Sotheby's auction of rare NZ stamps 'to top $45m'

A large collection of rare New Zealand stamps are to go on sale at Sotheby's in London in a multimillion dollar auction. Experts say the Baillie Collection is the most important collection of stamps to be sold for 50 years. Leading stamp dealer John Mowbray said from Otaki today that the massive collection to go under the hammer on February 15-17 was unquestionably the most comprehensive collection of its kind. "These are some of the finest New Zealand stamps ever known ever to come on to the market. I understand the sale of the collection will exceed $45 million," Mr Mowbray said. A total of 1170 lots will be sold during the three day NZ sale. Sothebys' stamp consultant Richard Ashton said British collector Sir Gawaine Baillie's collection of NZ stamps must rank as his most accomplished of all his collections. "New Zealand has a richness and diversity almost without equal in the philately of the British Empire and very few collectors have been able to embrace it in its entirety."
Source:NZPA

Brash to take tougher immigration stance.

National Party leader Don Brash will use tonight's Orewa speech to warn that immigration has the potential to undermine Western values central to New Zealand society. He will claim a lack of public debate has surrounded the formation of immigration policy and signal National's intention to devote greater attention to the issue, the Herald understands. He is likely tonight to note that immigration can be beneficial to New Zealand and to avoid making any definitive statements that clearly commit National to a change in position. But his suggestion that Western ideals such as personal liberty and New Zealand's belief in the importance of a secular society could be compromised by immigration reveals the party is at least contemplating taking a tougher line.
By Ruth Berry

Auckland Harbour Festival success floats possibilities.

Auckland Harbour Festival organisers are confident the event will become a permanent fixture, to accompany the annual Auckland Regatta, as anniversary weekend visitor numbers appear to have blown original predictions out of the water. The inaugural festival, marking Auckland's 166th anniversary, was originally expected to attract 100,000 over three days but by late Monday that figure had doubled to "much closer to 200,000", communications officer Rachel Faulkner said. At least 50,000 daily packed the Viaduct Harbour to explore ships, watch buskers and street performers, catch the odd concert and ride the 30m, 60-tonne ferris wheel, the largest transportable ferris wheel outside Europe.
By David Eames and Wayne Thompson

Kiwi author tackles NZ ballet.

Three years ago it was just a glimmer of an idea, but now Witi Ihimaera, one of our best known authors has written a ballet. "I wanted to go somewhere where no New Zealand author has ever gone before," he says. And despite loving ballet, he's never danced or choreographed a performance himself, but now his idea has become a reality. The Royal New Zealand Ballet began rehearsals of his work, The Wedding, three weeks ago.
source:Closeup

Former NZ pop star on drugs charges.

One of New Zealand's leading pop stars of the 1960s and 1970s is facing drugs charges in Melbourne. Allison Durbin is accused of trafficking, cultivating and possessing cannabis, as well as theft of electricity. Allison Durbin was voted New Zealand entertainer of the year in 1969. She has lived in Australia sine 1967, where she was named Queen of Pop three years running. In 1985 Durbin publicly admitted her battle with heroin and underwent drug rehabilitation.
Source:One News

Scientists search out NZ's geological history.

One of the world's largest scientific research vessels, the RV Marion Dufresne, is being used by New Zealand scientists to find out the truth about the nation's geological history. The vessel docked in Wellington yesterday, part way through a two week voyage of discovery around New Zealand's coastline. It will set sail again today to continue its geological sampling, using a 10-tonne weight which drives a 75m core tube into the sea floor. The French and New Zealand researchers on board have already sampled the soft sediments off the West Coast of the South Island and are now heading for East Cape. Their voyage will finish in Auckland on February 6.
By KENT ATKINSON. Source:NZPA

Teachers need help with Asia.

Many secondary school teachers lack the confidence to include Asian content in their classes, despite a curriculum requirement for them to do so, a new report says. Although it was generally accepted that teaching Asian studies was important in a time of growing contact with Asia, the report by the Asian New Zealand Foundation found there were still low levels of Asian content in many curriculum areas. Focus groups reported many teachers lacked confidence and had limited knowledge about the Asian aspects of their subject matter.
By KRISTI GRAY. Source:The Press

Speeding baby boom drivers get more tickets than young.

Forget boy racers – grey-haired baby boomers are causing most of the problems on Kapiti Coast roads. Middle-aged drivers speeding and not wearing seatbelts had been responsible for most of the driving offences in Otaki during the past month, Sergeant Noel Bigwood, of Otaki, said. About 60 per cent of drivers caught speeding were between 45 and 55. Those drivers also accounted for 80 per cent of seatbelt infringements, Mr Bigwood said.
By KAY BLUNDELL. Source:Dominion Post

Southerly set to cool high temperatures.

Temperatures are soaring around the country but relief is on its way with cooler weather forecast. Scorching temperatures were felt in most areas yesterday, with Wellington reaching 26 degrees celsius during the afternoon. Kapiti and Levin got to 28C, and in Lower Hutt it was 27C. Masterton sweltered in 32C. Further north, Hawke's Bay temperatures were in the mid-20s with low cloud keeping the heat under control. Taupo reached 26C, Wanganui 25C, and New Plymouth and Palmerston North both got to 28C. Temperatures were set to drop tomorrow with a southerly change. It would reach Wellington tonight and slowly move up the country.
Source:Dominion Post

PC terminator back in action.

National's political correctness eradicator is reviving his efforts to rid the nation of PC madness. Wayne Mapp is due to tell a Wellington Rotary group the PC debate must carry on. Dr Mapp says a key to eradicating political correctness is changing the attitudes of the public institutions most affected by it. He says political correctness closes down open debate, creates excesses and extremes and sometimes results in people losing their jobs. Dr Mapp describes PC as being firmly in the camp of the left, and says its important that legislation and policy is ruthlessly scrutinised to stamp it out.
Copyright 2006 Newstalk ZB News.

Daytona victory for Dixon.

Success for New Zealand motor racing driver Scott Dixon and his Chip Ganassi team mates, Dan Wheldon and Casey Mears in the Daytona 24 hour race. The trio have won the event, despite suffering early brake, gearbox and alternator problems. It is the Ganassi team's first ever win in the teams' race, which runs over 734 laps. Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon are Indy Racing teammates, while Casey Mears drives in NASCAR.
Copyright 2006 Newstalk ZB News.

Yachting-Decisive win for Team New Zealand.

One up for Dean Barker and Team New Zealand. Barker has taken out the Auckland Match Racing Cup with a comprehensive 3-nil victory in the final over Oracle's Bertrand Pace. Oracle is expected to be Team New Zealand's main threat in the Louis Vuitton at the next America's Cup, so any victory is treasured. Barker says it is a big win for the entire team, a morale booster with confidence filtering back. Team New Zealand is back on the water on Tuesday sailing America's Cup boats NZL 81 and 84, before shipping 84 off to Valencia in around three weeks.
Copyright 2006 Newstalk ZB News.

$12m centre set for historic site.

Construction could start in the Bay of Islands next year on a $12 million memorial centre proposed for one of New Zealand's most important historical sites. The Marsden Cross at Oihi Bay on the Purerua Peninsula marks the site of the first Christian sermon to be delivered in this country following the landing on Christmas Day in 1814 by the Reverend Samuel Marsden. He was accompanied on the brig Active by Ngapuhi chief Ruatara, whose Rangihoua Pa overlooked Oihi Bay. The site saw the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, the first land sale and the first farm.
By Tony Gee

Yachting: Barker wins match race regatta.

New Zealand skipper Dean Barker today won the Auckland Match Racing Cup yachting regatta with a 3-0 victory over Frenchman Bertrand Pace in the final. Fellow New Zealander Chris Dickson defeated compatriot Cameron Appleton to claim third place in the international grade-one event.
NZPA

No 2 audience's No 1.

More film kudos for New Zealand as Toa Fraser's film No.2 clinches a win at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. The film tells the story of a woman's plans to bring her family together for a big celebration in Mt Roskill. It has won the international audience award for best drama. New Zealand Film Commission spokeswoman Kathleen Drumm says New Zealand makes only about six movies a year, whereas America makes about 600, so she says winning a prize is indescribable. She says it means New Zealand is still a great place to find talent, originality and strong cinematic voices.
Copyright 2006 Newstalk ZB News.

Doctor killed in 'vicious' attack in UK.

A medical researcher who left behind a "relaxed, peaceful and safe" life in Auckland to move to England four months ago has been murdered in a "vicious and frenzied" attack, British police say. Barbara Madeline Johnston, 55, who worked with noted Auckland scientist Professor Peter Gluckman, was stabbed 49 times and strangled with her jumper in her home in Oxford, England. She was found dead by police who broke into her flat in the north of the city at 1am last Thursday after her parents, in the Midlands, reported her missing. The BBC reported that a 42-year-old man has been arrested at a property in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, in connection with her death.
Source: NZPA

Clampdown on school enrolment cheats.

Schools are being forced to investigate a flood of possibly fraudulent enrolments as scheming parents look at new ways to skirt tough zoning rules. Under Ministry of Education rules, families must live within zones surrounding state schools for their children to be eligible for the roll. But because of high housing costs, schools say many parents are making false declarations about where they live so their children can attend the college they want. Principals say this year is even worse, with some parents giving addresses that don't exist or are empty sections. Others, they say, are renting a cheap, one-bedroom apartment and claim it is to house a family of five or six.
By Teresa O'Connor Source:HERALD ON SUNDAY

Former Saddam minister loses refugee bid.

A former minister in the government of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been denied refugee status in New Zealand. But Amer Al-Khashali is trying to overturn the decision by claiming the government has an obligation to protect him because of the publicity sparked by his case, it was reported today. Mr Al-Khashali, a 69-year-old former Iraqi agriculture minister, is awaiting the result of the Refugee Status Appeals Authority's October hearing into his claim, the Sunday Star Times reported today.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Termination payouts cost TVNZ millions.

TVNZ has paid out more than $3.7 million in termination payments to 103 staff in the last 30 months. TVNZ spokesman Richard Griffin said it was "a great deal of money" for a crown company but was over a period where there was massive restructuring. The figure includes payouts to presenters Mike Hosking and April Bruce, former news executive Trish Carter and One News executive producer Melanie Jones, all of whom left during the clean-out started by news head Bill Ralston when he arrived mid-2003.
By IRENE CHAPPLE Source:Sunday Star Times

Harmeet Sooden seen on new video.

Harmeet Sooden is alive, but there is a new threat to kill him. The Auckland University student was kidnapped in Iraq in November along with three other Westerners, all Christian aid workers. Nothing has been heard of the hostages for weeks, but in the last few hours Al Jazeera television has aired a video of the four. The grainy footage is dated January 21. It shows Harmeet Sooden and his Canadian, British and American colleagues wearing ski caps and standing against a wall. They appear to be speaking to the camera but their voices cannot be heard. Their captors, a group called Swords of Truth, say they are giving the United States one last chance- release all Iraqi prisoners or the hostages will be killed. Thirty-two-year-old Mr Sooden is a Canadian citizen with New Zealand residency.
Copyright 2006 Newstalk ZB News.

Bulk of tsunami contributions already paid out.

Three-quarters of the $68 million in aid pledged after the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 has been paid out, according to government agency NZaid. The aid package was New Zealand's biggest ever, accounting for 20 per cent of the country's total $346 million in aid allocations for 2005. The Government's contribution alone represented $16.60 for every person in New Zealand. In comparison, the United States gave NZ$1.75 for every person, or according to World Watch Institute. World Watch executive director Peter Adams said New Zealand was one of the first countries to transfer all money pledged to the tsunami relief effort, with almost $52 million being paid out by July.
By KIM RUSCOE Source:Dominion Post

Funds crisis causes night class closures.

There are predictions that more schools will cancel night classes in response to new strict funding criteria.
The Post Primary Teachers Association says the Tertiary Education Commission's funding requirements have forced at least a dozen secondary schools to shut their night schools. It says schools now have to compete for money which will be allocated according to Government priorities such as adult literacy. The PPTA says three Auckland colleges - Tamaki, Glendowie and McLeans - are among those who have closed adult community education classes.
Source:RNZ

Cricket-Wellington and Canterbury win.

Wellington has hammered Auckland by eight wickets in their domestic one-day cricket match at Eden Park outer oval. Auckland was dismissed for 170 - Mark Gillespie took three for 21. Wellington cruised to the 171 run target in the 35th over - Stephen Fleming made 66 not out. Canterbury has beaten Northern Districts by seven wickets at Hagley Oval, chasing down the 202 target also in the 35th over - Craig McMillan made 88 not out. The win takes Canterbury to the top of the table with 24 points alongside Central Districts - Wellington moves to third on 23. Central Districts plays Otago tomorrow.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

New Zealand Tops Environmental Scorecard At World Economic Forum In Davos.

New Zealand ranks first in the world in environmental performance, according to the Pilot 2006 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) produced by a team of environmental experts at the environment school at Yale University and the Earth Institute at Columbia University. The 2006 EPI, to be released Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum on January 26, ranks Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom two to five respectively. The top-ranked countries all commit significant resources and effort to environmental protection, resulting in strong performance across most of the policy categories. The EPI identifies targets for environmental performance and measures how close each country comes to these goals. It ranks 133 countries on 16 indicators tracked in six established policy categories: Environmental Health, Air Quality, Water Resources, Biodiversity and Habitat, Productive Natural Resources, and Sustainable energy.
click HERE for full story

Naturists prepared to bare all.

The New Zealand Naturist Federation is setting aside the first week of February to bare all. As part of Go Natural Week, 21 nudist clubs are holding a series of activities so the public can see exactly what they are all about. Glenne Findon of the Naturist Federation says society is slowly becoming more accepting of nudists. She says while some people decide it is not for them, many others join up. Around 2,000 members belong to the federation. The oldest she knows of is an 85-year-old man in Christchurch.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Another stingray casualty.

A 10-year-old Gisborne girl is the second victim of a stingray's barb on the East Coast in a week. She was taken to hospital with a lacerated knee after being hit by the barb at Makorori, 12 kilometres east of Gisborne, on Wednesday. On Sunday, a Hawke's Bay man was left with a 10-centimetre deep cut in his groin after an encounter with a metre-long stingray at Tangoio Beach near Hastings. The girl stood on the stingray while walking in hip-deep water and was taken to hospital by St John Ambulance. Gisborne Hospital spokeswomen Louise Hegarty said the minor wound was treated and she was discharged soon after.
Source:Dominion Post

'Too high' Kiwi dollar tumbles sharply.

The New Zealand dollar has fallen sharply after an international credit rating agency said it was too high. Standard and Poor's comments sent the dollar tumbling US1 cent yesterday in late afternoon trading to US67.8c by 6pm. The persistently high dollar has been blamed for 300 exporting and manufacturing job losses this week. A high dollar makes New Zealand products uncompetitive but keeps imported consumer goods cheaper. Manufacturing activity hit a three-year low in December and is unlikely to get better.
By ROELAND van den BERGH and SUE ALLEN

Arsonists strike at the heart of Maori school.

A Maori school is picking up the pieces after its new waharoa was destroyed in an arson attack. Te Kura Kaupapa Maori A Rohe O Mangere acting principal Lucy Te Moana says the fire, which broke out around 6.40am on Monday, gutted the school's $16,800 waharoa. A waharoa is a shelter where visitors wait before a powhiri starts. Two teenagers held by firefighters are the scene are being dealt with by police youth aid officers.
By MELANIE LOUDEN. source:Manukau Courier

Top shelf china auction in Nelson.

One of New Zealand's largest single collections of Royal Doulton fine china is being auctioned in Nelson on Friday and Saturday, and is attracting collectors from far and wide. With more than 1400 pieces of Royal Doulton up for grabs, the personal collection is from the estate of Nelson man John Carnhan, who started collecting as a child. "He was given a piece by an old aunt...and then he just starting collecting on from there," says auctioneer Trevor Lummis.
Source:One News

NZ govt working toward closer ties with NATO.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has said that the New Zealand government supports more formal ties with NATO and the government has been actively working towards closer ties with it. According to the local media NZPA, a spokesman for Clark said Friday that New Zealand had been actively working towards closer ties with NATO, which would help facilitate peacekeeping operations where contact with NATO was required. NATO is considering whether to establish more formal official ties with New Zealand, Australia and Japan, said NZPA. NZPA quoted an official from the military alliance as saying that there was a discussion under way about the extent to which NATO should engage with countries beyond the traditional area.

Zero tolerance speeding blitz near schools.

Police plan to ticket drivers exceeding the speed limit by just 5km/h near schools in a nationwide blitz to save young lives. Speed-camera zones are being set up around scores of schools ready for when most children return from their summer holidays on February 7. Anyone caught driving faster than 55km/h within 250m of a school boundary between 7.30pm and 9am, or 3pm and 4.30pm, can count on being ticketed.
By Mathew Dearnaley

NZ helps clean up oil spill.

Maritime New Zealand staff are heading to Australia to help clean up after a major oil spill off Queensland. An estimated 25,000 litres of oil spilled into Gladstone Harbour on Tuesday night after a collision between the carrier Global Peace and the tug Tom Tough. Peter Williams from Maritime New Zealand says the number of oil spills worldwide is decreasing, but the incident gives staff working valuable hands-on experience.
Copyright 2006 Newstalk ZB News.

Indian ox meat being passed off as NZ beef.

Russian and Ukrainian officials say poor quality water buffalo meat from India is being passed off as New Zealand beef in some parts of eastern Europe. Ukranian Prime Minister Yuri Yekhanurov told a press conference in Odessa yesterday that unknown dealers had imported ox meat "from unfavourable areas of India" though the Odessa seaport. "Fake documents identified the meat as beef from New Zealand," the Tass newsagency reported. The meat was detected on the Russian border in Bryansk, and Russia banned the imports of all cattle products from Ukraine on January 20. A spokesman for Russia's Federal Service, for Phyto-Sanitary Control said there had been "about 200 tonnes of boneless beef detained, documented as having been of New Zealand origin". During an investigation, New Zealand authorities said the documents for the consignment had been faked, the spokesman said.
Source:NZPA

Backpacker tourism hit by high NZ$.

Tourism operators catering for budget travellers, say the latest figures from Statistic New Zealand reinforce their concerns of a downturn in the industry. As of last September, there were 414 official backpacker hostels in New Zealand, almost a hundred more than a year earlier. However, average occupancy rates are around 33 percent, a seven percent downturn from 2003. Allan Scott from Scotties Rentals says budget travellers like to buy secondhand cars or rent budget vehicles to get around the country, but he has noticed a marked drop-off in trade in recent months. He estimates business from backpackers could be as much as 30 percent down on previous peaks. Mr Scott blames the high exchange rate, making New Zealand a more expensive place to visit.
Copyright 2006 Newstalk ZB News.

Hardline group to join minister on European prison trip.

Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor is a fan of a hardline tougher sentencing lobby group, it has been revealed. Mr O'Connor will leave tomorrow on a two-week fact-finding trip to Europe, leading a delegation that will visit prisons in Britain, Finland and the Netherlands -- looking at alternative approaches to try and bring down New Zealand's high imprisonment rate. Included in that delegation will be the head of the Sensible Sentencing Trust, Garth McVicar. The trust, which advocates a tough line on crime and sentencing, has often been at odds with the Labour-led Government, which it sees as far too lenient. But Mr McVicar said today that Mr O'Connor had personally called him soon after his election to Cabinet.
By Grant Fleming Source:NZPA

NZer first passenger on new India-Pakistan bus.

New Zealander Sukhpreet Priya Kaur was among passengers on the first bus of a resumed cross-border service from Amritsar in India to Lahore in Pakistan. The Tribune newspaper in Chandigarh, India, reported the Hamilton woman "was beaming, so happy to be among the passengers" when she arrived. The "bus diplomacy" was the first public transport link for the two halves of the Punjab since the state was divided in the India- Pakistan partition in 1947. Two other bus services join the two countries, a Delhi to Lahore service which started in 2003, and a route across Kashmir which began last April.
Source:NZPA

Rugby-Eight newcomers named in NZ sevens squad.

New Zealand sevens rugby coach Gordon Tietjens yesterday named eight newcomers in the squad of 16 for this year. Other new faces in the squad are Auckland forwards DJ Forbes and Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Counties-Manukau flanker James Maher, Otago flanker Alando Soakai, Waikato utility back Dwayne Sweeney, Wellington winger Cory Jane and his provincial teammate and utility back Lote Raikabula. The squad will be captained by Hawke's Bay's Tafai Ioasa, who also led the side in the first two world series tournaments of the 2005-2006 season in Dubai and South Africa last month. The New Zealand sevens tournament is in Wellington on February 3-4.
Source:NZPA

New Zealander dies on French ski field.

A New Zealander has died on a ski field in France, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) said today. Craig Abraham, 33, was on a ski trip to Val d'Isere from the UK, where he had been living for six and a half years, Mfat media advisor Helen Tunnah said. His cause of death had yet to be determined, despite earlier reports he'd collided with another skier.
No further details were available.
Source:NZPA

NZ Jewish council disappointed at Palestinian election result.

New Zealand Jewish Council president Stephen Goodman says he is disappointed the Palestinians have elected a terrorist organisation to represent them. The militant Islamic group Hamas defeated the ruling Fatah party in Palestine's parliamentary election yesterday. Hamas, which is calling for the destruction of Israel, won an overwhelming majority in the 132-seat legislature, taking 76 seats to Fatah's 43. "We are all sitting here with our hearts in our mouths in the hope that something is going to change," Mr Goodman said. "I am deeply concerned (the election result) will affect any prospect of peace in the Middle East."
Source: NZPA

South Island power crisis warning.

The power supply to Canterbury and the upper South Island is at risk of collapse by 2012 if nothing is done, Transpower has warned. The company says Christchurch and the upper South Island are at risk of voltage instability and possible supply collapse if nothing is done by 2012. Boyle said Transpower was in the midst of a $60 million upgrade of transmission lines and substations in the top of the South Island, but this has been predicted to stave off power cuts only until 2012. The problem arose because no major investment had been made in the national electricity grid since the 1980s, Boyle said.
Source:The Press

Air NZ To Suspend Some US Flights.

National carrier Air New Zealand said it would suspend its Christchurch-Los Angeles service the during off-peak season due to lack of passenger demand. The airline said it would halt its twice weekly non-stop service between April and October but would maintain its daily services from Auckland.

Get on with it, urges Goff.

The Trade Negotiations Minister is calling for the political will and direction needed to complete the Doha Round. The trade talks' mandate is to improve trade access for developing nations but has been stymied by a reluctance from some countries to remove barriers on agricultural and industrial products. Minister Phil Goff has met with World Trade Organisation boss Pascal Lamy before heading to Davos in Switzerland for a meeting of 25 trade ministers working to complete the ambitious WTO trade talks. He says it has highlighted the need for urgency as the April 30 deadline looms and it is time for the ministers to stop procrastinating on the highly political subsidy issues.
Copyright 2006 Newstalk ZB News.

Mayor has questions over tolls.

North Shore's Mayor wants the Government to come clean on just what its plans are for toll roads. George Wood is not backing the call from his counterparts in Auckland, Manukau and Waitakere Cities for the Government to give them the power to slap tolls on existing roads. He says it would not be right to simply pick out easy routes to slap tolls on to. That would see some people paying tolls driving to work and going about their daily business, while others would get off scot free.
Copyright 2006 Newstalk ZB News.

Free childcare policy causes problems.

The Early Childhood Council estimates Labour's 20 free hours policy for early childcare centres will be crippling for some providers. The policy, to be introduced next year, aims to provide free weekly childcare for all three- and four-year-olds. Council CEO Sue Thorne says the policy is well-intentioned but misguided as the average weekly subsidy of around $90 will disadvantage some private operators.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Two months since Sooden kidnapped.

The family of the New Zealand resident kidnapped by militants in Iraq are not dwelling on the fact that it is two months since he was taken, but are concentrating on getting him home. Thirty-two-year-old Auckland University student Harmeet Sooden and three other peace workers, were captured by the previously unknown group Swords of Righteousness Brigade who threatened to kill the men if America and Britain did not release detainees in Iraq. There has been no word on the fate of the group since the deadline passed.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Hopkins praises NZ.

Oscar winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins is full of praise for New Zealand, despite the poor weather he experienced. Hopkins appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman last night to promote the New Zealand-made film The World's Fastest Indian, which premieres in the United States next week. It has already grossed $6 million at the New Zealand box office since October. Sir Anthony told Letterman he thoroughly enjoyed his time making the film in New Zealand, despite the amount of rain that fell during his time in Invercargill. He said it was special to be able to portray the life of Burt Munro and his successful attempts to break the world land speed record on his motorbike. Hopkins described the New Zealander as a national hero. The World's Fastest Indian is the third highest grossing New Zealand film, behind Once Were Warriors and Whale Rider.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Cullen predicts more job loses.

Another 20,000 people could be unemployed by the end of the year and Finance Minister Michael Cullen is pointing to China as the biggest threat to the economy. A raft of job losses this week have put around 320 people out of work. Most of the companies have cited the high value of the New Zealand dollar and an inability to compete with China's cheaper products as a reason for lay-offs.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Special treatment urged for refugees.

The Greens want special consideration for a group of West Papuan refugees who fled the Indonesian territory earlier this month. The group of 43 was picked up by Australian authorities and is being detained on Christmas Island. Greens' foreign affairs spokesman Keith Locke believes New Zealand should intervene and accept some of the refugees, but he says their situation warrants preferential consideration by Australia.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Sick seaman airlifted from Antarctica.

A man is recovering in hospital following a rescue mission involving five countries in Antarctica. The Uruguayan crewman on foreign-registered ship the Paloma V suffered convulsions following a possible head injury late last week. The Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Wellington arranged for the Marina Svetaeva, a Polish ship, chartered by Australians to meet the Paloma off the coast of Cape Hallet. A doctor on board decided the crewman required further medical attention and he was flown by helicopter to an Antarctica New Zealand group camped at Cape Hallet. He was then flown to Christchurch on Saturday and taken to hospital.
NZPA

NZers help discover new planet.

A husband and wife pairing at Canterbury University have played key roles in the discovery of a new planet. The planet, which is located 25,000 light years away near the centre of the Milky Way galaxy, is regarded as being significantly more Earth-like than any other planet found so far. It is about five times the size of Earth and has a service temperature of around -200C. Its surface is believed to be rock or ice. Scientist Michael Albrow says he and his wife Dr Karen Pollard, began their planet hunting research in 1995. It has taken 10 years of hard work but they are delighted to be part of the team that has made the discovery. The planet does not have a name yet, but it has been labelled OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Gallipoli 'sustains NZ-Australia links'.

Trans-Tasman ties forged at Gallipoli will sustain the unique relationship between New Zealand and Australia, outgoing High Commissioner Allan Hawke said today. "No two nations on earth share the common values that were forged at Gallipoli," he said as Australia Day was being celebrated in his home country. "I think that still sustains the relationship, certainly for the immediate future."
Source: NZPA

NZ economic growth to lag global rates.

New Zealand's economic growth is expected to lag the global growth rate by about 1 per cent, according to a report just released by the United Nations. The UN's World Economic Situation and Prospects 2006 report forecast New Zealand's economy would grow by 2.0 per cent this year, against expected growth in the world economy of 3.0 per cent. The estimate is in line with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's forecast of 2 per cent growth for the year to March 2007. The UN report said New Zealand's economy had already slowed notably in 2005, mainly due to the strong New Zealand dollar.
Source: NZPA

Heavy weather hits Wellington.

Wellington emergency services were stretched this afternoon as heavy rain and high winds hit the capital and Hutt Valley causing accidents and hold-ups on motorways and some flooding. Police expected problems during this afternoon's traffic peak with heavy rain predicted for some time ahead.Shortly before 3pm police warned heavy rain was expected in the Upper Hutt area for the next four to five hours, possibly causing traffic delays and motorists were advised to drive with care. By then flooding had already been reported at the top of the Ngauranga Gorge, at the on ramp to State Highway 1 from Newlands about 10km from the city centre.
Source:NZPA

Green MP takes direct action on youth wage.

A Green MP is putting her money where her mouth is, in a bid to abolish the youth wage. Sue Bradford will hand over $850 to the SupersizeMyPay.com action aimed at immediately increasing the minimum wage to $12 an hour and getting rid of youth rates. That figure is half the back pay she received when MPs' salaries went up prior to Christmas. Ms Bradford says the donation will coincide with the launch of a campaign today to muster support for her Minimum Wage Amendment Bill.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Whale butchery angers iwi.

Kaipara Maori are outraged after teeth were hacked from a large whale washed up on Ripiro Beach. The 5m-long whale had washed ashore about 2km north of Baylys Beach about 10am on Friday. Beachgoers saw two men using a tomahawk and pliers to extract teeth from the mammal, believed to be a sperm whale. Omamari Beachcare Trust spokeswoman Veronica Patuawa said whoever took the teeth was probably looking to make money and "knew nothing about Maori protocol" or respecting the dead whale.
By Robyn Downey
NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)

Linemen battle weather to restore power.

Electricity linemen worked through the night to restore power after a violent storm that hit the top of the North Island yesterday moved southwards. An estimated 12,000 homes in the upper North Island, Auckland, and the Coromandel were plunged into darkness when the storm, which brought winds of 150kmh, struck. Linemen managed to restore power to most homes within a few hours but around 700 were still without electricity today. The high winds ripped off roofs bringing down trees and power lines
Source:NZPA

Proposal to test every child in NZ.

The Children's Commissioner wants the Government to test every New Zealand child four times during childhood as part of a radical plan to keep tabs on child welfare. As part of the proposal, outlined exclusively to The Press yesterday, commissioner Cindy Kiro said she wanted children assessed at milestones in their life as part of an intervention system aimed at preventing children from falling through the cracks. The initiative is based on a Scottish programme and would have children's health, education and social situation assessed at birth, when they start school, reach their teens and leave the education system. The assessment would cover areas such as whether a child had been subject to abuse, was malnourished or falling behind in education. Government departments would then have responsibility to intervene in the child's life and put programmes in place.
By KIM THOMAS Source:The Press

Hacker who gave to poor gets on wrong side of law.

Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor might have worked for Robin Hood, but it landed hacker Thomas Gawith in court on six charges of computer crime. Gawith pleaded guilty before Judge Gregory Ross in Palmerston North District Court yesterday and was convicted and remanded on bail until March 2 for sentencing. Prosecutor Sergeant Johnny Ireland claimed the defendant had purchased access codes for Kiwibank accounts and using a computer at a house where he was staying in Tauranga had taken money from those who had it and given it to those who didn't. On June 7 last year he had taken a total of about $7700 from three accounts. The next day he broke into three more, taking $6050. Gawith told police he thought he had not done anything wrong because he hadn't kept any of the money for himself, Sgt Ireland said.
By MERVYN DYKES Manawatu Standard

Wild Weather Will Ease Tomorrow.

The wild weather whipping across the top of the North Island is not likely to ease until tomorrow morning. MetService says more than 75 millimetres of rain have been recorded today in Northland and the Coromandel, with intensities sometimes reaching 20 millimetres an hour. The heavy rain is predicted to continue tonight, along with high humidity. The wind and driving rain are causing chaos for motorists on some of Auckland's roads as well.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

No. 2 Thumbs Up At Sundance.

A New Zealand film which is one of only 16 chosen from around the world to be part of the prestigious Sundance World Dramatic Competition, has received standing ovations. No. 2 has had four showings at the festival in Utah as its universal theme about a family getting back together is well received. Writer and director Toa Fraser says past New Zealand films Whale Rider and Two Cars, One Night have had a lot of success at Sundance. He is hopeful No.2 will also do well.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Brash backs call for probe into miscarriages of justice.

National Party Leader Don Brash said today he supported a call for an independent body to identify miscarriages of justice. He was commenting on a report by retired High Court judge Sir Thomas Thorp, which said up to 20 people may be wrongly imprisoned in New Zealand. Sir Thomas has called for an independent authority to be set up to identify miscarriages of justice. The recommendation follows a two-year study of the nature and incidence of miscarriages of justice, and the way New Zealand and comparable countries deal with such claims.
Source: NZPA

More pressure to have flu jab.

With the threat of bird flu looming, experts say it is more important than ever to be immunised against influenza this year. The National Influenza Strategy Group is urging New Zealanders to have the vaccination against seasonal flu. The World Health Organisation has made the same recommendation. Medical Officer of Health, Dr Mel Brieseman, says while a flu shot will not give outright protection from avian influenza, it can help prevent people from being susceptible to a pandemic because of low immunity. He says there is a slight, debatable possibility that an influenza jab may even protect people from bird flu.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Hostage's family seek NZ residency.

The parents of kidnapped peace activist Harmeet Sooden are seeking New Zealand residency so their son has a home to return to on his release by militants in Iraq. Dalip and Manjeet Sooden said they wished to support themselves and make a home where their son would be able to recover mentally and physically. Fearing it could be months or longer before they learn of the fate of their son is known, the Soodens decided to apply for residency now. The family are living in Auckland with their daughter's family and Mr Sooden has cancelled an employment contract in Zambia -- where he works as a mechanical engineer in the country's copper mines -- while they wait to learn the fate of Harmeet Sooden. The group threatened to kill the men if the United States and Britain did not release detainees in Iraq, but nothing has been heard since the deadline elapsed on December 10.
NZPA

Cricketing giant lays down bat.

An emotional Chris Cairns confirmed his retirement yesterday, choking back tears as he thanked his father, cricketing legend Lance, and the "unsung hero" of his career - his mother. New Zealand's elder statesman of cricket yesterday ended an injury-ravaged international career spanning 17 years, in which he established himself as one of the sport's greatest all-rounders and biggest drawcards. Cairns played 215 one day internationals, taking 201 wickets and was just 50 runs short of reaching 5000 runs. His test record was equally impressive with his 3320 runs and 218 wickets ranking him alongside Sir Garfield Sobers, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Ian Botham, Sir Richard Hadlee and Shaun Pollock.
By Jarrod Booker

NZ leads the world in environmental performance - study.

An international report rating New Zealand as leading the world in environmental performance vindicates the Government's directions, Environment Minister David Benson-Pope said yesterday. Mr Benson-Pope was commenting on the 2006 Environmental Environment Index, a pilot nation-by-nation study jointly produced by Yale and Columbia Universities. The study showed that just six nations - led by New Zealand, followed by five from Northern Europe - have achieved 85 per cent or better success in meeting critical environment goals ranging from low ozone levels, to clean drinking water, low greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable fisheries.
By HEATHER TYLER. Source: NZPA

Dozens ill from stomach virus in Christchurch.

Dozens of people have fallen violently ill after dining at Christchurch eateries. Community and Public Health yesterday confirmed it was dealing with an outbreak of the gut-wrenching norovirus – a contagious stomach bug – which has forced some restaurants and cafes to close temporarily. Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Mel Brieseman said Community and Public Health was aware of cases from at least nine cafes, takeaway bars and restaurants in the past 10 days.
Source:The Press

HB boy helps NZ out-talk Aussies.

Karamu High School student Pei Huang has captained the New Zealand Schools debating team to a rare defeat on their world champion Australian counterparts. The Russell McVeagh New Zealand Schools Debating Team is in Singapore taking part in an invitational debating tournament against teams including Singapore, Australia, and Pakistan. Team coach Sacha Judd, an Auckland lawyer, said the team was very proud of the victory, and now wanted to win the tournament.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Auckland housing "severely un-affordable".

A new survey ranks Auckland as having the world's 15th most un-affordable housing market. Los Angeles tops the Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey, which rates the affordability of one hundred major urban property markets in six countries. The rankings are based on the median household incomes and house prices of each market. Auckland's ranking puts it in the severely un-affordable category. Christchurch is 29th on the list, and Wellington 39th.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Kiwis will join e-queue.

New Zealanders visiting San Francisco who have been issued with e-passports will be among the first to test the potential of new border control procedures that are designed to tighten security while speeding up border checks. The US Homeland Security Department has announced e-passport holders from New Zealand, Australia and Singapore who arrive at San Francisco's Terminal G from April 15 will have their passports read by chip card readers. These will pull up passengers' passport details and their photos from the microchips that are embedded in e-passports. David Philp, passport manager at New Zealand's Internal Affairs Department, says travellers with e-passports will be directed to a special queue but will still be processed by a US immigration official at a manned customs booth.
Source:Dominion Post

Rare bird colony thriving.

One of the world's rarest birds, the Campbell Island snipe, is recolonising its home in the remote Southern Ocean at an "astonishing" rate, Conservation Minister Chris Carter said yesterday. Mr Carter said the existence of a Campbell Island snipe was only discovered in 1997, when a tiny population was found living on Jacquemart Island, an inhospitable rock stack neighbouring Campbell Island deep in the Southern Ocean. Archaeological work established that the snipe used to live on Campbell Island but had been driven from its home by the introduction of rats, most likely when a ship was wrecked near the island in 1829. "In 2001 the Department of Conservation fought back, and in the largest rat eradication ever attempted in the world successfully made Campbell Island pest-free," he said. "Now, we are delighted to announce that the snipe has returned home, and in force."
Source:NZPA

Clark guns for another term as PM.

Helen Clark is vowing to fight for a fourth term as prime minister. Speaking on her return from holiday, Miss Clark, has confirmed she wants to retain the leadership till the next election at least. "I've been telling everyone who rings that I have every intention of contesting a fourth term." Asked if her Labour colleagues were content with her decision, Miss Clark said: "I haven't heard anything to the contrary."
Source:The Press

Cruise boom making big waves in NZ.

The boom in cruise ship holidays is making big financial waves here with a record number of luxury liners heading to New Zealand this summer, and they're expected to generate $250 million worth of economic activity. A record number of cruise ship visits this season will bring an estimated 64,000 visitors to New Zealand shores, calling into ports the length and breadth of the country.
Source:One News

Sun to shine through for long weekend.

The north of the country could be drenched for part of the week but rain should clear up in time for Auckland Anniversary weekend, forecasters say. The MetService is predicting a low-pressure system from the tropics to bring showers and strong winds during the week. Heavy rain and gale force easterly winds are forecast for the north and east of the North Island on Tuesday and Wednesday. Conditions were expected be dry, with light winds, and maximum temperatures in the mid-20s on Saturday, Sunday and Monday
By Jarrod Booker

Stadium set for mid-year inauguration.

The country's largest indoor entertainment and sporting venue is set to open its doors around the middle of the year. The much-delayed $80 million, 12,200-seat Vector Arena in downtown Auckland is expected to spell an end to top entertainers giving Auckland a wide berth. Coldplay, the biggest selling band behind U2, cancelled their only New Zealand concert this year after the venue could not be completed in time, and rock star David Bowie bypassed Auckland last year in favour of Wellington.
By Errol Kiong and Wayne Thompson

Hospitals struggle to cope with ops.

Patients booked for elective surgery after the summer break face delays as hospitals struggle to get back to capacity. Nursing shortages have hit operating theatres hard and Auckland City and Middlemore hospitals are still on Christmas skeleton staff at a time when theatres should be stepping up to their normal operating capacity. Elective surgery operating theatre numbers are also down in Wellington. Middlemore Hospital ran advertisements before Christmas telling people to avoid the emergency department where possible.
By Errol Kiong

TVNZ freshens up sets, faces, graphics.

TVNZ presenter Mark Sainsbury will join Susan Wood as a Close Up co-presenter in a series of changes to revamp flagging ratings. One News will have a new set to bring it "into the 21st century" when it returns today with two newsreaders, according to TVNZ news boss Bill Ralston. Simon Dallow and Wendy Petrie have replaced long-time newsreader Judy Bailey. One News will also have new graphics and colours.
By ANNA CHALMERS Source:Dominion Post

Law centre push for West Coast.

Low-income West Coasters are missing out on legal advice because there is no community law centre in the region. West Coast workers' advocate Rhys Phillips said some residents were put off law firms because of cost. Without a law centre, their access to free legal advice on civil matters was limited. Westland District Law Society president Richard Bodle said the lack of a community law centre meant most West Coasters with civil disputes had to employ lawyers. Few lawyers did more than a couple of free jobs a year. However, most lawyers directed clients free of charge to the correct and cheapest method of solving problems, he said.
By SANDRA COX Source:The Press

Crews flat out as fires erupt across country.

Firefighters have battled fires large and small across New Zealand fanned by windy, dry conditions likely to continue till Wednesday. Hot spots were still flaring up late yesterday in Hutt Valley and Mangonui, in Northland, from large fires that broke out on Saturday – along with others west of Auckland, in Gisborne and north of Christchurch.
By TOM CARDY

Invercargill jammed.

Probably the biggest traffic jam Invercargill has ever seen: thousands of people have been stuck in traffic today while heading out to the open day for a vintage car rally. And now there is a second big jam as spectators start trying to leave the venue - Oreti Park. Delays of up to two hours are being reported.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Two men rescued from battered yacht.

Two yachties were winched to safety off their battered yacht early today by rescue helicopter, 65 kilometres south of Cape Palliser. The 9.14m yacht Husvale, on a delivery trip from Tauranga to Lyttelton, set off the emergency locator beacon about 2am while being battered by huge seas and after being knocked down on its side three times. The Husvale was in danger of being pushed further south by worsening weather and an approaching storm.
Source:NZPA

Prof from Aust poopoohs bird flu flap.

The government's preparations for a possible outbreak of bird flu are being panned as being completely over the top. This week the Ministry of Health began distributing leaflets explaining how New Zealanders should prepare for a possible pandemic. It is already stockpiling shots of Tamiflu vaccine. But Macquarie University professor Peter Curson, from Australia, says New Zealand is getting into a flap over nothing. He says the government is reacting to something that is very unlikely to happen. Peter Curson says the country would be better off declaring a pandemic of some the real health problems it has, like diabetes and obesity.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Scrub fire forces evacuation.

Fire raged through more than 25ha of scrub in the Far North yesterday, forcing evacuation of a home and threatening livestock. Firefighters from Kaitaia, Mangonui, Karikari, Taupo Bay and Kerikeri, as well as helicopters with monsoon buckets, were called to the blaze in Mangonui, which took hold around 3.30pm. Initial fears were that the fire could spread to a pine plantation and threaten a house.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd

National softens tone on Maori.

The National Party looks likely to repackage its policy towards Maori, fearing its hard-line stance turned off too many urban voters at the last election. Leading up to Waitangi Day, and his 2006 speech to the Orewa Rotary Club, Don Brash told the Herald on Sunday his party needed to reaffirm the policies he outlined at Orewa in previous years "in a way that does not make us anti-Maori". He denied his party was taking a softer line on Maori issues, saying he was never anti-Maori but opposed to "disastrous affirmative action programmes" and claims that the Treaty of Waitangi was "about two distinct groups of people". "We need to highlight the positive things needed to assist Maori out of the bad statistics, and remove obstacles that specifically hold back Maori," he said.
HERALD ON SUNDAY

Home-owning plan under fire.

The government will introduce an equity share programme this year to allow low-income earners to buy a stake in their homes, Prime Minister Helen Clark says. But the opposition warns it could work against the Reserve Bank's efforts to dampen the housing market and borrowing. Clark said New Zealand had been examining the British government's share equity scheme and she spent an hour with British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott this month discussing it. Last year Prescott unveiled a programme allowing tenants to buy a stake in their homes at a discount so they could benefit from rising house prices, and later buy out the state's share in the home.
By HELEN BAIN

Editor to eyeball Chinese-Kiwi life.

A newspaper aimed at the Chinese community is starting up in Auckland - in English - and its Singapore-born editor, Lincoln Tan, knows that some of its stories will make him unpopular as he probes Chinese-Kiwi life. "I'm not here to win a popularity contest," says Mr Tan, 37. "But things have to be put on the table." Mr Tan made national headlines in 2004 when he organised an anti-racism march in Christchurch against the National Front. The 24-page first issue of iBall, with a print run of 25,000, appears fortnightly from next Friday. It joins a growing number of ethnic media in a city where 39 per cent of residents, according to the 2001 Census, were born outside New Zealand.
By Julie Middleton

Birds sing different tunes throughout country.

The saddlebacks of Whale Island off Whakatane sing a different song to the saddlebacks on the Hen and Chicken Islands off Whangarei. And groups of tui, bellbirds and grey warblers also have their own regional language and song. This remarkable discovery by biologists about New Zealand's native birds has emerged from research on islands where wildlife thrives in the absence of predators. Massey University researchers led by Associate Professor Dianne Brunton have found the birds are forming distinct songs and calls unique to the area they live in - not dissimilar to human dialects.
By Errol Kiong
click HERE for full story

Illegal paua (abalone) haul at Tolaga Bay.

Three men face fines of up to $250,000 and loss of their recreational fishing boat after fisheries officers say they seized over 250 undersize paua and the boat from Tolaga Bay yesterday. MFish Gisborne team leader Martin Williams said it was the largest illegal paua haul yet sprung in the Tolaga Bay area. "This is a major incident and highlights the amount of poaching activity that is occurring on the East Coast on a daily basis," he said .
Source:NZPA

Summit in Pacific stirs confusion.

Plans for a summit between China, Pacific Island states and New Zealand are causing diplomatic confusion in the region. The plans come amid continuing tensions among the 14 Pacific Island states over recognition of Taiwan. Though there has been no formal announcement yet, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is to visit Fiji in late March or early April to attend what Fiji officials termed a conference of economic and trade ministers of China and 14 Pacific Island countries, plus Australia and New Zealand.
Source:Dominion Post

Queenstown airport upgraded.

Stage one of Queenstown's $30 million airport upgrade opens on Monday. Project manager Gary Buick says the new check-in hall will cost $5 million. The four-stage project should be completed early next year. A new arrivals complex will also be built including immigration, customs and MAF areas. Mr Buick says second baggage belt will be added, meaning a luggage reclaim area for both international and domestic arrivals.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

SPCA does roaring trade in adopting out homeless pets.

The SPCA's animal village in Mangere has started 2006 in a similar record-breaking fashion as it finished last year: SPCA customer services officer Craig Montgomery said last weekend was one of the busiest ever. "Usually on the weekend we will adopt out around 30 animals a day but last Saturday we did 52 and over 70 for the whole weekend," he said. The Herald has been running a campaign to encourage adoptions over the holiday period. Since December 26 the SPCA has placed almost 600 animals. Cats and kittens make up 85 per cent of adoptions.
By Nicholas Moody

Auckland, economy top PM's list.

Helen Clark says the most critical issue facing the Government this term is taking the next step in the "economic transformation agenda". Back on deck after holidaying in Britain and Norway, the Prime Minister spelled out her third-term agenda to the Herald yesterday. She indicated the Government wanted better value out of the dollars it spent on health, highlighting the need for tighter contracting arrangements. And she also wants to retain a focus on getting things done for Auckland - "our leading international city". Developing infrastructure, including transport investment, was also high on the agenda and she said that regulatory reform might be needed.
By John Armstrong and Ruth Berry

2.6m shark from tropics found off Nelson.

Marine experts are waiting to see if one of the most deadly species of shark has found its way into New Zealand waters after a surprise catch off the South Island. A 2.6m-long shark was caught in a fishing trip off D'Urville Island, about 50km north-east of Nelson. A local aquarium owner suspected it was a bull shark, but it is now being frozen and sent to Te Papa Museum for confirmation. If it is a bull shark, it will be the first found in New Zealand waters. It usually exists only in more tropical seas. Bull sharks are believed to have killed 21-year-old Sarah Kate Whiley off a Queensland island earlier this month.
author:Jarrod Booker

Officials warn investors off NZ.

The Reserve Bank is so desperate to tame the Kiwi dollar it has taken the unusual step of sending officials to Japan to warn investors off New Zealand. The dollar dived sharply yesterday amid a rumour that a $600 million sale of uridashi bonds – Japanese bonds issued in New Zealand dollars – had been cancelled following a trip to Tokyo by Government officials talking down the Kiwi dollar. Japanese investors poured in more than $25 billion last year in the hope of better returns from higher New Zealand interest rates.
Source:Dominion Post

'Incompetent burglar' humiliated - lawyer.

An "incompetent" burglar who was tackled by elderly members of a petanque club would never again be able to hold his head up among his criminal peers, his lawyer told Christchurch District Court today. Clinton Michael Dearman, 38, was in court for sentence after admitting charges of burglary and aggravated assault at Christchurch Petanque Club on December 11. Dearman broke into the club and stacked goods on both floors before being challenged by arriving club members who tackled and hog-tied him until police arrived. Dearman had been the "laughing stock" of inmates at Christchurch Prison over the past week and would "never be able to hold his head up in criminal company again". Dearman had been pictured in media hog-tied and surrounded by elderly club members while they waited for police to arrive.
Source:NZPA

NZer in Ivory Coast jail died from suffocation.

A New Zealander found dead in a rebel west African prison last month died of suffocation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed yesterday. Hamish Sands, 36, died in an Ivory Coast prison cell on April 4, several week after he was arrested by rebels who said he planned to assassinate two of their leaders. The rebels at first said he died of natural causes, but an autopsy into his death completed in May revealed this was not the case.
Source:NZPA

State broadcaster wants to block Sky move.

TVNZ (Television New Zealand) is trying to stop Sky's purchase of Prime TV. Preyesh Master, from First New Zealand Capital, says the state broadcaster is asking the Commerce Commission to turn the deal down. It is citing a lessening of competition, saying the acquisition will not only affect the way pay TV and free-to-air markets operate but also potentially upset the development of digital television. The Commerce Commission is expected to make a decision by January 27.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Auckland City goes online.

Auckland City has launched a new easy to use online tool that illustrates where growth and change is occurring and how the city is managing its effects. The city's population is expected to increase by 141,000 between 2001 and 2021, largely due to births over deaths, and Auckland City is working to develop sustainable communities. The tool, entitled Auckland's future, uses flash technology to provide a single point of access to information about where and how the city will grow.
click HERE to go to the website
source:TVNZ Interactive

Indian tour of NZ confirmed postponed.

New Zealand Cricket has finally confirmed that the Indian tour of New Zealand in 2007 has been postponed. Speculation has been rife all day that the Indians were canning the visit, as they do not want to play in New Zealand in the buildup to the World Cup in the West Indies. New Zealand Cricket CEO Martin Snedden says an agreement was reached between the Indian Cricket Board and NZC at the end of last year, as a result of a change to the start of the 2007 World Cup. The Indian tour to New Zealand has been rescheduled for December 2008.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

NZ film should do well at Sundance.

There are high hopes for the latest New Zealand film to enter the Sundance Festival in the United States. The movie entitled "No.2" will go up against 15 other films in the World Competition. Writer and director Toa Fraser says past New Zealand films Whale Rider and Two Cars, One Night have had a lot of success at Sundance. He is hopeful "No.2" will also do well. It opens in New Zealand on February 16.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

PM's meeting with US admiral secret.

Details of a private meeting between the Prime Minister and one of the United States' top military chiefs are being kept under wraps. Admiral William Fallon, head of the US Pacific Command, is due to meet Helen Clark and Defence Minister Phil Goff among a series of meetings in New Zealand this week after visiting Antarctica. A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said Helen Clark would have a "private meeting" with Admiral Fallon. She would not say what day the meeting would be or what would be discussed.
By Jarrod Booker and Ainsley Thomson

Brash keen to lead Nats into next election.

National leader Don Brash wants to lead his party into the 2008 election, saying he has a mandate to remain Leader of the Opposition. Brash, who turned 65 after the election last September, said yesterday that after "overwhelming" positive feedback from the party, his colleagues and the public, he was determined to lead National into the next election. He also hinted at a thawing in relations with the ACT Party, National's estranged partner on the Centre-Right. Brash has previously failed to halt speculation that he may stand aside this year, at one point noting that National traditionally did not tolerate leaders who lost elections.
Source:The Press

Muslims struggle for jobs.

Over half of Christchurch's adult Muslim migrants are unemployed – the worst rate in New Zealand, Muslim groups say. The Muslim Association of Canterbury says this is despite many adults being highly trained professionals with years of higher education. Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand president Javed Khan said Muslim unemployment was a problem throughout the country, but Christchurch's figures seemed much worse than anywhere else. There are about 3000 Muslims in Christchurch, and Qasem said well over half of the Muslim adults in the city could not find jobs.
Source:The Press

Jail for man with bomb and terrorist handbooks.

A Northland man caught with explosive devices and a terrorist instruction booklet in his car late near the Waitangi Treaty Grounds last year was jailed for 10 months today. Brian John Cooke, 36, unemployed, from Wellsford, north of Auckland, was earlier convicted of two charges of possessing an explosive in a public place, as well as possessing an offensive weapon.
Source:NZPA

Hackers invade department website.

The Labour Department sent nearly 3000 virus-infected e-mails to unsuspecting members of the public after its website was breached by a hacker. The e-mails, all with the subject line "Important Update Information", asked people who subscribed to newsletters published by the department to download a security program from a link in the message. However, the program was a virus that infected computers, allowing hackers to steal information. The department said the hackers guessed an administrator's password to hack into its website and steal its e-mail subscription lists.
Source:Dominion Post

Kiwis keep rugby record alive.

Antarctic..New Zealand has triumphed in the first rugby international of the year, vanquishing a traditional foe by a single try. The narrow 5-0 victory was enough to keep alive the Scott Base rugby team's unbeaten record in the world's southernmost rugby tournament against the Mount Terror Rugby Club, made up of Americans from neighbouring McMurdo Station. Scott Base manager Emma Reid said conditions were bitter at the annual test match on Sunday, with an 80kmh wind blowing across the rugby pitch, itself located on a 300m thick ice shelf.

Prison cost blow out reaches $140m.

The Corrections Department has told the Government it under-estimated the cost of building two new prisons by $140 million – and Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor wants to know why. He has ordered a review of the way the department worked out its estimates, and he wants assurances that everything possible was done to keep costs down. Mr O'Connor said today the final projected cost of the new prisons, Springhill in North Waikato and the Otago facility at Milton, had just been finalised. Springhill cost $380.3 million, an increase of $97.7 million on its estimate, and Otago $217.9 million, $43.1 million above estimate.
Source:NZPA

Cleaner air under new laws.

Proposed new vehicle emission laws will lead to cleaner air for all. The draft Land Transport Rule for vehicle exhaust emissions will see a visible smoke check incorporated into warrant of fitness and certificate of fitness checks. Land Transport New Zealand spokesman Andy Knackstedt says vehicles will fail if they discharge clearly visible, dense smoke from the exhaust.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Fiji commander briefs NZ diplomats.

New Zealand diplomats in Fiji have been briefed by the military commander over his stand off with the Prime Minister and his threats to overthrow the Government. Commodore Frank Bainimarama has given New Zealand defence advisor Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Ramsden his account of the situation in Fiji. Acting New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna Kempkers says she is very pleased to see that the lines of communication are now open between the Prime Minster and the military. Ms Kempkers says New Zealand - Fiji defence relations have been good since the resumption of cooperation after the 2000 coup .
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Clark will not visit Waitangi marae.

Prime Minister Helen Clark will not visit the marae when she attends the annual Waitangi events next month. A spokeswoman said she would attend official functions at the Treaty grounds on the eve of Waitangi Day and the next morning. But she would not go to attend commemorations at the lower Te Tii Marae, which has been a focus for noisy protest in recent years. Helen Clark's plans mirror her attendance at the Treaty grounds last year, where celebrations were trouble free. National leader Don Brash is also expected to attend. In 2004 Dr Brash was pelted with mud at the entrance of the lower marae, while some Labour ministers were caught in a melee that erupted when Helen Clark arrived.
Source:NZPA

Whale sinks launch, passengers rescued.

A launch carrying five adults and two children sank off Northland today after being hit by a whale. The launch was earlier believed to have been holed after hitting a submerged object, possibly a rock, about 4 nautical miles off Cape Brett. But a relative of the skipper told Newstalk ZB the boat's rudder was hit by a whale. All seven people managed to get into a life raft from the 50-foot (16m) vessel and the Coastguard and private vessels located them after they were sighted by the helicopter.
HERALD ONLINE STAFF, NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB

Chimps feel the heat in NZ sun.

Wellington Zoo's chimpanzees have been getting an increased dose of sunscreen this summer after several apes developed serious sunburn. At the start of summer, keepers noticed certain apes with less hair cover than others on their shoulders and necks were getting burned. Primate curator Suzette Nicholson said, though chimpanzees typically came from a sunny climate, the New Zealand sun was harsher. Some chimps had developed the habit of covering up with a sack, but most of their day was spent lounging in the sun.
Source:Dominion Post

NZ woman sentenced for having sex with boy.

A 23-year-old New Zealand woman who admitted having sex with a 13-year-old boy was sentenced to community work on Tuesday. Briar Jayne Dravitski is believed to be the first woman in the country sentenced under laws which was introduced last April. Previously it was not unlawful for a woman to have consensual sex with a boy under 16 years. In the New Plymouth District Court, Dravitski was sentenced to 240 hours of community work, put under supervision for nine monthsand ordered to attend counselling.

Falun gong refugee flies to NZ from detention in Bangkok.

A member of China's banned Falun Gong spiritual movement who was arrested in Thailand capital Bangkok for protests outside the Chinese embassy there, has flown to Auckland with his four year-old daughter. Huang Guohua and his daughter Huang Ying plan to settle in New Zealand after Mr Huang spent a month behind bars at the Bangkok Immigration Detention Center. Mr Huang – who told journalists at the airport that he was pleased to finally find a home again in New Zealand – said he had not expected the Thai government to support the Chinese Communist Party regime.
Source: NZPA

New Zealanders help to date ancient Chinese map.

A New Zealand laboratory has been given the job of dating an Chinese ancient map which could revolutionize the views on who discovered New Zealand, Australia and the Americas, according to a local TV report on Tuesday.
Until international publicity about the ancient map in the past few days, the radio carbon-dating unit of New Zealand's Waikato University had no idea how important the parchment was, said NZTV. Experts believe the analysis has the potential to indicate a famous Chinese explorer discovered America before Christopher Columbus. It would also reinforce theories that the Chinese were the first to discover Australia and New Zealand.

Smartcards on way from banks.

Banks will begin issuing "smartcards" on a large scale this year to replace conventional debit and credit cards, Visa's New Zealand country manager, Ian Jamieson, says. Jamieson says hundreds of thousands of smartcards containing microchips complying with Europay, Mastercard and Visa's EMV standard would be in circulation by the end of the year. Credit card companies want to eliminate the use of magnetic strips on bankcards and move to chip-only smartcards to reduce fraud.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd

New roles for former PM Moore.

Former Prime Minister Mike Moore has been given professorial appointments at universities in China and Australia. Mr Moore has been appointed an honorary professor at the Chinese University for Political Science and International Law in Beijing, and an adjunct professor at Adelaide University.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Mfat to upgrade travel advisory service.

New Zealand's travel advice service is to be overhauled after complaints it was not up to scratch, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said. Travel agents had called for the ministry to urgently upgrade its service that provides New Zealanders travelling overseas with travel safety information and security advisories about countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. New Zealand's travel advisories are found within the ministry's website. Mfat said a project to upgrade its website travel advice service had been under way since November.
Source:NZPA

Aussies prepare apple submissions.

Australian orchardists are working on their response to the latest plan to allow New Zealand apples into Australia. Biosecurity Australia late last year announced a draft framework for trans-Tasman imports, in a move that has been strongly opposed by growers, who are concerned about the disease fireblight. Apple and Pear Australia lobby chairman Daryl Ashton said the new document was different to previous draft risk assessments. "It's taken the emphasis off fireblight a little but there's a lot more concentration on seven other insect pests, so that's a whole new ball game compared to the previous IRA (import risk analysis) where there wasn't as much attention on those particular pests and disease," he told ABC Radio.
Source: NZPA

Kiwi and kakapo most at risk from bird flu.

New Zealand's iconic kiwi and kakapo are two of the species that would be most at threat from a bird flu outbreak reaching this country. The species are among about a dozen the Department of Conservation (DOC) believes would be at the greatest risk from an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza and plans are under way to vaccinate as much of the population as possible. "Ratites (flightless birds) such as ostriches and emus have definitely been found to be susceptible to bird flu strains so they would definitely be one that we would be looking at very closely as to which ones we vaccinate." Some of the others were whio (blue duck), Campbell Island teal, brown teal, weka, and banded rail, Ms McInnes said.
Source: NZPA

NZ US Council buoyed by senator.

The head of the New Zealand United States Council is off to Washington next week, buoyed by senior US senator John McCain's support for a possible free trade agreement between the two countries. Visiting this country last week, McCain said New Zealand and the US have had their differences over the nuclear issue, but the Cold War is over. He said the nuclear disagreement should not affect issues of mutual interest such as free trade and he would like very much to see a deal between the two countries. He also said a free trade agreement would be beneficial for both countries.
source:TVNZ Interactive.

Taxi drivers to face English testing.

Taxi drivers will be taken off the road if they can't understand their passengers or know where passengers want to go, under new rules in the pipeline. The changes will mean taxi drivers have to sit more stringent area knowledge and English language tests, enforceable under the new Land Transport Amendment Act. Taxi drivers who don't make the grade will be taken off the road. The legislation, passed last year by Parliament, followed complaints about taxi drivers' abilities.
Source:NZPA

Clark congratulates new Chilean leader.

New Zealand's Prime Minister is offering her congratulations to the new President-elect of Chile. Michelle Bachelet has made history by becoming the first woman to win the position. Helen Clark says her achievement is all the more remarkable, given she survived imprisonment and torture under the Pinochet regime 30 years ago. Ms Bachelet spent time in exile in Australia and Europe before returning to Chile in 1979 . Ms Clark says she is looking forward to working with her on bilateral and international issues.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Rowers "feared for their lives".

Drama on the high seas for the New Zealand crew involved in the Trans Atlantic rowing race. Team Sun Latte's Tara Remington and Iain Rudkin have been forced to withdraw from the race after capsizing early this morning. The pair discovered a leak in their boat on Saturday and were already taking on water when heavy seas caused the boat to flip. Their New Zealand based manager Rob Hamill says the pair were bailing water from the bottom of the boat when what they describe as an "unusual" wave hit the boat. Remington suffered head injuries as the boat flipped over and will require stitches. He says the pair was rescued at about five o'clock this morning by a support boat following the crews.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Superstar heads for Auckland.

An A-list superstar is about to grace Auckland with her presence. Charlize Theron will be in Auckland for one day to attend the New Zealand premiere of North Country. The film, directed by Whale Rider director Niki Caro, premieres on 27 January. The actress won an Oscar in 2004 for her lead role in the film Monster.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Protestors show solidarity with a snail.

A group of conservationists protesting at plans for a West Coast coal mine climbed a mountain yesterday to show solidarity with a giant carnivorous snail, which they say will be driven to extinction by the project. Fifteen members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition climbed 1000m to the Mt Augustus ridgeline, north-east of Westport, the last remaining habitat of powelliphanta augustus. State-owned company Solid Energy, which wants to mine the ridge, has applied to the Department of Conservation for permission to move 100 of the snails by hand - and the rest by heavy machinery, such as bulldozers. There are just 500 snails left on the 4ha area.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd

NZ fashion magazine plans US edition.

Wellington-based fashion magazine Lucire plans to launch a United States edition in the next few months and has national distribution for the title. Lucire's distribution throughout the US and selected Canadian markets will be handled by Comag - which represents other major fashion titles. The US is the third country to publish its own edition of the magazine, after New Zealand and Romania. Lucire began in 1997 as an electronic publication on www.lucire.com.
NZPA

Auckland beach off to London.

About 1500 New Zealand native plants, including rare ones, will be shipped to England for New Zealand's garden entry in this year's Chelsea Flower Show in London. Tourism New Zealand's garden won a gold medal at the prestigious show in 2004. This year the design of the garden will be modelled on Karekare Beach on Auckland's rugged west coast. Auckland designer Xanthe White, who is visiting England to prepare for the May event, which is dubbed the "catwalk of the gardening world," said the garden will follow the movement of water through the hills of the west coast out to the black sand beaches and horizon beyond.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Whales strand again.

There is another whale stranding in Golden Bay. The Department of Conservation was alerted to five pilot whales beached on tidal flats at Puponga at 9.30am. DOC spokeswoman Trish Grant says three of the mammals are dead and staff will attempt to refloat the other two at high tide at around midday. She says at this stage it is not known if the stranded whales are part of a larger group, so a boat is now on the water checking to see if there are any more of the marine mammals in the area. Last month, there were two separate strandings of pilot whales in the same region sparking massive rescue efforts.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

'Suck it and see' migration on the rise.

Latest migration statistics show the number of people coming to New Zealand on temporary permits and later taking residency is on the rise. The Immigration Service said the "suck it and see" approach was leading to more successful settlement, the New Zealand Herald reported today. Temporary permits are "a kind of suck it and see for both sides", a Department of Labour spokeswoman said. "It's an opportunity to assess the fit of the migrant, and it's an opportunity for them to assess New Zealand," said Lesley Haines, group manager of workforce policy for the department. The Department of Labour's report Migration Trends 2004-2005 said 88 per cent of the 48,815 people approved for residency in the last financial year had previously held a work, student or visitor permit. People from the United Kingdom made up the largest group of people converting in the last financial year (23 per cent), followed by citizens of China (8 per cent), Japan (8 per cent) and the United States (6 per cent).
Source:NZPA

Kiwi bonds tipped to be among the best for 2006.

New Zealand is expected to have one of the best performing bond markets in 2006, a global survey of economic and capital market expectations has found. The Mercer Investment Consulting's annual survey found that investment managers expected bond yields to rise this year and deliver a median 4 per cent total rate of return for the broad global bond index. The 160 investment managers surveyed expected New Zealand to have one of the world's strongest bond markets, along with Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Inquiry to be made into spy files.

The government is launching an investigation into how a top secret report from the country's electronic spy agency was included in a release of David Lange's private papers. Extracts from the former Prime Minister's papers have been published in the Sunday Star Times. They include a secret list of countries New Zealand was spying on 20 years ago. They also reveal the United States threatened to spy on New Zealand at the height of the stand-off over the nuclear free policy. Archives New Zealand admits it mistakenly handed over a top secret documents in a release of David Lange's papers to the Sunday Star Times. The report says New Zealand eavesdropped on communications from Argentina, the United Nations, the Soviet Union, East Germany, France, Egypt, Japan, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, the Philippines, Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands and South Africa .
Source:One News

Queenstown welcomes best in chess.

Some of the world's best chess players have been welcomed to an international tournament in Queenstown.
And among the nearly 200 competitors is New Zealand's first professional player, back home for the first time in almost 60 years. Bob Wade left New Zealand in 1948 to pursue his chess career in Europe, and has not come back until now. The top five tables have electronic sensors hooked up to the internet. At the Queenstown Chess website, fans can watch every move the best players make in this tournament.
Source:One News

Lange papers reveal intelligence information.

Documents left by former Prime Minister David Lange are being described as by far the most revealing intelligence information ever to see the light of day. The papers reveal extensive snooping by New Zealand's security service on UN diplomatic communications, and on countries ranging from France to several Pacific Island nations. The documents also throw new light on the extent of the rift New Zealand's anti-nuclear policy caused with the United States. It appears the Americans threatened to spy on New Zealand, if Mr Lange's government did not back down. A letter from then minister David Caygill describes discussions he had with the US ambassador. The Americans made it plain New Zealand could not be trusted if it went the nuclear-free path, and the US would see no reason not to gather intelligence here.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

British ban for Kiwi art firm.

Fishers Fine Arts has been suspended from the Fine Art Trade Guild in London after a Sunday Star-Times investigation into its conservation and restoration practices. Fishers, one of New Zealand's oldest arts firms, was suspended on Thursday after a complaint from Wairarapa farmer Andy Burnett. The Star-Times last week revealed that paintings sent to Fishers in Christchurch by Burnett and his brother Neil were returned with glaring differences. A horseman in Neil Burnett's painting The Hunting Season by GD Rowlandson was wearing a different hat, and Andy Burnett's painting Mount Earnslaw, Head of Lake Wakatipu by LW Wilson came back with a herd of cows missing. The value of the paintings fell dramatically after the botched work. The Fine Art Trade Guild represents the art and framing industry in England and Ireland, and has an active New Zealand membership of 40. Members must follow a strict code of ethics.
Source:Sunday Star Times

Urmil weakens as it heads out to sea.

It looks as if several South Pacific island nations will escape the wrath of Cyclone Urmil. Meteorologists had issued storm alerts and weather warnings for Samoa, Tuvalu and American Samoa. Now the storm is heading out to sea and is weakening in waters to the northeast of the Chatham Islands. MetService forecaster Paul Bruce says it looks like the worst has passed.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

NZers chosen to carry Winter Games torch.

New Zealand's Winter Olympics torch-bearing team are heading off to Italy today, for the pre-Games ceremony. Five of them will join more than 100,000 others carrying the Olympic flame through Venice and to Turin for the start of the Games next month. The games begin in Turin on the 10th of February.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.

Angels fast becoming popular.

The New Zealand chapter of the Guardian Angels says the group is fast becoming popular within the community. The crime fighting group, made up of local citizens, have just started recruiting in West Auckland. New Zealand chapter leader Andy Cawston says overall the community is embracing the Angels. He says a number of people turned up to a recruiting session in Henderson yesterday, but he is still looking for a lot more volunteers.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Fair dinkum fellas - the Aussies want your sperm.

A reproductive clinic in New South Wales is advertising in New Zealand, offering an all-expenses-paid trip for healthy, keen Kiwi fellas between 18 and 40 willing to donate their sperm. So what's wrong with the Aussie gene pool? Nothing, said Dr Scott Giltrap, programme director at Albury's Reproductive Medicine. It's just that Australia has a shortage of donors which is likely to be compounded by legislation due shortly that requires all donors to be registered. A brief survey of men on Auckland's Queen St yesterday revealed none of them was interested despite the offer of a free trip.
Source:HERALD ON SUNDAY

Fewer NZers following well-beaten track.

Australia and London have long been the first choice of New Zealanders heading on their overseas experience. But New Zealanders may slowly be starting to change their habits. For some, London is no longer a sufficient challenge. As Kiwis focus on what they do best and become more confident, other regions are gaining popularity. The number of New Zealanders heading to Australia and the UK has dropped substantially since 2001, while long-term and permanent visitors to the US have almost halved. Canada, China and France have surged in popularity, while the number going to the United Arab Emirates has grown by almost 50per cent.
Source:HERALD ON SUNDAY

Dancing couple Cortese and Lister an item.

After smouldering their way through foxtrots, tangos and quick steps on TV's Dancing With The Stars, actor Shane Cortese and ballroom dancer Nerida Lister have announced they are now a couple. The pair told women's magazine New Idea they got together on Boxing Day, having left their respective partners in August and October last year. "I was hoping her invite (to Sydney on Boxing Day) meant we were becoming more than friends, but I wasn't sure until I walked through the arrivals and our eyes met," Cortese said.
Source:Sunday Star Times

Rugby-Henry confirms McCaw as captain.

All Blacks head coach Graham Henry has confirmed that Richie McCaw will take over from Tana Umaga as captain. "It's not set in concrete but a blind man can see what we have been doing," Henry told the Sunday Star-Times. "McCaw has been vice-captain of the All Blacks and filled in for Tana already and that's what we have been grooming him to do.
Source:Sunday Star Times

Businessman pays $20,000 for questionable Goldie.

A Bay of Islands businessman may have lost $20,000 after buying what he believed was a genuine Charles Frederick Goldie pencil drawing - only for it to be deemed a fake. The drawing, authenticated by Fishers Fine Arts and the gallery owner selling the work, Patricia Colmore-Williams, has been judged a fake by two art experts. The undated work, Te Hei, a Ngati Raukawa Chieftainess, and signed C F Goldie, was sold for $20,000 to Christian Daum last September by Colmore-Williams, owner of the Blue Penguin Gallery, in Russell. But two leading art experts - Auckland Art Gallery conservator Ute Strehle and Roger Blackley, an art historian at Victoria University and curator of the major 1997 Goldie retrospective - say otherwise.
Source:Sunday Star Times

Jellyfish sting swimmers.

Swimmers at Auckland's west coast beaches are taking a beating from bright blue jellyfish. Sixteen people were stung at Piha and Muriwai yesterday by small Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish, and more people have been stung at Muriwai today The creatures bodies are about the size of a 20 cent coin but they trail two-meter long tentacles. Muriwai Surf Patrol captain Hugh Roberts says lifeguards are using simple remedies to treat the stings. He says there are several types of jellyfish in the water which makes it hard to treat with sting creams. Most often, Mr Roberts says, lifeguards simply scrape off the stinging tentacle and treat the area with fresh running water and ice.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Wasp swarms invade Taranaki.

A huge increase in wasp nests throughout Taranaki this summer has pest control experts struggling to cope with requests to get rid of the dangerous insects. Some individual properties have reported up to seven individual nests. The aggressive nature of the wasps has already put one person in hospital; an elderly New Plymouth woman who was stung on the hand.
source:ROB MAETZIG

Kiwi lights go out in Massachusetts.

A high-profile restaurant trading on New Zealand foods and wines in the United States - the Kiwi Grille at Newburyport, Massachusetts - has closed its doors after less than two years of operation. Mr deMustchine, formerly from Hawkes Bay, said a few months after opening that the restaurant served 10,000 customers in its first eight weeks and was so successful he was considering expanding to other American cities. New Zealand's ambassador to Washington, John Wood, even suggested it could spur the creation of a "free trade zone" for New Zealand in Newburyport, while state lawmakers declared a statewide "New Zealand Day". Building owner Doug Molin said the Kiwi Grille was overwhelmed by debt from renovating the 157-year-old former church.
Source:NZPA

Get your kicks down on State Highway Six.

America's famed Route 66 may have catchier theme music, but those who meander along State Highway 6 are treated to icy glaciers, lush native bush and a tropical palm thicket. That diversity prompted travel authority Lonely Planet this week to rate the drive along the West Coast among famous company as one of the top 10 road trips in the world. The 550km of highway stretches from the town of Haast, near Mt Aspiring National Park, north to the more tropical climes of Karamea, and eventually to Nelson.
source:Jarrod Booker

2005 was the year for local TV programmes.

When it comes to bums on sofas, local programmes have the pull of gravity, according to the top 20 most watched programmes of 2005. The David Lange Tribute was the top one-off programme in AGB Nielsen Media Research ratings and Dancing with the Stars was the top series. Of all the top 10 series, seven were locally made and were factually based, including One News, Animal House, Mucking In and Border Patrol.
Top 10 series
* Dancing with the Stars: 741,000
* Off the Rails: 733,000
* Fair Go: 703,000
* One News: 669,000
* Desperate Housewives: 650,000
* Animal House: 624,000
* Coronation Street: 616,000
* Mucking In: 608,000
* Border Patrol: 593,000
* Little Angels: 590,000
source:Claire Trevett

Phone firms slap brakes on cheaper, faster internet.

Internet users have lost out as a deal between TelstraClear and Telecom has put a stop to a Government-mandated ruling demanding faster and cheaper access. The two companies yesterday announced a deal in which Telecom will sell two high-speed internet services - one at 256 kilobits a second, or five times faster than dial-up, and another at 3584 kilobits - to TelstraClear for $26 and $30 respectively. The retail rate would be higher. While those services are faster and cheaper than current offerings, they are slower and more expensive than those prescribed in a Commerce Commission ruling last month. The commission ordered Telecom to offer speeds up to 7600 kilobits at $27.87 wholesale. Telecom threatened to challenge the ruling. TelstraClear opted to accept the price and speed concessions rather than risk months of wrangling.
source:Peter Nowak

48pc rise in city house values in Auckland.

The average capital value of an Auckland City home has risen from $349,000 to $503,000 in three years - a 48 per cent increase, say council valuers. They say the increase has been driven by a 77 per cent rise in residential land value because of strong demand for sections for building.
source:Wayne Thompson

Shackleton project gets $300,000 from Lotto.

The Lottery Grants Board is giving the Antarctic Heritage Trust $300,000 to help with a project to preserve Sir Ernest Shackleton's artefacts. Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker said the project to conserve the legacy left by the first Antarctic explorers was a world first.
Source: NZPA

Ministry of Health steps up pandemic education campaign.

The Ministry of Health is stepping up its campaign to educate the public about what to do in the event of an influenza pandemic. Acting director of the Ministry of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said last year's television advertisements would be followed by announcements on radio from next week, to be followed by a further print and television campaign. He said the campaign would focus on what people could do to prepare for a pandemic, which may or may not be birdflu.
Source: NZPA

NZ short films to screen in France, Germany.

Two New Zealand short films have been selected to screen festivals in France and Germany. Break, directed by Shona McCullough, about the relationship between a boy and his mother, will screen at Claremont-Ferrand from January 27 to February 4. Blue Willow, an animated film directed by Veialu Alia-Unsworth will screen in Berlin from February 9 to 19. The film brings the lines of a traditional Chinese porcelain plate to life, weaving together a love story and a proverb.
Source: NZPA

Fiji coach welcomes new rugby tournament.

Fijian coach Wayne Pivac is all smiles after confirmation today of a Pacific Five Nations tournament. The International Rugby Board has announced the new format for the event, which is due to start in June. It will involve Fiji, Japan, Samoa, and Tonga as well as a New Zealand rep side, likely to be the Junior All Blacks. He says it has been in the pipeline for a while and the two key things for Fiji are fixtures and finances, both of which are accommodated by the new tournament. Australia declined a spot because the union is currently reviewing its domestic programme, as it is looking at having a stand-alone inter-provincial competition.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

UK magazine uses Clark in plug for subscribers.

A British magazine that promotes itself as "the essential read for bright thinkers" is pointing to Prime Minister Helen Clark's election success in a plug for new subscribers. The New Statesman will run a leading article in its January 16 issue, under the heading "What the New Statesman has done for NZ" portraying Helen Clark as one of the few centre-left leaders in the world who has managed to both survive politically, and at the same time engineer radical change. "High growth and low unemployment have been achieved in an economy that has diversified but maintained strong social support. "Across public life women play a major role; immigration and ethnic policy is relatively enlightened, while foreign affairs have not been conducted at the whim of George W Bush," it said. "Is it a coincidence that Clark is a long-time New Statesman subscriber?".
Source:NZPA

Union blacklists whaling ships.

The Maritime Union has backed anti-whaling protests, saying its members will refuse to work with any ship involved with Japanese whalers. No whaling ships visit New Zealand, but the union, which says it represents about 3000 waterfront workers and seafarers, wants to send a warning they are not welcome. "We are sending out a warning that we don't want them here. We mean what we say," said union general secretary Trevor Hanson. The escalating activity in the Southern Ocean increased the likelihood that Japanese ships involved in whaling would visit New Zealand, particularly if one was damaged in clashes with protest boats, he said. Two Greenpeace ships, the Arctic Sunrise and the Esperanza, have been dogging the Japanese fleet in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary south of New Zealand since December 21 in a bid to stop it killing whales in its scientific research programme.
Source:The Press

Government to review alcohol ads.

The Government has announced a review of regulations surrounding alcohol advertising. It follows ongoing concerns about the impact on young people. Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor said research showed a connection between advertising and the beliefs and behaviours of young people. The review will look at the large amount of sports sponsorship by the liquor industry. An American survey of young people aged 15 to 26, released this month, found that for each additional alcohol advertisement viewed per month, there was a 1 per cent rise in the average number of drinks consumed. The Drug Foundation welcomed the announcement and said the self-regulatory regime had to end.
NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA, HERALD STAFF

Michael Campbell to lead opera house fundraiser.

US Golf Open champion Michael Campbell is throwing his weight behind a Hawke's Bay Opera House restoration fund. A fundraising dinner to be held at a winery on Tuesday is expected to raise $30,000 for the $9.4 million restoration fund. Tickets, costing $200 each, went on sale before Christmas through the golf course and 138 of the 150 available have been sold. Campbell, who will play a round at Julian Robertson's Cape Kidnappers Golf Course earlier in the day, will speak at the Te Awa Farm winery, which is also owned by Mr Robertson. Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said: "I am just thrilled that one of New Zealand's heroes is here. We're hugely grateful that he is giving up his time to help our fundraising efforts".
HAWKE'S BAY TODAY

Waitangi expecting 30,000.

Organisers of next month's Waitangi Day celebrations and the preceding weekend festival expect up to 30,000 people at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands if the weather stays fine. Based on the 23,500 who were at the Treaty Grounds on February 6 last year in poor weather, Waitangi National Trust chief executive Jeanette Richardson says preparations are being made for up to 30,000 this time. Because Waitangi Day falls on a Monday this year, a full Saturday and Sunday family festival is planned to lead up to the day itself.
Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd

Minister tots up $12,800 cellphone bill.

Cabinet minister Chris Carter loves to chat. So much so that his cellphone bill of $12,848 has topped even the globe-trotting Prime Minister's. He out-yakked not only Helen Clark but also fellow ministers Annette King and David Benson-Pope, whose cellphone costs in the year to September were $6000 to $7000 each. According to Internal Affairs, which gave the Herald the figures in response to a request under the Official Information Act, the lightest cellphone user was Marian Hobbs. She is no longer in the Cabinet. But even her $1161 bill is well ahead of average cellphone users connected through Vodafone, who spend $633 a year, and Telecom, $412.
source:Martin Johnston