Party upset vets left out

The National Party is upset veterans have been left out of the New Year honours. Veterans Affairs spokeswoman Judith Collins says there is still no recognition of World War Two hero Nancy Wake, or the veterans who campaigned for compensation for Agent Orange. She says it is a shame the government missed the opportunity, especially as 2006 was supposed to be the Year of the Veteran.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Googlers' flying visit a mystery

By NICOLA BOYES - Sunday Star Times
American Google website gurus Larry Page and Sergey Brin spent four days in New Zealand last week - but even Google searches do not reveal why they were here. Their Boeing 767, believed to be one of the largest private planes in the world, flew into Christchurch Airport on Wednesday and left for Sydney on Friday night. Christchurch computer whizz Grant Ryan, who helped develop search engine Eurekster, confirmed he knew they were in the country, but had not met them and did not know why they were here. Ryan said Eurekster, which beat Google to developing a personalised search engine, had previously worked with Google, but he had never dealt with the pair personally.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Govt comments on Saddam execution

Duty Minister Trevor Mallard says the government does not support the death penalty, nevertheless it acknowledges Saddam's death occurred within the framework of Iraqi law. He says New Zealand regarded the guilty verdict as appropriate. He says the task now is for the people of Iraq to look forward, and work for a stable unified nation. Mr Mallard says Saddam's death ends a chapter in Iraq's troubled history. The former dictator was hanged in Baghdad at dawn yesterday.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Smoke blankets Melbourne

Smoke is blanketing Melbourne for the New Year weekend, but this time it is from manmade burnoffs. Firefighters are burning off 100,000 hectares of bush to protect towns and the city's major water catchment. With easterly winds forecast across the area for the entire weekend, a smoke haze is expected to hang over Melbourne as revellers welcome in 2007. About 2,500 firefighters have been called back from their Christmas break to help with the back-burn. New Zealand personnel are expected to return to Victoria early in the New Year to again lend their help.

Fraudster known here behind Saddam appeal

A notorious fraudster who had a brief period in the spotlight in New Zealand has been appearing on CNN and other television news networks claiming to be one of Saddam Hussein's lawyers. Giovanni Di Stefano was involved in attempts to buy high-profile Auckland properties in the 1990s, although no money ever changed hands. He had been jailed in Britain in the eighties, sentenced by a judge who called him "a swindler without scruple or conscience". During the last few hours Mr Di Stefano has appeared on international news channels, saying he is challenging the execution of Saddam by seeking an injunction in the United States preventing the US from handing the fallen dictator over to Iraqi officials for the death sentence to be carried out.

Huge Loss Of Fresh Water In Australia

Satellite mapping of Australia's fresh water supplies shows the continent has lost the equivalent of 92 Sydney Harbours in fresh water in the past three years. The global mapping project found Australia suffered a net loss of 46 cubic kilometres of fresh water since 2002. While the data confirms Australia is in drought, it will take another five years of mapping to determine whether the loss is the result of a long-term climate change trend. The key findings of the project will be published next year.
© NewsRoom 2006

Government plans new way to tax car drivers

By Paula Oliver
All motorists would be charged for the distance they travel under a plan designed to replace petrol taxes. The Government is worried that its petrol tax income will fall as climate change concerns produce vehicles which are more fuel-efficient or use alternatives to petrol. The tax money helps pay for roads, public transport and the development of facilities for walking and cycling. Diesel vehicles and all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes already pay road user charges, based on the distance they travel.
Copyright ©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Rate your boss on website

Source:NZPA
New Zealanders now have a chance to let everyone know exactly what they think of their boss – a website has been set up allowing employees to post their feelings on the Internet. The website www.rateyourbossnz.com lets employees rate their boss out of a possible five stars and make comments. The site asks people to keep their comments appropriate. People are asked not to use vulgar or profane descriptions or threaten their boss in any way.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

David Russell fighting a good fight for 35 years

By LANE NICHOLS - The Dominion Post
NEW YEAR HONOURS
He's a Hawera boy who prefers to shun the limelight, yet outgoing Consumers Institute head David Russell has fought the good fight on behalf of consumers for more than 35 years. The 64-year-old, who detests the capital's weather but describes himself as an adopted Wellingtonian, was made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order in the New Year honours list. The award recognised his tireless work battling the marketing machines of big companies, testing goods and giving Kiwi consumers the honest facts about what they buy. Mr Russell, who is to step down in March, said the institute was more important today than ever before, as global marketing techniques designed to lift profits became increasingly sophisticated.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Crash-landing pilot banned from flying

By ADAM RAY - The Dominion Post
A pilot forced to make a crash landing when the engines failed has been banned from flying amid revelations he was already facing prosecution for allegedly carrying out uncertified maintenance. The Civil Aviation Authority has also suspended the operating licence of Island Air Charters after a nine- seat aircraft flown by company owner Paul Ensor landed on mudflats near Tauranga on Thursday. Mr Ensor and the company have been grounded for 10 working days. The same plane had made "precautionary" landings on December 22 and Boxing Day after developing electrical problems, a CAA spokesman said. One of the landings was made after smoke appeared in the plane's cockpit. The company's licence had already been suspended on two other occasions this year
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Journalist Proud To Be Honoured

A journalist who has interviewed some of world's most controversial figures has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Peter Arnett, a New Zealand-born reporter who lives in America, says the honour is the pinnacle of his career and he is proud to receive it. Mr Arnett won a Pulitzer prize in 1966 for his reporting of the Vietnam War. Mr Arnett, who grew up in Invercargill, continues to make annual visits to the Southern Institute of Technology to talk to its journalism students.
NewsRoom 2006

No Cloned Meat On NZ Shelves After US Ruling: FSA

A United States ruling that food from cloned animals is safe to eat is unlikely to spark changes to food standards in New Zealand. The New Zealand Meat Board says there is no advantage in this country producing cloned meat products, despite the ruling in America that such food is safe to eat. A draft ruling from the United States Food and Drug Administration says cloned meat products are virtually indistinguishable from traditional ones, so labelling them isn't necessary.
© NewsRoom 2006

Campsite Evacuated Due To Flooding

A campsite near Geraldine in south Canterbury is being evacuated following heavy rain. The area involved is beside the Temoana River, which has broken its banks in some areas. The Regional Council's flood controller, Phillip Lees, says water has been flowing through the camp site. He says there was heavy rain around Timaru since Friday night. Snow is also expected in parts of Canterbury, Otago and Southland.
© NewsRoom 2006

Torrential rain causes flood problems in Ashburton

The Fire Service is rushed off its feet in Ashburton this morning, with surface flooding causing problems.
Torrential overnight rain has flooded several houses, although nobody has needed to be evacuated. Senior Station Officer Chris Price says the jobs started coming in around four this morning. He says they are a little over-worked, and are having to prioritise calls. Chris Price says around four inches of rain has fallen.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Model aircraft champs under way

The airspace above the Wairarapa was buzzing with flying machines on Friday in one of the largest gatherings of model pilots seen in New Zealand. More than 200 enthusiasts are putting their planes and helicopters through death-defying manoeuvres at the national model aircraft championships. The aircraft come in all shapes and sizes and their pilots from all walks of life. The championships continue until Tuesday.
Source:One News

Coastguard struggling to stay afloat

The unpaid heroes who put their lives at risk to save others in the waters around New Zealand are struggling to stay afloat. The Coastguard is a voluntary organisation which gets no government funding and relies on donations and membership fees to keep running. Now it is taking drastic measures to bail itself out and will charge $200 an hour to non-members who use the service. The northern region has 1000 volunteer coastguards patrolling between Raglan and Cape Reinga this summer and although their time is given freely rescues comes at a cost.
Source:One News

Cancer Doctor Starts Smoking In Protest

A Christchurch oncologist has started smoking to protest against ongoing industrial action being taken by radiation therapists. Chris Wynne, a senior cancer treatment specialist, says he knows smoking is stupid, but he feels it is the only thing left to do to draw attention to his patients' plight. The next three-day strike is planned for January 9 and will affect 250 cancer patients at Christchurch Hospital. Dr Wynne says the amount of money being argued over by Canterbury District Health Board and radiation therapists in the pay dispute is so small, that he and the other oncologists have offered to pay the difference themselves. He says he has had no response from either side to the offer.
© NewsRoom 2006

Diver rescued in Sounds

A woman's been rescued by Wellington's Westpac Helicopter after getting into difficulty while diving at the sunken Mikhail Lermontov cruise ship in Gore Bay, north of Picton. Emergency services were called after the 49 year old got into distress shortly after beginning her dive. Westpac Rescue chopper crewman, Dave Greenberg, says the woman got into trouble on the way down, and was helped back up by her diving buddy. She was unconscious when hauled back on the dive boat and was given CPR.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

No mail on Wednesday due to lack of demand

Mail delivery will be cancelled again for one day next week because of a lack of demand, says NZ Post. NZ Post spokesman Richard MacLean said delivery was cancelled on Wednesday this week and next week would be a "mirror image".
Copyright ©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

NZ authorities want rescue costs covered

By JOHN HENZELL - The Press
New Zealand authorities are trying to recover tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars spent rescuing an ill tourist from an Antarctic cruise ship. On December 16, two helicopters had to fly from Dunedin 480km south to the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands to rescue an ailing 63-year-old American man on board the chartered Russian icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov. A week later, another passenger on the Kapitan Khlebnikov, a 74-year-old Swiss woman, broke her leg and had to be flown on a special medivac flight by the United States Air Force from McMurdo Station in Antarctica to Christchurch, where she was treated at Christchurch Hospital.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Law change call to protect patients

Source:NZPA
Doctors at Rotorua Hospital want an immediate law change to ensure patient safety when hospital workers strike. Too many patients lives are put at risk and it is lucky nobody died during the recent run of strikes by junior doctors, radiographers and medical laboratory workers, they say. Patients were not completely aware of the risks and would never normally consent to treatment under conditions experienced in the strike, Dr Simon Scothern, deputy chairman of senior medical staff at the Lakes District Health Board, said. He told Rotorua's Daily Post there was too much ambiguity about what striking workers could be called in for.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Jobs may go in TVNZ review

By ANNA CHALMERS
Television New Zealand is undergoing major restructuring that could lead to job losses. Outside consultants have been brought in to review departments within the public broadcaster, including news and current affairs, which could face programming cuts. A source said high-cost, low-rating New Zealand programmes could face the axe as TVNZ moved to trim costs after senior managers had completed a six-month review of operations.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

World Wide Web-famous in Christchurch?

By ARWEN HANN
Start your search engines – a mysterious plane on the tarmac at Christchurch Airport may have ferried Google internet kings Sergey Brin and Larry Page to New Zealand. A Boeing 767 reportedly linked to billionaire Google co-owners Brin and Page was spotted at the airport yesterday afternoon. The Press was unable to confirm yesterday whether either of them was on board.
The chief executive of Christchurch based private jet charter company Pacific Jets, Terry Murdoch, said while the company had been involved in the plane's arrival, staff had signed confidentiality agreements forbidding them to reveal details of passengers or their plans.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

NZ study solves extinction mystery

Source:NZPA
Groundbreaking New Zealand-led research that could save a rare threatened rhino from extinction is giving hope to other endangered species worldwide. New Zealand conservation biologist Wayne Linklater, of Victoria University, is leading an international project testing a theory that high sugar levels in female black rhinos are the reason disproportionate numbers of males are being born. The theory has been borne out in his earlier research into Kaimanawa wild horses, and Dr Linklater told the New Zealand Herald it could be applied to other species. Dr Linklater said extreme male-biased births in captivity were common in many species, including zebras, gorillas and giraffes. About 71 per cent of black rhinos born in captivity are male, and research suggests more males are also born after black rhinos are transferred to new game reserves, Dr Linklater said.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Retirement Commission To Launch Review

The Retirement Commission will shortly begin a major review of the way New Zealanders prepare for retirement. The review is required under law and will look closely at the number of people saving and the methods they are using in comparison with other years. Retirement Commissioner Diana Crossan says she is confident the savings message is getting through, but says she will be very interested to see how much of a difference is being made. Ms Crossan says she hopes people using the Commission's financial advice website, www.sorted.co.nz, are getting the message about saving for retirement.
© NewsRoom 2006

Rising $NZ hitting exporters' bottom lines

The rising dollar is hitting the profit margins of exporters. The kiwi finished just above the 70 US cent mark at the close of trading yesterday. That is a rise of about 13 percent in just four months. Exporters were hoping for the dollar to end the year closer to 60 US cents. Chief Executive of Export New Zealand Bob Walters says the strong currency is hitting exporters' bottom lines but they are hanging in. He says the greatest impact is on agricultural exports.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

NIWA urges people to cover up in the sun

Record low ozone levels over Antarctica has NIWA warning people of ultraviolet rays this summer - even when it is not that warm. The size of the hole in the ozone layer means the risk of burning and subsequent skin cancer is the highest in New Zealand in six years. NIWA scientist Doctor Richard McKenzie says this means people have to take extra care during the middle of the day when ultraviolet levels are at their highest. He says if you have to be out in the middle of the day - especially between 11am and 4pm - try to avoid the sun or wear protective clothing.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

NZ top destination for migrating Aussies

New Zealand is the top destination for people leaving Australia permanently. In the year to June 13,915 Australians said they intended to settle in New Zealand. During the same period, 19,003 New Zealanders moved to Australia.
A total of 67,853 people left Australia permanently during 2005-06, up from 62,606 the previous year and 59,078 in 2003-04, Australian Immigration Department figures show.
Copyright ©2006 APN Holdings NZ Limited

PM wants action to fight extremism

Prime Minister Helen Clark is calling for action to avoid New Zealand developing the sort of extremism seen in immigrant communities in Britain. She has ordered greater government activity on religious and cultural diversity issues, The New Zealand Herald reported today. Miss Clark told the Herald that it was very obvious in some places overseas that there was extremism in second and third generations and that was worrying to societies concerned. "Now we haven't generated that and we don't want to generate that," she said before leaving for an overseas holiday.
Source:NZPA/Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

New Year push to get Kiwis to Pole

All going well New Zealand Antarctic adventurers Kevin Biggar and Jamie Fitzgerald will arrive at the South Pole the day after New Year's Day. Forty-six days into their unassisted sled trek to the pole, the pair today estimated another five days effort could get them to their destination. Biggar, 37, of Auckland, and Fitzgerald, 26, of Tauranga, won a trans-Atlantic rowing race in 2003 before turning their attention to their attempt to make the first ski trip to the pole without an airdrop of supplies.
Source:NZPA

Qantas To Drop Wellington-Christchurch Flights

Qantas is to suspend all its flights between Wellington and Christchurch from March. The airline currently offers 12 flights a week between the two cities. Qantas New Zealand general manager Grant Lilly says the service has not delivered the expected results and the decision is a reflection of the competitive conditions faced by airlines.
© NewsRoom 2006

Cirque Du Soleil is in Auckland again

Another Cirque Du Soleil show is soon on its way to New Zealand. Varekai is the story of a young man, Icarus, who begins a journey in the shadows of a magical forest amidst fantastical creatures. Promoter Chantel Blanchard says Varekai is full of colour and energy, with the signature Cirque Du Soliel drama and acrobatics seen in previous New Zealand shows; Alegria and Quidam.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Fire-fighters racing to extract plane from mudflats

It is a race against time for the plane that made an emergency landing near Tauranga today. Witnesses were worried the plane would crash into the ground when they heard its engines splutter and then cut out completely. However the pilot managed to bring it down safely in shallow water. The pilot escaped without injury but the plane is stuck in the mud-flats at Omokoroa. Fire-fighters are now trying to extract the plane before the tide comes in.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Coastguards busy with breakdowns

It has been a busy afternoon for Auckland coastguard. Duty Officer Joe Ottey says it was beautiful weather this morning, meaning a lot of boaties took their craft out - some for the first time in a while. A number have broken down and others have simply run out of fuel. In one of the more serious incidents, coastguard received a call from a crew who had rescued two people from the water off Kawau Island after their boat sank.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Courts issue warning to defaulters

Courts Minister Rick Barker has sent a warning to people owing court fines and reparations after a record year in the collection of overdue fines. Barker is warning New Zealanders that those owing money will be caught and will have to pay. The courts collected $206 million in the 2005/6 financial year - almost twice that of five years ago. Barker says they are getting more effective at getting the money in, both in dollar terms and in reducing the proportion of overdue fines.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Christchurch Cloth Nappy Subsidy Extended

A Christchurch scheme to subsidise cloth nappies has been so successful the city council has extended the trial for another month. The trial began in November with the council subsidising packs of cloth nappies in a bid to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, and in the first month 600 packs were purchased. Each pack offered a $20 discount when bought from a local supplier taking part in the scheme. Households using disposable nappies send about 60 rubbish bags full of them to Christchurch's landfill each year - an amount that would take about 200 years to decompose. The promotion is funded by the Council's Community Waste Minimisation Scheme.
© NewsRoom 2006

Fiji lures Kiwis with price cuts

By MATTHEW TORBIT - The Dominion Post
New Zealanders are being lured back to Fiji with heavily discounted holidays as the islands' tourism industry does its best to shrug off political unrest. Flight Centre spokesman John McGuinness said Fijian tourism officials had dropped travel and accommodation prices by up to 50 per cent to counter the ill-effects of the December 4 coup. After Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama seized the country, the New Zealand Government advised against travel to Fiji, and the tourism trade virtually plummeted overnight. However, the cut-price deals, combined with the Foreign Affairs Ministry reducing its travel risk advisory to areas outside Suva on December 21, have seen a big rise in those wanting to holiday in Fiji.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

West Coast Residents Protest Losing Free Healthcare

Some West Coast residents are protesting against the loss of free primary health care as their District Health Board disbands a historic agreement. For the past 60 years, the deal has provided free treatment to people living in some areas considered to be geographically isolated and disadvantaged. Now the West Coast DHB says conditions in these areas are no worse than in other parts of the region, so special treatment isn't necessary. The DHB's chief executive officer, Kevin Hague, says people living in similar areas elsewhere pay for their healthcare.
© NewsRoom 2006

(Horse)Race day excitement returns

Auckland Racing is celebrating a return to the heady days of the early 1980s, after a huge crowd at Ellerslie for the Boxing Day races. More than 20,000 punters pushed $1.3 million through the tote yesterday. Auckland Racing CEO Chris Weaver says it was the best crowd for more than 20 years.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Injuries in Sydney to Hobart yacht race

Three yachts have been forced out of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Seven crew members were injured when the New Zealand-owned Maximus lost its mast this morning. Owner Bill Buckley, has an injured knee. Andrea Treleaven, the wife of another crew member, says her husband Ian has a huge cut across his forehead, which has produced a lot of blood. The other injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. A helicopter is on the scene, airlifting people to safety.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Leaping dolphin hits woman in NZ

A woman was seriously injured when she was struck by a leaping dolphin as she sat in a small boat in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty. Authorities said the creature apparently didn't see the boat before it leapt from the water near Slipper Island in the western reaches of the bay, on New Zealand's North Island. The dolphin's considerable mass hit the woman as she sat in the bow of the boat. The dolphin swam off, apparently unharmed. A spokesman for the Auckland rescue helicopter said the 27-year-old had been taken to Auckland Hospital's intensive care unit in a serious condition.

Man charged with pirating movies

A Taupo man is due in court next month on charges of pirating movies. The 56-year-old was arrested after a joint investigation by Taupo police and the Movie Producers Association watchdog, New Zealand Federation Against Copyright Theft. A search of the man's house turned up hundreds of DVD discs, but he has been charged with pirating only three movies. The man is the second person to be charged in Taupo with obtaining pirated movies from illegal Internet sites this year. In October, another man was sentenced to 160 hours' community work and his computer equipment destroyed for selling pirated movies.
The Dominion Post/Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Rotting shark heads wash ashore

Residents of Riverton, in Southland, got an unwelcome early Christmas present when about 100 decomposing shark heads washed ashore from a fishing boat on Christmas Eve. Environment Southland senior technical officer Graeme McKenzie said he was notified of the reeking remains by a member of the public, and it took a contractor and his staff nearly six hours to clean them up. Mr McKenzie said it was the first case he had come across in which fishing waste had washed ashore in such quantity.
The Southland Times/Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Schools call in debts on unpaid fees

By ARWEN HANN
Parents who owe thousands of dollars in unpaid school fees are forcing schools to consider hiring debt collectors or divert money from other areas. Principals said money owed for extra curricular activities like school camps or swimming lessons meant schools were effectively subsidising them and could not afford to buy new educational equipment. Christchurch's Addington Primary School is even considering calling in debt collectors to pursue parents who do not cough up after discovering families owed $4500 in unpaid fees this year. The school announced the move in its end-of-year newsletter, saying parents owed nearly $3000 for swimming lessons alone.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Bumper breeding season for albatross

After a drastic breeding season last year life is looking good for the world's largest sea bird at Taiaroa Heads in Dunedin. The Northern Royal albatross are enjoying a bumper egg laying season - of the 31 eggs laid, 28 are fertile
"The colony started in the late sort of 1930s from just one or two pairs there to having something like 28 pairs now, doesn't seem like a lot, but it is quite significant because we know that these things are just so slow in breeding," says Taiaroa Head ranger Lyndon Perriman. There are only about 20,000 Northern Royal albatross left in the world - around 140 of them at Taiaroa Heads - so their breeding success is extremely important.
Source:One News

Traffic problems for Wellington

The mass exodus north from Wellington continues to cause massive delays. Police say it has been taking up to four hours to travel from the city to Otaki. There is no sign of traffic easing either, as motorists continue to use State Highway One to travel north. Good news though in the Johnsonville area with the fog lifting, making driving less hazardous.
Police are urging motorists to avoid adding to the log-jam and consider travelling tomorrow. Auckland traffic is flowing well with no reports of delays or crashes.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Antarctica workers flown out

There are reports three United States workers have been evacuated from research facilities in Antarctica, on two separate medical evacuation flights. Officials are not saying anything about why they have been flown out. The United States' McMurdo Station base in Antarctica has confirmed there were two medivac flights back to New Zealand on consecutive days just before Christmas.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Christchurch surgeon offers help to dog attack victim

By KIM THOMAS
The family of a South African girl whose foot was severed in a vicious dog attack has moved to Christchurch so the girl can have ground-breaking surgery. Charley Du Toit, seven, had her entire left foot ripped off about two years ago by her grandmother's bull terrier in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since the accident, Charley has had 19 operations to reattach and rebuild the foot, including having her right calf muscle implanted into a hole in her left ankle. But she needs an operation performed by only a few doctors worldwide to help her leg grow. Charley's family moved to Christchurch several months ago after learning Canterbury orthopaedic surgeon John McKie could perform the surgery and would charge hundreds of thousands of dollars less than doctors in other parts of the world.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Telecom switch hits charities

By JOANNA DAVIS
Charity groups are reeling from the impact of changes to sponsorship by Telecom, which has dumped its not-for-profit concessions in favour of slightly reduced business rates. The change means the groups are no longer entitled to half-price line rental and free local calls. Instead, they are put on business rates with a 5 per cent discount across all their telecommunications bill, including broadband, mobile phones and toll calls. Some charities, already struggling to attract volunteers as people spend more time at work, say the change is adding hundreds of dollars to their yearly costs.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Boxing Day sales underway

If you were waiting for today's Boxing Day sales to buy late Christmas presents, you could be chancing it.
The Retailers Association says Boxing Day sales are becoming an increasingly significant part of the retail calendar and this year look like being as popular as ever. Spokesman John Albertson says there are always some bargains, but not necessarily much variety, as the choice can be limited to leftover stock from Christmas. He says store owners use the sales to get stock levels back to normal after ordering big shipments for the festive season.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Cold New Year

Don't pack away the winter gear just yet, there is one more cold snap on the way just in time for the new year. Summer officially started on December the first, but the month has been full of cold, wet and windy weather. MetService forecaster Allister Gorman says the new year should bring some decent weather. He says we have another cold snap to get through, but the new year could bring fine weather to most parts of the country.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Sheep Up For Adoption

A Southland farmer has put his whole sheep flock up for adoption on the Internet. Chris Adams runs 7,000 sheep on his property Brightview in Otautau, near Winton, and has launched a website which allows people to adopt their own sheep. The joy of adoption does not come cheap, with packages from $130 to $400, but Mr Adams says there are many options for owners. He says adoptive parents will be kept informed of their sheep's welfare, be able to visit it, name it, and in the near future will even be able to watch it on a webcam. Mr Adams says by adopting a sheep, people will be able to learn about New Zealand farming and its way of life.
© NewsRoom 2006

English Second Language For Many Nursing Students

A new survey says more than half of the first year nursing students in Auckland speak English as a second language. Unitech's School of Health Sciences says the survey of almost 700 students found 44 native languages and 49 ethnicities. The school's head, Maurice Drake, says the students passed English language exams before they started training but the variety of cultures is still a challenge for teachers.
© NewsRoom 2006

SPCA To Continue Fireworks Ban Lobby

The SPCA says while it will continue to push for an outright ban on fireworks sales, it does support a government move to review the intensity of some of the fireworks available. The Government has reduced the number of days fireworks can be sold and raised the age limit, as well as saying it will look at the types of fireworks being sold. The SPCA's chief executive, Robyn Kippenberger, says most pets and farm animals are terrified by fireworks, which are getting louder. She says every year during Guy Fawkes, animals die through shock or fleeing fireworks.
© NewsRoom 2006

NZ wins bid to host netball world champs

Source:NZPA
New Zealand has won the rights to host the 2007 netball world championships after Fiji was stripped of the event because of its military coup. The International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) made the announcement today (NZT), saying the event would be delayed until November 2007, rather than the July dates scheduled for Fiji. That would give New Zealand time "to make full preparations for the event and maximise the commercial opportunities". After discussions with the international body, Netball New Zealand had determined that only Auckland and Christchurch had venues big enough to host the competition, and a decision would be made between the two.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Queen's Christmas message podcast

The Queen's Christmas message will be available as a podcast for the first time this year. Subscribers can order the free podcast in advance from www.royal.gov.uk to receive the message automatically at 3pm local time on Christmas Day (2am AEDT Boxing Day). The message will be aired on television and radio in the United Kingdom at the same time. It will be broadcast across the Commonwealth according to various time zones and can also be watched online.

NZ man behind bars in Lebanon

A former New Zealand soldier is behind bars in Lebanon and two other kiwis are reportedly on the run amid accusations they are part of a mercenary squad that kidnapped two girls in a cross-border child custody battle. David Bruce Pemberton has been imprisoned in Lebanon on suspicion of masterminding the kidnap of the two daughters of Canadian Melissa Hawach from her estranged Australian husband north of Beirut. Australian Brian Desmond Corrigan has also been arrested. The duo were hauled from a plane at Beirut's international airport on Wednesday afternoon and could face up to 15 years' jail on charges of kidnapping minors. Another former Australian soldier, James Arak, and two more New Zealand mercenaries have fled the country.
Source:One News

Stranded whales die

Two massive whales that stranded themselves on Waverley Beach north of Wanganui have died. The male sperm whales, each weighing about 50 tonnes, were caught by the outgoing tide. At 17 metres long and three metres high, the whales were too big to be refloated. Their jaw bones have been removed for local iwi and they will be buried.
Source:One News

Oldest New Zealander turns 113

NZPA
New Zealand's oldest resident celebrated her 113th birthday yesterday in Hastings with cake and four friends. Florence Finch, a Londoner, came to New Zealand in 1969 to join her daughter and son-in-law in to Hawke's Bay after the death of her husband. Friend Brian Keogh told the New Zealand Herald she saw the move as an adventure. "Florence was born on December 22, 1893, and is a grand old lady," he said. "She remembers horse-drawn trams and was 21 when World War 1 started."
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Netball announcement today

International netballers looking forward to sunny Fiji may now face a chilly South Island. The International Federation of Netball Associations is expected to award Netball New Zealand the right to host the 2007 World Netball Championships when it makes an announcement today. Stadium Southland boss Nigel Skelt says Invercargill and other cities including Auckland will be vying to host the tournament . He says Invercargill is home to a fanatical netball fan base which would even turn up to watch the poorer teams. The tournament is likely to be held in November rather than the previously scheduled date of July. Fiji lost the rights following the bloodless coup let by military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
© 2006 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Rebel NZ side sought for Fiji sevens

By KENT ATKINSON - NZPA
The Fiji Rugby Union is trying to recruit a rebel New Zealand team to its revived Fiji International 7s tournament next month.
The 16 team competition planned for Lautoka's Churchill Park is reported to have dropped to a 12-team competition after the United States, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand pulled out in the wake of military coup that toppled the elected government. The Cook Island today confirmed it will send a team, bringing to 10 the teams confirmed so far including Canada, Fiji, Japan, New Caledonia, Niue, Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu. FRU chief executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua told the FijiVillage website the union was pushing for 12 teams and is trying to arrange for a team from Australia and New Zealand.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

UV levels approach new high

Slapping on the sunscreen has been given extra priority by scientists who are predicting near-record ultraviolet levels over New Zealand this summer. The peak ultraviolet index will be significantly higher than the past six years, and will be close to the all-time maximum observed in the summer of 1998-99. Analysis by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research has shown that spring levels of ozone over the southern hemisphere were the lowest since satellite observations began in 1979. The World Meteorological Origination has reported that the Antarctic ozone hole reached near-record proportions this year
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Flag marks Emperor's birthday

Japan's national flag is flying from the Auckland Harbour Bridge today in recognition of the country's national day. Emperor Akihito, the 125th emperor of Japan, is celebrating his 73rd birthday today.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Fireworks Sales Period Cut, New Age Limit

The Government has announced fireworks will be on sale for only three days next year and only to people aged 18-years and over. The restrictions come after trouble with fireworks at Guy Fawkes time for several years, including fires being started. Environment Minister David Benson-Pope says the restrictions on young teenagers purchasing fireworks will make the Guy Fawkes season less taxing for the Fire Service and police.
© NewsRoom 2006

NZ had indigenous land-based mammals

THE discovery of fossilized remains of a mouse-like animal that lived at least 16 million years ago is the first hard evidence that New Zealand had its own indigenous land mammals, a researcher said yesterday. New Zealand paleontologist Trevor Worthy and his team members say they discovered two parts of a jaw and a femur (thighbone) - about the size of a fingernail - during digs in New Zealand's Central Otago region from 2002 until 2004. Their findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week. Until now, the only fossils discovered in New Zealand were those of flying mammals like bats as well as birds and marine mammals, Worthy said, adding that his team had earlier discovered fossils from 24 bird species and a crocodile at the same hilly site in Central Otago that once was a huge lake.

Fiji travel warning change

A high risk travel warning remains in place for Suva, but the warning for the rest of Fiji has been downgraded. The advisory was put in place following the country's bloodless coup led by military commander Frank Bainimarama. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the situation in Fiji is calm, but a rapid deterioration cannot be ruled out. It is recommending against all non-essential travel to the capital and advises caution for travellers in the rest of the islands.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

White Christmas no dream as hail blows up a storm

Merty the dog races through the hail at Edna Place, Opotiki, after yesterday afternoon's storm. Parts of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty were blanketed with hail yesterday as a freakish weather pattern shifted across the central North Island. Unseasonal weather had Tokoroa looking like a Northern Hemisphere Christmas card after hailstones the size of 10c coins struck in an intense 10-minute storm about 5.30pm.
Copyright ©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Conservationists Christmas present

Department of Conservation workers checking on a population of endangered orange-fronted kakariki sent to an island off Fiordland a year ago to breed are breaking out the champagne. They have found at least 16 new birds on Chalky Island. It given fresh hope to efforts to prevent the critically endangered parakeet from becoming extinct. DOC has another 16 chicks, bred in captivity in Christchurch, which it hopes to also transport to the island in January.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Adopt-a-sheep scheme

Adopting foreign babies might be the trend for Hollywood celebrities, but a Southland farming and tourism business has something new up for adoption. Brightview farm - near Otautau - has introduced a website which allows people to adopt their very own sheep. As part of the package the lucky parents will be kept informed of their sheep's welfare, and even be able to visit it, buy it presents, paint it and name it. The venture targets schools and people from overseas in an effort to teach them about New Zealand farming practices.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Giant silver fern on LA beach

A New Zealand firm plans to build a giant sand sculpture of the silver fern on Santa Monica beach in Los Angeles on Waitangi Day. A similar 100 metre long sculpture was built on Bethells Beach in Waitakere in 2001. The LA sculpture is being built to launch the Made From New Zealand website to coincide with Waitangi Day celebrations. Spokesman Simon Shattky says the sculpture symbolises New Zealanders making their mark on the world and the website is being developed as an online community of New Zealand businesses and entrepreneurs.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Country's Largest Stamp Collection Sold

A retired Ashburton man who has just sold the country's largest stamp collection says it was just a spur of the moment thing. Ray Walkham says he decided to sell 900-volume stamp collection valued at $7 million after talks with John Mowbray of Mowbray collectables. He says he wanted to leave his collection in safe hands as his family aren't interested in stamp collecting. Mr Walkham started collecting almost 70 years ago.
© NewsRoom 2006

Hoax website claims to sell NZ-farmed penguins

A hoax American website claiming to sell live penguins that have been farmed in New Zealand has fooled some people into trying to buy the cold water birds. Penguin Warehouse Inc has offered to ship seven types of penguins around the world, claiming their aim is to "dispel the myth that penguins do not make good house guests", while also "ridding the house of pesky krill", the Press newspaper reported today. An American woman bought a large portable swimming pool, which she installed in her living-room ready for a penguin she dubbed Magellan. The woman said she started to get suspicious a couple of days later after the company had not replied to her order. Hans Kriek, the campaign director of Christchurch-based Save Animals From Exploitation, downplayed fears that New Zealand's standing as a humane country is at risk. "Most people wouldn't fall for it, so I don't think it will be harmful to us," he said.
NZPA

Oxford vetoes Kiwi's reform

Kiwi academic John Hood has lost a crucial vote to reform the way one of Britain's most celebrated institutions, Oxford University, is run. It is the second time in his two-year stint as vice-chancellor of the 900-year-old university that he has been rebuffed in efforts to overhaul some of the university's practices. In a postal ballot of senior academics to determine whether the university should adopt plans to hand over much of its administration to business and political outsiders, 1540 (60 per cent) voted against the proposal with 997 in favour. The defeat, which follows another lost preliminary vote in November, threatens to undermine the former Auckland University vice-chancellor's role though he said yesterday he wanted to continue to lead Oxford. Dr Hood accepted that while good governance, which he had sought by cutting the size of the university council was "vital ... it is not our only priority". He had also wanted to establish separate academic and financial boards.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

More firefighters to be sent to help Australians

The number of New Zealand firefighters sent to help to battle bushfires in Australia may reach 100, after a formal request for more help from Victorian state officials. The Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment made its second formal request for the firefighters yesterday, as Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker and National Rural Fire Officer Murray Dudfield visited Melbourne. Mr Dudfield said New Zealand had been asked to provide 50 firefighters and two incident management teams.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Telecom customers hit by email delay

By SUE ALLEN
Telecom customers have been hit by another setback, with a fault in an international connection causing email delays and failed Internet access. Aaron Gascoigne, from Auckland-based fund manager WRF, who uses Telecom's Xtra service to connect with his company's Australian offices, said he had been unable to get any international connections for six hours yesterday. He could only gain access to New Zealand sites with .co.nz addresses through his Xtra service, "which makes it useless for my business". "New Zealand has been cut off from the outside world effectively."
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

HIV drug funded

People taking four tablets a day for HIV will soon need to take just one. It follows a decision by the Government's drug funding agency PHARMAC to fund Kivexia which is a combination of two medicines. PHARMAC estimates nearly 250 patients will benefit. It says not only will it be easier for patients and prescribing doctors, but is also expected to save District Health Boards money as the combination pill is cheaper than the individual medicines. Savings are expected to amount to $1.5 million over five years.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Boost for citrus growers

Citrus fruit growers have been given a multi million dollar boost, with news fruit can now be exported to the United States. The breakthrough which follows several years of talks, is estimated to bring around $2 million in new business, quickly increasing to around $10 million a year. Chairman of New Zealand Citrus Growers, Rick Curtis, says it means access to a huge, wealthy economy well-suited to New Zealand's high quality niche products. He says the deal also removes some of the industry's reliance on Japan's markets.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

High demand for school holiday programmes

It is the first day of the Christmas school holidays for nearly half a million primary school children and many will be heading straight out of the classroom and into school holiday programmes. Demand for places in council-run programmes around the Wellington region is increasing every year. Registrations opened three weeks ago and most programmes are already full for the summer. Wei Ting, who is in charge of the Hutt City Council's programme, says they are also seeing a lot more of some children. Most programmes start after Christmas.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Bus company has licence revoked

Safety officials have revoked the licence of a Northland bus company with a fleet of 12 vehicles, many of which are used on school runs. The company concerned is Kaikohe-based Otene Buses. Land Transport New Zealand says it has found some of the buses have serious safety defects and expired Certificates of Fitness. Some of the drivers also had no licences to carry passengers.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Mayhem in the malls

Retailers are expecting mayhem in the malls over the next few days. It is already busy, with shoppers zapping $1.3 billion worth of goods through their plastic cards in the past week, with nearly 23 million electronic transactions between December 12 and 20. That is a seven percent increase of the equivalent period last year, but Simon Tong, the Chief Executive of electronic transaction provider Paymark, says analysis of shopping patterns suggests consumers have been saving up for a final burst over the weekend. He expects the weekend to see the 100 transactions per second barrier broken, with more than three million transactions in a single day.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Breast cancer rates drop in NZ

Dropping breast cancer rates in New Zealand have been linked to the massive reduction in the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by women. New Zealand figures for breast cancer fell six per cent in 2003, to 80.6 cases per 100,000 - 2,297 women. This was down from 86 cases per 100,000 in 2002 and 86.6 cases per 100,000 2001, the New Zealand Herald reported.

NZ pioneer brings cure for diabetes a step closer

Ground-breaking Auckland medical scientist Bob Elliott has devised a revolutionary treatment to prevent Type 1 diabetes. The experimental treatment has been used only in mice, but it has produced good results. If these continue, trials on people could start within 10 years. Type 1 diabetes affects about 11,000 New Zealanders. It usually occurs in childhood and leaves sufferers unable to produce insulin - used by the body to process glucose - and needing regular injections of synthetic insulin. The new approach developed by Professor Elliott and his team at Living Cell Technologies involves injecting cells taken from neonatal piglets and coated with a gel to protect them from the human immune system.

Nick Smith tops naughty list

National's Nick Smith tops the list of Parliament's worst-behaved MPs for 2006. The list is compiled annually by United Future leader Peter Dunne. The ranking system is based on one point for being asked by Speaker Margaret Wilson to withdraw and apologise and three points for being thrown out of the House. Smith leads by a country mile with six withdrawals and five expulsions. His National colleague Tau Henare is in second place. Yet another National MP, Gerry Brownlee, comes in at third, followed closely by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. Trevor Mallard is placed at fifth and Labour's Dover Samuels is sixth. Last years' winner, ACT leader Rodney Hide, doesn't make the list this time round.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Coup costing Fiji tourism millions

Fiji's coup is costing the country $1.3 million a day in lost tourism dollars. Almost deserted holiday resorts are being forced to slash their prices by 40% and cut local staff in a desperate bid to stem cancellations. Resort owner Jim Sherlock, a Kiwi, is a bit stressed and says the current situation is pretty tough. "We were empty for a long time, but we have actually got one guest right now. He is an American diver. He doesn't know much about what is happening in Fiji, just as well," Sherlock says. Nothing it seems clears the pool faster than a coup, or in his opinion heavy handed travel warnings issued by both New Zealand and Australia.
Source:One News

MetService dreaming of a White Christmas

The weather might be about to deliver a summer rarity for New Zealand - snow. Met Service spokesman Bob McDavitt says there are road snow warnings out for Lindis Pass and Porter's Pass in the South Island. Mr McDavitt says Porter's Pass can expect between two and five centimetres of snow to fall until around 10pm tonight. He says the southerly blasts should be moving away for the weekend.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Friday a big day on the ferries

The Interislander ferry service will move the most passengers ever in one day through its Wellington terminal, on Friday. Nearly 8000 passengers are booked to travel either way across the Cook Strait. Many sailings between the capital and Picton before Christmas are now fully booked. Interislander staff are urging people to make sure they check in as early as possible.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Forces to remain in Solomons till 2008

The government has announced New Zealand's involvement in the Solomon Islands' Regional Assistance Mission is to be extended. Prime Minister Helen Clark says the deployment will be maintained until March 2008. She says that covers the 50 defence personnel and the 35 police officers who are there on an ongoing basis. Clark says the decision has also been made to keep a military liaison officer with the UN in Afghanistan until next September.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Union sounds warning to employers

The country's largest union is sounding a warning to employers next year following the 9.8 percent increase in the minimum wage. The 50,000 strong Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union claims the increase will have a strong flow-on effect in 2007. Secretary Andrew Little says wages are growing faster now than at any time in the past 15 years and the union is aiming to continue the trend in the new year. He says it will be a key factor when the union sets its wage target for the 2007 bargaining round, due to begin in February. Mr Little says wages for working families are still a lot lower than they should be and it is up to unions to change that.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

More Dreamliners for Air NZ

Air New Zealand is doubling its future fleet of "Dreamliners" by placing an order for another four Boeing 787-9s. The jets cost around $1 billion each and have the capacity to fly non-stop to regions such as South Africa, India and South America. The first of the new planes is due in service in 2011. Air New Zealand is not revealing which route they will be scheduled on, but says it is committed to launching at least one new international route each year.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Air NZ seeking 80 engineers

Air New Zealand is seeking to employ about 80 engineering staff, having laid off around 300 similar workers just 10 months ago. The recruiting effort follows the airline's success in gaining two contracts to install in-flight entertainment systems for Virgin Blue and British charter carrier Thomsonfly, The Dominion Post reported. Air New Zealand will also carry out heavy maintenance checks on Thomsonfly's nine Boeing 767-300s. Technical operations general manager Chris Nassenstein said 37 recruits were needed at the Auckland wide-body and Christchurch narrow-body maintenance bases.
Another 46 temporary staff were needed in Christchurch for the 10-month Virgin Blue contract.

Cullen admits he is a Grinch

Finance Minister Michael Cullen is now even referring to himself as The Grinch and is not about to enter into the spirit of Christmas by offering tax cuts further down the track. Dr Cullen says the economy is taking a breather after the strongest period of expansion for 30 years. In his Budget policy statement he says high employment has boosted tax revenue and there has been a reduction in benefit payments. Still he is not about to give it back through tax cuts even though he will have another billion dollars to play with in next year's Budget. He says that would inevitably trigger a rise in interest rates and bring further pressure on the dollar.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Call To Include Children In Free Counselling Sessions

The Families Commission says free counselling for children when their parents separate could reduce the number of cases in Family Court. Parents going through a separation can get six hours of free counselling through the Family Court, and a study by the Commission has looked at including children in the sessions. The study was conducted by Auckland University family policy researcher, Jill Goldson, who says all 17 families taking part reported benefits, particularly improved communication. She says that can help resolve outstanding issues and remove the need to go to Family Court.
© NewsRoom 2006

Kiwis hungry for cactus diet pill

By MATTHEW TORBIT
Illegal imports of a diet pill made from an endangered cactus have soared since its endorsement by American television talkshow queen Oprah Winfrey. The diet pills, made from the rare southern African Hoodia cactus, are widely believed to suppress the appetite. However, the plant is on an international endangered species list and cannot be imported into New Zealand without certification. Conservation Department officer Jane Denton said that since Oprah's endorsement of the pills last July, interceptions of Hoodia entering New Zealand had risen sharply. In most instances people had bought them online. Individuals found importing Hoodia face fines of up to $50,000 and three years' jail. Companies are liable for fines of up to $100,000, Ms Denton said.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Visitor, long term arrivals increase

Just over 2.4 million people came here in the year to the end of November - the highest-ever number for a 12-month period. There were 230,000 short term overseas arrivals last month. More visitor arrivals from Australia (up 6,500 or 10 percent) and Europe (up 5,300 or 10 percent) contributed the majority of the increase. The increase in visitor arrivals from China continued, up 2,200 (19 percent) compared with November 2005.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Dollar steady after figures released

The dollar is steady following the release of the government's latest financial forecasts. Treasury has revised up its operating surpluses and growth projections for the next three years. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says the government will keep the lid on spending, to avoid inflation and the resulting pressure on interest rates. The forecast operating surplus for the current financial year has been raised by more than eight and a half percent, to $6.3 billion.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Oil reserve promises met

The Government has responded to a smack on the wrist about the state of the country's oil reserves. In May, an International Energy Agency report criticised the Government for having its stockpiles at just 60 days worth of net imports as opposed to the 90 day level it had signed up to. At the time New Zealand was described as having the worst record of any IEA member country. Energy Minister David Parker says as of the beginning of next month the country will be meeting its oil reserve obligations. He says ticket contracts have been bought to meet the fuel targets with the reserves to be held in Australia, the Netherlands and the UK.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Fire in 737 tail was actually a flame-out

An Air New Zealand plane at the centre of a lunch-time scare at Auckland airport is already back in the air after being thoroughly checked by engineers. There were reports the tail of the Boeing 737 had caught fire but an Air New Zealand spokeswoman says it was merely a flame-out .It was caused by a rogue gust of wind which blew just as the pilot switched on an auxiliary power unit as he taxied to the passenger gate. She says there was no risk to anyone.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Duke Of York To Visit

The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, is to visit New Zealand in March. The prince will take part in a special ceremony in Rotorua on March 17 to recognise the gallantry of the Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi. Lance Sergeant Manahi was not awarded the Victoria Cross during World War Two, despite recommendations that his gallantry warranted the highest award for valour. Earlier this year the government along with Te Arawa and Buckingham Palace announced it would hold a special ceremony to recognise Lance Sergeant Manahi's deeds. The Duke will also undertake a range of other activities while in New Zealand, however they have not yet been finalised.
© NewsRoom 2006

No ban on cellphones in cars, for now

Prime Minister Helen Clark has left the door open for a ban on drivers' use of hand-held cellphones in future. Miss Clark said today Cabinet decided a while ago against the ban on using cellphones while driving because research showed it would make little or no difference to the road toll "The reason a ban wasn't agreed to at that time was that information we had was it might – underlining might – save one life a year." she said on TV's Breakfast programme. "Now that has to be put against the inconvenience of the travelling public." She said the matter could be revisited if evidence showed a ban would make a significant difference.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

NZ police consultant helps make Irish history

New Zealand police consultant Mary Schollum will help make Irish history tonight when she testifies to a corruption inquiry in Ireland by video link from Wellington. Her appearance would be the first time state-of-the-art video technology had been used by a witness at an Irish judicial inquiry, The Irish Examiner newspaper said today. The corruption inquiry is addressing allegations of the 1990s and early 2000s against the Garda, Ireland's national police force. Ms Schollum will be asked about on best practice techniques for police interrogation.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Hacker sues bank for his time

A man who admitted hacking into the Reserve Bank's telephone system now wants $7500 from the organisation for using his information to upgrade its security. Security consultant Gerry Macridis walked free from court despite admitting he accessed the bank's computer-controlled phone system without authorisation. He is now threatening legal action to be paid for work done to fix the security flaws. Mr Macridis admits the bank never sought his help, but it used his knowledge to block future breaches. "The typical `market value' of the information was some $7500," he says in a letter being sent to Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard today advising of the lawsuit.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

1.25 million Kiwis shopping online

The number of New Zealanders shopping online is four times higher now than it was five years ago, a new survey shows. The Nielsen Media Panorama report showed more than 1.25 million New Zealanders shopped online in the past year, compared to just 300,000 in 2001. Of the 1.25 million online shoppers, 80 per cent had shopped online in the past three months, Nielsen said. It was estimated that online spending on used goods, new goods and services exceeded $1.5 billion in 2006. Most money was spent on airline tickets at $508 million, with travel-related services, such as hotels and car hire at $233 million, computer hardware at $183 million, and clothing and shoes at $149 million.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

NZ Post defends Christmas stamps

New Zealand Post is defending this year's Christmas stamp issue. It follows accusations by the Vatican newspaper that some countries are waging a war against Christmas. It says religious references on stamps are disappearing with stamps now featuring snowmen or deer rather than the three wise men or the star of Bethlehem. However, New Zealand Post spokesman Ivor Masters says this year's stamps are a result of a children's competition. He says it includes some traditional images as well as a variety of scenes about what Christmas means to them. Ivor Masters says next year they will be back with more traditional Christmas images.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Air NZ reveals new domestic flights

A boon for Southland air travellers. Direct flights from Invercargill to Wellington are clear for take off in the New Year. Air New Zealand has also announced that there will be more non stop flights to Wellington from Queenstown and Dunedin Air New Zealand manager of short haul airlines , Norm Thompson says the increase will mean new jobs Additional flight attendants will be recruited and regional crew bases extended to support the increased Air Nelson operations
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Unbundling a highlight of political year

Prime Minister Helen Clark is pointing to the unbundling of the local loop as one of the highpoints of the year in Parliament. The legislation opening up Telecom's lines to competitors finally made it through the House last week. Miss Clark says it will lead to faster and cheaper broadband.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

NZ military team to defuse tiny deathtraps in Lebanon

By Paula Oliver
A team of 10 New Zealand military staff will fly to Lebanon in the new year to find and pick apart unexploded bomblets littering the landscape. As many as 1.2 million unexploded devices are estimated to be covering Lebanon's countryside after this year's conflict between Israel and Hizbollah. Many, fired in the final hours of the conflict, were cluster bombs that scattered bomblets about the size of tennis balls. New Zealand would help by sending a team of four explosive ordnance disposal technicians and six surveyors to join a United Nations force.
Copyright ©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Overlander May Need Extra Carriages

The Overlander train service is so heavily booked this summer that it may need extra carriages to cater to demand. The 98-year-old Auckland to Wellington service was threatened with closure earlier this year when its operator, Toll New Zealand, said the service was losing too much money. Now Toll says the service is 85 percent full, compared with 50 percent at this time last year. But Toll says the trend needs to continue to ensure the future of the service.
© NewsRoom 2006

NZ leads another anti-whaling protest

New Zealand will lead the biggest protest yet against Japan's whaling. Representatives from 27 countries approached the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Friday to express disgust about the slaughtering of whales which Japan claims is for scientific research. Japan intends to kill up to 935 Antarctic minke whales and 10 fin whales this summer. Conservation Minister Chris Carter says whales are already facing huge challenges to their survival from an environment that is changing around them and a protest group will be approaching the fishing ministry today.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Tractors begin destroying corn crops

Tractors are already at work destroying GE contaminated sweetcorn plantings on Gisborne and Hawke's Bay farms. A Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry spokesman said the 258.4 hectares of sweetcorn - just over 201ha on 13 properties in Hawke's Bay, and 57ha on five Gisborne farms - will be harrowed. Farmers will be able to replant as soon as the work is done, which may mean some will be able to get replacement crops in the ground before Christmas. Syngenta, the American company that provided the GE-contaminated sweetcorn seed sown in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne, has said growers will be compensated for their losses.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

No guarantee of free childhood education hours

By RUTH HILL
Some parents may be unable to get free early childhood education hours for their children - as promised by Labour before last year's election - if centres decide it's not worth their while. The government plans to roll out 20 hours' free early childhood education from July, but many providers are taking a "wait and see approach" until funding subsidies are revealed next month.
Kidicorp's chief financial officer Bruce Woodward said his company - the largest private provider of early childhood services in the country - had not decided whether to offer free hours. "We don't know if the funding will meet the cost of providing the free hours, particularly for operations such as ours that have an expectation of a return on investment."
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

Service Marks 65 Years Since Neptune Sinking

A commemoration for those who have died serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy was held in Christchurch on Sunday morning. The service marked 65 years since 150 New Zealanders died when the HMS Neptune sank near Libya. The British Leander-class light cruiser was built in Portsmouth during 1931 and launched during 1933. On the night of December 19, 1941, one of the most extensive but least known naval disasters of World War II happened. The cruiser ran into an uncharted minefield in the Mediterranean Sea off Tripoli and sank, losing 764 officers and men.
© NewsRoom 2006

Firefighters still in hospital

Four of the New Zealand firefighters injured in the Victorian bushfires remain in hospital with serious injuries. The men were with a team fighting a blaze in the Mount Terrible sector of northeastern Victoria yesterday when the fire became too intense for them to escape. They were forced to crouch in a ditch as the fire roared past overhead. National Rural Fire officer Murray Dudfield says three of the men have the most serious injuries. Barrie Hunt, who comes from Christchurch, has serious burns to his hands, face and airway. John Tupura from Rotorua and Nick McCabe from Nelson have serious burns to their faces and hands. Lawrence Rangiwaia, Glenn Stichbury and Tim Allan all come from Gisborne. They have less serious injuries, including smoke inhalation and burns to their arms.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Historic bridge upgrade

The West Coast's historic wooden Arahura Bridge is to have an extreme make-over. The bridge just north of Hokitika on State Highway Six was originally built in 1887. It is 204 metres long and 3.2 metres wide. Transport Minister Annette King has announced ONTRACK will be replacing the wooden structure with a new two-lane road and a rail-track, on a concrete bridge. West Coast Regional Council chairman John Clayton says it is a huge relief for the area. He says a large population south of Hokitika relies on ambulance and hospital services using the existing bridge, so an upgrade is great news.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Native pukeko "a nuisance"

An argument is raging over one of New Zealand's most distinctive native birds. The pukeko is flourishing on the West Coast, where farmers say it has become a nuisance. They want to be able to shoot the birds all year round, but conservationists say the pukeko deserves more protection, not less. Hokitika Farmer Ron Monk says they're an attractive bird "we just don't want quite as many as what we've got here." At the moment, pukeko are classified as game birds which means they can be shot during the three-month duck shooting season.
Source:One News

Funding Boost For Rural Midwives

The College of Midwives believes a funding boost from the Government will help keep rural midwives on the job. The Ministry of Health is providing rural midwives with an extra $2 million to help with travel and support services. Ministry spokesperson Dr Pat Tuohy says up to 300 midwives will benefit from extra money. He says the boost recognises the extra challenges midwives face working in isolation and travelling long distances. Pat Tuohy says the money will be allocated depending on how far they have to travel, how much support they need and how much on-call work they do. College of Midwives spokesperson Karen Guilliland says rural midwives are in short supply because of the extra costs they face.
© NewsRoom 2006

Consent Granted To Sink Naval Wreck

The Northland Regional Council has granted resource consent for the sinking of a former naval frigate, the HMNZS Canterbury, in the outer Bay of Islands. The Department of Conservation had raised concerns about the potential damage the project would have on marine mammals in the area. But the Council's consents manager, Dave Roke, says the risks are minor and the sinking, expected next year, will be carefully planned and monitored. He says turning the ship into an artificial reef will be positive for the local economy.
© NewsRoom 2006

Kiwi killed in Iraqi ambush

By David Fisher
A Kiwi soldier working for a private security firm in Iraq has been killed in an attack on the convoy he was being paid to escort.
Steve Gilchrist, 33, was killed instantly when the armoured vehicle he was travelling in was hit by an armour-piercing shell as he was escorting a convoy of trucks. Originally from Waikato, Gilchrist spent 10 years in the army's infantry and served in East Timor. He left in 2001 as a corporal and moved to Brisbane. He joined the Australian army before picking up work in Iraq.
Source:APN

Xmas tills jingle to tune of $5b

By EMMA PAGE
Merry billion-dollar Christmas. This festive season is shaping up as an expensive one as retail sales are predicted to hit the $5 billion mark this month for the first time. Retailers Association chief executive John Albertson says business owners will be happy with the predicted 5% increase on last year's December sales figure of $4.67b. Exactly how much will go through the tills would become clearer this week. "It's always the last 10 days when it really kicks in," he said.

Cross words in hospital's religious row

By EMMA PAGE and LOIS WATSON
An unholy row has erupted at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital after a cross was removed from its spiritual centre. Hospital managers are defending the removal of a wooden crucifix, saying it was never meant to be a permanent fixture. The move has upset many who use the centre and has been slammed by the Catholic Church as "political correctness gone bananas". A spokeswoman for the Catholic Church, Lyndsay Freer, said the decision to remove the cross and other religious symbols - apart from a permanently installed Muslim foot bath - was deplorable and had upset many people.

NZ firefighters injured

Several New Zealand firefighters have been injured while fighting fires in the Australian state of Victoria. It is believed six of them were in a fire truck when flames swept over them. National Rural Fire Officer Murray Dudfield says he is not sure of the exact details, and he his waiting for a report. However he believes injuries the New Zealand firefighters sustained were not serious. There are 48 New Zealanders on assignment in Victoria until December 23.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Icebergs north of Banks Peninsula

The icebergs drifting up the east coast of the South Island are just north of Banks Peninsula, and despite melting they are still a spectacular sight. The biggest of the bunch, which were reported by a fishing vessel at 11pm on Thursday, still covers the area of a football field. Given the size of the icebergs it is not surprising they are still intact. What is surprising according to NIWA, is that they are so close to the Canterbury coast. It was expected tides would take them out to nearer the Chathams. Travelling at around one kilometre an hour, the flotilla of five icebergs is roughly 75 km from Christchurch.
Source:One News

Tragedy in Manawatu

Three children aged between eight and thirteen have died in the small town of Pohangina in the Manawatu.
Police say the children died when a cliff they were walking under collapsed near the Totara Picnic Ground. The dead are one female and two males, a fourth boy has been taken to hospital with minor injuries. The children's next of kin have been advised.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Military removes Australian editor of Fiji newspaper

THE Australian editor of Fiji's Daily Post newspaper has been ordered out of the country after criticising the new military regime that seized power in a coup nearly two weeks ago. Former Monash University sociology academic Robert Wolfgramm yesterday confronted soldiers who marched into his office and ordered him to go to Suva's Queen Elizabeth Barracks. After agreeing to go with the soldiers, he was told they wanted to deport him to silence his criticism of coup leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
© The North Queensland Newspaper Company Pty Ltd

Fiji human rights commissioner resigns

A commissioner in the Fiji Human Rights Commission has resigned in protest against the interim military government's appointment of Rodney Acraman as acting ombudsman. Sevuloni Valenitabua has resigned from the FHRC following the retired lawyer's appointment on Wednesday. Our reporter in Suva, Samisoni Pareti, says various rights groups have accused the commission of tacitly acknowledging the unlawful authority of the military regime. They complain that some of the commission's senior staff members have befriended some senior army officers. They also questioned the decision by commission director, Dr Shaista Shameem, to allow the military's seven lawyers to continue practice.

New Indian restaurant lights up Auckland

Auckland, Two brothers from Mumbai have set up an Indian restaurant here, offering a wide choice of traditional cuisine to New Zealanders. Rangoli, meaning the art of painting, opened in Auckland's Ti Rakau Drive last week and has become an instant hit. The owners are Parsi brothers Boman and Najmi Rustom. The two first came to New Zealand seven years ago, their interest sparked by an uncle who always said that if they had to emigrate anywhere it should be New Zealand, reported the local Times newspaper "We decided to take a look at Australia but 12 months in Perth was enough for us to decide New Zealand was the place for us," they said. "On our return, we started planning for a new restaurant and Rangoli is the result. The good news is we have managed to employ two highly experienced Indian chefs who worked first for us in back in India."
Indo-Asian News Service

Cricket-Back To Back Century From Sangakarra Saves Sri Lanka

A defiant unbeaten 156 from Kumar Sangakarra has seen Sri Lanka to 268 in their first innings on day one in the second cricket test at Wellington. Sangakarra showed Mahela Jayawardene's decision to bat first again was the right one -- although Sri Lanka lost a wicket before they'd scored and went to lunch at the Basin Reserve on 112 for 4 New Zealand won the first test in Christchurch by five wickets inside three days.
© NewsRoom 2006

Tauranga $21 million museum all go

Tauranga councillors have voted in favour of the city's proposed $21 million museum by nine to two. The city council yesterday voted to proceed with the project after a poll of residents found 49.6 per cent wanted a museum. It is now expected to open in 2011, although the design and location are undecided.
Source:APN

New Zealanders are happy workers

New Zealanders appear to be relatively happy with their lot at work. An international survey has found 64 percent of employees are happy in their jobs. Most also think their bosses are doing a good job. This country ranks 13th globally for employee happiness. The most contented workers are in Denmark.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Let women fight, says committee

A Parliamentary Select Committee is recommending women be allowed to serve in combat roles with our military. The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee has reported back on the Private Member's Bill of Labour MP Lynne Pillay. It is advising the Bill, which would remove the last exemption for sexual discrimination in our armed forces, be passed into law. Ms Pillay says it is great news The Bill will have its second reading in Parliament next year.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Hundreds nabbed in Tonga

MORE than 700 people have been arrested in connection with last month's deadly riots in the tiny Pacific kingdom of Tonga The Matangi Tonga news website reported the arrests today. The pro-democracy rampage on November 16, which business owners said was manipulated to target business and political rivals, destroyed central Nuku'alofa, and left seven people dead. Tongan Police Commander Sinilau Kolokihakaufisi said more than 600 people have been charged with arson, theft and other crimes in connection with the looting and burning.

Gag order for noisy birds

A Hamilton man's life-long passion for birds is under threat because they are making too much noise. A long-standing tussle with the neighbours has reached a stalemate and he could be forced to get rid of around 100 birds by the end of the month. Murray Powell has lived in the same spot for 42 years and founded the nearby Hamilton Zoo before setting up his own bird zoo. But neighbours have had enough of living next door to the noise and complained to the council which found the birds contravened noise regulations. Powell's neighbours said dialogue with him had failed and they had to involve Waikato District Council which has said he must quieten his birds or face them being confiscated.
Source:One News

Clark on trade mission in Asia

The Prime Minister is in Hong Kong to further trade opportunities with Asia. Helen Clark has put her case to the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce. She is promoting a comprehensive economic partnership for countries involved in the East Asia Summit, or even a free trade area for the Asia Pacific region. Miss Clark says there are ways of promoting more open trade in the region but accepts negotiations is likely to be a slow process.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

More recycling for Manukau

Manukau City Council is extending its kerbside recycling scheme. It has become the first local body in the country to allow all types of plastic grades to be recycled. Ice cream and margarine containers are just some of the plastics included in the expanded scheme. The council says it will stop a large amount going to the city's landfills every year.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Waikato Medlab jobs on the line

More than 200 jobs are on the line at Waikato community laboratory provider Medlab. It follows the Waikato District Health Board's announcement that it is now in negotiations with another company Pathlab as preferred laboratory service. Medlab currently does 65 percent of Waikato lab work, and 215 people will lose their jobs if they do not get the new contract.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Third Campaign Launched To Recruit UK Cops

Police are launching a third campaign to recruit frontline staff from Britain. Its part of an effort to prevent future police shortages in Auckland and the Waikato. The officer in charge of recruiting, Inspector Dawn Bell, says it's becoming increasingly hard to find quality recruits. She says a team is trawling through a database of applicants from previous UK recruitment drives. Police also say they're looking at a new police college in Auckland.
© NewsRoom 2006

Submissions called for over hydro scheme

The public is set to play an integral part in whether a hydroelectric scheme near Rotorua goes ahead.
The Department of Conservation has, in principal, approved an application for a concession for Bay of Plenty Electricity to use part of the Upper Kaituna Scenic Reserve for commercial activity. The company wants to build a dam and flood a 1.2 kilometre strip of the reserve to feed a station generating electricity for 10,000 homes. The concession is however subject to public consultation.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

NZ troops play Santa in Afghanistan

New Zealand troops in Afghanistan have felt a touch of Christmas spirit. They have given 1000 teddy bears and dolls to children at a hospital in the North West Bamyan province. Defence spokesman James Heffield says seeing the look of surprise on the children's faces has been a highlight for the troops.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Public urged to have say on energy

People are being encouraged to have their say on maximising energy efficiency. A draft Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy was launched at parliament on Thursday morning and the government is seeking public feedback ahead of releasing a final strategy next June. Its targets include better insulated homes, greater use of energy efficient devices, more sustainable farming practices and a greater emphasis on getting energy from renewable resources.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Fiji warriors threaten to kill Bainimarama

SUVA, Dec 13 (AFP): A group claiming to be traditional Fijian warriors has threatened to kill coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama if democracy is not restored by Christmas Day, a Fijian newspaper reported Wednesday.
The Fiji Sun said they had also threatened to burn the homes of soldiers loyal to the self-appointed president who overthrew the democratically-elected government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase a week ago.

Maori welcome island move

Wellington's Taputeranga Island has been declared wahi tapu (a sacred site) in a move local iwi believe will help preserve its future. Maori leader Morrie Love said the New Zealand Historic Places Trust's decision was welcomed as the prominent landmark was currently afflicted by weeds and rubbish blown over from the mainland. The 3.2 hectare island has been highly valued by iwi such as Ngati Awa. "The area was rich in food supplies such as shellfish and mussels, so it was very well used." Ngati Ira built a pa on the island. But in the 1820s it was taken by Ngati Toa and Ngati Mutunga who invaded from Taranaki. The remains of the pa can still be found.
Source:Dominion Post

Woman fined for driving while reading

A Timaru doctor has been booked for driving while reading. The doctor was this week fined $NZ400 ($A352) in Timaru District Court for careless driving, the Timaru Herald reported. Rosalind Antoinette Charmaine Allen-Narker was nabbed by police on August 28 driving from Timaru to Christchurch Airport while reading a book. She admitted the offence, saying she had bought the book that morning and it was too good to put down.

Marlborough biodiesel debuts tomorrow

A biodiesel made by Marlborough-based company Aquaflow Bionomic will make its world debut at Parliament tomorrow. The fuel, made from wild algae, has been blended with mineral diesel for a test drive in Picton-based director Nick Gerritsen's Land Rover, which will be driven by Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons with Energy Minister David Parker. Mr Gerritsen, who is currently in San Francisco on business, said the B5 fuel blend was five percent biodiesel.
"The reason for that is the Government has introduced the new standard where by 2008, 2.5 percent of all New Zealand fuel needs to be biofuel. We've produced fuel with twice what the Government is going to implement just to prove it's possible to do it now."
The Marlborough Express

$2.2m Funding Prevents Closure Of Observatory

Wellington's Carter Observatory has been saved from the threat of closure, following a funding decision by the government and Wellington City Council. The government will give it $2.2 million, but says that will be the last payment it will receive. The council will contribute $300,000 a year for ten years, after which the observatory is expected to operate on its own. The Carter Observatory was established by Parliament in 1937 and opened in December 1941. It is a non-government organisation and located within the Wellington Botanic Garden.
© NewsRoom 2006

Goff talks Turkey on trade

Efforts are being made to boost New Zealand's trade ties with Turkey. Trade Minister Phil Goff has just finished a four day visit to the country and has been pushing both educational and agricultural links. He says the Turkish Government has agreed to allocate an increased number of international student scholarships, meaning more than 100 students a year could come to study in New Zealand.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

The Flying Kangaroo is sold off

Australian airline Qantas has accepted an $11 billion takeover bid, inn the biggest buyout in corporate history across the Tasman. A private equity company, Air Partners Australia, led by Macquarie Bank has secured the deal which will see Qantas hold onto a one per cent share of Australia's biggest airline. Qantas has forecast an annual profit for 14 years in a row, despite a worldwide slump in the industry which has seen many famous name airlines go to the wall.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Dump helmets, urges cycling advocate

A cycling advocate is calling for the bicycle helmet law to be dumped. "Cycling Health" claims forcing people to wear helmets discourages people from cycling and harms the overall health of the nation as a result. Spokesman Graeme Trass says women and young people avoid cycling because of the effect wearing the helmet has on their hairstyles. Mr Trass says cycling is a safe and healthy activity which really does not need special safety equipment.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Fiji Police suspended from Pacific group

The Fiji Police force has been suspended from the regional police community - the Pacific Islands' Chiefs of Police. PICP Executive Director Superintendent Cam Ronald says it is the first time action like this has been taken, but he says the lack of democracy and breakdown in law and order forced the suspension, and they were particularly concerned about the forced resignation of senior police officers. He says the police chiefs were keen to voice their disapproval of the coup in Fiji. Superintendent Ronald says it is not a criticism of the individual police officers, whom the organisation will continue to support where it can. Superintendent Ronald says it is criticism of the new regime.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Flu pandemic legislation passed

Legislation which enables New Zealand to respond to a possible flu pandemic has been passed under urgency. The bill gives the Government the powers necessary to respond to a major outbreak of an infectious disease by amending and updating current legislation. Health Minister Pete Hodgson says we know from diseases like SARS, that outbreaks of infectious diseases pose different challenges today compared to 50 years ago. He says the government needs new legal powers that reflect modern realities and that is what this legislation delivers.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Disease risk cited in decision to put down smuggled lizards

Anne Beston
Lizard lovers are angry exotic reptiles being kept in quarantine at Auckland Zoo are likely to be dead by the end of the week. Ten of 11 smuggled lizards will be put down but Biosecurity New Zealand would not say exactly when. The agency is understood to be nervous of public protests. "It's an issue we are trying to manage sensitively," said spokesman Phil Barclay.
Last month, the agency said the reptiles would be killed as a deterrent to other smugglers and because of the risk they posed to native reptiles by introducing new diseases. But yesterday Mr Barclay said disease was the only reason they were being put down. All eight of the iguanas had a type of salmonella new to New Zealand and the two emerald green monitor lizards had a blood parasite. A blue monitor lizard was disease-free and would not be destroyed.

Local loop unbundling law is passed

Parliament has passed a bill which unbundles the local loop. MPs voted 119 to 2 in favour of the Telecommunications Amendment Bill. Only ACT opposed it. The bill was passed under urgency. Local loop unbundling allows telecommunications operators to use the twisted-pair telephone connections, currently owned by Telecom, which link the telephone exchange's central office to the customer premises. The Government announced in May that it would require the unbundling of the local loop, in response to concerns about the low levels of broadband uptake. New Zealand is the 29th out of 30 OECD countries to unbundle the local loop. - the only country that has not yet unbundled its local loop is Mexico.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Telecom joins forces with Yahoo

Telecom New Zealand has partnered with Yahoo!7 to form a joint venture. The venture will be called Yahoo! Xtra, and will provide an enhanced suite of online content and application services for New Zealanders. Telecom Chief Executive Theresa Gattung says it will provide New Zealanders with access to the world's best online services in a "localised way". The Yahoo! Xtra joint venture will replace the existing XtraMSN site in the portal space with the initial raft of Yahoo! Xtra services due to go live around 1 March 2007.
Source:One News

Kiwi mouse that waddled

The discovery of fossils from a waddling, mouse-sized mammal in a New Zealand lake bed has stunned scientists, and could force a "rethink" on the evolution of this country's animals. The bones from the primitive mammal, described as unlike any mammal alive today, were discovered in sediment at least 16 million years old. They suggest the mammal was mouse-sized and walked by waddling. Kiwi palaeontologist Trevor Worthy, originally from Masterton and now based at Adelaide University in Australia, said the fossils were found in the bed of Central Otago's Lake Manuherikia. The find in the lake, where crocodiles swam 17 million years ago, not only fills a gap in the nation's fossil record, but may also help scientists worldwide understand more about the origin of mammals.
Source:Dominion Post

House of Travel offers space trips

By NICK CHURCHOUSE
House of Travel has been named as "accredited space agents" to sell space flights for $290,000. Richard Branson's space travel company Virgin Galactic has picked the Kiwi-owned travel company to market the flights. The first flights are scheduled to take off in 2009. Adventure Travel, House of Travel's "off the beaten path" specialists, will be selling $US200,000 ($NZ290,000) tickets for the three-day experience, which includes astronaut training, G-force acclimatisation and a 2½-hour trip to Earth's orbit and back.
Source:Dominion Post

Crown Commissioner Installed To Take Over Taranaki Polytech

A Government-appointed Commissioner is to take over from the council of the financially-troubled Western Insititute of Technology at Taranaki or WITT. The Crown Commissioner, Murray Strong, will become the first ever commissioner sent into a polytech or university when he replaces the governing council on Friday. The tertiary education minister, Michael Cullen, has also agreed to a seven-million dollar loan, taking extra Government help to $24-million since 2000. The council's chairwoman, Kura Deness, says WITT could not earn its way clear of debt.
© NewsRoom 2006

Attempt to break circumvention record

An attempt to break the record to circumnavigate New Zealand by boat will be made in February, to raise money for the Coastguard. Auckland boatie and restaurateur Ginger Gibbs and his Swashbucklers Flying Pirate Crew are going for the record, having broken the record for crossing from Sydney to Auckland in March in a time of 48 hours. They will be racing in an inflatable rib boat, to raise money and awareness for Coastguard. Mr Gibbs is hoping to break the record of 112 hours 49 minutes and 22 seconds almost in half, by finishing in 60 hours. He says technical advances mean fewer fuel stops. The crew will start and end their mission at the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Kiwis help develop malaria drug

NIKKI MACDONALD
Two Kiwis on opposite sides of the world are teaming up to develop a drug to combat one of the biggest child-killers. Industrial Research's chemistry team, headed by Richard Furneaux, is working with Albert Einstein Medical College in the United States to create a drug that could be a powerful weapon against malaria. The project is being funded by Swiss non-profit organisation Medicines for Malaria Venture and will be overseen by its drug discovery and technology director, Kiwi Ian Bathurst.
Source:Dominion Post

NZ's Fonterra to set up dairy in China

New Zealand company Fonterra says it will set up a dairy farm in China, where it has a 43 per cent stake in the Sanlu Group, the nation's third-biggest dairy company. Fonterra is negotiating with local authorities to secure land to farm up to 3000 cows, with milk production starting in October 2007.

MAF Orders Destruction Of Corn Crops And Launches Inquiry

The Ministry of Agriculture has ordered the immediate destruction of some corn crops in Hawke’s Bay and the Gisborne area after confirming that they are GM contaminated. It has also launched an inquiry into how the seeds for the crops came to be cleared for release here. MAF has been investigating imports of more than four tonnes of US corn seed that had been cleared at the border in October and November, but later identified as possibly containing low levels of genetically modified material.
© NewsRoom 2006

Upgraded Overlander Unveiled

A new upgraded Overlander train has been unveiled today. The Auckland to Wellington passenger train service begins a new chapter on Friday, running daily trips over the summer months. The 98-year-old service was threatened with closure earlier this year when its operator, Toll, said the service was losing too much money. Strong public sentiment prompted it to reconsider and the company has upgraded the carriages and is offering new packages aimed at tourists and domestic users.
© NewsRoom 2006

Bushfire Smoke Affects NZ

Smoke haze from the Australian bush fires has been affecting atmospheric conditions in New Zealand. A climate scientist at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Jim Renwick, says it is very likely the haze which has been seen in various parts of the country has traveled across the Tasman in strong westerly winds. Mr Renwick says the reddish-brown haze can be seen in the sky towards evening.
(c) NewsRoom 2006

Mystery Surrounds Yellow Eyed Penguin Deaths

Stewart Island's yellow-eyed penguin population has seen its worst breeding season on record, with only one chick out of 32 surviving. The Department of Conservation says it doesn't know yet why so many chicks died, but samples have been sent to Massey University for testing. DOC says chick numbers have been declining for several years, but they have never lost so much of the year's population. The Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust says the disastrous season highlights the need for more research.
© NewsRoom 2006

Teenager ran internet banking scam

By LANE NICHOLS
A 16-year-old who police sent on a computer training course to improve his behaviour has admitted using a computer in an attempt to defraud banks of nearly $45,000. The Upper Hutt teenager faces 26 fraud charges after hacking into people's internet banking accounts in August and September. Police say he posted a computer virus on an internet message board and used it to capture details from people's personal computers. Westpac, ANZ and ASB were all hit. The biggest transaction involved $6323, but the banks agreed to reimburse the losses.
Source:Dominion Post

$8 million support for tide power

An energy farm that harnesses the power of strong tidal currents has been given a new show of support from a government keen to encourage renewable energy. Energy Minister David Parker yesterday announced that the Government was planning an $8 million contestable funding package to help New Zealand become a world leader in employing tide and wave energy harnessing technology. The package was part of the draft New Zealand Energy Strategy which sets out the Government's long-term plan to tackle energy needs and climate change obligations. At present, 14 marine energy projects are being looked at in New Zealand, with a Kaipara Harbour tide-farm the closest to implementation. Other projects include a tide-farm in Cook Strait, and an underwater pontoon system to harness wave energy. Auckland-based Crest Energy has publicly notified for resource consent to install 200 submarine tide-turbines in Kaipara Harbour - which at full capacity will generate 200 megawatts, or enough electricity to power 250,000 homes.
Source:Dominion Post

Coming soon - a car you plug in

By VERNON SMALL
Motorists will be charging their electric cars at kerbside power points within five years under an ambitious plan mapped out by the Government to fight climate change. Energy Minister David Parker outlined the vision yesterday as part of a draft national energy strategy seen as a major step towards a carbon neutral New Zealand. The draft plan would stop new generation from fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, unless it was essential to keep the lights on. It also earmarks $8 million over four years to put New Zealand in the front rank of countries generating electricity from wave and tidal power. Mr Parker said mass production of small electric cars by Mitsubishi would start late next year. "I think within five years you'll see quite rapid deployment of electric cars in the commuter fleet."
Source:Dominion Post