Kiwisaver (superannuation scheme) breaks three quarter million mark

The number of people signed up to KiwiSaver has broken three quarters of a million. It is almost 13 months since the retirement savings scheme was launched and as of late last week it had over 753,000 people signed up to it. That is almost 500,000 more people than the Government had originally anticipated.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

PM heads to Tonga for coronation

Helen Clark flies to Tonga today. The Prime Minister will hold talks with Tongan Prime Minister Feleti Sevele this afternoon before attending a dinner hosted by the kingdom's Crown Prince. Tomorrow she attends the coronation ceremony of King Siaosa Tupou V. The 60 year old's coronation comes two years after the death of his father, King George Tupou.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

40 people injured on cruise ship in storm

Forty people have been injured on a cruise ship caught in seven metre swells and 50 knot winds north of Auckland. P&O says the Pacific Sun rolled sharply just before 8pm yesterday. Passengers were flung about and as a result 40 were treated by on board medical staff. The ship was to have returned to Auckland this morning but has been delayed by at least 24 hours due to the bad weather. She is returning from an eight day cruise in the Pacific.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Foreign seasonal workers being exploited - church

The Presbyterian Church is concerned many seasonal workers from Vanuatu are being exploited when they reach New Zealand. There are 1600 Ni-Vanuatu workers in New Zealand who have come over using the Department of Labour's Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme. Since their arrival churches around the country have received a number of complaints about living conditions and pay. Churches in the Bay of Plenty, Marlborough and Central Otago have all reported abuses.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

NZers to vote for their favourite chip shops

New Zealanders will be able to vote from Friday for their favourite chippie in the 2008 Best Chip Shop Competition. Chip Group chairwoman Glenda Gourley said public text voting would determine 15 regional finalists in each of six regions. "They will then be visited by a mystery judge. Public voting is by texting a four digit code to 4554 from Friday until September 30. The code will be available in chip shops or on www.chipgroup.co.nz.
Source:NZPA

NZ scrabble player wins three world titles

A New Zealand scrabble player created history overnight when he became the first player to hold the word game's three most coveted titles. Christchurch man Nigel "Tiger" Richards, 41, won the North American Open scrabble championship in Orlando, Florida, to go with the world title he won last November and the British title he won earlier this year. Richards, who is based in Kuala Lumpur, became the first player to hold all three titles at once.
Source:NZPA

Storm sweeps down country

By ANNA CHALMERS - Fairfax Media
Many roads around the North Island were closed by slips or floods as the second big storm in a few days brought heavy rain and gales. Power has been cut in parts of Horowhenua, including the town of Levin. There are a number of road closures in the lower North Island, including SH4 between Wanganui and Raetihi. SH35 near Tologa Bay was also closed to anything other than trucks or four wheel drives. A tornado has damaged several houses in Mt Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty as the wild weather moved south. Thames Hospital said many staff had been unable to get to work today because of road closures due to flooding. Northland was cut off from the rest of the country for a time, when State Highway 1 was closed by a huge slip just north of Warkworth. In the Coromandel, SH25 south of Whitianga is flooded with water one metre deep and impassable. Civil Defence has issued a warning to Canterbury residents as the storm closes in, with experts particularly concerned about high tide at Kaikoura this afternoon.
click HERE for list of road closures
Dominion Post, The Press, NZPA

Many Countries Sign Up For International Netball Tourney In Cook Islands

The 2009 World Youth Netball Championships (WYNC) in the Cook Islands has attracted more than the number of countries expected to take part. International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) president Molly Rhone told Jamaica Observer that they may have to consider extending the number of days or inviting two additional countries to the championship. So far the countries are Namibia, Kenya, India, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Malawi as well as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, the United States, Barbados Malaysia, Samoa, Fiji, hosts Cook Islands, defending champions New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Northern Ireland, England, and Wales. Rhone says that if none of the countries withdraws, IFNA will have to ask two more countries to make groupings for the tournament more balanced with countries divided into four groups of six, instead of the four groups of five.
Copyright © 2002 - 2008 TransOceanic Media

Royalty bill 'a new tax on art'

Parliament has been told that a proposed art resale royalty is a new tax on art that will result in important works being sold in Australia rather than New Zealand. The Government Administration Select Committee is considering a bill to ensure artists benefit from the rising value of their work by introducing a 5% royalty on resales of more than $500. Auction house owner John Mowbray told the committee on Wednesday that the bill is unworkable because it is uneconomical to try to find unknown artists in order to pay royalties as low as $25. Mr Mowbray described the bill as a new tax on art that would lead to important works being sold at auction in Australia.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Steam train trip marks 100-years of North Island line

NZPA/Ross Setford
A steam train will travel from Wellington to Auckland next week to celebrate 100 years of the main trunk line. The train will include an original carriage used in the first trip in 1908. The trip, departing the capital on August 6, will take three days to complete. The original train trip was known as the `Parliament Special' and was the first passenger train to travel from Wellington to Auckland. It left Wellington at 10pm on August 7, 1908, carrying 200 passengers including 44 parliamentarians, and arrived in Auckland at 6.30pm on August 8.

GM rice found in imported vermicelli

An imported rice product has been withdrawn from sale, after it was found to have trace quantities of an unauthorised genetically modified (GM) rice variety. New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) ensured the withdrawal after tests showed traces of (GM) rice variety, Bt63, in "rice vermicelli" from China. NZFSA was not aware of health concerns from eating the product, it said. "However, Bt63 is not approved for sale in food in New Zealand as it has not had a Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) safety assessment."
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

No closures of Starbucks in NZ

Fast food operator Restaurant Brands says its Starbucks cafes will remain open in New Zealand, as the American chain closes most of its stores in Australia. Starbucks is to close 61 of its 84 stores there, leaving only 23 in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne by early August. Starbucks previously announced it would close 600 stores in the United States. Restaurant Brands owns and operates 45 Starbucks coffee houses in New Zealand.
© 2008 Radio New Zealand

Building downturn makes job losses inevitable - federation

A big drop in the number of building consents for houses and apartments means job losses are inevitable, says the Registered Master Builders Federation. The number of consents fell in June to its lowest monthly level in seven years. According to Statistics New Zealand, the number of permits fell by half to 1362 - a drop of 27% compared with June last year. Construction numbers have been falling since last year, and the latest figures show the cost to the industry to be more than $230 million.
© 2008 Radio New Zealand

End of era for Eden Park (Rugby ground) this weekend

Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match will mark the end of an era for Eden Park. Just hours after the the full-time whistle, work will start on the demolition of the historic South Stand. It was opened in 1959, and has seen such events as the 1987 World Cup victory, and the 'flour bombing' incident during the Springbok tour of 1981. Eden Park Trust Board secretary Warwick Lovell says while many involved with Eden Park will be sorry to see it go, exciting times lie ahead. He says the stand has been a part of their lives for a very long time, but they are pleased they will have a new stand for the 2011 World Cup.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Staff survey shows problems for immigrants

Those from South America or the Middle East could have a hard time getting a job in New Zealand. The latest Robert Half Global Workplace Survey shows they are the least-favoured regions for employers here seeking staff. Spokesman Steve McGowan says the results are unsurprising, as employers are keen to attract staff whose first language is English. Australia tied first equal with the United Kingdom, followed by Asia as the best places to recruit staff.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Havelock North baker wins Pie Award

A Havelock North baker has taken top honours in this year's Supreme Pie Award - for the second year running. Neville Jackson of Jackson's Bakery and Cafe impressed the judges again with his chicken and vegetable creation. He puts leaks, celery, carrots and broccoli in a creamy sauce flavoured with garlic and onion. The former butcher wins $7,500 for his efforts - and the probability that customers will be lining up at the door this morning. The New Zealand pie market is worth more than $130 million.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Dunedin hospital asks people to stay away during power test

People are being asked to stay away from Dunedin hospital between 7am and 10am on Wednesday while its backup power system is tested. The mains power will be switched off and the hospital will run on a generator to test how it would cope in a power outage. Otago District Health Board duty manager Elaine Chisnall says people should phone or attend the hospital during that time only if it is an emergency. She says access to lifts, telephones and computers will be limited, although plans are in place to ensure in-patient services and critical services continue.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Approaching storm promises more heavy rain

A big storm approaching the top of the North Island is expected to dump up to 100 millimetres of rain on the region by 9am on Wednesday. MetService says Northland will feel the brunt of the storm early on Wednesday morning. MetService forecaster Peter Kreft says the storm could be windier than previously predicted. It will pass over Northland relatively quickly, but will linger over New Zealand for the rest of the week. Mr Kreft says the storm will effect most districts at some point.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Multi coloured kiwifruit

GE Free New Zealand is welcoming the genetic breakthrough that will soon see kiwifruit grown in a multitude of colours and flavours. HortResearch and the listed biotech company Genesis Research and Development Corporation have uncovered the DNA behind the fruits colour. GE Free New Zealand spokesman Jon Carapiet says the kiwifruit Industry has rejected genetic engineering and are using natural breeding techniques to create new varieties.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

World award nominations for NZ buildings

An Auckland house named after a duckshooting shelter has been selected as one of the 16 best private homes built in the world over the last two years. The "Maimai" house in Ponsonby, designed by Auckland-based architects Patterson Associates was announced today as one of the finalists in the World Architecture Festival awards to be held in Barcelona, Spain, this October. The building took its name from the shelters used by duck hunters, which like the home offered both camouflage and vantage point -- in Maimai's case a view of the Auckland cityscape.
Source:NZPA

New comms unit for Red Cross

NZPA/Ross Setford
After 18 months training, the Red Cross is about to get the final go ahead for its new emergency communications unit which can be deployed to disasters anywhere in the world. The Wellington-based Red Cross IT and Telecommunications Emergency Response Unit will be one of only five in the world and the only one in the southern hemisphere. The unit will be self-sufficient in wireless internet, telephone and radio networks at natural disasters anywhere but will probably concentrate on the South Pacific.

NZ sending more aid funds to North Korea

New Zealand will give $NZ500,000 to help North Korea address food shortages. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says North Korea is facing the most severe food shortages since a famine in the 1990s. Mr Peters says food prices have tripled in the past year, after a significant proportion of the country's crops were destroyed in floods last August. The aid will go to the World Food Programme, and follows $NZ500,000 given via the International Red Cross following the floods.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ internet picture revealed

The first real picture of how New Zealanders are using the Internet has been released. The Auckland University of Technology has released the World Internet Project New Zealand, showing for the first time the social impact of the internet here. Founder and Director of the project Dr Jeff Cole is in Queenstown to speak at the International Cybercitizens Conference. He says the report shows the internet is becoming an essential part of daily life in New Zealand with one of the highest penetrations in the developed world. The study also found socialising is one of the major uses of the Internet, with 77 percent of users checking their emails daily.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Olive trees protected by frost with sugar beet extract

NZPA/Ben Campbell
Spraying olive trees with a natural product from sugar beet has successfully stopped some varieties of olive trees in the South Island being knocked by frosts. Alex Houliston, head of science at Christchurch Girls' High School, took a year off teaching high school to study the frost problem in his own orchard. Mr Houliston sprayed some of his trees with glycine betaine, which is extracted from sugar beet as a by-product of sugar production. "We were delighted to find that this product significantly reduced frost damage to my trees," said Mr Houliston who was awarded a technology teaching fellowship at Lincoln University and worked with researchers, Leo Vanhanen and Associate Professor Geoffrey Savage.

NSW Swifts win netball championship

The New South Wales Swifts beat the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic 65-56 in the inaugural trans Tasman netball championship in Sydney on Monday night. The home side proved too strong in a fast-paced match. NSW led 34-28 at halftime and 50-45 at the final break. They outscored the Magic 15-11 in the final quarter. For the Swifts, Catherine Cox and Susan Pratley scored 41 and 24 each. For the Magic, Irene van Dyk scored 45 and Maria Tutaia 11; van Dyk's accuracy rate was 98%. The ABC reports it was a true trans-Tasman clash - representing the spirit of world netball's finest rivalry.
© 2008 Radio New Zealand

Quit line hits record usage

Almost 44,000 people used a Government-funded stop smoking service during the past year. The Quit Group, a charitable trust set up to run quit smoking programmes, said it was thrilled with the record number of people coming to the trust to stop smoking. Executive director Helen Glasgow said quitting smoking not only had immediate health benefits, it increased people's quality of life and their life expectancies.
©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited

More women with PhDs but they earn less

by REBECCA TODD - The Press
More women than men are completing degrees at all levels of university education, but female graduates' salaries are still lagging behind. While women have outnumbered men in undergraduate studies for over a decade, the latest statistics show they overtook men in completion of doctoral degrees in 2006. However, the salaries of male graduates were higher except for physical science graduates, where women earned nearly $2000 more. For graduates with no specific major, the average male was earning $75,796 compared with $48,896 for women.

New York law expert slams NZ politicians

An international law expert is warning New Zealand's law-making process is in grave danger. Visiting Professor Jeremy Waldron, is in Auckland to give a lecture tonight at the Maxim Institute. Professor Waldron is a lecturer at the School of Law at New York University. He says we have stripped away safeguard after safeguard from our legislative process, leaving it with virtually none of the safeguards most working democracies take for granted. Professor Waldron says we have no quorum, no second chamber, and there is even no requirement to attend in order to vote on legislation. He says New Zealand politicians seem to care more about power, rather than proper parliamentary process.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Company prosecuted for claiming to be NZ made

Furniture manufacturers have welcomed the Commerce Commission decision to prosecute a New Plymouth company convicted of falsely claiming its products as New Zealand-made. Knight Business Furniture was fined $5000 under the Fair Trading Act this month for claiming its office furniture was "New Zealand made". It was only assembled in New Zealand, from local and imported parts. Business New Zealand said furniture makers welcomed the commission's choice to take court action. "This underlines the importance of maintaining the integrity of the brand, and sends a strong signal to producers about the need to ensure that they do not mislead consumers by implying by words or images that their products are made in New Zealand where in fact they are substantially made overseas."
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Free milk for toddlers

Auckland toddlers are being offered milk drinks in a bid to reduce serious infections and improve learning. The study's being jointly undertaken by Auckland University and Tamaki Healthcare. The milk will be loaded with vitamins and minerals and will come with wider nutritional advice. It is expected to lead to a larger study which will track the impact of healthy nutrition and the rates of pneumonia and gastroenteritis.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

F&P targets energy-hungry old fridges

By Vaimoana TapaleaoGot an old fridge standing in the garage half empty? It could be costing you three times more to run compared with a newer fridge. A project with Fisher & Paykel is helping Auckland residents get rid of their old refrigerators - cutting down on their electricity bill, helping the environment and leaving them richer as a result. As part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority initiative, Fisher & Paykel is removing old fridges and freezers for free and giving owners the choice of receiving $25 or donating that money to the children's hospital charity Ronald McDonald House in Auckland. The recycling manager for Fisher & Paykel, George Gray, says outdated refrigeration appliances are less efficient than new ones. The older fridges use up to three times more electricity.
©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Preservation for old Maori gardens

By Vaimoana Tapaleao
A new reserve to be created in Manukau City will preserve some of New Zealand's last remaining examples of gardening techniques used by pre-European Maori. Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick said protecting the stonefields and volcanic cone for future generations was very important for New Zealanders. "Sites like Matukuturua play a vital part in developing our understanding of the way early Maori used the land and help explain the first centuries of Auckland's settlement. The stonefields show boundary walls, garden mounds and cooking areas from the 19th century, which are now internationally recognised.
©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited

NZ among top five popular holiday destinations

By Eveline Jenkin
New Zealand has been named one of the top five tourist destinations in an international survey. The United States was voted the most popular while Australia was runner-up in the Lonely Planet Travellers' Pulse Survey, which asked respondents which country they were most likely to visit next. The United States collected 1509 of the 17,500 votes from 132 countries, followed by Australia with 1222. The United Kingdom took out bronze (965 votes) while Italy (836 votes) and New Zealand (648 votes) rounded out the top five. Lonely Planet Marketing Analyst Adam Stanford said the United States had become an increasingly popular travel destination because of the exchange rate of the American dollar.
©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Plunket Line answers record number of calls

Plunket Line staff have fielded a record number of calls in the past 12 months up to 70,000 from 55,000 last year. Not surprisingly, most of the calls came from the big cities -- Auckland (34 percent), Christchurch (21 percent), and Wellington (13 percent). "It is great that more parents are using the service to get help and reassurance when they need it," Plunket Line manager Elaine Macfarlane. The free telephone advice service is self-funded by Plunket through a combination of community and corporate donors. Staff offer advice on a range of issues including child health, feeding and parenting.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

NZ's newest dairy factory to begin processing milk

The country's newest dairy factory will process its first milk by the end of this week. Synlait's plant at Dunsandel in Canterbury will have the capacity to process up to 1.6 million litres of milk a day, into a range of high value powders and other dairy ingredients for export to Asia, the United States and the Middle East. Synlait has been operating as an independent dairy exporter for three years, with milk supplied by its own farms, as well as other farms in the Canterbury area. Up until now it's had to have its milk processed by other companies, Fonterra and Westland Milk Products.
© 2008 Radio New Zealand

Australians boost New Zealand's tourism industry

Australian tourists have boosted spending by visitors to New Zealand, which has increased despite higher airfares and a slowing global economy. Tourism Ministry figures show spending by overseas visitors stood at $6.2 billion in the year to March, up 2.7% on the previous year. Australians led the growth, lifting their spending 17% to $1.7 billion, while spending from most Asian nations decreased, as they preferred to travel closer to home. Tourism Ministry research manager, Bruce Bassett says Australians make up about two-thirds of visitor numbers, and are expected to provide the backbone to an industry hit by rising travel costs and an international economic downturn.
© 2008 Radio New Zealand

Online safety conference on this week

The first ever International conference about safety online is being held in Queenstown this week. The conference will run on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and host international experts from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia. Netsafe Executive director Martin Cocker says it is aimed at helping people understand how to protect themselves online.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Pacific Blue airline plans to expand

Pacific Blue is expanding - announcing today it is about to launch daily flights between Auckland and Melbourne. Flights will begin in September and the company is promising competitive fares. Auckland Airport says the move will mean another 131,000 extra seats are on offer over the next 12 months. Pacific Blue currently has 270 flights a week on New Zealand domestic routes as well as international flights between Australia and New Zealand and throughout the South Pacific.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

NZ and Canada sign firefighter agreement

The New Zealand and Canadian Governments have signed an agreement allowing New Zealand firefighters to be sent to Canada to battle wildfires. The agreement is similar to that already in place between New Zealand and the United States, where nine New Zealanders are currently fighting the Californian wildfires. There is also one in place with the Australian state of Victoria.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Screening cuts breast cancer deaths - study

Screening for breast cancer in older women could save up to 34 lives a year, says a new Otago University study. Screening women aged 50-69 should result in 20-34 fewer breast cancer deaths a year, an overall reduction of between 5.7-8 per cent, a Dunedin School of Medicine survey found. Beginning screening at 45 instead of 50 should prevent an additional one to seven deaths. Study author Associate Professor Brian Cox said the overall effect of screening was "modest as the reduction was confined to just a few age groups". He said the results showed the need for better screening methods to increase participation in the free service.
Source:NZPA

Passport checks to find foreign mothers

By ANNA CHALMERS - The Dominion Post
Cash-strapped Wellington Hospital is carrying-out passport checks on expectant mothers as increasing numbers of foreign women deliver babies in New Zealand. Health Ministry figures show the number of babies born in New Zealand to non-resident mothers more than quadrupled between 2006-2007 and the 12 previous months. Capital and Coast Health Board confirmed it now sought proof of eligibility from patients using all its services, including expectant mothers. "District health boards are required by the Government to ensure only people who are eligible are provided with free healthcare," a Capital and Coast spokesman said. The move follows concerns at an increase of "childbirth expeditions" by foreign mothers who also received free maternity care till a loophole was closed in 2003.

Skiers scurry as storm rages over Ruapehu

By NATHAN BEAUMONT - The Dominion Post
About 2000 skiers formed human chains as they scrambled to safety from "insane" weather as 200kmh winds battered Mt Ruapehu, sparking a 12-hour evacuation. Turoa and Whakapapa ski-field management said they were caught out by the wild weather, but had no regrets about opening. Ten thousand skiers were on Mt Ruapehu when the storm struck at 10.30am on Saturday, two hours earlier than forecast, in the storm that swept much of the North Island. Most skiers got off the mountain but about 2000 "diehards" continued till the fields were closed. Ski-field staff spent 12 hours guiding skiers down the slopes and leading cars along the mountain roads in groups of five, but 100 vehicles had to be left in the car parks overnight.

Three die in stormy seas

By BEN FAWKES, NATHAN BEAUMONT - The Dominion Post
Wild weather that has lashed the North Island, killing three people and cutting power to thousands of homes, is forecast to continue. Two crewmen on a stricken fishing boat died while another two had to be plucked from the foot of cliffs near Opotiki in Bay of Plenty after being washed ashore in the early hours of yesterday. MetService national forecast centre manager Peter Kreft said another bout of heavy rain and strong winds was expected to strike the North Island tomorrow or Wednesday.

Clark warns Beijing

The Prime Minister says threats by groups to disrupt the Olympic Games in Beijing should not be used as an excuse by the Chinese to crack down on dissent. Sharing a podium with the American Secretary of State in Auckland yesterday, Helen Clark said she hoped the games are trouble free. She says dissent has to be deal with.proportionately and with restraint. Miss Clark says she does not have any concerns about the safety of our athletes. Condoleezza Rice says President Bush is looking forward to attending the opening ceremony and she will be at the closing.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Rice pressures Fiji

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Samoa for regional talks aimed at urging Fiji to hold free elections next year. Dr Rice is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, and they will be attending a meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum, which includes New Zealand, Australia and 14 island states. Earlier this month Fiji reneged on a promise to hold elections by March 2009, saying the timetable was no longer achievable because of the need for electoral reforms.

Scott Dixon bags fifth win of IndyCar series season

New Zealand's Scott Dixon has extended his lead in the IndyCar series championships with his fifth victory of the year in the Rexall Edmonton Indy this morning (NZ time). Dixon finished ahead of his nearest championship rival, Helio Castroneves, who had to settle for second for the sixth time this season. With four races remaining in the championship, Dixon now has 505 points, 65 ahead of Castroneves on 440, while third placed Dan Wheldon sits on 390.
Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2007.

Thousands of homes still without power

There will be no cups of hot tea this morning in about 50,000 homes in the upper North Island, because of yesterday's big storm. Power lines are down in parts of Rodney, Waitakere and the North Shore. There are also outages in pockets south of Auckland and lines company Vector says crews have been working through the night to repair the damage.
© 2008 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Sir Murray awarded the Blake Medal

NZPA/Wayne Drought
Sir Murray Halberg was awarded the Blake Medal tonight for his more than 50 years' service to athletics and children with disabilities. Last month, Sir Murray, 75, the 1960 Olympic gold medal athlete, was made a member of the Order of New Zealand, the highest honour in the land. Sir Murray is the fourth recipient of the Blake Medal, the top accolade presented at tonight's Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards by Sir Peter's widow, Pippa, Lady Blake, and Governor-General Anand Satyanand at a ceremony in Parliament.

Couple receive embryos frozen for more than 15yrs

By DEIDRE MUSSEN - Sunday Star Times
Six embryos frozen for more than 15 years finally have a chance at life after an Auckland family donated them to an infertile couple desperately wanting a baby. It is believed to be one of the longest periods of time that embryos have been frozen in New Zealand and later transplanted to try to create a baby. The unique case challenges new fertility laws, which ban keeping embryos left over from in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment for more than a decade without an exemption. The donor couple, who wanted to remain anonymous, adopted a son 16 years ago and had an IVF son in 1993. They decided they did not want more children but kept their 12 left-over embryos frozen at an Auckland fertility clinic.

Niue's Premier to make first visit to NZ

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced on Friday that the new Premier of Niue Hon Toke Talagi, will make his first official visit to New Zealand from July 28 to Aug. 1. "New Zealand's relationship with Niue is an important one. We are bound together by bonds of family and citizenship. More than 25,000 people of Niuean descent have made New Zealand their home and our links with the community on Niue are important to New Zealand," Helen Clark said in a statement. Talagi was elected as Niue premier in June.
Source:Xinhuanet

Rugby-ABs go down 34-19 to Wallabies

By Tim Evans - NewstalkZB
The Wallabies have taken a step towards reclaiming the Bledisloe Cup. They have convincingly beaten the All Blacks 34-19 in their Tri-Nations match Sydney, having led 17 -12 at halftime. Australia scored four tries to three, with Andrew Hore, Andrew Ellis and Mils Muliaina each scoring a try for New Zealand. The result leaves the All Blacks with two losses in the Tri-Nations, while the Wallabies pick up their second win and move to the top of the table.

Majority of NZers accept windfarms - poll

NZPA/Ross Setford
The majority of New Zealanders have no problem with the look of wind farms though not everyone wants to see them from their home, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows. The polling found that the look of wind farms found broad acceptance with New Zealanders. Of those polled, 84 percent said they had no objection to the way wind farms looked, while 13 percent said they were opposed to the look of wind farms. However, the level of support fell if the wind farms were too close to home.

Funding boost for Southland insulation scheme

The Government has increased its contribution to a project which insulates homes in Southland. The Southland Warm Homes Trust retrofits uninsulated homes in the country's coldest province. Energy Minister, David Parker, says the Goverment will now cover 60% of the cost over the next three years, rather than the original 33% of the funding. He says the contribution will help insulate 1800 homes, making them more energy efficient. Mr Parker says it will also cut costs to the health system because the health of residents will be improved.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Overseas patients run up healthcare debts

By RUTH HILL - The Dominion Post
Overseas patients have run up more than $1.6 million in hospital bills in Wellington in the past two years - of which almost half remains unpaid. Theo Koenders, Capital and Coast's acting chief financial officer, said $61,339 had been written off as "bad debt" in the past two years, but a further $755,700 was also unpaid and may never be recovered. Debts were written off when patients left New Zealand and could not be traced, or when they were unable to pay. Australian and British residents receive free emergency healthcare in New Zealand under a reciprocal agreement that gives Kiwis free care in those countries.

Kiwi actors working on US fantasy show filming in Auckland

New Zealand actors Jay Laga'aia and Craig Parker are playing key roles in a new American swords and scorcery television series being filmed around Auckland. Filming of Wizard's First Rule, the first book in Terry Goodkind's popular The Sword of Truth books began this week. But the 22-episode series has been renamed Legend of the Seeker -- apparently to avoid religious concerns among American audiences about scorcery. The syndicated series from Disney-ABC Domestic Television and ABC Studios, will premiere in the United States on the weekend of November 1.
Source:NZPA

Sparrows the earliest birds

Analysis of initial responses to this year's annual garden bird survey returns is showing a big drop in the numbers of silvereyes, compared with last year, says survey organiser Dr Eric Spurr. "One of the most noticeable changes is a drop in silvereye numbers, from 10.2 per garden last year to 7.3 per garden this year," he said today. Other differences which showed up in the first 673 responses received included higher numbers of chaffinch, tui, and dunnock and lower numbers of greenfinch, song thrush, and goldfinch. House sparrows are the most abundant birds this year, though their numbers are similar to last year (9.3 per garden this year compared with 9.4 per garden last year). The numbers could change as more survey forms arrived, and he is posting the data on the survey's website:
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biocons/gardenbird/
Source:NZPA

Condi doing the rounds

United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will spend the day in talks with New Zealand political leaders. Dr Rice arrived in Auckland last night and was greeted by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. Her first meeting will be with Mr Peters, followed this afternoon by meetings with Prime Minister Helen Clark and National leader John Key. Tonight she will attend a reception hosted by the New Zealand-United States Council. Meanwhile, the Auckland University Students' Association (AUSA) has retracted its $5000 reward for any student who makes a citizen's arrest of Dr Rice, saying it was withdrawn in the interests of safety. AUSA had said the arrest would be for Dr Rice's role in "overseeing the illegal invasion and continued occupation" of Iraq, and crimes under the Geneva Conventions Act 1958, and the Crimes of Torture Act 1989.
Source:NZPA

New Alzheimer's drug inspires hope

By KATIE WYLIE - The Press
Canterbury Alzheimer's patients will be among the first to benefit from a breakthrough medicine now undergoing a worldwide drug trial. Specialists are hailing the new drug as one of the most exciting developments in Alzheimer's disease research in decades. Rather than merely slow the progression of the disease, initial results show the new drug, bapineuzumab, may actually treat the underlying causes of the debilitating dementia. Global pharmaceutical companies Wyeth and Elan are behind the trial, now in its third and final phase. They are recruiting 1250 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's from more than 20 countries. In New Zealand, the trial will be in Christchurch and Auckland.

Warnings over "rare and nasty" storm

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says heavy rain, massive waves and storm surges could flood a number of low-lying areas across northern New Zealand as the storm moves in. He says it has the building blocks of something extremely rare and nasty. "It is going to deepen rapidly and has the potential of bringing damaging winds, flooding rains, big seas and strong rip tides. It may well be the most intense sub-tropical storm of the decade." Mr Duncan says the sub-tropical cyclone could be the nastiest since Tropical Cyclones Fergus and Drena in the summer of 1996-1997.

Qualification figures show growing gap between sexes

By Martha McKenzie-Minifie
Girls are still outdoing boys in university entrance - and new figures show the gap has widened. Last year, 45 per cent of female school leavers got the qualification, or an equivalent, compared with 33 per cent of the males. Despite high-level work on the issue, the 12 percentage point "gender gap" was the largest in four years. Between 2004 and 2006 it had held steady at 10 percentage points.
©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited

US potato disease discovered in NZ

NZPA/Ross Setford
A plant disease scare in tomatoes, which triggered biosecurity bans on New Zealand potatoes, tomatoes and capsicums, has now been linked to a disease in American potato crops. And the potato disease, known as "zebra chip", has now been discovered in an Auckland spud crop, NZPA has been told. The disease-causing Candidatus liberibacter bacteria species disrupted New Zealand exports last month when agriculture authorities revealed its discovery in three Auckland commercial hothouses in January. Australia blocked imports of tomatoes, capsicum and potatoes, and tamarillos, Fiji blocked tomatoes, capsicum and potatoes -- and is now running short of potatoes -- and Japan also stopped key imports.

NZ cancer sufferers have eggs frozen in Australia

NZPA/Wayne Drought
Some parents of daughters with cancer have taken their girls to Australia to have eggs frozen to give them a chance at future parenthood, a child cancer specialist says. The Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (Acart) is calling for submissions on the two proposed treatments, one of which is to allow women who have frozen their own eggs before undergoing cancer treatment to use those eggs to create embryos and, if successful, give birth. When the practice was last reviewed in 2005 the use of frozen eggs was considered too risky because of a lack of information surrounding the new technology.

Customs issues warning over scam email

The New Zealand Customs Service is warning people not to be fooled by an email telling them a parcel is awaiting customs clearance. A customs spokesman said the email asked that a declaration form be filled in and returned so the parcel could be released. "New Zealanders are warned that these emails are not genuine," the spokesman said.

Driving while texting to be studied

An Auckland University student is to undertake one of the first studies internationally aimed at establishing how common and safe it is to text while driving. The study, by Masters student Charlene Hallett, will collect information on levels of texting while driving and drivers' attitudes on the subject. It will also look at the number of accidents linked to mobile phone use. While there was a lot of research on calling while driving, there was very little on the dangers of texting and there was some uncertainty about whether it was safe, she said. The anonymous online questionnaire is available at www.psych.auckland.ac.nz/drivingsurvey.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

NZ cricket players oppose Pakistan trip

The New Zealand Cricket Players Association will recommend the Black Caps do not go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy tournament in September. The International Cricket Council has decided to keep September's Champions Trophy in Pakistan despite security concerns. The council had discussed the possibility of moving the tournament after Australia, England and New Zealand led calls for a switch of venue to ensure player safety, because of bomb attacks in Pakistan over the past months. He says there have already been thorough security checks, and it is clear that it is not safe to travel in Pakistan at the moment. The eight-team tournament will be held from 11-28 September with games scheduled in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

$5000 reward offered for Rice's citizen's arrest

A $5000 dollar reward is being offered to any Auckland University student who can make a successful citizen's arrest of United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her visit to the country this weekend. Auckland University Student Association (AUSA) president David Do said the arrest would be for her role in "overseeing the illegal invasion and continued occupation" of Iraq. "It is hard enough living as a student in Auckland these days without having a war criminal coming to town, so we thought we'd give our students a chance to make a dent in their student loans and work for global justice at the same time." Dr Rice will be in Auckland on July 26, where she will meet.
Source:NZPA

Law passed to enact free trade deal with China

The New Zealand Parliament has passed legislation to enact a free trade deal with China. The agreement - estimated to be worth about $350 million a year to the economy - will allow greater access for dairy products and other New Zealand goods. It includes an end to tariffs on 96% of New Zealand exports to China by 2019. The bill passed by 104 votes to 17, with opposition from the New Zealand First Party, the Green Party and the Maori Party. New Zealand is the first Western country to sign a free trade deal with China.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

World of WearableArt awards outstanding

Judges say there is an unprecedented level of outstanding entries in this year's World of WearableArt awards show. Designers are challenged to create something unique, which will both impact on a 40-metre arena stage and withstand a detailed inspection. Over the last few days entries have been whittled down to 186 garments. They will now grace a Wellington catwalk in September to mark the show's 20th anniversary. This year's judges include Zambezi designer Liz Findlay, sculptor Jeff Thomas and the award's founder Suzie Moncrieff.
click HERE for the World of Wearable Art website
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Kerikeri filmmaker successful on YouTube

A young filmmaker from Kerikeri is taking YouTube by storm with his short film, Perfection. Seventeen year old Levi Beamish created the film with his friends Jay Collins and George Steele for the 48 hour film festival. It is about a lover's warped view of perfection. Levi Beamish says he posted it to You Tube six weeks ago and it has garnered nearly 300,000 views. He has been told that makes it the most watched online short film in New Zealand history. He says for now he is working on finishing Year 13 so next year he can go to South Seas Film and Television School.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

'No ordinary storm' to strike New Zealand

The MetService said it was concerned about the potential wind, wave and rain impacts from a rapidly intensifying storm heading for northern New Zealand by Saturday, striking first in Northland and Auckland before reaching Bay of Plenty and Gisborne on Sunday. The unnamed low which originated in the tropics is coming from the Queensland coast, and was more intense than the current typical winter storm. "This is no ordinary storm. It's one of the largest and deepest lows we've seen for some years," MetService spokesman Brian Kreft said. "By the time this system reaches northern New Zealand on Saturday, it is likely to have significant destructive potential."
NZPA, The Dominion Post, The Press

Samoa issues dengue fever warning

APIA, Samoa– The Ministry of Health has issued a warning about a possible dengue fever outbreak in the country. Yesterday, a statement from the Ministry called on members of the public and visitors to take special care "as figures from both the public and private health services show an increase of patients clinically diagnosed with Dengue Fever. "Laboratory tests have shown six confirmed cases since the beginning of June," the statement said. " Signs and symptoms of dengue fever include acute fever of between 2-7 days duration plus one or more of the following: head ache; pain behind the eyes; muscle pain; joint and bone pain; and rash.
Copyright © 2006 Samoa Observer.

The Kooks named for Rhythm and Vines

British band The Kooks lead the line-up for Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines festival. The New Years event has now been expanded to three days. Also in the first wave of announcements are German electro-house duo Digitalism and DJ Carl Cox. A pile of local acts have also been named for the festival, including Shihad, Kora, Concord Dawn and Recloose.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

More Maori leaving school with qualifications

Maori are making the biggest gains at secondary school. Figures from the Ministry of Education show 66 percent of students left school last year having achieved level two NCEA or above, up from 60 per cent in 2006. Education Minister Chris Carter says the rate of Maori leaving school with little or no formal qualifications has more than halved. He says the figure was 22 percent two years ago, but has now dropped down to 10 percent.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Pie awards back on

They can be banned from school tuck shops and blamed for the obesity epidemic but Kiwis just will not stop eating pies. The 12th annual pie awards have rolled around, and there are 198 more entries than there were last year. Judging in the Bakels Supreme Pie Awards takes place in Auckland today. 30 food judges will assess the merits of 3,000 pies entered. The big trend is an upswing in the number of Asian bakeries entering the awards from 5 per cent 10 years ago to 50 per cent now. In spite of the efforts of healthy food campaigners, the New Zealand pie market is a buoyant one. It is worth $130 million, compared to the burger market's share on $89 million.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Beijing Olympics Games village "sensational"

Our chef de mission to the Beijing Olympics says the games village is sensational. Dave Currie arrived on Saturday and is preparing for the arrival of 304 athletes on Monday. He says it has by far the best facilities he has ever seen. Mr Currie says the buildings are functional tower blocks, but the grounds they are set in are unbelievably beautiful, with plenty of trees, flowers, fountains, marble paths and areas to relax in.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

$2m to go to Myanmar relief efforts

New Zealand is to give a further $2 million to Myanmar for ongoing relief efforts. Foreign Minister Winston Peters says relief efforts are proceeding well. Aid money will be split between the World Food Programme and the UN Development Programme - both agencies the government trusts to get the assistance out to those who need it most. New Zealand gave $1.8 million for initial relief efforts.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Judge forces name change for 9 year old

In a rare move, a New Plymouth Judge has forced a nine-year-old's parents to change her name. The lawyer for the girl, originally called Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii, told the judge she was so embarrassed by her name she refused to reveal it to friends. Her lawyer said she feared being mocked and teased. Family Court Judge Rob Murfitt temporarily placed the girl in the court's guardianship in February while a new name was picked. In his ruling, Judge Murfitt said the name made a fool of the girl, setting her up with an unnecessary social disability.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Ice not up to Cinderella's standards

A problem with ice means Cinderella will not be going to the ball in her pumpkin coach in Wellington tonight. Tonight's performance of Cinderella On Ice has been cancelled. The ice is not of a suitable standard to skate on, especially when it comes to some of the show's leaps, lifts and jumps. Ticket holders can get refunds, or a seat for one of two shows on Monday.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Maori language search site launched on Google

NZPA/Wayne Drought
The Maori-language interface of Google, the world's largest online search engine, was launched today at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, in Rotorua. The search page is labelled Google Aotearoa. A team of volunteers has translated more than 8750 words which enables anyone to navigate the Google interface in te reo Maori - all the words, messages, buttons and advanced search fields are now in Maori. "Digital technology is a vital means of transmitting te reo Maori, matauranga Maori, strengthening Maori identity, expressing a Maori world view and communicating with the world" said Huhana Rokx, chief executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (the Maori Language Commission). "Fluent and native speakers are able to search and access online content and connections in te reo Maori."

November 8 picked as election day

Centrebet is picking a November 8 election day. The bookie's media chief Neil Evans believes the steam has gone out of an earlier pick of October 18. He says Helen Clark is likely to announce a date that is later rather than sooner, particularly as she is now facing a sensitive public clean up over allegations swirling around Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Sunken warship to change hands

NZPA/Ross Setford
A sunken warship is about to change hands in a move the new owners hope will open new tourism opportunities for the Far North. The old Leander-class steam frigate Canterbury was sunk as a dive attraction in Deep Water Cove in the Bay of Islands last November. However, it left the charitable trust which bought the 38 year-old ship from the Government for $1 with hefty debts of around $150,000. Now the Bay of Islands Canterbury Charitable Trust is about to hand over the ship to a consortium of local iwi and hapu which plans to pay the creditors and talk to Northland tour operators about using the ship as part of a package to attract more tourists to the area. Another former navy ship, the research ship Tui was slightly north of Tutukaka, and the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior was in Matauri Bay.

Another dog breed banned in NZ

The Government has added another dog breed to the banned list in New Zealand. The Perro de Presa Canario can no longer be imported, after being responsible for two known fatal attacks in the United States since 2001. However, the Department of Internal Affairs is not aware of any of that breed of dog being in New Zealand. They say the move is precautionary, because the dogs tend to be bred to exhibit aggressive behaviour and they could inflict serious injuries. Other dogs on the banned import list are the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Dogo Argentino, the Brazilian Fila and the Japanese Toso.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Investors sought so plane idea can take flight

A Hamilton aircraft designer is looking for investors to help his company launch a new light plane on the domestic market. Bill Izard wants financial help to build the aircraft components in Hamilton or Te Awamutu, send them to Asia for final assembly then have them shipped back to New Zealand. He believes he could produce up to six of the Omega planes a month and they would sell for just over $100,000 each. The Omega is 100 horse power, two-seater, aluminium plane.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

More foreign students in Maori papers

Auckland University says it has record numbers of foreign students enrolling in Maori papers. In the eight years its kapa haka course has been running, the number of students enrolled has exploded from 10 to almost 90. Tutor Angela Smith says international students are flocking to the course, with only ten Maori students in last semester's class. She says more than half of the students were from the US and that they are drawn to the culture as it is so different to their own.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Beach alert as high sea forecast

Huge swells forecast for the North Island's west coast have led to warnings to stay off beaches. Storm surges and high swells are forecast to peak about midday today, especially along the Kapiti and Taranaki coastline. Kapiti Coast District Council has warned people with houses near the beach, particularly in Raumati and Raumati South, to be on guard. People should stay off beaches between 9am and 3pm, council emergency manager Don McGuire said.
Source:Dominion Post

More Pacific women in NZ screened for breast cancer

The Minister of Pacific Island Affairs,Luamanavao Winnie Laban, and the Associate Minister of Health have welcomed news that there’s been an increase in the number of Pacific women screened for breast cancer in New Zealand The associate health minister, Steve Chadwick, says over the past two years 19-hundred more Pacific women have been screened, which is a nine-percent increase since 2006. Luamanavao, who herself is recovering from breast cancer, says she is pleased with the latest result which shows that Pacific women are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of regular breast screening. She says Pacific women are often frightened, shy and private about their bodies, but as they are 20 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than other New Zealand women it’s vital more Pacific women are screened.
© RNZI 2008

Beijing smog 'no problem', says NZ Olympic boss

New Zealand Olympic Chef De Mission Dave Currie is playing down the impact of Beijing's pollution, less than three weeks out from the start of the games. Currie has been in the Chinese capital for a few days setting up New Zealand's Olympic base in the village. He says the air has been fresh and there does not seem to be a problem. He says since arriving he has enjoyed blue sky, fresh air and a sunset. Currie has also noticed the air of excitement that is building in the Chinese capital leading into the games opening on August 8.
NEWSTALK ZB

Pie maker moves with the times

A Napier bakery has undergone some major changes in the past five years. Goodtime Foods has been in business more than 80 years and now produces about 30,000 pies a day. The company has been removing its pies from supermarket freezers and going into the school canteen business since obtaining a tick from the Heart Foundation for a new low-fat pie. Managing director, Phil Pollet says 'Metro' pies - described as low sodium, low fat, zero-transfats and high fibre - are currently being sold in about 500 schools. He says the number is increasing all the time. The pie has prompted interest in Britain and the United States.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

New wind farm announced by Contact Energy

Contact Energy is planning a new $500 million wind farm in southern Hawke's Bay. The proposed wind farm at Waitahora would be up to 177 megawatts in size, with up to 65 turbines. It would generate enough electricity for up to 86,000 houses. Contact Energy says it has signed a land use agreement with a private land owner to allow the development of the wind farm. The wind farm would take about two years to build.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

$80m commuter rail upgrade announced

The Government is to spend more than $80 million over five years upgrading commuter rail services in Wellington and Auckland. Tranz Scenic services will also get an overhaul. The Government bought the New Zealand rail network on 1 July and re-launched it as KiwiRail. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says the money will be used to upgrade locomotives and other rolling stock. Dr Cullen says there will also be an analysis of whether it's feasible to assemble locomotives at an engineering works in the Hutt Valley.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Property lender freezes $250m

Canterbury Mortgage Trust has put a freeze on $250 million worth of investors' money. Some 5,000 mainly "mum and dad" investors will not be able to withdraw any funds from the property lender until at least March next year. The $250 million is tied up in around 300 mortgages spread over a mix of residential, commercial and rural properties. Canterbury Mortgage Trust says withdrawal requests from investors, nervous about the financial sector, were sucking cash reserves dry at an alarming rate. The fund is not being closed and the company promises investors will regain access to their funds next March.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Around 250 jobs to go at Christchurch meat works

Around 250 jobs are being cut at a Christchurch meat works. Silver Fern Farms workers have been told two slaughter chains will be shut down, impacting about 225 processing workers and 24 administration staff. There was speculation all 400 jobs at the plant could go. The company is apparently going to offer 70 workers roles elsewhere in the company. Silver Fern Farms has already axed a large number of jobs around the country.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

French Legion of Honour for Auckland woman

By MICHAEL FIELD - Fairfax Media
An Auckland woman who has played a key role in promoting the French language is to be awarded one of France's highest civilian awards, the Legion of Honour. Nadine Plet of Remeura will receive the honour on Saturday from French Ambassador Michel Legras. Plet, A nurse by training, was a leader in creating a French Playgroup, "Les Petits Lascars" in 1992. The group continues today and provides a French speaking environment for around 20 children each session. She was instrumental in creating the first New Zealand French-English Bilingual Education in a public primary school. Operating since 1996 at Richmond Road Primary School in Grey Lynn, it has created a model used around the world.

Netball final: Magic v Swifts

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic defeated the Adelaide Thunderbirds 51-49 in Hamilton in the second trans-Tasman netball semifinal on Monday. The Magic led 29-25 at half time. Silver Ferns Irene Van Dyk and Maria Tutaia had scoring rates of 97% and 87% respectively. The Magic will meet the Swifts in the grand final of the series in Sydney next Monday.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Academic backs call for Pacific Court

A University of the South Pacific law professor in Port Vila says he welcomes the idea of further exploring a Pacific Court in the region. A former Fiji High Court judge Justice Gerard Winters raised the issue of a Pacific Court as a paramount court for certain cases, to be based in Vanuatu, during the weekend’s Law Society convention. Professor Brian Opeskin says for some Pacific countries the idea certainly warrants further discussion.
© RNZI 2008

Grimshaw wins Montana fiction award

Charlotte Grimshaw has won the Montana Medal for Fiction for her short-story collection Opportunity. Judges described the book as "an absorbing series of stories delving into a diverse range of lives which are all interlinked". They say it was a "clear winner for the breadth and ambition of its design, the layers of its meaning, and the multiplicity of reading experiences it affords". Grimshaw, the daughter of writer C K Stead, is currently overseas. Janet Hunt won the Montana Non-Fiction Medal for Wetlands of New Zealand - A Bitter-Sweet Story.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Storm expected to batter New Zealand

A storm is expected to batter most of New Zealand during the next few days. The MetService said tonight meteorologists were watching a low east of Tasmania which they expected to develop into a potentially vigorous winter storm. The low should cross the South Island tonight and lie near the Chatham islands for a few days after that. "This storm has the potential to affect most of the country over the next few days," said MetService spokesman Steve Ready. A severe weather warning has already been issued for the South Island West Coast." By Wednesday much of the North Island should be buffeted by brisk westerlies and thundery showers, and by large ocean waves on its west coast.
Source:NZPA

NZ's Maori King to watch Tongan coronation

Next week's coronation of Tonga's King George Tupou V, at Nuku'alofa's Centenary Church will highlight a dynasty stretching back 1000 years. The crowning of the last remaining Polynesian monarch to head a state will be watched by the Maori King, Tuheitia Paki and other royalty, including the Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Rock stars Mick Jagger and Elton John are expected to attend, along with formal delegations of heads of state and their representatives. King George V -- known as G5 to his friends -- has failed to attract a high-ranked British royal, but will get the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Up to 5000 guests are flying in, some of them staying on ships moored in the harbour as Nuku'alofa is booked out.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Healthy food rules too much for one school's tuck shop

Tougher rules aimed at cracking down on unhealthy foods at tuck shops have proved too much for one Wellington college, which has closed its canteen. Regulations that came into force last month require tuck shops to provide only healthy foods to students. Wellington High School principal Prue Kelly says its shop had to close temporarily because its former operator could not turn a decent profit under the new guidelines. Ms Kelly says another operator has been found to take over the running of the shop, but will not be operating for another two weeks.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

ANZ National bank to sell and lease 16 branches

ANZ National intends to sell and lease back 16 of its National bank branches across New Zealand . It is to enable the bank to unlock capital to reinvest for growth. The bank says the properties are available with secure long term lease - six on the North Island and 10 in the South Island. Not an unusual initiative, as it owns only 56 of its 314 branches. Auctions will be held in September.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

National MP heads to Israel and Palestine

National MP John Carter is to do his bit for promoting peace in the Middle East. The Northland MP is to lead an Inter-Parliamentary Union delegation to Israel and the Palestinian territories later this month to discuss ways of resolving conflict in the region. Mr Carter says the delegation offers Israeli and Palestinian representatives a chance to meet and discuss issues. The IPU group is to meet with various factions of the Israeli Parliament, Israeli Government Ministers, the Palestinian Legislative Council, and the United Nations Relief Agency for Palestinian Refugees.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Goldie painting stolen in Dunedin

A painting by Charles Goldie has been stolen from a home in the Dunedin suburb of Mosgiel. The theft is thought to have taken place between February and July this year but was only recently discovered by the owners. The painting - about 24cm by 18cm in an oval wooden frame - is a head and shoulders portrait of a Maori woman looking back over her shoulder. She has a moko and her hair tied back. Senior constable David Leonard said it was a gift to the family from Charles Goldie about 60 years ago. Charles Frederick Goldie, 1870-1947, is one of New Zealand's best known and most controversial painters.
with NZPA

BD-NZ cricket series itinerary announced

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board has issued schedule of the home series against New Zealand to be held in October. According to the itinerary, the New Zealand team will arrive in Bangladesh on October 4 and the One-day International series between the two countries will begin from the match at Dhaka on October 9. Second match will be played also at Dhaka on October 11 while the third match will be held on October 14 at Chittagong. The first match of the two-Test series will be played from October 17 in Chittagong and the second Test will be held in Dhaka from October 25.

Saudi Arabia wants exemption from live shipment ban

NZPA/Nigel Marple
The Saudi Arabian Agriculture Minister wants the New Zealand Government to exempt the kingdom from a ban on live sheep shipments. Fahad Balghunaim, in New Zealand as head of a Joint Ministerial Commission between Saudi Arabia and New Zealand, said the kingdom had a real need for live animals, particularly during the Haj (annual pilgrimage) season when Muslims sacrificed livestock, the Khaleej Times in Dubai reported. The Government decided to prohibit the export of sheep, cattle, deer and goats for slaughter, except where the risks could be managed to an "acceptable level", in which case it said could apply for an exemption.

New dictionary launched in Maori language week

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori is marking Maori language week by launching an electronic version of a new Maori-language dictionary. The print version won't be out until September. Maori language commissioner Erima Henare says it's been a major collaborative effort by a large group of linguists. The dictionary will be launched at Te Papa on Monday night. Waatea News reports it will be available to Maori speakers wherever they are in the world. Minister of Maori Affairs Parekura Horomia launched Maori language week at Wellington Railway Station on Monday morning.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

WA tipped to be Australian powerhouse

The forecasting firm says there will be growth of 6% in the state's economy in the next 12 months. (West Australia) A report by Access Economics predicts Western Australia will have the fastest growing economy in Australia in the next year. The forecasting firm says there will be growth of 6% in the state's economy in the next 12 months.
© 2008 Radio New Zealand

Myer to unveil Middle East expansion

Australian retailer Myer is to announce on Monday that it plans to open its first store in Dubai. A further four stores will be rolled out over the next five years across the Middle East. The ABC reports the venture is in 50-50 partnership with Dubai's ruling family. Myer says the first store could be open by the end of next year.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

T Rex cast on display

A cast of the world's largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton is to go on show in New Plymouth. At 3.5 metres tall and almost 13 metres long, the dinosaur will be at the Puke Ariki museum from Saturday. The museum says six shipping containers were needed to bring it to New Zealand. The fossilised skeleton was found in North Dakota in 1990 and is now kept in the Field Museum in Chicago. The museum says the actual fossil won't be on show - the display is a cast of the skeleton. The display will go to the Auckland Museum in November.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Three little pigs in luxury bed

Animal rights activists claim pig farmers are enjoying luxury five-star accommodation while their animals suffer inside small crates or concrete pens. The group SAFE is picketing a Christchurch hotel where the annual New Zealand Pork conference is taking place. Spokesman Hans Kriek says activists dressed as three little pigs are tucked up in a cosy, luxurious bed outside the Crowne Plaza hotel. They want to get the message across to farmers that pigs also deserve comfort, proper bedding material and a space to roam. Mr Kriek says factory farmed sows are driven insane due to severe confinement and deprivation.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Polls show gap narrowing

The latest political opinion polls show the gap between Labour and National is narrowing. A 3 News poll puts National on 48 percent support, down two from the last poll. Labour remains steady on 35 percent. The Greens are the only other party to make the threshold with seven percent. New Zealand First is on four percent, Act one percent, United Future 0.3 percent and the Maori Party two percent.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Top quality skiing at Mt Hutt

There were some top quality skiing conditions over the school holidays, with one Canterbury field having its busiest time in years. Mt Hutt has had a solid one metre base and to top it all off, enjoyed mostly fine weather during the two week break. Ski Area Manager Dave Wilson says it was the best school holiday period since he began at Mt Hutt eight years ago, with 3,000 people a day heading up the mountain in the first week and around 2,000 each day last week.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Utah chopper crash kills 2 NZers

Two South Islanders have been killed in a helicopter crash in the US. James Innes and his son Andrew were returning from a fishing trip in Utah on Saturday when the Hughes 500D helicopter came down half a kilometre from Carbon County Airport. Mr Innes is the former owner of Haldon Station, a 14,000 hectare farm in South Canterbury. Another man onboard was also killed.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Phone hidden after cat call

An elderly Hastings couple had some explaining to do after their kitten managed to activate their speaker phone and call the 111 emergency number. The woman heard a voice on the speaker phone and rushed to see what was going on, only to find 16-week-old Mitzi, the Burmese kitten, sitting by the phone pushing the buttons. She could hear the operator asking if the caller required police, fire or the ambulance service. What made the matter even more embarrassing is the fact that the couple's daughter is a long-time police dispatcher at the Central Communications Centre.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Schoolkids give lessons in speaking Maori correctly

By PAUL EASTON - The Dominion Post
Half of Wellington's schools with a Maori name are regularly pronounced incorrectly - even by staff - prompting a group of Maori youths to act. To mark Maori Language Week, which starts today, they have written to 60 schools offering a CD of tips on correct pronunciation. Neihana Brabender, 16, hoped the $10 CDs would spread correct pronunciation through schools, to pupils and into the wider community. The project is being run by the Tawa community group Mana Tiaki. Spokeswoman Angela Wallace said it offered "gentle encouragement" for school staff and pupils to say their school's name correctly.

Flu hits hard this year

By Michelle Coursey
About 3300 people visited GPs with flu-like symptoms last week, twice the number for the equivalent period last year. Environmental Science and Research based the figure on reports of 253 consultations from 75 general practices around the country. Experts say a relatively small number of people visit doctors. The rest chose to stay home and rest instead. Gisborne, Wanganui and Northland regions recorded the most cases.

Skykiwi has role to play

A website for Chinese people living in New Zealand says it may have a role to play in police investigations. Skykiwi.com alerted police to a posting in its discussion forum relating to kidnapped five-year-old Cina Ma. Someone had written that they might know who the offender is. Operation manager Sarah Li says sometimes they can play a role in helping police, and they have done it several times before. She says it has the largest online community for New Zealand Chinese, and users will generally post any information they know. Ms Li says the website feels a responsibility for the whole Chinese New Zealand community.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Dwarf planet near Pluto named for Polynesian god

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A dwarf planet orbiting beyond Neptune has been designated the third plutoid in the solar system and given the name Makemake, the International Astronomical Union said on Saturday. The red methane-covered dwarf planet formerly known as 2005 FY9 or "Easterbunny" is named after a Polynesian creator of humanity and god of fertility. Mike Brown of the California Institute of Technology, who discovered and named Makemake. Brown said the name came to him when he was looking for a mythological god and thought of the South Pacific's Easter Island. Makemake was the chief god among people who settled the island.

Pope shared 'unforgettable experience' in Australia

Pope Benedict XVI has declared the spirit of the church alive and well as he celebrated the final mass of World Youth Day in the "great south land of the Holy Spirit". Before a vast congregation at Sydney's Randwick Racecourse, the 81-year-old pontiff said he had shared an "unforgettable experience" during his first visit to Australia. Sunday is the culmination of a six-day Catholic youth event that has attracted pilgrims from more than 170 nations. The Papal Mass was expected to draw 500,000 people to Randwick and surrounds - the biggest crowd ever assembled in Australia, according to organisers.
© 2008 Radio New Zealand

Rugby-All Blacks planting trees

All Blacks' captain Rodney So'oialo prop Neemia Tialata are doing their bit for conservation today, helping school children plant trees at a Forest & Bird reserve near Wellington. They have been digging in to the Pauatahanui Wildlife Reserve. Two hundred trees have been donated by Philips, who committed to plant a tree for each energy-efficient light globe sold as part of a promotion.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Women-only scholarships under spotlight

By DEIDRE MUSSEN - Sunday Star Times
Women-only educational scholarships are facing a legal challenge under human rights laws because they may discriminate against men. In what may become a global test case, Victoria University Institute of Policy Studies senior researcher Dr Paul Callister has asked the Human Rights Commission to clarify its position, saying women significantly outperform men in education and therefore there may be no inequality for such scholarships to rectify. Human Rights Commission's chief commissioner, Rosslyn Noonan, said she would carefully examine the issues and questions raised by Callister before responding. Under national and international human rights laws, temporary measures such as the scholarships are allowed to address inequality between the sexes and are deemed not discriminatory but must be stopped when equality is achieved.

NZ firefighters deployed to northern California

Hutt City fire manager Alan Thomson says the nine New Zealanders sent to the United States to fight bushfires have all been deployed in Butte County in northern California. The fire fighters arrived in the county's main town of Chico at the weekend, the Chico Enterprise-Record newspaper reported. Another 31 Australians have gone to fire lines and command centres in Mendocino, Shasta and Trinity counties. Thousands of people have been evacuated as fires have burned nearly 23,000ha, destroying dozens of homes, and killing at least one person. Mr Thomson is serving as the New Zealand liaison officer at the fire incident command centre at the town's Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.
Source:NZPA

Tri-Nations Rugby League Free On Maori Television

Maori Television has secured free-to-air rights to the Tri-Nations rugby league tournament, making this top level international series available to all viewers for the first time. Last year’s historic Kiwis victory in the Tri-Nations series between New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain was one of New Zealand rugby league’s finest moments. New Zealand’s win marked the first time that Australia had not won an international test series in 27 years. This year, television coverage of the Kiwis’ defence of the series mantle will be available to all New Zealand sports fans. Viewers can call the helpline on 0800 MA TATOU (0800 628 2868) for advice on how to tune into Maori Television.
Press Release: Maori Television Service

NZ astronomers measure smallest planet outside solar system

Researchers in New Zealand have made the initial measurements of the smallest planet found outside the solar system, the New Zealand Press Association reported on Saturday. Using the new MOA-II telescope at the Mt John Observatory, near Temuka in South Canterbury, they found the planet outside the solar system which is three times bigger than Earth. More than 300 planets have been found outside the solar system, and the latest is the smallest planet orbiting a normal star, which is as little as one 20th the mass of the Earth's sun. The research would be published in the September issue of the Astrophysical Journal. The tiny star is a "brown dwarf" 3,000 light years from Earth.

Rugby-Wallabies down Boks

By MARC HINTON - RugbyHeaven
The Wallabies made a huge opening statement in the Tri-Nations with a gritty and gutsy 16-9 victory over the world champion Springboks in Perth.
Australia 16: Lote Tuqiri, Stirling Mortlock tries; Matt Giteau pen; Berrick Barnes dg.
South Africa 9: Francois Steyn 2 pens; Butch James pen. Halftime: 5-3.

Kapiti makes bid for Cordon Bleu school

Kapiti has become the latest district to put in a bid to host the international Cordon Bleu cooking school. The school promises to be the only five-star, 300-student capacity institute of its kind in New Zealand. It follows the decision of the Universal College of Learning not to establish the school in Wellington and Martinborough. Kapiti District Council, growers, local MPs and other key groups support the proposal to establish the school in Kapiti, north of Wellington. A council spokesperson says a decision will be made as soon as the head of UCOL returns from an overseas trip.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Calm, despite Fiji election cancellation

There is an atmosphere of calm in Fiji, despite the cancellation of elections promised for next March. The nation's self-appointed Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama says the timeline he laid out to Pacific leaders is not now achievable. He says electoral reforms cannot be pushed through in the eight months remaining before polling. Robert Khan, who works for Auckland-based Radio Tarana and who is currently in Suva, says most locals are taking the news in their stride. "They're seeing that this government is operating as a government. I think with the state of the world economy, people are more worried about their daily lives than politics."
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

US Secretary of State Rice to visit Samoa

By Cherelle Jackson
APIA, Samoa - Condoleezza Rice, the first African/American woman to be appointed US Secretary of State will pay a visit to Samoa next Saturday. She will be the second State Secretary after George Shultz to call into Samoa. The Secretary of State will be in the country for two hours to meet with Prime Minister Honorable Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi and other Pacific Leaders. She will be accompanied by NZ Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters.
Copyright © 2008 Newsline Samoa Newspaper

Tongan deportees raise concern in home country

NUKUALOFA, Tonga– The Tonga Government is concerned about the plight of hundreds of deportees including convicted criminals and visa over-stayers who now live in Tonga after being deported from countries such as the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Some 443 deportees were forcibly sent to Tonga in the last five years and many of them do not speak Tongan. As well as assessing the needs of the deportees a new Tongan task force wants to start a dialogue with countries that remove criminals from their communities to inform them that they should be more conscious of where they are dumping them.
Copyright © 2005Matangi Tonga.

US Antarctic programme problems may impact on NZ

Antarctica New Zealand is exploring the implications of a massive budget blowout by the United States Antarctic programme. Fuel prices as high as $52 a litre are mainly to blame for cuts threatening vital climate-change research in the polar region, The Press reported. New Zealand's programme in Antarctica relied entirely on US fuel and shipping, said Antactica NZ chief executive Lou Sanson. The US Antarctic programme said it faced a NZ$41 million budget shortfall. It had not yet worked out how it would recover the shortfall, which it was required to do by law. Karl Erb, head of the United States' National Science Foundation office of polar programs said the rising cost of fuel and the falling value of the US dollar were primarily to blame for the $US32m ($NZ41.4m) deficit.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Green bank opens in Auckland

The country's first environmentally-friendly bank opens in Auckland today. The new National Bank building in Blockhouse Bay features skylights, renewable building materials, solar panels, a rainwater tank and a compost bin. Bank spokeswoman Jenny Fagg says water consumption has been halved by recycling rainwater and the energy consumption is also much less than in other buildings.

Pacific Islanders wasting money on immigration advice

Pacific Island people pay immigration consultants thousands of dollars to help them get into New Zealand but it isn't money well spent, a report released today says. The PriceWaterhouseCoopers report, written in December 2006, said the Immigration Services' Pacific Division estimated about 75 percent of applicants used the services of agents or consultants to help them with their residence applications. "The fees charged by these agents or consultants -- often between $4000 and $10,000 -- neither appear to represent value for money nor to result in better outcomes for clients," the report said.
Source:NZPA

John Denver show to have world premiere in Dunedin

NZPA/Ross Setford
Dunedin is to host the world premiere of a stage show based on the life and music of the late American singer John Denver. Harold Thau, theatrical producer and a former business partner of Denver, announced today that Whisper The Wind would kick off in Dunedin in September. Dunedin-based Event Entertainment will present the show, which will then play in theatres throughout New Zealand and head to Australia next year. The show will combine a live concert concept with international singers and musicians performing Denver's songs, together with archival footage of Denver's life.

Mystery papers dug up under Supreme Court

Mystery still surrounds exactly what is in a 130-year old jar that was dug up at the site of the new Supreme Court building in Wellington. Workers at the Lambton Quay site last week found a glass jar which had been buried by those constructing the old High Court building in 1879, on a site where the Supreme Court now sits. Archeologists have been inspecting its contents, which appear to be pieces of paper. However exactly what is written on the paper is unrecognisable. Experts at Te Papa (National Museum) are now planning to use technology to try to decipher the writing.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Conchords receive three Emmy nods

New Zealand comedy duo Flight of the Conchords today missed out on an Emmy nomination for best comedy series, but received nods for three other categories. The Conchords were last month tipped to snag a best comedy nomination for their self-titled HBO series in which the Wellington pair Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, play marginally talented folk singers struggling to make it in New York. But while they missed out on that award, the show received nominations for directing, writing, and original music and lyrics. The Emmy nominations follow an already successful year for the duo, who picked up a Grammy for best comedy album in February and had the soundtrack from the TV show go to No 3 the American billboard charts.
Source:NZPA

1 billion tipped to watch Stations of Cross in Sydney

World Youth Day organisers in Sydney say up to 1 billion people worldwide will watch Stations of the Cross performance on television. The re-enactment of the last day in Jesus's life will take place around 13 sites in central Sydney on Friday. World Youth Day spokesman father Mark Podesta says up to 1 billion people around the world will tune in. "It's sure to be moving and inspiring and probably the event that people will remember for years to come after World Youth Day." Tens of thousands of pilgrims will also amass at seven sites, from the Domain to the Opera House and Darling Harbour, to watch a series of Stations either live or on large TV screens. Pope Benedict XVI will attend the first station - The Last Supper - at an invitation-only event at St Mary's Cathedral, from 3pm local time.
© 2008 Radio New Zealand

Westie wins top poetry award

A West Auckland mother who writes poems which weave stories has won the nation's major poetry prize. Former schoolteacher Janet Charman has won the 2008 Montana New Zealand Book Awards poetry category, for her collection Cold Snack. The award has been announced today to mark Montana Poetry Day. Charman will receive her award at a gala dinner at the Wellington Town Hall on Monday night, when the winners of the other Montana New Zealand Book Awards will also be announced.
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd

Scientists to drill into the edge of the world

By KENT ATKINSON
An international consortium of scientists is preparing to drill into a crack in the edge of the world – the South Island's Alpine Fault. The researchers want to drill over 5km deep in the Mt Cook National Park, west of Lilybank, in a cutting-edge experiment which will give a look at changes within the fault, which is expected to eventually destroy large areas of the South Island in a magnitude 8 quake. By drilling a hole into a fault in the Earth's mid-crust, the scientists will get a close look at changes in the underlying rock, and whether the fault is being "lubricated" by fluids under huge pressures or even talc associated with layers of serpentinite under the Southern Alps. Average slip rates in the fault's central region are about 30mm a year, very fast by global standards.
NZPA

Breast self-exams 'do not save lives'

By GREER McDONALD - The Dominion Post
Breast self-examinations do not save lives and may cause unnecessary harm to women who undergo redundant treatment and suffer increased anxiety, research shows. Breast Cancer Foundation health educator Ginny Harwood said the research, which revealed a "minuscule" difference between the death rates of women who did and did not do self-examination, made the foundation change its guidelines. "It hasn't always been what the foundation has promoted, but certainly in light of research and clinical trials that have come out, that is the message now," she said. Ms Harwood said the foundation did not promote self-exams as something women "should do and must do" every month.

Busy day for Hawke's Bay firefighters

NZPA/Tim Whittaker
It was a long hot day for Hawke's Bay firefighters as they battled two major fires, one started by the other. Police had to block off a number of roads on the northern outskirts of Hastings as firefighters from Hastings, Havelock North Napier and Bayview fought the blaze The massive fire that destroyed a large 100m by 150m coolstore building in the Hastings suburb of Mahora started just after 9am spread to a second building 50m away just after 11am. By 9.30am there were at least eight appliance and their crews fighting the coolstore fire, and trying to keep it from setting alight a nearby ammonia plant.

Capital power network sale approved

The Government has approved the sale of Wellington's electricity network to a Chinese investor. Power lines company Vector applied to the Overseas Investment Office to sell the network for $785 million. Consent has been granted for Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings and Hong Kong Electric Holdings to buy the network. The companies form part of the Cheung Kong group, which is the largest business conglomerate in Hong Kong. Finance Minister Michael Cullen says he is confident the buyers have met all of the Overseas Investment Act criteria. Dr Cullen says the network, which serves Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington, does not involve sensitive land.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Nelson rugby park to get $7m upgrade

The Nelson City Council has backed a $7 million plan to upgrade the city's outdated rugby headquarters, Trafalgar Park. The council wants to meet a deadline to bid for hosting rights at the 2011 World Cup, but the park has to be improved before Nelson can be considered. Councillors say this proposal is a cautious alternative to a more lavish $20 million option.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ to stand firm on Fiji sanctions - Peters

New Zealand will remain firm with its sanctions against Fiji, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. Mr Peters was speaking at the conclusion of talks in Suva between Fiji's interim regime, former parliamentarians and the Forum Ministerial Contact Group. The ministerial group included representatives from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu, who assessed Fiji's readiness and willingness to hold elections. They will report to forum leaders in Niue in August. The issue of sanctions imposed by New Zealand and Australia was raised at a meeting on Tuesday with Fiji's interim leader, Commodore Bainimarama. On Wednesday, Mr Peters said the interim administration was pushing to have trade sanctions lifted, but that would not happen until the New Zealand Government saw a credible path to an election.
© 2008 Radio New Zealand

Trans-Tasman savings plan moves closer

An agreement to ensure retirement savings can be transferred between New Zealand and Australia is expected to be completed by October. The Finance Minister today held his first formal bilateral talks with the Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan. Michael Cullen says progress on the agreement is important to facilitate the free flow of people across the Tasman. He says the Government is now confident that KiwiSaver and complying Australian superannuation accounts are mutually compatible, and that outstanding policy issues can be addressed. Dr Cullen says under the agreement, host country rules will apply, but there will be some exceptions.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Almost 100 jobs to go at Mosgiel plant

Restructuring could see Silver Fern Farms shed nearly 100 jobs. The meat processing company has agreed to sell it's Silverstream plant near Mosgiel to the Christchurch-based Scales Group. The company says it is proposing a cull of 16 full-time jobs as well as up to 80 seasonal positions with the final number to be agreed in two weeks time.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Navy museum moving to Torpedo Bay

NZPA/Wayne Drought
The cramped Navy Museum next to Devonport Navy Base is gearing up for a move to a new site at one of the most historic bays on Auckland's North Shore. The navy plans to move the museum to Torpedo Bay, which is overlooked by North Head. Torpedo Bay is where the Tainui immigration canoe landed about 1350 and where the coal-fired navy steam spar torpedo boats were housed in the late 1800s. It was also the bay where French explorer Dumont D'Urville landed in 1827. Now the navy has decided on the historic navy site at Torpedo Bay where a large building already existed and which would provide enough space for the museum.

Qantas tipped to axe 2,000 staff

Qantas is set to axe up to 2,000 jobs worldwide as the record price of oil hits airlines hard. The Australian airline's chief executive Geoff Dixon has warned its 36,000 staff that operations were being reviewed and those results would be released next week. It is not known how the cutbacks will affect the airline's operations in New Zealand. "The continuing increase in the price of oil has necessitated a further in-depth review of all aspects of the Qantas Group, particularly how our flying business will operate in this new cost environment," he wrote in an e-mail to staff.
© 2008 Radio New Zealand

Hastings coolstore fire spreads to packaging plant

A huge coolstore fire in Hastings has spread to a packaging plant nearby, the Fire Service says. Firefighters were alerted after a fire broke out a Turners and Growers coolstore on the northern outskirts of Hastings just after 9am on Thursday. The coolstore is among a large group of apple storage facilities. The coolstore fire has been contained, but a packaging plant also caught on fire 150 metres away. Residents nearby were advised to stay inside their homes, and no one has been evacuated.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Claims rodeos are animal cruelty are "nutty"

Sports Minister Clayton Cosgrove is dismissing claims rodeos are animal cruelty. The Auckland City Council has banned rodeo events being held on its land after animal rights groups claimed the events were cruel to animals. Clayton Cosgrove says it is "completely nutty". ..."Give us a break, it's a sport, these guys look after these animals and if they don't, there are laws there to clip them into line." Mr Cosgrove says it is not natural for a horse to wear a saddle, and questions whether that means pony rides should be banned. He says while there always needs to be animal welfare, banning rodeos is "PC gone mad".
Copyright 2002 - 2008. TelstraClear Ltd