Screen immigrants for obesity and smoking - doctors

Two Auckland doctors are calling for potential immigrants to be tested for obesity and smoking because of the burden both placed on health services. Respiratory specialists Jeff Garrett and Andy Veale from Middlemore Hospital said obesity led to a range of problems, from diabetes and cancers to respiratory disease and sleep disorders, and severely stretched an already cash-strapped budget. New Zealand could also screen for smoking, which could lead to expensive health treatment, Dr Garrett said. South Auckland had a high immigrant population and doctors were seeing people migrating to New Zealand who are very high users of the health system, he said. Dr Garret said health systems in some Pacific islands were not good and this was reflected in the health of the people. New Zealand then inherited this problem.
Source:NZPA

More Maori Living In Australia

The number of Maori living in Australia has increased 27 percent over five years. The number of people of Maori ancestry rose from just under 73,000 to almost 93,000. The figures are in the 2006 Australian Census results released this week. Massey University geographer Manuhuia Barcham, who has been studying Maori migration to Australia, says the increase is probably due to a mix of migration and self-identification. Manuhuia Barcham says the mining boom in Western Australia is also drawing many Maori workers. On this side of the Tasman, 565,000 people identified themselves as Maori in last year's Census.
© NewsRoom 2007

Theft Robs Wine Columnist Of Entire Collection

A wine columnist in Hamilton has lost his entire wine collection after his home was burgled. Rhys Mathais, who writes for the Waikato Times, returned home from holiday to discover the 200 bottles of wine in his cellar were gone. He says the collection took him around nine years to build up, and is probably worth about $7,000. Mr Mathias says many of the wines are irreplaceable, as many were purchased overseas.
© NewsRoom 2007

NZ dollar continues to soar

The New Zealand dollar is up again in international trade. Despite the Reserve Bank's recent interventions in an effort to bring down the value of the kiwi, the dollar is back over the 77 US cent mark to trade at 77.21 against the greenback - a record figure since the currency was floated 22 years ago.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Another company might head off-shore

A hundred workers at a Christchurch textile plant have been told they could lose their jobs. Gale Pacific has told staff a proposal has been made to the company's board to close the plant and move production to China. Paul Watson from the National Distribution Union says it is another sad example of a New Zealand company casting adrift the expertise of its kiwi workforce. He says the average age of workers at Gale Pacific is about 50 and it will be hard for many to find permanent alternative employment. Gale Pacific manufactures shade cloth fabrics for outdoor sun protection and umbrellas and polyethylene and polypropylene coated fabrics.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Study shows teen drivers more prone to accidents

Results from a year long study conducted by Waikato University and the AA has found that teenaged drivers have a much higher chance of having an accident than their adult counterparts. The study has found that the part of the brain that senses danger is not fully developed in the 60,000 new teenage drivers that start driving every year. The people carrying out the study used driving assessment and head mounted eye scanning equipment to assess the driving ability of 72 teen drivers. It found the young people’s hazard detection skills are 30 percent less efficient than older drivers because the frontal lobe of the brain does not fully develop until 25-years-old. New Zealand has the youngest driving age in the world, but the researchers say raising it is not the answer and that the best solution is advanced driver training.
© CanWest TVWorks Limited

Yachting-Cruel blow for Team NZ

Alinghi has taken a 3-2 lead in the fifth America's Cup best of nine series after Team New Zealand suffered spinnaker trouble. The New Zealanders made a good start to the race, rounding the top mark 12 seconds ahead. However early in the first run, disaster struck as a rip emerged in the boat's red spinnaker. The crew tried to put up a second sail but it tangled and a third one had to be hoisted. The problems allowed Alinghi to take a six boat length lead. Team New Zealand managed to make up a little time, but was still trailing the Swiss by 25 seconds at the third mark. On the final run, NZL92 got to within three boat lengths but Alinghi crossed the line 19 seconds in front.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Dog survives freezing waters, night in open

By Rebecca Quilliam
Bingo the bitzer dog defied the odds and survived swimming through freezing waters and a night in the open before being found on Waiheke Island with a wag in his tail last night. Thirteen-year-old Bingo was being looked after by a dog-sitter, Mark Brown, when he leapt off a boat on Wednesday, one nautical mile offshore from Waiheke Island. It is believed he may have jumped off to chase dolphins. The Coastguard was notified and immediately alerted all boats in the area to keep an eye out for the small brown dog. Coastguard spokesman Jo Ottey said they "didn't hold much hope" for Bingo because of the very cold water temperature and choppy conditions. But Bingo did survive the sea and dragged himself up to the Man O War Vineyard where he collapsed at the door of the caretakers' house on the north east side of the island. Vineyard owner Odette Brown said caretakers heard a whimper at the back door and found Bingo "cold and a bit quivery, but in pretty good shape considering". "He was an extremely lucky dog," she said.
Source:NZPA

School children hit hard by flu

July is almost upon us but the winter flu is only now making its mark on work places and schools. The flu has come late this year, virologists say, because of milder weather right up to mid-June. Many schools in the Wellington sent parents notices on how to deal with flu over the holidays – don’t go to school holiday programmes if you have it and definitely don’t go to the movies. At adventure school in Whitby with a roll of 360, 100 students were away last Friday with the flu and 60 a day since then. Virologists will know next week whether this A-strain of flu is covered by this year’s influenza vaccination.
© CanWest TVWorks Limited

Coal miners strike escalates

The coal miners' strike escalated this afternoon, with miners at Solid Energy's Spring Creek and Terrace mines voting to walk off the job immediately and refusing to return to work over the weekend and on Monday. The miners, all members of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, will meet on Monday afternoon to decide the next course of action. Further action is also expected over the weekend from workers at the Huntly and Stockton mines. The union said the escalation followed Solid Energy's decision this morning to refuse to transport miners at Spring Creek to the mine entrance as usual, as punishment for taking two hours of strike action at the beginning of their shift.
Source:NZPA

Laboratory Workers Considering Offer

Medical laboratory workers who have been taking strike action for six months are lifting all action from today while they consider a new offer. Lab workers employed by up to 16 District Health Boards and the Blood Service began strike action last December over a stalemate in employment talks that have been underway since April last year. But the Lab Workers Union says all strike action has been now cancelled following a new offer from DHBs.
© NewsRoom 2007

Greenpeace serves pollution notices on 20 organisations

Greenpeace claims to have opened the door for future climate-related legal action against some of New Zealand's largest companies. The environmental group has served notices on 20 organisations it says are contributing to climate change, through pollution. Climate Campaigner Vanessa Atkinson says the notice means the company and directors can not plead ignorance in any future climate-related litigation. Among the companies that have been served notice are Air New Zealand, Carter Holt Harvey, Fonterra, Landcorp and several power companies.
© CanWest TVWorks Limited

Bush may make fleeting visit to NZ

By Audrey Young
A visit to New Zealand by United States President George W. Bush is being actively considered in Washington, the Herald understands. The visit would follow his attendance at the annual Apec summit in Sydney on September 8 and 9. If a visit did eventuate, it would be a brief stop because President Bush must be back in the United States for the sixth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. It might mean just a Sunday evening visit after Apec finishes in Australia about midday.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice could also visit.
©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Increase to paid parental leave

The maximum parental leave payment will increase by nearly $20 a week from Sunday. The rate goes up from $372 to $391 a week and applies to all new applicants as well as those already receiving parental leave payments. Labour Minister Ruth Dyson says paid parental leave supports new parents at a critical time. She says with more than 60 percent of women in paid work, paid parental leave is helping to support the choices they are making about their families and their careers.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Complaint silences church bell

By TINA LAW - The Press
St Christopher's Church in Avonhead has been forced to stop ringing its bell at 7.45am on Sundays after a neighbour complained about the noise. Archdeacon Mike Hawke is stunned by the complaint. "This church has been here for 50 years. When people come to live here, they need to be aware of what is around them," he said. "Do we tell children to stop yelling in the playground because someone bought a house next to a school?" The small, single bell rings for 33 seconds at 7.45am, 9am and 10.30am each Sunday to mark the beginning of services. The 33 rings signify each year of Jesus' life.

New media rules for Parliament get nod

By PETER WILSON - NZPA
Parliament has put in place new rules for television coverage of the debating chamber after rejecting an attempt by the Green Party to change them. The new regime allows wider coverage and relaxes existing rules, but it contains an unprecedented provision which bans shots being used to satirise, ridicule or denigrate MPs. That provision is strongly opposed by sections of the media and the Media Freedom Committee of the Commonwealth Press Union, but MPs were last night adamant that it is necessary and should be put in place.

Two-thirds of smokers have tried quitting in past 5 years

A comprehensive survey of tobacco use in New Zealand shows two-thirds of smokers have tried to quit in the past five years. It is the first time the survey has been carried out by the Ministry of Health and gives a detailed picture of smoking and smokers. It also shows smoking rates are highest among Maori and Pacific Islanders. Mark Peck of the Smokefree Coalition says the study will be useful in targeting those most in need of help to give up.
© CanWest TVWorks Limited

Tonga joins WTO nations

The tiny South Pacific state of Tonga will become the World Trade Organisation's 151st member on July 27th. Tonga, an archipelago between Hawaii and New Zealand, has a population of about 117,000. The country’s exports are essentially squash, coconuts, bananas and vanilla beans.

Lack of skilled workers still a problem

New Zealand businesses are the most worried in the world about the skills shortage. A report by international business consulting firm Grant Thornton has found that 60 percent of businesses say the lack of skilled workers is one of their biggest restraints. For Australia the figure is 59 percent and South Africa 58 percent. Grant Thornton spokesman Peter Sherwin says economic alarm bells should be ringing, as businesses may have to move overseas to find the skilled staff they need. He says the skills of migrants coming into the country are often not appropriate or not of the same level of those of migrants heading for Northern Hemisphere countries.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

America's Cup: Lost race may yet go Team NZ's way

Alinghi has won the fourth America's Cup race this morning to level the series with Team New Zealand - but a technical challenge could overturn the result. Alinghi posted a 30 second win but in a dramatic twist may have run foul of regatta rules. The crew could not comply with a measuring committee request to drop its main sail at the conclusion of the race, without someone releasing it from the top of the mast. It is a safety requirement under cup rules. A race official encouraged Team New Zealand to file a protest. The race jury will now have to make a ruling, and possibly overturn the fourth race result. Alinghi's skipper, New Zealander Brad Butterworth, is dismissing the protest as a media beatup. He maintains Alinghi did not have a problem with its mainsail.
© CanWest TVWorks Limited

Kiwi war memorial gets facelift

The Bulford Kiwi war memorial in England is to be given a facelift by a group of volunteers. The Wiltshire memorial, carved out of a hillside, commemorates the New Zealand soldiers who were based there during World War 1. The volunteers cleaning the memorial are from the Bulford-based 3 (UK) Division Signal Regiment, the New Zealand High Commission, local Scouts, Wiltshire Army cadets and the Bulford Conservation Group. Canterbury District Returned Services Association president B. J. Clark said it was great that the big kiwi was being maintained.
Source:The Press

Millionaires growing fast across the Tasman

The number of Australian millionaires is growing at a faster pace than the rest of the world, helped along by a buoyant share market. According to the Merrill Lynch and Capgemini annual wealth report, released this morning, the number of Australians with financial assets of more than $A1 million ($NZ1.1 million) grew by 10.3 per cent in 2006 to 160,600 people, on the back of a robust share market.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006.

New fund to help sick beneficiaries

People claiming sickness or invalid's benefits will have access to a new $10 million-a-year fund to obtain surgical procedures or treatment to help them get back into the workforce. The move by the Government targets the growing number of people who receive sickness or invalid benefits; that number has risen to over 123,000 people, up from just over 85,065 in 1999. However, the overall number of beneficiaries – including those receiving sickness benefits, unemployment benefits and the Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) – has fallen, from 401,415 in 1999 to 259,636 in May 2007.
Source:NZPA

Netball-Big day for Sting

It has been nearly a week since they won the final National Bank netball trophy, but the celebrations are continuing for the Southern Sting. The Invercargill City Council is funding what is expected to be a huge celebratory parade in the city this afternoon. The win was the Sting's seventh title - they have also made all ten National Bank Cup finals. Council spokeswoman Eirwen Tulett says the community wants to thank the team for ten great years. She says they have 50,000 rolls of ticker tape and a thousand balloons to let go.
Eirwen Tulett says more than 10,000 people are expected.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Another storm's a-coming

The third intense storm in two weeks is set to make its way to New Zealand. The Radio Network's head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the storm is currently sitting off the coast of Australia and will hit New Zealand about lunchtime tomorrow. Mr Duncan says regions such as Nelson, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Auckland and Northland will be worst affected and the storm has the potential to cause flooding. Mr Duncan says this time the low will be sucking humid air from the tropics, as far afield as Fiji.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Canterbury arrives home

The navy's new multi-role vessel has entered its home port Lyttelton today for the first time. The HMNZS Canterbury departed from Nelson yesterday on the final leg of its homecoming journey. The $130 million ship arrived at around noon to a welcome celebration including a karanga, haka and music from a band.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Pizza Hut restaurants to be taken away

Dine-in Pizza Hut restaurants are to become a thing of the past. Chairman Ted van Arkel has told the company's annual general meeting they will progressively close down the 15 remaining Pizza Hut restaurants and move the business towards a takeaway and home delivery service. Six of the restaurants will be closed by the end of the year. The move follows today's announcement that Pizza Hut's owner Restaurant Brands has made a $3.6 million dollar loss, with the Pizza Hut operations taking the biggest hit.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Commuter Train Services To Return To Helensville

Commuter train services are to return to the Auckland suburb of Helensville after almost three decades. The Auckland Regional Council has approved $450,000 for temporary stations at Huapai and Waimaukau, and a minor upgrade of the Helensville station. The last commuter train to the area ran in 1980. A new trial service is expected to begin in mid 2008. Its duration will be subject to popularity.
© NewsRoom 2006

Yachting-Team NZ launches protest

Alinghi is not worried about Team New Zealand's protest after race four of the America's Cup off the coast of Spain. The Swiss team has leveled the score two-all after winning by 30 seconds this morning, but the New Zealanders are objecting to the way Alinghi lowers its mainsail. Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth says the issue is being pushed by some members of the press but there was not a problem. He says he is not concerned about the protest, which will be heard later today.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Ruapehu's showcase chairlift starts up

The biggest chairlift in Australasia will be officially launched at Mt Ruapehu today. The six seater High Noon Express at the central North Island Turoa ski field comes just in time for the school holidays. The lift is part of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts' $30 million investment programme. The new chairlift will move more than 3,000 people an hour up the mountain. Marketing manager Mike Smith says the company is looking ahead to a good season. Whakapapa has plenty of natural snow and Turoa is also looking good.

© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

DHB finds way to keep staff

Hutt Hospital is confident it has found a way to retain and recruit nursing staff.
The hospital is only the second outside the United States to achieve Magnet status, which is the highest level of recognition in nursing excellence. Hutt District Health Board nursing director Toni Dal Din says the hospital has worked for more than four years to reach the standard required and it has resulted in a significant reduction in staff turnover.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Cure coming for Aucklanders

The Cure have confirmed a trip to Auckland. They will play Vector Arena on August 14, with tickets on sale July 9. The Cure are just one of a massive line-up of artists coming to New Zealand over the winter months. Guns N' Roses will rock Vector Arena this weekend, while July brings Dinosaur Jr, Gwen Stefani, Regina Spektor, Bobby Brown and Burt Bacharach. In August Christina Aguilera and Bob Dylan pop in. The month also boasts a heavenly line up for indie music fans - Bloc Party, The Shins, Editors, Tilly and the Wall, Jose Gonzales and Ryan Adams.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

NZ meat boycott by British Muslim pupils

There is a stir over New Zealand meat being used in school lunches in Britain.
The Lancashire Telegraph reports Muslim pupils are being urged to boycott the lunches for fear the meat may not be halal. The local council of mosques has written to all mosques in the country urging parents to ensure their children stick to vegetarian options. The move comes after the Lancashire County Council switched meat suppliers earlier this month. It has responded by taking halal meat off all its school menus until everyone is satisfied.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Tiny Wind Turbines To Be Trialled In Cities

An Auckland power supply company is trialling tiny wind turbines that can fit on the rooftops of homes or businesses, allowing them to generate their own power. Vector is testing 10 micro wind turbines in Wellington and Auckland in a bid to find new sources of renewable energy. the turbines can produce a quarter of an average household's power consumption in a year and are environmentally friendly. Vector hopes they will be on the market in a few years' time. They may cost a few thousand dollars.
© NewsRoom 2006

Govt to announce Fiji sanctions on Monday

An announcement on possible further sanctions against Fiji has been put on hold until after Cabinet meets next Monday. Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper says a Cabinet committee has met to consider sanctions today. He says it appears the delay was ordered by Prime Minister Helen Clark, who was at today's committee meeting with Foreign Minister Winston Peters. The leaders considered sanctions drawn up by Foreign Affairs following an in depth review of New Zealand's relationship with Fiji. Barry Soper says it seems Miss Clark wants them signed off by the full Cabinet before they are ordered. Options being discussed included broadening a visa ban and freezing financial assets of members of the Fiji Government.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Pregnant women needed for asthma study

Health researchers, working on a groundbreaking asthma study to determine why children raised on farms seem to have greater asthma resistance, want hundreds of pregnant women from the lower North Island to help. So far 200 women have joined the study, which involves filling out a questionnaire. Dr Jeroen Douwes, from the Centre for Public Health Research, said asthma and allergies were becoming more common in New Zealand, but living on a farm might protect children against developing these conditions. His team was studying what prevented people from developing asthma and allergies and wants 600 more pregnant women from both farming and non-farming backgrounds to help.
Source:NZPA

Coutts keen to get back onboard cup

Three-time America's Cup winning skipper Russell Coutts is desperate to get back into the sport. After being denied a role in this year's regatta, Coutts says he is now weighing up several options for the next America's Cup. He says he has been in talks with a number of syndicates. Coutts is quick to dismiss the rumours that he has already signed with American syndicate Oracle. He says he has not even got close to the stage where he signs a contract. Russell Coutts says he still believes he can win races but it will depend on where and when the next America's Cup will be.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Police Want New Suspect Identification Systems

The police want greater powers to identify suspects through new technology such as mobile fingerprint scanners. The proposal is one of many under a review of the Police Act which is taking public submissions. The police say the fingerprint scanners would let officers on the street check a suspect's prints against the national database and speed up identification. Normally officers would have to charge or arrest a suspect and take them back to the station. And the police say the new Police Act should let police use future technological advances, such as eye scans.
© NewsRoom 2007

Yachting-Team NZ takes 3rd race

A stunning victory for Team New Zealand in race three of the America's Cup off Valencia. Dean Barker and his crew have taken out one of the most extraordinary races in recent memory, shaking off sail trouble and a man over board to win by 25 seconds. Team New Zealand now leads the best of nine final 2-1, and will be brimming with confidence heading into race four tomorrow.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Frosty start to the day for many regions

It has been the coldest night of the year so far for many parts of the country. TRN's weather analyst Philip Duncan says clear skies allowed polar air from the weekend's storm to settle and freeze. Timaru and Queenstown were shivering on -6 degrees at 7.30 this morning. West Auckland was 1 degree, Hamilton, Taupo and Blenheim were -3, Wanaka -5, and Lumsden -5. Severe frosts are expected again tonight in many areas, possibly as far north as Rotorua.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Safety fears for NZ Taliban kidnap survivor

The family of a New Zealander who survived a Taliban kidnap attempt in Pakistan believe he is now being sheltered by tribal elders. Stephen Rykers is a part-owner and the principal of a Muslim Public School in Bannu, near the border with Afghanistan. Six Taliban militants stormed the school on Sunday looking for him, but he avoided capture after one of the militants was shot dead by a guard. His brother in Auckland, Chris Rykers, spoke briefly to him on the phone after the attack, but does not know where he is now.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Australian navy plans a threat, says Fiji soldier

Australian plans to boost the country's navy are a threat to Fiji, a top Fijian military commander has said. Fiji's Land Force Commander, Colonel Pita Driti, told the Fiji Times that Australia's planned A$11 ($12.31) billion purchase of advanced destroyers and amphibious warships was a reaction to his country's military coup. "Their plans to purchase and strengthen defence equipment came about in December when it could not respond to an alleged request by Laisenia Qarase for Australia's intervention in what was happening in Fiji," Colonel Driti told the newspaper. He said the new equipment could lead to a speedy attack on Fiji. Those amphibious ships, had they been available in December and had Australia received a request from Qarase, would have taken about 24 hours to surface in Fiji ready for attack," Driti said. Australian Prime Minister John Howard recently said the new purchases would be "a massive lift" in the navy's air warfare capability.

Big culls 'unlikely' if bird flu comes to NZ

Major cullings of wild or farmed birds are "highly unlikely" if the deadly bird flu hits New Zealand, says the Department of Conservation (DOC). An exercise called Operation Gallus in Wellington yesterday and today has department staff working on a response plan for the possibility of bird flu reaching New Zealand. DOC biosecurity chief technical officer Geoff Hicks said culling of birds was not included in the plan as DOC considered it to be ineffective and might spread the disease. However, Hicks said New Zealand was at a low risk of getting bird flu.
Source:The Press

Council in trouble over damage to historic site

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust may prosecute Whakatane District Council for "unauthorised damage" to a local historic site, Puketapu Pa. A contrite council, however, is trying to make amends for its apparent illegal work which involved excavating holes for fence posts. The trust's lower northern area manager Gail Henry said the trust was surprised and disappointed that the council had carried out earthworks at Puketapu Pa without "an archaeological authority", though a decision on prosecution had not yet been made.
Source:NZPA

Rival companies join forces to reduce plastic bag use

By ESTHER MCLAREN - NZPA
Rival supermarket chains Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises have announced a joint campaign to cut down the number of plastic shopping bags handed out in their stores. Check-out operators around the country will ask customers to think twice before they accept plastic bags, and will encourage them to use reusable shopping bags instead. The Packaging Council is also involved in the project, which stems from a 2004 accord signed by government, retailers and environment groups, with the aim of reducing New Zealand's use of plastic bags.

Improved Access To Respiratory Disease Drug

A decision by state drug buying agency PHARMAC means more patients with chronic respiratory disease will get access to a key drug. PHARMAC will spend almost $10 million over the next five years on the drug, Spiriva. Currently, Spiriva is funded for 5,000 people with severe forms of diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The wider access will double the number of patients able to get the drug, which specialists say is highly effective.
© NewsRoom 2006

Still photos to be banned in Parliament

Still photographers have been left out in the cold in new rules on covering debates in Parliament. With Parliament moving to having its own TV coverage, Parliament's Standing Orders Committee has relaxed the rules on what can and cannot be filmed. Limited reaction shots will now be allowed, where previously TV cameras had to focus on whichever MP was speaking. Still photographers have been excluded in the changes. Speaker Margaret Wilson says still photographs cannot reflect the context of proceedings and the House could be disturbed if photographers were moving in the public gallery.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Rough weather in Cook Strait disrupts ferries

The wintry blast gripping the Wellington region this morning is likely to disrupt travel plans. A five metre swell in Cook Strait has forced the cancellation of the 6am Aratere inter-island ferry service. The Kaitaki is due to leave at 8:25am and a decision will be made shortly on whether the sailing will go ahead. The Rimutaka Hill Road was closed by snow and ice overnight, but is open this morning. Ferry passengers are being advised to call 0800 802 802 for further information. Wellington Airport is open at this stage with only minor delays. Further up the North Island, the Desert Rd on SH1 is still closed due to overnight snow.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

EU official visiting

It is hoped a visit from a European Union official this week will help set a new agenda for bilateral relations. The EU Commissioner for External Relations Bentia Ferrero-Waldner will meet with Prime Minister Helen Clark, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Phil Goff in Wellington. They are likely to discuss issues such as climate change and energy security.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

French security firm called "Maori"

Prime Minister Helen Clark is concerned Maori are being exploited for commercial gain as a French security company names itself "Maori" because it likes the association with rugby. Miss Clark says intellectual property experts say it is one of many examples of international businesses exploiting indigenous cultures to promote their own products and services. She says it is clearly a misappropriation of Maori culture for commercial gain.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Go Home Now If You Live Over The Rimutakas - Police

People intending to travel over the Rimutaka Hill Road between Wellington and Wairarapa are being warned that they should start their journey as soon as possible. Snow is predicted on the road on Monday evening, and police say it is likely to be closed. Snow down to 200m in Wellington is also forecast for Monday night as part of the cold front moving up the country. The front has sent temperatures plummeting in Canterbury, where the windchill factor this afternoon is expected to be minus 10 degrees. And snow is falling along the coast in the lower South Island, causing problems for motorists from Invercargill to Oamaru.
© NewsRoom 2007

Number of teenage smokers dropping

Teen smoking rates have halved in the past eight years, according to a survey by anti-tobacco group ASH. It shows just over 14 per cent of Year 10 students admit to being smokers. That is down from 28 per cent in a similar survey conducted in 1999. More than half of those taking part in the recent survey say they have never smoked, an increase from 31 per cent in 1999.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB New.

High nurse turnover costly

A new study has highlighted the cost of staff turnover at New Zealand's hospitals. The study by the University of Auckland found four out of 10 staff nurses in general wards move jobs every year. And it costs $25,000 to replace each one. Hospitals spend $20,000 per leaving nurse on temporary cover costs and overtime, while another $5,000 goes on advertising and training costs. The worst turnover of nurses was in the lower North Island, with nearly 50% moving jobs each year. The research found nearly 40% of staff nurses leave their jobs each year and 73% are replaced by new graduates or overseas-trained nurses.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News/One News

Crayfish crackdown

The Ministry of Fisheries is taking a hard line with divers taking soft-shell crayfish. Officers have also cracked down on anglers bagging undersize snapper and kingfish, as well as those taking too many mussels and kina. During the past 40 days, Northland officers have issued 16 infringement notices totalling $4000 for undersize crayfish, soft-shell crayfish, excess mussels, excess kina and undersize kingfish and snapper. Northland compliance manager Darren Edwards said the number of incidents involving soft-shell crayfish was rising steadily.
©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

MetService issues new snowfall warnings

Weather forecasters have issued new snowfall warnings and the latest bulletin takes in the North Island. The MetService says snow is expected near the summit of the Desert Road on State Highway One in the central North Island later this morning - with up to five cm falling. The Rimutaka Hill Road north of Wellington is also subject to a road snowfall warning, as are the Porters Pass and Milford Roads in the South Island. The snow which virtually locked down Central Otago late last week began melting yesterday as bitterly cold winds began abating.
© CanWest TVWorks Limited

Pope honours former Southland teacher with knighthood

By VINCE BOYLE - The Southland Times
A former Southland teacher Tony Hanning, 68, has been entered as a knight into the Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict 16. The church has honoured only 300 lay persons throughout the world in this way. Another former Southlander, Bishop Colin Campbell presented the knighthood citation in St Joseph's cathedral, Dunedin, earlier this month. Bishop Campbell said the knighthood was a very significant honour that recognised Mr Hanning's contribution to the Dunedin Catholic Education Office as director since 1981. Before then, he served as a teacher and school principal in Southland and Otago for 20 years and was a member of the New Zealand Catholic Education Council. The knighthood acknowledges outstanding service in the church and in the wider community.

Opposition To Red Cloth Over Orchards

A protest about the use of red shade cloth on fruit trees is being heard in the Environment Court in Nelson. People living close to orchards in Riwaka say the colour is an eyesore and should not be allowed by Tasman District Council. Orchardists have changed over to the red netting, believing it helps ripen their fruit better than other colours. One has put up at least 15 hectares of red netting over his trees. But the neighbours say it shouldn't be allowed and claim that green is a much more acceptable colour.
© NewsRoom 2006

Yachting-One-all in America's Cup

Team New Zealand has brought the 32nd America's Cup back to life. The New Zealanders crossed the finish line with a 28 second victory over Alinghi, to square the best-of-nine final one-all. Former Alinghi and Team New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts says the Swiss syndicate blew it on the second upwind leg, performing a very poor tack and handing Team New Zealand the lead. The next race takes place on Wednesday.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Environmental damage from "green" light bulbs

An energy consultant wants more thought to go into the environmental dangers of energy efficient light bulbs, which contain levels of mercury. Many power companies are recommending New Zealanders switch to the fluorescent bulbs to be energy conscious and save power. Australia is set to phase out traditional light bulbs in favour of the fluorescent bulbs, but concerns are being raised about the amount of mercury in them.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Air NZ flight forced to return

An Air New Zealand flight to San Francisco had to return to Auckland four and half hours into the flight this morning. The airline says the pilot detected vibrations in one the engines, but it was not a safety issue. The aircraft is being checked and is expected to resume the flight at around 2.30pm.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Minor parties do poorly in latest poll

The Greens and New Zealand First would be out of Parliament if the results of the latest poll carry through to the next election. Both parties are under the five percent threshold in this morning's New Zealand Herald-DigiPoll. United Future, Act, the Maori Party and the Progressives are also under five percent. However the likely retention of their electorate seats means they would be returned at the next election. National is on 48.2 percent, eight points ahead of Labour. The gap has closed from the 17 points it was last month.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Homes still powerless

Efforts are continuing to get the power back on to about 150 homes in West Otago. They are about half the number blacked out by the heavy snow yesterday. The rest were reconnected last night. PowerNet spokesman Roy Duffin hopes all the damage will be repaired by the end of the day. He says big snow drifts are making it difficult for linesmen.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Yachting: 'We'll bounce back' - Team NZ

By Paul Lewis
VALENCIA - Don't read too much into today; tomorrow's another day - that was the reaction of Emirates Team New Zealand to their first-up 35s defeat by holder Alinghi this morning. The trouble is that the weather forecast (in this admittedly highly changeable part of the world) is for the same sort of wind and sea conditions that obviously favoured Alinghi today. Team New Zealand would now love lighter winds and a flatter sea. A muted but resolute skipper Dean Barker and strategist Adam Beashel fronted at the post-race press conference, acknowledging the defeat and the worth of their opponents. But both said Alinghi had done well in picking and taking advantage of the wind shifts during the race.
©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Bus Stop, 4Real in name game

By Susan Fagan
Twins called Benson and Hedges and a child called Bus Stop have three of the more unusual names given to Kiwi children. The decision this month by New Zealand couple Pat and Sheena Wheaton to name their child 4Real has sparked international controversy. News that the Department of Internal Affairs may refuse to register the name has attracted worldwide media attention, with heated debates for and against the couple's chosen name.
©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Rugby-All Blacks score comeback win

By RICHARD KNOWLER in Durban - Fairfax Media
Two fourth-quarter tries earned the All Blacks a thrilling 26-21 win over the Springboks in a brutal Tri Nations encounter at Durban's Absa Stadium early today (NZ time). Down 12-21 with 14 minutes remaining, the All Blacks' helter-skelter game plan finally began to take its toll on the 'Boks who could not stop Richie McCaw and Joe Rokocoko from scoring tries to sew up the win. While the South Africans have a break next weekend, the injury-free All Blacks will face the Wallabies in Melbourne for their second Tri Nations match on Saturday night.

Old teaching method back in favour

By TARA ROSS - Sunday Star Times
Schools are reintroducing old ways of teaching reading as research suggests that it may halt the widening achievement gap between boys and girls. Phonics, a teaching method replaced decades ago by whole language teaching, reversed the gender divide in a seven-year British study to be published in a book in August. The study found boys outperformed girls in reading and spelling when they were systematically taught synthetic phonics, an accelerated phonics programme. All students taught the programme read well above the average reading age - but at 11, boys were about 9.5 months ahead of girls. The findings have helped convince the British government to rewrite its national curriculum, requiring all schools, from September, to use phonics as their primary method for teaching children to read.

Obstruction is just politics

The Agriculture Minister is not worried about another hurdle which has been thrown up, obstructing the export of apples across the Tasman. An Australian senate inquiry has recommended all New Zealand apple imports be put on hold. But Jim Anderton says it is a political ploy which does not carry any real weight. He says that has already been dealt with by Biosecurity Australia in a stringent process which has come up with recommendations for pushing ahead. Jim Anderton says New Zealand has to navigate a way through those rules, which include inspections of orchards. He says we are now closer to accessing the Australian market than we have been in 90 years. For nearly 100 years New Zealand growers have been trying to export apples to Australia, but it has denied them, citing a risk of fireblight.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Man jailed for dodgy Trade Me deals

The Marlborough Express
Selling 17 computers for $850 each on internet auction site Trade Me but never delivering them has seen a Blenheim man jailed in what is the second ever conviction of its kind in New Zealand. Christopher Cullum, 30, was sentenced in the Blenheim District Court on Friday. He admitted 17 charges of accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes. The admission came just hours before a jury trial was supposed to start after his initial not guilty plea. Cullum was jailed for 12 months on each charge to run concurrent, making a total of 12 months, and ordered to pay full reparation of $14,630 to his victims.

Let NZ join NATO says congressman

New Zealand may be coming in from the cold. A senior member of the US Congress is calling for New Zealand to be admitted to the NATO defence alliance. California Democrat Tom Lantos has put New Zealand on a list of democratic nations he says have carried big responsibilities as partners of NATO. America downgraded military and intelligence ties in 1985 when the Lange government refused a visit by the USS Buchanan on the grounds that the United States would neither confirm nor deny that the ship had nuclear capability.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Free access to convict records

Convict records documenting the lives of more than 165,000 people transported to Australia in the 1700s and 1800s have been placed in Unesco's Memory of the World Register. The records are among just 158 items to be inscribed on the register since 1997.
The document is called The Convict Records of Australia: written account of the deportation over 80 years (1788-1868) of some 165,000 convicts from the United Kingdom, who founded the independent Australian Commonwealth.

Annual Survey Of Humpback Whales Underway

Former whale hunters have become whale protectors as the Department of Conservation resumes a survey of a threatened species. The department's fourth annual study of humpback whales is beginning today, with the aim of assessing their numbers since commercial whaling ended in 1963. A former whaler, Joe Hebberley, is among a group camping on Arapawa Island, while they spot humpbacks in Cook Strait over the next fortnight. DoC is asking for reports of whales travelling up the coast from Kaikoura.
© NewsRoom 2007

Fiji to face tougher sanctions

By TRACY WATKINS - The Dominion Post
High-ranking Fijians are likely to be hit by tougher travel sanctions in the wake of the expulsion of Kiwi diplomat Michael Green. The Government is expected to announce measures next week in retaliation for the expulsion and is likely to favour sanctions targeting members of the illegal Fijian regime. That may mean sanctions making it difficult for Fijians to use New Zealand as a transit point on international flights. The Government has already banned members of Fiji's military-run government from entering New Zealand. Other sanctions include a freeze on seasonal work visas and participation by Fijians in future immigration ballots. Aid payments have also been cut, and the Government may announce further cuts next week.

NZ scenic wonders in push for global status

South Island natural wonders could join the ranks of the pyramids, Stonehenge and the Grand Canyon. The Kahurangi National Park, along with Farewell Spit, Waikoropupu Springs and the Canaan Karst System, have been put forward as a single nomination for World Heritage Site status, along with the waters and seabed of Fiordland's fiords.
The two South Island sites have been given priority for attention on a list nominating eight New Zealand sites. New Zealand landmarks recognised are Tongariro National Park, the New Zealand sub-Antarctic Islands and Te Waipounamu, the 26,000sq km area that includes Mount Cook National Park, Westland National Park, Fiordland National Park, Mount Aspiring National Park and Milford Sound. The shortlist was announced on the eve of a UN world heritage meeting that opens in Christchurch today.
Source:NZPA

Defence Force staff bound for Lebanon

A team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel are headed for Lebanon to take part in a weapons clearing exercise. The three Navy divers and six Army engineers, led by a Navy officer will be based in Tyre in southern Lebanon. Working as a battlefield area clearance team, they will locate and make safe unexploded munitions left after last year's conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Netball-National finals

National Netball Championship Final - Force v Sting at North Shore Events Centre. The Southern Sting has won it's seventh National Netball Championship title in a decade to close out the final year of the semi-professional provincial competition in nail biting style 50-49.© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Folate to be added to bread as mandatory

Adding folate to our bread is to become mandatory. The joint New Zealand and Australian Food Safety decision has been announced this afternoon. In Australia, the folic acid will be added to the flour. In New Zealand, it will be added during the bread-making process - leaving the flour free. It will become mandatory in two years. Organic and non-yeast breads will be exempt. Health Minister Annette King describes it as a triumph for humanity and common sense. She says evidence suggests it will reduce the incidence of spina bifida and hydrocephalus in new born babies by between 4 and 14 a year.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Iconic pieces of NZ make World Heritage list

Two pieces of iconic New Zealand have made it to a tentative list of World Heritage sites being forwarded to the United Nations. They are Auckland's volcanic field and the Kerikeri Basin which includes the Mission House and Stone Store. World heritage status is granted to sites deemed of outstanding universal value to humanity. The UN's World Heritage Committee will make a decision on the list when it meets in Christchurch next month.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

HMNZS Canterbury is off

The Navy's newest ship, HMNZS Canterbury, sets sail for home from Melbourne today. She is due to arrive in Lyttelton Harbour next Thursday. The Canterbury will stay in Lyttelton for four days before sailing to Timaru for the second stage of her official welcome to the Canterbury Region. Members of the public will be invited to visit the ship at both ports.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Sth Auckland couples lose out

Two South Auckland couples who illegally caught and sold grey mullet (fish) in streets around their homes have forfeited their cars, boat, fishing nets and fridge-freezer. Kolani and Anna Peni, Tootoo Sauleone and Viena Meafou have also been each sentenced to between 200 and 300 hours of community service. The Manukau District Court was told the unemployed couples would set two 80 metre long fishing nets two or three times per week. They, their partners and children would then drive slowly along neighbour streets offering the fish for sale - earning up to $1000 a week.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Immunisation expert appeals for health workers to get flu shots

An immunisation expert is appealing for health workers to get over whatever issues they have with flu jabs to ensure hospitals can cope with an influx of winter patients. There is an orange alert at Wellington Hospital as it nears 100 percent occupancy and at North Shore Hospital, patients are being treated in corridors. That is because of an influx of patients and a shortage of staff, with many away with the flu. Immunisation specialist Doctor Nikki Turner says only 20 to 40 percent of health workers get flu vaccinations themselves.
© CanWest TVWorks Limited

Increase in those taking up trades

The number of modern apprentices and other industry trainees is continuing to grow, new figures show. Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen today said in the year to March 31 there were 124,035 industry trainees – up 3.5 per cent on a year earlier. The number of modern apprentices grew 10.3 per cent over the same period to 9752. Dr Cullen said 3260 modern apprentices had completed their training since the scheme was first launched as a pilot in 2000. He said trades training remained a priority for the Labour-led Government.
Source:NZPA

Campaign to outlaw sweetener in schools

By RUTH HILL - The Dominion Post
Food Safety campaigners are calling for a ban on diet drinks and other artificially sweetened products in schools after a Wellington woman said she was poisoned by sugar-free chewing gum. Abigail Cormack, 25, said she began suffering muscle cramps, heart palpitations, anxiety, depression and skin rashes after chewing gum that contained the artificial sweetener aspartame.
Her symptoms disappeared when she stopped her four-pack-a-day habit.

Central Otago cut off by icy weather

By DEBBIE JAMIESON - The Press
The Central Otago region was effectively cut off today, with Transit New Zealand advising people to stay away, as forecasters predict more snow after an icy blast claimed a life and wreaked havoc across the region. "You can't get into Central Otago or out of it. All the highways are affected," John Jarvis, Transit New Zealand's area engineer for the region said. People were advised not to travel because another storm was predicted to hit this morning.

High Take-Up Predicted For 20 Free Hours Pre-School Scheme

The New Zealand Childcare Association is predicting a high take-up of a 20 free hours pre-school education scheme about to be introduced by the Government. It says about 80 percent of its 450 centres will opt in, despite concerns about how the scheme will work. Under the plan, all three and four year old children will be entitled to 20 hours per week of free education from 1 July.
© NewsRoom 2006

Man Stole 42 Cars At Camping Grounds

A Polish migrant who pleaded guilty to 26 counts of stealing from cars at summer camping grounds has been found guilty of 16 more charges. Marek Krysztof Wrobel, 45, appeared in Christchurch District Court this morning, where a judge also found him not guilty of two other theft charges. Wrobel was arrested after break-ins to cars were reported at camping grounds in the upper South Island during the New Year period of 2005 and 2006. Police said more than $10,000 worth of cash and belongings had been stolen.
© NewsRoom 2006

Bulk Carrier Listing In Rough Seas

A ship is listing less than 80km southwest of Cape Egmont in Taranaki. Maritime New Zealand says the bulk carrier Taharoa Express reported early this morning that its load of iron sand had shifted while in rough seas. It says the vessel is intact and not taking any water, and the crew are safe. It is expected to reach Golden Bay at about 1pm Friday.
© NewsRoom 2007

Dollar hits new high

The New Zealand dollar hit a new post-float high overnight of 76.6 US cents. It has since fallen back slightly to 76.3. The rise comes despite the Reserve Bank's interventions in the currency markets in an attempt to push down the dollar's value.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Hydro electric scheme gets go ahead

A controversial hydro-electric scheme in Marlborough has been given the go-ahead - with conditions. Trustpower wants to extend its Wairau Valley Hydro Scheme. That means diverting part of the Wairau River through a series of canals. It will produce enough power to cover Marlborough's peak load and any extra will be exported to Nelson. Environment Commissioners have given the project the go-ahead, but first Trustpower needs to prove the change to river flow would be no more than occurs naturally, there will be no effect on water quality or on aquatic ecology, that it will be of no threat to two endangered birds and will have no adverse effect on the Southern Valley's Irrigation Scheme.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Snow Causing Disruption In Otago

Snow is causing major disruption in central Otago, with the airport closed and a number of car crashes blamed on the weather. One person is dead after their car crashed on State Highway 6 in the Kawarau Gorge near Queenstown in heavy snow. Another car has been pulled from Lake Hawea and its four occupants are suffering from hypothermia. SH6A - the main road from Frankton to Queenstown - is closed because of snow, as is Queenstown Airport. Flights are being diverted to Invercargill. The snow is expected to worsen on Thursday night. Police are advising people not to travel on roads throughout the Southern Lakes unless it is an emergency.
© NewsRoom 2007

Warning Over Artificial Sweeteners

A Wellington GP says more research is needed into artificial sweeteners after a patient became sick from too much sugar-free chewing gum. Wellington woman Abigail McCormack went to her doctor suffering severe cramps and other symptoms, but initial tests couldn't find the cause. The woman's GP, Penny Rowley, says she then discovered Miss McCormack was eating up to eight packs of a sugar-free chewing gum a day, which contain the artificial sweetner aspartame. Dr Rowley says more needs to be known about the impact of ingesting large quantities of the sweetener.
© NewsRoom 2007

Ex-Alcohol Rehab Head Pleads Guilty To Drink-Driving

The former head of a Christchurch alcohol rehabilitation centre has pleaded guilty to drink driving. 59-year-old Ewen James McLeod, who was jailed last week for seven months after pleading guilty to insolvency charges, reappeared in the Christchurch District Court today. McLeod pleaded guilty to a charge of excess breath alcohol and another of careless use of a motor vehicle, both in March this year. He is to be sentenced in July. The insolvency charges McLeod has been imprisoned for related to the running of his failed alcohol rehabilitation clinic, The Deanery.
© NewsRoom 2007

NZ ban likely for violent computer game

New Zealand censors are applauding the first-ever banning in Britain of a video game. Manhunt Two has been rejected by the British Board of Film Classification, for what it describes as an unrelenting focus on sadism and brutal slaying. Chief censor Bill Hastings says New Zealand banned the original version of Manhunt in 2005. He says it is unlikely Manhunt 2 will ever make it to our shores, as it is facing an Adults Only rating in the United States. That means most retail stores will not be stocking it.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Shortest Day Of The Year

Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year with only eight-and-a-half hours of daylight in some parts of the country. And it seems winter has arrived with it shaping up for a cold weekend. A low pressure system from the Tasman Sea yesterday brought snow to Canterbury and heavy rain with cold temperatures to the central North Island. More snow is expected today in Arthur's Pass, Porters Pass, and Banks Peninsular as a cold and squally southwesterly from Antarctica moves onto the South Island. Snow is also visible from the capital on the Rimutaka ranges.
© NewsRoom 2007

Island Search After Mouse Prints Found

A set of mouse prints discovered on a predator free island in the Bay of Plenty has sparked a major search by the Department of Conservation. The footprints were found in a tracking tunnel on Mokoia Island last month and DOC says a male adult mouse has since been killed. Biodiversity programme manager Peter Corson says the island's been pest-free for about seven years so finding even one rodent is a blow. As there may be more mice on the island, Mr Corson says they have begun more vigorous monitoring.
© NewsRoom 2007

Huntington's Disease research wins award

An Auckland scientist has won an award for research that could lead to a cure for Huntington's Disease. Jessie Jacobsen from Auckland University has won the 2007 MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year Award. Huntington's affects one in every 10,000 people and the fatal brain disease robs victims of the ability to walk, talk, think or swallow. Jacobsen's research involved creating the human DNA responsible for Huntington's, and breeding it in sheep. The animals are then studied, for clues into how the disease progresses.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Burger bonus for beef farmers

Beef exporters are working out how much they will reap once Burger King reopens its doors in Japan. The fast-food chain is reentering the Japanese market after pulling out of the country when it lost a price war with McDonald's and other fast food chains in the 1990s. Part of the campaign is a promise to use only New Zealand beef in the burgers. Meat and Wool New Zealand chairman Mike Petersen says the value of the deal to exporters is still to be determined. The 113gm beef patties which will be used in Burger King Japan's Whopper burgers will be supplied by Kiwi Pacific Foods of Auckland. The Whopper burgers will sell for $4 and the Double Whoppers for $5.60. Burger King Japan is also using fish and cheese from New Zealand for its Japanese market.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Mad cow disease a problem for blood donors

The traditional kiwi OE is starting to cause problems for the Blood Service. In its search for new donors, the service is constantly finding people who are willing to give blood but are not able to because of the rules governing exposure to mad cow disease. Anyone who spent six months or more in the UK, Ireland or France between 1980 and 1996 is not allowed to give blood. Donor recruitment team leader Lesley Fazakerley says the rules exclude around 25 percent of donors, especially people aged between 30 and their late 40s who were in Europe during that time. The Blood Service is trying to find younger donors to make up the shortfall.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Push to lower voting age

Green MP Sue Bradford wants to lower the legal voting age by two years, to let 16-year-olds help decide who runs the country. She hopes her private members bill will make it out of the ballot. She believes if people can get married, be taxed and have children at 16, they should be allowed to vote. She also thinks it would be fair to let those in who want to be involved in our democracy. She says we would not be the first to lower the age to such a level - Austria and Brazil have already done so. Sue Bradford says her Bill is about taking young people seriously as citizens and ensuring their voices are heard.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Petition for ban on ciggies shop displays

A petition calling for a ban on cigarette displays in shops will be taken to Parliament today. The Cancer Society, ASH and The National Heart Foundation will present the 20,000 signature petition to Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor. All three organisations are concerned that cigarette displays in places like dairies and petrol stations take pride of place and are frequently placed next to the candy displays aimed at children. They say research shows that displays normalise cigarettes for young smokers and can also trigger impulse purchases for those who are trying to quit.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Police recruitment efforts praised

Recruitment efforts by police are being applauded by New Zealand First. Police bosses have announced they expect to exceed recruitment targets this year. A cornerstone of New Zealand First's confidence and supply agreement with Labour is the addition of another 1,000 sworn officers. Justice spokesman Ron Mark is welcoming the news saying Police and their Minister are to be congratulated for their efforts.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Kiwi arrested at demo in Cambodia

A New Zealander has been arrested in Cambodia for demonstrating in support of two men convicted of murder. Cambodian police detained eight Westerners on Tuesday for protesting for the release of two men whom human rights campaigners say were framed for the 2004 murder of a prominent union leader. Phnom Penh police chief Touch Naruth said the group - three Americans, two Canadians, one New Zealander, one Briton and one Dane - had been arrested for "protesting illegally". He did not give their names. "We are asking them to write statements saying they will not repeat this in the future. If they do not agree to give such statements, along with their signatures, they will be deported," he told Reuters. The United Nations has described the convictions, which the two men say were a result of beaten confessions, as a "grave injustice". Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch both say they were framed for the murder.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Key looks to build US relationships

National leader John Key is strengthening his relationship with the United States and Canada. He is due to meet Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and US deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte when he visits North America next week. Mr Key says the US and Canada are two of New Zealand's most important bi-lateral relationships and it is in the interests of all New Zealanders that the relationships are maintained and enhanced.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Argent plans $70m Tauranga biodiesel plant

Argent Energy is working on plans for a $70 million biodiesel plant in Tauranga, to be in production in the second half of 2009 at the earliest. Argent Energy New Zealand managing director Dickon Posnett told a Christchurch newspaper that raising capital in New Zealand was one option being considered to fund the plant. Argent Energy was still in the feasibility and business planning stage for the plant, which was expected to make 75,000 tonnes a year of biodiesel from animal fat and other feedstocks.
Source:NZPA

Chch school competing with hot chips

A Christchurch school catering company says it has to compete with caravans across the road from schools - selling hot chips. From next June, schools will be obliged to sell healthy food under new rules from the Ministry of Education. Fresh N Fast operations manager Donna Armstrong says they have already been selling healthier options for the past couple of years but sometimes they are up against it. She says at one of the schools in particular there was a caravan across the road selling hot chips for a dollar and when she worked out there, there were kids coming in in the morning before school eating hot chips.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Call for ban on cat and dog fur imports

The Green party wants the import of cat and dog fur banned. It is urging New Zealand to follow Europe's example where the European Union has just announced such a ban. Green MP Sue Kedgley believes local consumers do not want to buy cat and dog fur. However at present there are no laws preventing it being imported here. She says the trade is barbaric and New Zealand should join the growing community of nations that oppose it.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News.

Kiwis fly the nest more

New Zealanders are holidaying overseas in record numbers. Just over 171,000 Kiwis took short trips overseas last month. That is a 23,000, or 16 percent increase on May last year and is the largest monthly increase since December 2004. Half the increase is in trips to Australia. There were also more trips to the Cook Islands, Samoa, the US, UK, and China. Trips to Spain doubled from 700 last May to 1400 this May coinciding with the Louis Vuitton yachting regatta in Valencia. However, departures to Fiji are down by 800, or nine percent, reflecting the political situation there.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Saudi students arrive

The Government has welcomed the arrival of about 200 Saudi Arabian students who will study here under a Saudi Government-sponsored programme. There were 1782 students from Saudi Arabia studying here last year, most studying English. All students in this programme have been vetted by Saudi and New Zealand authorities.
Copyright ©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Impatient passenger drives off in bus

A Christchurch man literally took the bus in Invercargill yesterday but got only as far as Winton before crashing it. The man bought a ticket for the Atomic Shuttles bus, which runs from Invercargill to Dunedin, but became impatient when the driver left the vehicle to help a passenger leaving the keys in the ignition. He allegedly got behind the wheel --- kicking out his fellow travellers. "Inquiries have revealed the person that took it was trying to get to Christchurch," Sergeant Wing Ng told the Southland Times. But he drove only as far as Winton 30km away before rolling the bus.
Source:NZPA

Kiwis wealthier as incomes soar

By COLIN ESPINER - The Press
Feeling wealthier? Statistics say you should be, even though most people are paying more tax. Statistics New Zealand figures, taken from the 2006 census, show median personal incomes have jumped 32 per cent since 2001, while family incomes are up 28 per cent. The increases are "real" because wages outstripped price rises, with the price of goods and services, as measured by increases in the consumer price index, up by 13 per cent over the same period. The biggest increase in median incomes was in the $50,000 to $70,000 income band, with the number in that bracket increasing from 6 per cent in 2001 to 10 per cent.

Confectionery giant laying off staff worldwide

Cadbury Schweppes is closing factories and jobs worldwide but it is not yet known what its plans are for the company's New Zealand operations. The confectionery giant has a global workforce of 50,000 and 60 factories. It plans to sell off its drinks unit. Cadbury has a plant in Dunedin.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

NZer wins discrimination case in Sydney

A New Zealander who sued one of Sydney's most popular pubs after being denied entry because of his Maori background has won a payout for discrimination. Marcellus Cook has been awarded more than $5,000 after being banned from Scruffy Murphy's. The pub introduced a policy two years ago banning people of Middle Eastern and Pacific Island appearance, who were not known to hotel staff. Mr Cook was turned away from Scruffy Murphy's in November 2005, but his friends were allowed in.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Trouble brewing in Tasman Sea

A storm sweeping over the Tasman Sea means trouble for New Zealand over the next few days. The bad weather is expected to cause flash flooding in New South Wales today and bring winds of up to 120 kilometres an hour to the region. The Radio Network's weather commentator Philip Duncan says the storm will move on to much of New Zealand today and arrive in two parts. It will bring thunderstorms in northern regions tonight and strong north-easterlies. There will be a bit of a breather on Thursday although further thunderstorms may be triggered as the large centre of the system moves across the country. On Friday, the second part will strike with severe south westerly winds bringing snow to the far South Island and gales to parts of the east. The weather will ease on Sunday.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

$1m for Antarctic Research

A Victoria University graduate is donating $1 million to its Antarctic Research Centre for research into global warming. Alan Eggers was a member of the University's 1975 Antarctic Expedition, and went on to make his money in uranium mining. He says he is delighted to be able to give something back. Centre Director Professor Peter Barrett says the money is a significant boost for their research on the ice, and comes at a time when the need to know more about the region's climate history is more important than ever before.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Lamb rivals may become allies

British sheep farmers want to team up with their New Zealand counterparts, despite protests about cheap New Zealand lamb pushing down their profits. In the past, neither UK nor New Zealand sheep farmer have been particularly sympathetic towards each other's plight but that may be about to change. Several farmer organisations in Britain are interested in making contact with New Zealand lamb producers saying it is time to work together. Peter Morris, CEO of New Zealand's National Sheep Association, blames big UK supermarket chains for forcing prices down. He says it is ridiculous that UK and New Zealand producers supply around 90 percent of lamb for the British market, yet allow themselves to be played off against one another by those whose sole intention is to take as much short term profit as they can.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Australian planes in NZ skies

2 Royal Australian Air Force F-111 strike aircraft will roar across New Zealand skies this week. They are being hosted by our air force for three days of mountain flying training.
The two Australian jets will fly over much of the North Island, including the East Coast and New Plymouth - as well as fly down the West Coast of the South Island as far as Fiordland. The Aussies say New Zealand's terrain is an ideal for mountain flying training.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Most lights back on in Papakura

Power has been restored to most people affected by an outage in Papakura, south Auckland this morning. It is believed a contractor inadvertently sliced through a cable at the Papakura shopping centre at just before 10am. A spokeswoman for lines company Vector says there are still a few people without power, but it should not be long before they are back.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Time to wrap up - winter's finally decided to get serious

By Derek Cheng
Winter arrived in earnest this weekend, sending temperatures plunging and bringing snow to hills around Gisborne and Hawkes Bay. A southerly flow kept many in the northern and central regions wrapped up as the mercury fell to as low as 4C in Auckland, and 5C in Wellington. The Turoa skifield also had light snowfalls, as did ranges in inland Canterbury. MetService forecaster Ian Miller said that after a respite today, a cold front tomorrow would bring showers to many South Island areas. Wednesday is expected to bring rain, possibly heavy, to Northland and the Bay of Plenty, "and that will probably spill over into Gisborne and the Hawkes Bay on Thursday", said Mr Miller. Southwesterlies are expected to bring snow later in the week to low levels in the South Island
Copyright ©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Conduct code for public servants

By Derek Cheng
The Prime Minister is unveiling a new code of conduct for public servants today, but declined to comment on whether a similar code is needed for members of Parliament. The State Services Commission has drawn up the new code, which replaces the present one. It covers 120 agencies and 110,000 civil servants and is expected to come into force on November 30. The new code for public servants is based on four principles - fairness, impartiality, responsibility and trustworthiness. The code includes a statement that public servants must "avoid any activities, work or non-work", that may harm the reputation of their organisation. But it will be up to employers to detail which acts are inappropriate and how they will be dealt with.
Copyright ©2006, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Police Have Grave Concerns For NZer Missing In Russia

The police say they hold grave concerns for a New Zealand man missing in Russia. 55 year old Kevin Borcovsky from Blenheim was researching his family history in the Amur region when he went missing late last year. The head of New Zealand's missing person unit, Detective sergeant Liam Clinton, says Mr Borcovsky has not been seen or heard from since October and his bank accounts have not been touched. But he says a number of Mr Borcovsky's personal belongings have been found including his passport and rail pass. The body of Auckland woman Pamela Crane was found in a Moscow hotel at the weekend.
© NewsRoom 2007

Wellington has top income earners

Men over-45 with a post graduate degree and living in Wellington are most likely to be the country's top income earners. Latest Statistics New Zealand figures show since 2001 the median income for a man has jumped 27 percent to $31,500. In that time, women's incomes have risen more than a third to an annual median of $19,100. Overall, in 2006 the median annual personal income for all people was $24,400. While fewer received income from an unemployment benefit, sickness benefits increased by 32 percent.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Flu Jab Numbers Down

Health experts are urging those people most at risk of getting the flu to have a free vaccination soon. Free vaccinations for at-risk groups are only available for another 11 days. But it says the overall number of people having flu jabs is down on last year. The National Influenza Strategy Group is urging people to get the vaccinations soon, especially the elderly and those with chronic conditions. Experts say the flu's circulating around the country, with an increase in cases in Waikato and Tauranga over the past two weeks.
© NewsRoom 2007

Research to help haemophiliacs

By KAMALA HAYMAN - The Press
A Christchurch doctor has won an international research award for a project which may save millions of dollars in unnecessary and painful treatment. Dr Mark Smith, a specialist in the blood disorder haemophilia, will fly to Geneva next month to accept a $205,000 ($US155,000) grant – one of only three special projects awarded worldwide by the Bayer Haemophilia Awards programme. Smith will embark on a two-year study of haemophiliacs who do not respond to Factor VIII treatment. Haemophiliacs usually take Factor VIII to replace the missing clotting factor in their blood. It helps limit bleeding, particularly spontaneous internal bleeds which can cause long-term damage to their joints and ultimately severe disability.

Statue of David Lange to stand in Otahuhu

By MICHAEL FIELD - The Dominion Post
Former Prime Minister David Lange is to be immortalised in a $250,000 statue in Otahuhu, the South Auckland suburb where he grew up. No one from a working group creating the piece of art would comment yesterday, but a legal circular asks for Auckland lawyers to contribute. The Auckland District Law Society's Lawnews says a David Lange Memorial Trust has been established to build the sculptural memorial. Lawyer Brian FitzPatrick is quoted saying plans are well-advanced. "We are looking for contributions or donations and the quality of materials involved in the structure will be dependent on the amount raised." Mr Lange was born in Otahuhu in 1942 and died in 2005. A lawyer, he was prime minister from 1984 till 1989.

Man drought hitting universities

By JANINE BENNETTS - The Press
The apparent man drought is extending to the universities with males making up just 41 per cent of all graduates in 2005, new figures show. The percentage of female graduates from New Zealand's eight universities has increased from 51.6 per cent in 1996 to 58.6 per cent in 2005, according to the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors' Committee (NZVCC) graduate survey. Women now make up 59.3 per cent of domestic graduates and 55.6 per cent of international graduates.
The number of males graduating with domestic masters degrees has plummeted from 45.5 per cent in 2000 to 33.2 per cent in 2005 and those with doctorates has dropped from 50.1 per cent to 42.4 per cent.

Police caught speeding 685 times last year

Police officers were caught 685 times by speed cameras last year but 435 tickets were waived because they were on their way to emergencies, it was reported today. Radio New Zealand obtained the figures under the Official Information Act. The National Party's police spokesman, Chester Borrows, said officers were expected to abide by the law in the same way as the public, and their Speed Kills campaign should be backed by their own actions.
Source:NZPA

Limiting immigration a worry for builders

Builders are concerned about suggestions that limiting immigration levels could solve housing affordability problems. A paper is being prepared for Cabinet which will explore the impact of immigration on the economy. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters insists immigration has a profound impact on rising house prices in Auckland. The Registered Master Builders Federation says restricting immigration could seriously impact the construction sector. Chief Executive Pieter Burghout says the Government is risking constricting a core engine of the New Zealand economy if it reduces the number of people coming into the country.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Good news for would be employees

Bosses think they are going to be hiring more staff in the next six months. Hiring expectations are at their highest level for two years. That is according to a survey by HR consultants Hudson. A net 39 percent of employers expect to increase their staff numbers between now and the end of the year. That is up five percent on the same time six months ago.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Forum will discuss urbanisation

A forum in Queenstown next month will discuss how urbanisation will affect farming practices in the future. David Natzke from the New Zealand Farm Environment Award Trust says the rapid growth of many towns and the increasing popularity of lifestyle blocks is putting more pressure on agricultural land and affecting the way many farmers run their operations. He says farmers will be able to hear about the problems other farmers have had to face and learn about ways in which urbanisation can be managed in the future. Mr Natzke says the issue has already been tested in Queenstown, where there has been a considerable amount of development.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Diplomat leaves Fiji

New Zealand's expelled High Commissioner to Fiji says serving as a diplomat in Fiji was an honour but not always a pleasure. Michael Green is now en route to Auckland after being accused by the regime of Commodore Frank Bainimarama of meddling in Fiji's political affairs by speaking with members of Laisenia Qarase's ousted government. Mr Green says he has enjoyed his time in Fiji and has made many friends, who he will miss. The diplomat is expected to make a further statement when he arrives in New Zealand this afternoon.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Clark warns Fiji

Prime Minister Helen Clark is warning Fiji that more penalties are on the cards following the expulsion of New Zealand's High Commissioner Michael Green. Miss Clark says New Zealand will be considering the most effective way to drive home to Fiji that it needs to mend its behaviour and take steps back to constitutional government. New measures are likely to be announced early next week. Miss Clark also plans to tell the United Nations she is against the organisation continuing to use Fijian troops for peacekeeping missions. She says New Zealand believes it is inappropriate for Fiji to be widely engaged by the UN in troubled nations when its own military has brought tremendous trouble to its own country.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Help us or keep out, Fiji orders

HAYDON DEWES in Suva - The Dominion Post
Fiji's military strongman Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has issued an ultimatum to the international community - help his regime, or stop meddling in its affairs. "We are now the government of this country. We decide what to do. We have set our goals, we have set our missions and we will work towards its end. Nobody is going to change that," he said yesterday. "We have never interfered with your sovereignty. In turn we request that you don't interfere with us." In a press conference at Suva's army barracks yesterday, the interim leader escalated the diplomatic crisis with New Zealand and Australia and singled out Prime Minister Helen Clark, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. He said they had failed to understand the military was calling the shots for Fiji and it would continue to do so with or without their help. The return to a parliamentary democracy was a matter for Fiji and no one else, he said.

New penalties target scalpers and streakers

MPs have agreed to tough new penalties for ticket scalpers and streakers at the Rugby World Cup in 2011. The commerce select committee considering the Major Events Management Bill today recommended just minor changes to the legislation intended to protect the commercial interests of organisers and sponsors of the Rugby World Cup. The main purpose of the bill is to prohibit "ambush marketing" and provides for advertising and sales "clean zones" around venues. It also says that any unauthorised entry on to a pitch can result in a jail sentence of up to three months or a fine up to $5000. The same punishments apply to anyone throwing objects on to the pitch as well. The bill also imposes a $5000 fine on anyone selling or trading a ticket for more than the original sale price.
Source:NZPA

NZ scientists working on melanoma vaccine

Of the 2000 New Zealanders who get the skin cancer melanoma this year, 250 will die. New Zealand scientists are working on a new cancer vaccine that could dramatically reduce the number of people who die from skin cancer. The melanoma research involves injecting cancer sufferers with modified cancer cells.
© CanWest TVWorks Limited

Influenza jabs advocated after study finds link to heart attack deaths

By Martin Johnston
Influenza has been linked with an increased death rate from heart attacks, in a study highlighted by advocates of the flu vaccine. The Russian-American study found the death rate from chronic heart disease in St Petersburg was on average 10 per cent higher during influenza epidemics than in the flu "off-season". The death rate from acute heart attacks was, on average, 30 per cent higher during the epidemics. Researchers believe the influenza virus causes an acute and severe inflammation, which can disturb the fatty deposits at the root of heart artery disease. The Institute of Environmental and Scientific Research estimates that of people eligible for state-funded (free) vaccination, only about two-thirds of the elderly and one-third of younger people have it. Those eligible are people 65 or older, and under 65 who have one or more chronic conditions including heart disease, respiratory disease and most cancers. The free jabs are available until June 30.

Quarantine controls for visiting ships tightened

Quarantine controls for ships entering New Zealand ports have been tightened to ensure international guidelines are met. Border health protection senior adviser John Gardiner said old regulations were concerned with cholera, plague and yellow fever but the new regulations had fresher targets. "The new ones cover emerging threats like SARs, pandemic influenza, drug resistant tuberculosis, ionising radiation and chemical contamination," he said.
Source:NZPA

Whale Entangled In Crayfishing Rope

The Department of Conservation says there have been no further sightings of a humpback whale entangled in a crayfishing rope with buoys attached. The whale was seen off Kaikoura on Friday afternoon. DOC's South Marlborough manager, Dave Hayes, says it is the seventh such entanglement in the area since 2001. He says the rope is wrapped around the whale's front flukes.
© NewsRoom 2007

Stricken aircraft belly flops at Blenheim

By STAFF REPORTERS - The Marlborough Express
Aircraft pieces flew in the air as an Eagle Air plane with 17 people on board made an emergency crash landing at Blenheim Airport this morning after landing gear failed. The Air New Zealand Beech aircraft, with 15 passengers and two crew aboard, had tried to land at Wellington when the crew found a problem with its landing gear. The flight from Timaru to Wellington was diverted to Blenheim after the fault was detected. Fire engines, ambulances, police and other support staff rushed to the scene under a full emergency alert as the plane circled above Woodbourne for about half an hour, preparing for a crash landing. Nobody was injured in the crash landing.

New bid to stop irrigation scheme

By CHARLIE GATES - The Press
A protest group has opened a new legal front in its battle to stop the controversial Central Plains Water irrigation scheme. The Malvern Hills Protection Society, formed seven years ago in opposition to the $350 million water project, is taking its fight to the Environment Court. The group has launched a $100,000 legal challenge of the government decision to grant the Central Plains Water company (CPW) powers to compulsorily purchase land for the project. Society spokesman Rosalie Snoyink said the legal challenge was part of a deliberate campaign to frustrate and delay the scheme.

Discovery of Kiwi woman's body in Moscow suspicious

New Zealand police are releasing few details about the killing of a 72-year-old Auckland woman in Moscow as they liaise with their Russian counterparts. Pamela Crane, 72, of Pakuranga, was found dead at an undisclosed address in Moscow after being reported missing on June 10 when she did not arrive on her scheduled flight into Auckland. National missing persons unit head Detective Sergeant Liam Clinton said Mrs Crane was last seen on May 29 when an organised tour ended in Moscow. She was due to travel from Russia to other European destinations before returning home.
Source:NZPA

New laws to help those crippled with debt

More people struggling with huge debts will avoid bankruptcy under new laws to be introduced before Christmas. Changes to the Insolvency Act, prompted by consumers' greater access to credit and a growing number of people going bankrupt, will come into force by the end of the year. The changes include the introduction of a new category of debtors with less than $40,000 in debts and no assets. People who qualify for the "no asset procedure" can have their debts written off but can only qualify once for the privilege and cannot have already been bankrupt. It does not apply to student loans. The law change also raises the level of debt someone can have before being forced into bankruptcy. At present, if someone owes under $12,000, they can apply to make "summary instalments", where they avoid bankruptcy but make plans to repay their debt within three years. The debt threshold for summary instalments will be raised from $12,000 to $40,000.
Source:The Press

Search resumes for missing NZ tourist in Cairns

A search has resumed for a missing New Zealand tourist in parkland at Cairns in far north Queensland. The 57-year-old woman was reported missing at 10pm AEST yesterday after she failed to return from a walk near Centenary Lakes at Edgehill. An overnight search involving police dogs has failed to find her. State Emergency Service volunteers joined the search at first light.

Bear Bile Sold In NZ: WSPA

An animal rights group says the illegal trade of bear bile has hit New Zealand's shores. The bile is harvested from the gall bladders of live bears, often without anaesthetic or pain relief. The procedure is legal in China, but bile products cannot be sold overseas. The group WSPA says it found the ingredient on sale at a traditional Asian medicine store in Auckland. A wildlife investigator for the Customs Service, Stuart Williamson, 89 products have been seized at Auckland airport in the last 18 months - 75 bear bile products last year and 14 so far this year.
© NewsRoom 2007

Museums challenged over Moa (extinct,flightless bird)

New Zealand's two big museums are being challenged over their representations of Moa. Te Papa in Wellington has been under pressure to make its Moa look more realistic: critics say it is too fat and not tall enough. Auckland Museum has been accused of stretching the truth by exaggerating the height of its Moa. Author of Extinct Birds of New Zealand, Allan Tennyson, says Auckland's towering three metre big bird is probably about a metre taller than it should be. He says he wants people to think of Moa more realistically. And he says that is a hard idea to push, because people now expect them to be bigger than they really were Mr Tennyson says the question of who has the bigger Moa is a bit pointless, because it was the tallest bird in the world anyway.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

New head of state for Samoa

By Xavier La Canna
A new leader has been elected unopposed in Samoa. Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Efi, a hot favourite to take the role, has been appointed Head of State by the country's 49-strong Legislative Assembly. Tuiatua is the first leader to be appointed by a vote of parliament for a five-year term. The previous leader of Samoa, Malietoa Tanumafili II, ruled the country since independence in 1962 after being given a lifetime title to the role. He died last month aged 95.

Farmers welcome rough weather

Rough weather in the Hawke's Bay overnight has given drought-stricken farmers some relief. Heavy rain pelted the Takapau plains yesterday evening, with snowfall down to 700m, and temperatures below freezing. Farmers welcomed between 15 and 25mm of rain across the lower regions. And while the chilly spell had locals reaching for extra blankets overnight, MetService's Erik Brenstrum says the worst is probably over.
© CanWest TVWorks Limited

Weekend of appeals for charities

There is a battle for our hearts, minds and wallets this weekend. Several charities are running appeals and awareness campaigns. St John Ambulance is relying on the 'help us so we can help you' theory to generate interest in its annual appeal, starting today. The IHC is playing up the role volunteers play in the organisation, with the start of Volunteer Awareness Week. Chief executive Ralph Jones says the 36,000 New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities would find life much harder, were it not for their volunteer buddies. Today is also the last day of Brain Injury Awareness Week. Every week, enough people to fill a jumbo jet sustain some form of brain injury here.
NEWSTALK ZB

PM still unsure of Dalai Lama meeting

The Dalai Lama arrived at Auckland International Airport last night. The exiled spiritual leader of Tibet flew in from his visit to Australia. About 150 followers were there to welcome him. The Dalai Lama Visit Trust says he will speak on compassion and kindness at the Vector Arena this afternoon. He speaks in Auckland again tomorrow and in Wellington on Tuesday. He will be greeted at a reception today by Sir Edmund Hillary. There is no indication Prime Minister Helen Clark plans to meet formally with the Dalai Lama. Visit organiser Thuten Kesang says he has been ringing her office for the past three weeks, only to be told she has not made up her mind. Earlier this week, the Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters denied reports China was leaning on the Government to prevent a face-to-face encounter.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Fiji ad campaign set back

The Fiji Visitors Bureau says the expulsion of the New Zealand High Commissioner has set back a campaign to entice holidaymakers back to Fiji. Michael Green has been declared persona non grata by Fiji's interim government, which accuses him of interfering with the country's internal affairs. Visitors Bureau chief Bill Gavoka says a $300,000 TV advertising campaign, scheduled to hit New Zealand screens this weekend, has been scrapped. He says New Zealand is Fiji's second largest tourist market.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Queen turns 81

Thousands of people have watched with pride as the Queen marked her birthday in London. Eleven hundred troops took part in the Trooping The Colour parade, which shows off the British Army at its ceremonial best. The Queen is now 81.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Firefighters get a boost

Volunteer firefighters are set for a boost. A new training initiative, and the roll-out of new appliances to brigades throughout the country, has just been announced. Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker says the initiative will see volunteer firefighters working side by side with their full-time equivalents. Mr Barker says up to 18 fire stations are taking part, including Auckland City, Wellington, Nelson and Dunedin.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Rugby-ABs beat Canada 64-13

The All Blacks have overcome a slow start to thump Canada 64-13 in Hamilton. Canada was able to hold the All Blacks to a six-point lead after half an hour and a 26-13 lead at the break. But Graham Henry's men turned it on in the second half, running out 10 tries to 1 victors. Star first five Dan Carter was the standout, dotting down three times. The All Blacks get on a plane to the Republic in the morning for their opening Tri-Nations match against South Africa next weekend.
© 2006 Newstalk ZB News

Otago wind farm could double in size

The controversial Project Hayes wind farm in Otago could be almost twice as big as originally planned, according to a council planner. On the second-to-last day of a council hearing into plans for the wind farm on the Lammermoor Range near Dunedin, an attachment to a Contact Energy submission already presented revealed that land had been earmarked for 113 turbines, in addition to the 176 proposed by Meridian Energy. The submission was not publicly read when it was first presented and was included yesterday in the closing report from Central Otago District Council planning consultant David Whitney. The information was theoretically already in the public domain, but it was an attachment and "buried in the papers", Mr Whitney said.
Source:NZPA