main city Abidjan.

Australia wins first Test against New Zealand.

Australia beat New Zealand by nine wickets in the opening test in Christchurch on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Australia cruised to their victory target of 133 in less than 32 overs with a day to spare after bowling out the New Zealanders for 131 before tea.

The Hobbit three years away: Jackson.

Oscar winning director Peter Jackson says it will be at least three years before he shoots The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hobbit. Jackson this weekend took a break from his busy schedule filming King Kong in Auckland, stopping by Sydney's Powerhouse Museum to check out the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) exhibition.
source: one news

Sweet sounds and smells at Pasifika.

The Pasifika Festival wowed Auckland on Saturday and attracted the biggest crowd in its 13-year history. It is estimated 210,000 people went to Western Springs Park on Saturday and another 15,000 to the launch on Friday night. Friday night's first Pacific Music Awards which launched the festival has left Saturday's crowd with the feeling the Pacific is going through something of a renaissance with the New Zealand public.
source: one news

Paraparaumu Beach closed.

The main part of Paraparaumu Beach, on the Kapiti coast, has been closed because of high levels of bacteria in the water. The district council's spokesman, Tony Cronin, says the Medical Officer of Health has found high levels of e.coli and faecal coliforms. He says it is a naturally occurring seasonal problem which has nothing to do with any spills or human related causes.
source: one news

Maori Party sets out election strategy.

The Maori Party is claiming the government is planning an early election - possibly at the end of July. The party says that is why it called its new candidates, and key personnel, to Wellington this weekend - to start preparing its election campaign strategy. The party hierachy is convinced the government's planning a surprise early election , on the back of an expected feel good factor from it's family support packages.
source:one news

Quarter of NZ's brightest are gone.

Almost a quarter of New Zealand's most highly skilled people have left the country - the biggest exodus of skilled workers from any developed nation. 464,465 people born in New Zealand were living in 26 other OECD countries at the last censuses in 2000 and 2001. The figures also show that 24.2 per cent of all New Zealand-born people with tertiary educations now live overseas.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Bill may keep files secret forever.

Civil Service chiefs will get the power to keep many government files secret forever under a new bill covering Archives New Zealand. Critics say the bill leaves ample scope for department bosses to bar public access to classes of records and archives they can look at at present. Archives NZ holds the records of governments as far back as the Treaty of Waitangi, and the main files of all government departments are deposited in its vaults.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Banks may stand for Tamaki seat.

John Banks is refusing to rule out a return to national politics as speculation grows that he is eyeing the Tamaki seat for ACT in the general election. While the former Auckland City mayor remains circumspect about his decision, he told The Dominion Post yesterday he was determined to make sure ACT, which is facing oblivion at this year's election, remained in Parliament.
Source: The Dominion Post.

First kiwi chick hatches in mainland island in nine years.

Department of Conservation staff are celebrating the arrival of the first kiwi chick to hatch in Hawke's Bay's Boundary Stream mainland island since intensive restoration work in the area started in 1996. The chick, which has been named "Makino", is the offspring of two kiwi released into the mainland island in early 2002 as part of Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery's Operation Nest Egg. The chick was named Makino after the area in which its grand parents live in the Kaweka Forest Park. A tiny transmitter has been fitted to Makino's leg, so that his/her progress can be followed. At the same time, a feather sample was taken so that Makino's sex can be determined.
Source: NZPA

Window washer charged with selling drugs.

A car window washer has been accused of selling cannabis oil while scrubbing windscreens at a Tauranga road intersection yesterday. The 23-year-old Tauranga man was arrested and charged with possessing for supply class B drugs and was to appear in Tauranga District Court today. Senior Sergeant Ross Bielby said police found him in possession of a quantity of oil and arrested him at 1.40pm yesterday.
Source: NZPA

Fire destroys Hastings packhouse.

More than 100 people escaped injury as the Hastings packhouse they were working in burst into flames this morning. Chief Fire Officer Ray Brown told NZPA today the 110 staff working in the Longlands Road West apple packhouse followed procedure and got out safely. The fire started just after 7.00am, and destroyed the main packhouse and some fruit bins.
Source: NZPA

Winter flu jabs may not work.

Elderly and sick New Zealanders face a worrying wait for this year's flu vaccine, and may not get it at all. As this winter's programme is due to begin, the 750,000 doses of vaccine tagged to protect Kiwis from the potential killer are still in France because of fears that it may not be effective against the most dangerous and common flu strain.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Clean up begins after devastating tornado.

Greymouth residents woke this morning to a fine day, perfect to begin rebuilding their homes and lives after yesterday's devastating tornado, with the immediate priority repairing a resthome so 20 elderly residents can return. The tornado struck at 1pm yesterday in the West Coast town, carving a 400m-wide trail of destruction 4km long, which caused millions of dollars of damage but few injuries. A state of emergency was not declared but 25 civil defence volunteers from Christchurch came to guard the town overnight from potential looters.
Source: NZPA

NZ tax among lowest in OECD.

The income tax burden on New Zealand workers earning the average wage is relatively low by developed world standards, a new OECD report shows. The report, measuring the net tax of a worker earning $41,778 a year, finds New Zealand's "tax wedge" is 10th lowest among countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development for a single income couple. "This would put us fourth lowest in the OECD, behind Ireland, Luxembourg and Iceland
Source: The Dominion Post.

Government's Coffers Swelling.

The Government will be expecting more calls for tax cuts with yet another higher than forecast surplus. The Treasury has released the financial records for the seven months to the end of January.The surplus for the period was $1.1 billion more than expected, coming in at $5.27 billion. That is put down to fewer expenses, greater SOE profits and higher than forecast investment gains, by around $500 million.
source: Newstalkzb

Move for Coronation Street angers fans.

Plans by Prime TV to poach Coronation Street from Television New Zealand have outraged some local fans who cannot receive the Prime Channel. Prime has sent chief executive Chris Taylor and programming head Andrew Shaw to the United States to try to clinch the multimillion-dollar deal, which would end a 40-year run on TVNZ. Prime has coverage over only 75 per cent of the country. The ambitious swoop for one of TVNZ's prime assets follows the move by Paul Holmes and Alison Mau from TV One last year.
source:The Press

Cricket: Marshall makes maiden test century.

Hamish Marshall scored a century in just his third test to guide New Zealand to 265 for three at stumps on the first day of the first cricket test against Australia here today. Marshall was unbeaten on 103 after New Zealand were sent into bat at Jade Stadium, with Nathan Astle to resume with him tomorrow on 29.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Alpine legend dragged to her death.

One of New Zealand's top mountain guides has been dragged to her death by two clients on a Mt Cook slope. Erica Beuzenberg, 41 – an acclaimed climber and guide whose 16 years in the job included escorting Prime Minister Helen Clark on an expedition – was roped to the men when one of them slipped, sending all three sliding down the slope and over a 200-metre ice cliff.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Tourism booming with record guest nights.

New Zealand's tourism industry is in better shape than ever with a record number of people staying in hotels, motels, backpackers and other short-term accommodation in January. Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) said total January short term guest nights at 4.3 million was the highest one month total since it began its accommodation survey in 1996 and represented a 4 per cent increase on the same month a year ago.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

High Kiwi Set For A Fall, But Not Yet.

New Zealand's high-flying dollar, trading at a 22-year high, is overvalued and set for a fall, bt not just yet, most analysts say. The currency, has been the world's best performer in the past four years, having gained 88 percent against the US dollar to hit US$0.7373 on Tuesday. The world's highest interest rates among industrialised countries have driven demand for the kiwi. And although the tightening cycle may be coming to an end and economic growth is expected to slow this year, the currency is showing no signs of weakness. "By our reckoning it's the most overvalued currency in the western world," said Brendan O'Donovan, chief economist at Westpac Banking, suggesting the currency's fundamental value was between US$0.56 and US$0.58.

Diana's ring gets heave-ho.

Prince Charles has used his trip to New Zealand to discreetly cut one tie to his past – he has stopped wearing the gold wedding band given to him by Princess Diana 23 years ago. The Sun reports that Charles, 56, removed the ring after his divorce from Diana in 1996 – but returned to wearing it, on his little finger next to a gold royal signet ring, after her death in 1997. The paper says it is the first time Charles has been seen without the ring for many years – though spectators noted it was the right and chivalrous thing to do considering his imminent marriage.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Students plunging further into debt.

A new report has found more young New Zealanders are plunging further into debt under the student loans scheme, as the total owed to the Crown approaches the $6 billion mark. More than 13 per cent of all young New Zealanders aged over 15 were now in debt, according to a Ministry of Education report, Living With a Student Loan. The amount of the debt each person owed had increased five-fold in the past decade. The report found that the mean student loan debt last year was $14,424, up from $13,680 in 2003. In the first year after the scheme began in 2002, the mean debt was $3628. Repayment times had reduced slightly, from 9.6 years in 2003 to 9.3 years in 2004.
source:The Press

Men Neglected By Govt, Say Fathers.

A demand for a Government ministry for men's affairs. Fathers' rights campaigner Kerry Bevin claims men's issues are being neglected by the Government. He wants the Child Support Act reformed and action on men's health issues like prostate cancer. Kerry Bevin says the Government has poured millions of dollars into women's breast cancer treatment, while men have to pay for prostate cancer tests. Mr Bevin says he also wants to highlight what he calls "child support rip off". He says many men have thousands of dollars taken off them by the tax department despite sharing the parenting of their children. Kerry Bevin says it is driving many men into poverty and suicide, and he is calling for a complete overhaul of the Child Support Act.
source newstalkzb

Mehrtens linked with Europe again.

All Blacks great Andrew Mehrtens is again the subject of speculation over a move to European club rugby, this time to Welsh Celtic League side the Ospreys. The 70-test first five-eighth veteran reiterated that his sights were set no further than making the New Zealand team for the series against the British and Irish Lions in June and July. "I'm now in my last year of my contract and I would love to play in Europe," Mehrtens told Wales' Western Mail newspaper.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Free fruit spreads health message.

Nearly four decades after free school milk ended, the Government has decided to give an apple a day to about 20,000 schoolchildren to protect their health. Handing out apples, plums and other seasonal fruit from July is intended to protect children's health and foster more healthy eating habits at school and at home. About $2 million has been earmarked for the scheme, which at roughly 50c for the fruit, will provide one piece to around 20,000 children each school day.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Freight company's collapse leaves 1000 creditors and 150 jobless.

A national freight company has gone under, leaving at least 150 people without jobs and more than 1000 creditors with no idea when or if they will get paid. Liquidator Jeff Meltzer, of Meltzer Mason Heath, said yesterday that Phoenix Freight had gone into voluntary liquidation, leaving 143 staff "technically redundant". Auckland was the hardest hit, with 62 jobs lost, followed by Wellington, with 32 staff let go. In Christchurch, 26 staff and seven owner-drivers are collectively owed more than $150,000 in arrears.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Australia and NZ fighting for same skilled migrants.

Australia and New Zealand are competing against each other to attract skilled migrants, New Zealand's finance minister Michael Cullen said today. Dr Cullen, speaking to reporters before addressing a business symposium in Melbourne tomorrow, said the trans-Tasman neighbours are looking for the same workers to help boost their economies. The Government is trying to encourage hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders to return home. It is also increasing pressure on officials to fill migrant quotas as it tries to plug growing job vacancies.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Protesters bare breasts at Prince Charles.

Bare-breasted protesters disrupted Prince Charles' walkabout in central Wellington this morning with at least two of them taken away by police. The women said they were protesting about reports that the prince was offended by aboriginal women who performed at a function topless during his official visit in Australia. About a dozen protestors holding banners which included the slogan "Death to the monarch" chanted and shouted as the Prince began his walk into Civic Square, where he had been expected to admire the plaza's architecture.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

TVNZ prepares satellite service.

TVNZ says it is holding discussions with other free-to-air broadcasters about setting up a satellite service that would broadcast digital TV channels to households. Head of public affairs Avon Adams says there would be no subscription fees or contracts for viewers to sign, but consumers would have to buy their own "low cost" set-top box from a retailer. TVNZ has been trialling digital TV and set-top boxes for several months in conjunction with TV3 owner CanWest and Prime TV in several urban and rural locations near Auckland.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Crash puts Dixon out of IRL opener.

A huge pile-up put Scott Dixon out of the Indy Racing League season opener at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida this morning (NZ time). Dixon, who had run as high as 13th after qualifying 16th, was caught up in a crash involving Japan's Kosuke Matsurra and Tomas Scheckter on the 159th of 200 laps.
Source: NZPA

'Life skills' get in the way of teaching.

Children are spending as much time in school learning "life skills" – such as how to pat a dog – as they are reading and writing. Educationists say primary schools have become a dumping ground for programmes that are not necessarily a school's role, such as career planning, hygiene, fire and cycle safety, sun sense and values – and the list is growing every day. Miramar South School principal Jeanette De La Mare said parents were now too busy to teach life skills and teachers were expected to fill the gap.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Security tight but relaxed for Charles.

Security around the Prince of Wales was tight but relaxed when he stepped out on an unscheduled walkabout in central Dunedin at the weekend. Although there were no formal plans for Prince Charles to meet the public, hundreds of people had access to him during his two-day stay. Dozens of extra traffic, CIB and general police were brought to the city to ensure the security, but this did little to prevent access.
source:The Press

Anzac bodies concern.

Ministers concerned the remains of Anzac soldiers may have been dug up by contractors widening a road at Gallipoli will seek a report from officials today. There was so far no specific information that New Zealand war dead had been affected by the road works, but the Government was seeking more detail after media reports that unmarked graves may have been disturbed, a spokesman for Prime Minister Helen Clark said. Although there were no Commonwealth War Graves Commission graves at Anzac Cove where the works were under way, it was possible soldiers had died and been buried there during trench warfare.
Source: The Dominion Post.

New leader for Maori Church.

Encouraging young Maori to chase positions of leadership in the Anglican Church is a key objective of the new Maori Bishop of New Zealand. 80-year-old Bishop William Brown Turei of Ngati Porou and Whanau a Apanui Iwi was elected at a three day hui of Maori delegates in the Waikato area. Bishop Turei has played a major role in the Church since 1950. He says he plans to pursue ways of increasing church funding which he hopes will attract more young people into leadership roles.
source:RNZ

Tramper swept away in river.

Gale force winds and torrential rain in Fiordland have led to a woman tramper being swept away in floodwaters in Mistake Creek. The woman, a German tourist, has not been seen since the incident but her pack was recovered downstream.The heavy rain also caused flooding that closed State Highway 94 between Te Anau and Milford for most of the day stranding trampers and guests at the Milford Lodge. Metservice recorded about 300 millimetres of rain since early Saturday evening around the Homer Tunnel and Milford Sound.
source:RNZ

Prince Charles warmly received.

Prince Charles has attracted good crowds so far on his tour of New Zealand. He arrived in Dunedin on Saturday night, the first stop of a five-day tour. About 200 peole were in Dunedin's Octagon on Sunday morning as the prince arrived at St Paul's Cathedral for a church service. The crowd clapped and cheered as he was greeted by the dean of the Cathedral and then chatted briefly with several onlookers. He later toured the royal albatross reserve at Taiaroa Head where he spoke out strongly against the way longline fishing is practised.
source: RNZ

90pc of prison staff want to quit.

More than 90 per cent of prison staff want to quit and a third are actively looking for other jobs, survey findings released today reveal. A nationwide survey published by the Public Service Association (PSA) today showed 31 per cent of prison staff were actively seeking other employment while 91 per cent wanted to quit the Corrections department. "It needs to recruit 1800 new staff in the next three years to cover for attrition and to staff new prisons as they are commissioned and additional beds within existing prisons.
Source: NZPA

Principal's band together to call for urgent NCEA review.

Auckland secondary school principals have launched the strongest attack yet on the Government over the NCEA fiasco, calling for an urgent overhaul of the national exam system. At its annual meeting last night, the Auckland Secondary Schools Principals' Association called for "robust and targeted action" to stamp out problems that have plagued the qualification.
Source: NZPA

Women now occupy NZ's top three positions.

Forget about women being able to do anything. The problem now vexing some men is that women appear to be doing everything. Margaret Wilson completed the takeover of New Zealand's top constitutional posts yesterday with her election as Parliament's Speaker. Her elevation alongside Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright, Prime Minister Helen Clark and Chief Justice Sian Elias means the country is now officially being run on girl power.
Source: The Dominion Post.

Mallard dampens nuclear power suggestions.

About half of the 200 energy bosses at a conference on New Zealand's power needs believe nuclear power has a future in this country. However, new Energy Minister Trevor Mallard has crushed suggestions that nuclear power may be the saviour of an increasingly electricity-hungry New Zealand.
Source: NZPA

Little change in new political poll.

A new opinion poll shows hardly any change in support for the main parties despite the Government having been under pressure in Parliament during the last four weeks. The National Business Review-Phillips Fox poll published today has Labour down one point to 43 per cent compared with a month ago, and National steady on 34 per cent. Today's poll shows New Zealand First gaining two points to 9 percent and the Greens up one point to 6 per cent. United Future stands on 2.3 per cent, ACT on 1.7 per cent and the Maori Party on 1.6 per cent - all within the 3.6 per cent margin of error in the survey of 750 voters.
Source: NZPA.

Wilson named Silver Ferns' captain.

Adine Wilson (nee Harper) will take over captaincy of the Silver Ferns from an injured Lesley Rumball (nee Nicol), Netball New Zealand said today. Wilson has previous international captaincy experience, having led the New Zealand Under-21 side in the 2000 World Youth Championships.
Source: NZPA

Hawke warns New Zealand on union.

NEW Zealand would be "out of its mind" to push for political integration with Australia, former prime minister Bob Hawke believes. Speaking at a trans-Tasman business conference in Auckland, Mr Hawke said the two countries should form a true single economic market, but Australia's political system was "buggered up" by the constant clashes between the federal and state governments.

Half of Christchurch teens have tried cannabis.

Half of Christchurch teenagers have tried cannabis by the age of 18, but the social factors associated with the drug pose a far greater risk than the physical effects, research reveals. The findings were presented at a public lecture at Christchurch School of Medicine last night and were aimed at dispelling many of the myths associated with alcohol and drug abuse among young people.
source: The Press

Greens disappointed with contaminated maize fields.

The Green Party says it is disappointed the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry allowed corn to be sown again in 26 fields found to be contaminated with small amounts of genetically-engineered seed last season. But the MAF biosecurity eradication programme manager Ian Gear says the protocols put in place for replanting were appropriate and carefully considered. The genetically engineered corn, planted last season, passed into New Zealand after the testing laboratory, Biogenetic Services, wrongly reported low-level GE contamination as negative results. The crop was harvested. About 300 to 400 hectares of land in Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Waikato and Northland were planted with the maize containing low levels of GE seed last spring. In Gisborne there were five properties involving 100 hectares.
Source: NZPA

Govt announces $1.5m for reconstruction relief on Maldives.

New Zealand would contribute $1.5 million to relief and reconstruction work in the Maldives, damaged by the Boxing Day tsunami, Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said yesterday. Mr Goff said $525,000 would go to the Commonwealth Secretariat's disaster volunteer programme for 50 doctors to work in the Maldives for up to a year. Discussions were continuing with the secretariat over reconstruction work worth a further $500,000.
Source: NZPA

Help for home-buyers likely.

Financially struggling Kiwis may be offered half shares in a property by the Government, under a scheme aimed at combating the country's plunging home ownership rates. Housing Minister Steve Maharey has told The Press that Labour is likely to introduce a "shared equity" scheme, where the Government subsidised those who were struggling to buy their own home by becoming part-owners in property.
source: The Press

London calling to Minister of Wine.

Jonathan Hunt's gracious Greys Ave apartment in central Auckland is thick with the art of a lifetime, including 40-odd photographs and paintings stacked against the wall, most of them still in bubble wrap, after their trip from the Speaker's flat in Parliament Buildings. "I'm still deciding which to take with me to London," says the outgoing Speaker of the House, the country's longest-serving MP and the Prime Minister's long-time pal, who leaves for his new job in London at the end of the month. Today is his last day as Speaker. After the formalities are satisfied, Margaret Wilson will be appointed.

Grievance culture must go says Jones.

Maoridom must move on from "the grievances of the 19th century" if it is to continue to progress, says the head of the Waitangi fisheries commission. Speaking at the opening of Hui Taumata in Te Papa Wellington, Te Ohu Kaimoana chairman Shane Jones told Maoridom's cultural, political and commercial elite that it was time to look to the future not the past. "Our best is before us, not back in the aureretanga [groaning] or the grievances of the 19th century. "We must ensure our children learn that our identity is as much about adaptability, risk taking and innovation rather than foreign diseases, land dispossession and Native Land Court hearings."
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

NZ's child poverty rate one of highest.

An international report has found that a sixth of New Zealand children are being raised in poverty - a higher rate than in all but three of the world's 26 rich nations. The Innocenti Research Centre, established by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), says 16.3 per cent of New Zealand children in 2001 lived in homes that earned less than half the national median income. Only Mexico, the United States and Italy had higher rates of child poverty.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Nation swelters in record February temperatures.

It was a scorcher alright. Last month was the eighth warmest February since records began in the 1860s and in stark contrast to the same time last year. This year, temperature records were broken at Queenstown and Alexandra and other parts of the South Island while dozens of areas in the North Island had near-highest February temperatures including Levin, Palmerston North, Wellington, New Plymouth, Ohakune and Whakatane.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Peter Jackson's company sues over LOTR profits.

Peter Jackson's production company is reportedly suing New Line Cinema over profits from the first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Associated Press reports that Wingnut Films has filed a federal lawsuit in Los Angeles claiming it has been short-changed profits from the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The suit does not specify the amount sought in damages, AP reports.

Rare whales found dead in Far North.

Seven rare gray's beaked whales have died in a stranding on a Northland beach. The four adults and three calves were found by Department of Conservation (DOC) Te Paki staff at Waikuku Beach near North Cape on Sunday but they were badly decomposed and DOC staff believe they may have been there a week. DOC said it was the largest recorded mass stranding of gray's beaked whales on mainland New Zealand. Other mass strandings had happened on the Chatham Islands.
Source: NZPA

Improving skills and education vital to Maori says Horomia.

Improving skill levels and education standards is vital to ensuring Maori meet their economic potential, says Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia. Speaking in Wellington today at the opening of Hui Taumata, the Maori economic summit, Mr Horomia said Maoridom had come a long way since the first Hui Taumata in 1984 but more work was still needed. "Staggering as it sounds, it's estimated that our untapped employment potential is around $45 billion," Mr Horomia told the hui.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Mapua power substation gets go-ahead.

Construction on a new electricity substation at Mapua could begin within two months after the Environment Court rejected an appeal against the substation's consent. The Tasman District Council had granted resource consent for the $3.2 million project on the corner of State Highway 60 and Seaton Valley Rd. The substation would be camouflaged in a "rural lifestyle" building
source: The Nelson Mail..

Quarter of NZ drinking water didn't meet standards in 2003.

Over a million New Zealanders were supplied with drinking water that didn't comply with current standards in 2003, according to a survey released today by the Ministry of Health. During 2003, water supplies to 71 per cent of New Zealanders complied with E. coli standards - 2 percent more than in 2002. There was a 73 percent compliance with the treatment plant protozoan requirements - down from 81 per cent the previous year.
Source: NZPA

Petrol tax to rise 5c on April 1.

Petrol tax will rise by five cents a litre from April 1, despite the Government giving itself the power less than a fortnight ago to defer the increase. The duty on petrol will be increased by 5c a litre (excluding gst) and will be linked to inflation, meaning it will rise by about half a cent a litre each year thereafter.
Source: The Dominion Post.