1,000th BNZ kiwi released

The 1,000th kiwi born under the BNZ Operation Nest Egg conservation programme has been released into the wild today. The western brown kiwi hatched on February 17 this year, and now after nine months of careful incubation, raising and monitoring she has been returned to the Waimarino Forest near the Whanganui National Park to fend for herself, being big enough to fight off stoats and cats. The kiwi, named Hupai, was found as an egg, and Save the Kiwi Trust executive director Michelle Impey says the bird illustrates the huge effort and resources involved in saving our national icon.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

80 whales die

The 80 whales beached on Tasmania's west coast have all died. The long-finned pilot whales were discovered on a rocky area of coastline near Sandy Cape yesterday. Conservationists who went to try to rescue them say the whales took a physical beating on the rocks. But one stranded whale was calling to a pod of about 30 other whales offshore, and it was taken further up the beach in an effort to stop those whales from coming in. The calling whale died and the 30 offshore then moved on.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Curry could bust your daily fat limit - Study

Indian takeaway curries contain some of the highest levels of saturated fat among takeaway foods, a recent British study found. They can contain more saturated fat, and a Chinese meal more sugar, than you should eat in a day. And, in order to burn the calories from an Indian meal, men need to exercise for 271 minutes. Women would take longer -- 335 minutes to burn the same amount of calories. That is equivalent to cycling for five hours. More Kiwis were now eating out or buying takeaways and supermarket-ready meals than 30 years ago, when there were few supermarkets , and fish and chip shops dominated takeaway options. The British study reflected the New Zealand situation, local dietitians said. Otago University research dietitian Amber Parry-Strong said Indian meals were not high on the list of takeaways she would recommend.
NZPA

Thousands flock to Auckland Santa Parade

Hundreds of thousands of people got into the Christmas spirit in Auckland today during the city's annual Santa Parade. In soaring temperatures, shoppers of all ages donned hats and slapped on suncream while they soaked up the festive atmosphere in Queen Street, which was closed to traffic for most of the day. Auckland Children's Christmas Parade Trust chairman Michael Barnett said this year's 75th parade was one of the biggest in the history of the event, and around 400,000 people came out in force to make it a huge success.
NZPA

Great-grandmother gets her degree

An 87-year great-grandmother has become one of the oldest students in New Zealand to earn a degree. Phyllis Falvey collected her degree in anthropology from Massey University this week. Mrs Falvey left school without any qualifications, became a Karitane nurse, married, had five children and lived on a farm in for 25 years, the Manawatu Standard reported. But at the age of 81 she decided it was time to get a degree. So from the comfort of her home in Edgecumbe in the eastern Bay of Plenty she studied anthropology. But Mrs Falvey is not finished yet - she planning to embark on a graduate diploma in history next year.
NZPA

Flight recorder of crashed Air NZ Airbus found

One of the flight recorders on board the crashed Air New Zealand Airbus has reportedly been recovered as family members of two of the dead New Zealanders have arrived in France to retrieve the bodies of their loved ones. Two Germans and five New Zealanders aboard the Airbus A320 are dead after it crashed into the Mediterranean off the coast of France while on a test flight on Thursday local time (Friday morning NZT). The recovered flight recorder is expected to throw light on what happened in the final seconds before the plane crashed into the ocean. Air New Zealand group general manager Ed Sims said yesterday retrieving the flight recorders was a vital step in finding out the cause of the crash.
NZPA

Labour boss quits with no regrets

By ANTHONY HUBBARD - Sunday Star Times
Labour's controversial president, Mike Williams, will resign this week. Union boss Andrew Little is seen as his most likely successor. Williams said he would "discuss his future and look at a smooth passing of the baton" with the party's ruling council when it meets on Saturday in Auckland. Williams, who drew much criticism for his dash to Melbourne late in the election campaign to examine papers about National leader John Key, said he had no regrets about doing so. The party will call for nominations from the Labour Electorate Committees and if the position is contested a postal ballot will be held early next year. The final result is not likely till February.

Sydney Opera House architect dies

Danish architect Jorn Utzon, designer of the Sydney Opera House, died on Saturday at the age of 90. Mr Utzon was famous for the design of the impressionist Opera House, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site last year. In 1957 he unexpectedly won the competition to design the Sydney Opera House, but left the project in 1966, six years before the official opening of the building, after quarrels with the client and cost overruns of more than 1,000%.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Free tuition offer applauded by student group

Students are calling on universities and polytechnics to follow an initiative offering free study next year to anyone who loses their job in the economic downturn. UCOL, which has campuses in Palmerston North, Whanganui and Wairarapa, says anyone made redundant after 1 September 2008 will be eligible to enrol in any course on offer next year. The college says the offer covers normal tuition fees apart from students' association fees and any programme-related costs. The polytechnic will also allow anyone who cannot find a job 16 weeks after completing the course to enrol in another free programme.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Rugby-All Blacks beat England to secure grand slam

The All Blacks have clinched their third grand slam of wins over the four home unions, defeating England 32-6 at Twickenham on Saturday. Mils Muliaina scored two tries as New Zealand piled on the second-half points to claim victory over an error-strewn England. England were far more competitive than in previous defeats by Australia and South Africa but were again undone by their own mistakes, handing the All Blacks a 12-3 halftime lead despite Dan Carter missing two of his six penalty attempts. New Zealand, as in their wins over Scotland, Ireland and Wales, poured on the second half power to run away to their biggest win at Twickenham surpassing the 41-20 success two years ago and complete their clean sweep without conceding a try.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Cut out a cup of coffee for baby's sake, experts say

Pregnant women are being advised to cut their coffee intake to protect the health of their babies. More than two mugs of coffee a day could harm the unborn baby, researchers have found. The NZ Food Safety Authority has joined its British counterpart in cutting the recommended maximum daily caffeine intake to 200mg from 300mg - from three cups a day to two. A study published this month in the British Medical Journal linked caffeine consumption during pregnancy and increased risk of restricted fetal growth. The British Food Standards Agency added risk of miscarriage to the list.
Copyright 2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited

MFAT keeping track of New Zealanders

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is keeping track of New Zealanders in India and Thailand, following militant attacks and anti-government protests. MFAT is continuing to track down information about New Zealanders in India, following attacks in the commercial capital of Mumbai. The ministry says it has been making inquiries about 193 New Zealanders in India and 183 have been confirmed as safe and well. MFAT says the remaining 10 are not all necessarily in Mumbai, formerly Bombay, and it has no cause for concern about their safety. MFAT says it is aware of about 150 New Zealanders stranded in Bangkok because of the closure of two airports there due to anti-government protests. It has ongoing contact with them and has no concerns for their safety.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ couple freed in Mumbai but their group's leader dead

New Zealand couple who had been holed up in a luxury Mumbai hotel targeted by terrorists have been freed unharmed but the leader of their meditation party has been shot and killed. Kiwi couple David and Vinka Clemmett were taking part in a meditation programme by a group called Synchronicity when they were caught in the Mumbai terror attacks. Six of their 25-strong party -- made up of Americans, Australians and Canadians -- were shot while in the Oberoi Hotel, The Dominion Post reported today. Mr Clemmett's brother, Peter, in Sydney, said last night, said the American leader of their meditation party was killed, and his 13-year-old daughter was feared dead.
NZPA

Talks on Napier's Marineland to continue

The Dominion Post
The future of Marineland remains in the balance, with Napier City Council staff set to make recommendations on its fate next month. The council's special Marineland committee has finished hearing 174 public submissions on proposals for the marine zoo, which has been closed to the public since the death of its last performing dolphin in September. The submissions were overwhelmingly in favour of reviving Marineland. Many submitters feared that the loss of Marineland would affect the Hawke's Bay tourism industry. Penguins and a butterfly house were suggested as new features, since the zoo is not allowed to acquire any new dolphins. However, animal rights activists say no animals should be kept in captivity. The zoo still holds about 50 animals, including New Zealand fur seals, Californian sea lions, little blue penguins and gannets.

World's first colossal squid display open soon

The Museum of New Zealand will open the world's only colossal squid exhibit on December 13. The 495 kg, 4.2m female colossal squid will be on show at Te Papa in time for the summer school holidays, and will stay on free display for three years. It will be lit in a custom-built tank, with displays of various body parts including the lens of its eye, and models of its beak and tentacle swivel hooks that can be touched and rotated. The tank with the squid inside weighs 3 tonnes and will be transported from the museum's Tory St workshops on Monday. It is the most massive invertebrate ever discovered, and holds the record for the world's largest eye, measuring 27cm in diameter. The squid was heavily hyped as a monster and "T-Rex of the Seas" after it was landed by the fishing vessel San Aspiring – gnawing on a hooked toothfish – in the Ross Sea in 2007.
NZPA

Hot days ahead on the beaches

By STACEY WOOD - The Dominion Post
Summer is here, and it's going to be a scorcher. Niwa scientists predict above-average temperatures and calm weather across the country between December and February, though rainfall is expected to remain normal. Niwa scientist James Renwick said Wellingtonians could expect temperatures in the mid-20s to be the norm in the hotter months. Neutral weather conditions - no blustery El Nino or tempestuous La Nina - are predicted, making for plenty of lazy, hazy summer days. Last year was the third-sunniest on record for Wellington, with 2231 sunshine hours recorded.

NZ tourists stranded by Thai protests

By BEN FAWKES and MARTY SHARPE - The Dominion Post
Hundreds of New Zealanders are still stranded in Bangkok as the Thai Government moves to remove thousands of protesters blocking the city's two airports. After a cabinet meeting in the government stronghold of Chiang Mai, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat declared a state of emergency, aimed at ousting protesters "trespassing" at the airports. There are no concerns for the New Zealanders in Thailand, but the Foreign Affairs Ministry repeated its advice that tourists should avoid all political rallies and demonstrations because of the possibility of further violence. Brook Barrington, New Zealand's ambassador in Thailand, said there were probably 1200 New Zealand residents and almost 2000 travellers in the country.

Green Party wants Super Fund to divest nuclear shares

The Green Party wants the New Zealand Superannuation Fund to stop investing in any companies involved in delivery systems for nuclear weapons. Super Fund guardians have confirmed they have no intention of divesting shares of Rakon. The New Zealand company makes components used in global positioning systems, such as military and aerospace purposes. Green co-leader Russel Norman acknowledges are other companies are more directly involved in delivering nuclear weapons than Rakon, but he hopes the fund will divest all holdings in weapons-related companies.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Samoa opts for daylight saving

The Samoa Government has given the go ahead to daylight saving. It says that from next year the country will put its clocks forward from the first weekend in October switching back at the end of March. The Government says it will bring significant benefits, such as promoting energy conservation, increasing opportunities for leisure enhancing public health and safety and and economic growth.
© RNZI 2008

Excuse doesn't wash for drink-drive surgeon

A Wairarapa surgeon has been convicted of drink driving, after trying to get off the charge by blaming the alcoholic hand wash he used at work. Fifty three-year-old Ian Denholm is the head of orthopaedic surgery at Wairarapa Hospital. At an earlier court hearing he argued he had an extraordinary ability to absorb alcohol in hand wash gel because of a skin condition. That was not accepted by a judge at the Wellington District Court today. He was fined $500, ordered to pay $130 court costs and disqualified from driving for six months.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Strawberry exports revived

The falling New Zealand dollar is a boon for strawberry growers who have re-established an export trade to the United States and Canada. Strawberry Growers New Zealand chair John Greensmith says the high value of the New Zealand dollar during the past two seasons prevented exports, especially to the United States and Canada. A more favourable exchange rate now also allows New Zealand to lift strawberry exports to Asian markets.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Chch art gallery closes doors

The tough economic times are forcing a well known Christchurch art gallery to close its doors. Fisher Gallery has been operating for 138 years. Art Director Simon Fisher says the art market now has a strong presence on the internet and that is where they are taking their business. He says they have been pondering the decision to close for the past couple of years. He says an auction next week will help clear excess stock.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Sunbathing parents put kids at risk at beach

A study has found that one in four New Zealand children are at risk of drowning at the beach because the person looking after them is not paying attention. Auckland University lecturer Kevin Moran questioned more than 700 parents and caregivers in charge of young children at 18 North Island beaches last summer. He found 75 percent were paying constant attention to their children's safety and were aware of the risks such as water depth, tides and weather conditions. Of those who did not provide adequate supervision, half were distracted by talking to other people or on cell phones, while a third were more concerned about sunbathing. Some had even left the beach.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Lights out on incandescent bulbs ban

The previous government's ban on incandescent lightbulbs is being reversed. There have been conflicting reports today on whether the new Government would follow through on its pre-election stance. Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says he has instructed the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority to prepare the paperwork to overturn the ban. He expects an announcement will be made early in the New Year, reversing the decision to phase out incandescent lightbulbs.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Five Kiwis dead in Air New Zealand crash

12.15PM(NZ) By ADRIENNE BOURGEON, in France
LATEST: The search for survivors of a crashed Air New Zealand Airbus A320 – carrying five New Zealanders and two Germans – has been called off for the night. The plane crashed off Perpignan, in southeast France, about 4.45am (NZ time) today. It had been undergoing maintenance checks at Perpignan airport before a test flight ahead of a return to New Zealand. The New Zealanders on the flight included two airline engineers from Christchurch, an engineer from Auckland and a pilot from Auckland, all working for Air New Zealand. A New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority expert was also onboard. All are presumed dead. The Airbus was being flown by two XL Airways pilots aircraft. The Air NZ-owned plane had been leased by XL for the past two years and was being tested ahead of its return this week.

Sinking of cruise boat

A tourist cruise boat has sunk in Doubtful Sound in Fiordland. A Fiordland Cruises spokesperson says the vessel, called the Waverly, hit a submerged object at around 9.30pm on Thursday. Eight passengers aboard were transferred to other vessels, before the boat sank after midnight, while being towed to Deep Cove. Fiordland Cruises says the main priority now is to prevent a spill of diesel from spreading.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ: Shuttle, Space Station to be seen early Sat.

Press Release: Robert HoldsworthJust after 4 a.m on Saturday morning the Shuttle and International Space Station will fly over New Zealand just after undocking and just before the shuttle commences a flyaround of the Station. They will appear as two bright lights close together moving from the north to the southeast. They can only be seen when the sun is on them and it is darker on earth, but as they are flying at around 372 km above the earth the sunlight reaches them before it reaches the earth below them. The best spots to see them will be Auckland or Gisborne where they will seem to be almost overhead. They will only be visible for about 5 or 6 minutes before they pass below the horizon..

Air NZ personnel in fatal Airbus crash

Air New Zealand personnel are among seven people killed in the crash of a Air New Zealand Airbus A320 on a test flight off the coast of France. The Airbus crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near the town of Perpignan as it came into land at about 5pm on Thursday, killing all seven on board. The plane had been chartered by the German charter airline XL since 2006. It had been returned to the Airbus factory prior to being handed back to Air New Zealand and had been re-painted in Air New Zealand colours. An XL spokesman says there were Air New Zealand and Airbus people on board. A Maritime official told CNN that floating debris has been located. The official said the test flight took off from Perpignan in southern France.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand>

Troops come home from East Timor

NZPA/Ross Setford
A six-month stretch in East Timor has finished in time for Christmas for 104 New Zealand Defence Force personnel, who arrive home tomorrow. The returning personnel were the fifth rotation to serve in East Timor since May 2006. They will be welcomed by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, and family and friends at Christchurch International Airport.

New Zealanders named Rhodes Scholars

Three New Zealanders have the chance to study at Oxford University after being named as the 2009 Rhodes Scholars. Peter Cox, Laura Fraser and Nina Hall were all announced winners of the scholarships after a selection meeting at Government House in Auckland yesterday. Dr Cox, who graduated with his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with distinction from the University of Otago, will undertake a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in cardiovascular medicine. Fellow Otago student Ms Fraser, who has an Bachelor of Laws with honours, and a Bachelor of Arts in politics, will study for a Bachelor of Civil Law followed by a Master of Science in environmental change and management. Ms Hall, who recently completed a Master of Arts degree with first class honours in political studies, will undertake a DPhil looking at immigration policy.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Banks raise minimum deposit level for mortgages

Banks are raising their deposit requirements for mortgages to first-home buyers and loans to property investors and small businesses. ANZ National is the largest banking group in New Zealand and has informed customers they will have to have a 20% deposit and will no longer consider lending more than 80% of the purchase price. However, other major banks are reluctant to say that the days of borrowing 90% mortgages are over. Though a 20% deposit is the ideal scenario, it is by no means the only one and it is a customer's ability to service a mortgage that is key.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Te Papa (National Museum) brings 'important' McCahon back to NZ

By MICHAEL FOX - Stuff.co.nz
One of renowned artist Colin McCahon's most important works is on its way back to New Zealand after twelve years in a private collection in Australia. Te Papa today announced its successful bid for Colin McCahon's painting, Mondrian's Last Chrysanthemum for A$312,000 (NZ$367,541.53). Deutscher and Hackett, who auctioned the work, predicted it would sell for between between NZ$300,000 and $350,000. McCahon, who died in 1987, is regarded as one of the most important modern artists New Zealand has produced, particularly in his landscape work. The painting is one of five in a series collectively known as the Scared series and is said to depict a vision of nuclear annihilation. Te Papa's Director of art and collection services Jonathan Mane-Wheoki said he was thrilled the painting would be returning to New Zealand.

European Union funding for Pacific due to double

The European Union’s Ambassador to the region says EU funding for the Pacific will more than double for the next five years. Fiji-based EU Ambassador, Wiepke van der Goot, made his first visit to the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau earlier this week to present his diplomatic credentials. During his visit he reviewed aid projects, discussed climate change and also free trade negotiation progress. Mr van der Goot says funding for the Pacific will increase by about 140 percent in the new five-year EU funding cycle, 2009-2013, going from 50.7 million US dollars during the last five-year period to 123.5 million.
© RNZI 2008

Upturn in premium beers benefits festival

There is growing evidence that New Zealanders are switching from run-of-the-mill beers to premium drops. Breweries are experiencing an upturn in sales of premium beers, with Lion Nathan's profits for the year to September boosted by the trend. New Zealand Beer Festival organisers noticed the same jump in interest at their event in Auckland in February. Spurred on by that they are expanding next year's festival to include Wellington.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Roberta Flack announces NZ concerts

Roberta Flack is coming to New Zealand. The 71-year-old soul artist will play concerts in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in February. Flack won back to back Song of The Year Grammy Awards in 1973 and 1974, for The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly With His Song. Tickets go on sale on December the 4th.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Concern at Fiji's move to block bar association

By LAWRENCE HAKIWAI - NewstalkZB
The Government is expressing concern at moves by Fiji's interim Government to block a visit by the International Bar Association. A delegation from the IBA was due to go to Fiji in December to look at the country's legal systems in the wake of the 2006 coup. Fiji's attorney general, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, has told them the visit is not approved or welcome. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says the reports are of concern and he hopes Fiji's interim Government will reconsider its position. Mr McCully is due to travel to Fiji next month as part of a Pacific Forum Ministerial Group where Fiji's moves towards holding elections are set to be discussed.

Kiwi in Mumbai sees hotel burn

New Zealand businessman Steve Simms sat in his barricaded hotel room in Mumbai, India, early today watching the hotel he normally stays at burning. As gunfire rattled around the streets of Mumbai, India's commercial hub, Mr Simms looked out the window of his room in the Taj President Hotel. He watched the Taj Palace Hotel across the road burning after rebel fighting killed more than 80 people and wounded 250. The Taj Palace was believed to be where 15 westerners were reported to have been taken hostage. Mr Simms, in India on business for his internet company Tomizone, said the Taj Palace Hotel was full when he arrived, so his group booked into another hotel in the Taj chain across the road. "The chaos in Mumbai has accelerated tonight into absolute madness," he told NZPA.
NZPA

Thailand chaos for NZ student

A New Zealand student who was expecting to transit in Bangkok for five hours has found himself stranded there by protests that have shut the airport down. Aucklander Matthew Backhouse will have to leave the Thailand overland, after protests closed Bangkok international airport. He was travelling through Thailand en route to Vietnam. His plane arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport about 1am local time and he "proceeded as normal (though customs)". Passengers had been warned on the plane that there was a protest at the airport but did not realise the extent of it until leaving the building. Mr Backhouse has arranged to travel to the Malaysian border on the train and from there by bus.
NZPA

Chinese group wants place in Auckland's Xmas parade

An Auckland High Court judge has reserved his decision on a Chinese political lobby group's bid to take part in the city's Santa Parade. The Falun Dafa group requested an interim injunction from the court after the Auckland Santa Parade Trust refused to let it participate in the parade on Saturday. The group said it wanted to highlight persecution in China. Auckland Santa Parade Trust spokesman Michael Barnett has said the Christmas parade was for children, and the group could not use it to promote their cause. "It is about fun and fantasy and family stuff. It is not about some Chinese group trying to promote the fact that they believe they are persecuted back in China," Mr Barnett said. The judge was to release his decision at 2.15pm tomorrow.
NZPA

NZ cardiac contract with Tahiti could be cut

The Auckland District Health Board is considering scrapping a contract enabling residents of Tahiti to have heart operations in Auckland. The board says extra operations helped to smooth "peaks and troughs" in demand at the cardiac unit when the contact for cardiac services was signed in 1999. But a recent demand for cardiac surgery across New Zealand means the agreement may no longer be sustainable. However, the board says demand for children's cardiac services is not increasing as much, and it wants to keep delivering that service to Tahiti.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

1888-89 NZ rugby team to be inducted into IRB hall of fame

New Zealand's first touring rugby team to Britain, called the New Zealand Natives, will be inducted into the International Rugby Union's Hall of Fame this week. Waatea News reports the New Zealand Natives had a mammoth 14-month tour of Britain from 1888-89, winning 78 of their 107 games. Their tour was nearly two decades before the 1905 "Originals". Former New Zealand Maori coach Matt Te Pou says the New Zealand Natives were the beginning of the Maori All Blacks and instilled the desire to win which has existed in New Zealand rugby since. Mr Te Pou says they deserve greater recognition in New Zealand.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Mortgage defaults in Australia worsen

Mortgage defaults in Australia are worsening and becoming more widespread. According to a new report by ratings agency, Fitch Ratings, Perth is suffering as property prices fall there. The ABC reports the pain is being felt in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs for the first time. The western and south-western suburbs of Sydney suffered first and continue to be badly affected, but are now being overtaken by the Gold Coast, the New South Wales Central Coast and areas around Newcastle. According to the study, Perth is also suffering as property prices fall and for the first time the pain is being felt in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

France sells Tahiti military base for one euro

The French defence minister, Herve Morin, says the French military base in Tahiti will be sold to French Polynesia for one euro. Mr Morin made the announcement after talks with the French Polynesian president, Gaston Tong Sang, and Philip Schyle, who is the mayor of Arue where the base is located. Mr Morin says the 27 hectare site is to be converted to what he calls a breeding ground for businesses. He says the base won’t be closed until a plan for its future use has been drawn up, which he says should happen within a couple of years. A French defence review has signalled that between 2011 and 2015, the French military presence will be scaled back. First defence cuts began after 1996 when France completed its nuclear weapons testing regime in the South Pacific.
© RNZI 2008

Green light for windfarm

A 28 turbine wind farm at Te Uku near Raglan is to proceed following mediation that resolved opposition to the plan. The $200 million project is a joint venture between WEL Networks and Meridian Energy. The wind farm will generate enough electricity to supply the annual needs of around 30,000 houses.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Hundreds turn out for mass house auction

Hundreds of people have turned out to what is believed to be New Zealand's biggest real estate auction to date. In an attempt to fight the slump in the property market, Ray White Real Estate put 100 houses and sections under the hammer. The auction, held at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau, was similar to mass bulk real estate sales held recently in the United States. Only eight of the properties up for auction on Tuesday sold, totalling more than $4 million in sales. A further 15 properties are under negotiation with vendors and it is anticipated at least half will be sold, which should bring the auction's combined total to more than $15 million.

Four New Zealanders thought to be at Bangkok airport

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says four New Zealanders are thought to be trapped at Bangkok airport. Thailand's main airport is closed after it was stormed by anti-government protesters on Tuesday. MFAT says the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok has been directly contacted by four people at the airport. Meanwhile, the House of Travel says it has at least 100 customers scheduled to leave Bangkok over the next few days and about 300 travelling there. It says officials are trying to contact customers in Bangkok. However, this is proving difficult because of the time difference.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

British PM told of NZ objections to new tourist tax

Prime Minister John Key says he has significant concerns about plans by the British government to impose a large departure tax on travellers flying to New Zealand. Mr Key voiced his objections to Gordon Brown during talks at Downing Street on Tuesday. Changes to the air passenger duty were announced on Monday as part of a Stg 20 billion stimulus package for Britain's economy. The tax, to be introduced in two years, will see long haul travellers charged an extra $NZ240. Those flying to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa will be the hardest hit.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Kiribati search suspended

The search for 29 missing Taiwanese fisherman missing off the coast of Kiribati in the Pacific has been suspended. A New Zealand Air Force Orion and 14 crew had been searching for the crew after the boat was found burnt-out, but still afloat, on November 9. The life rafts were missing from the Taiwanese long liner. Squadron Leader Mike Pearson says more than 10,000 square miles of ocean has been covered and the crew has flown more than 30 hours of search operations.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

$1 for a car

Holden has come up with a new way to raise funds for charity - and you could get a cheap car out it. The company is putting a new Holden Astra SRiTurbo Coupe on TradeMe with a $1 reserve. The car is worth nearly $35,000. All proceeds will go to the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation. Foundation Executive Director Pru Etchevery says they are over the moon about it, and the money will be used for patient support programmes.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

MetService issues weather warning

Gales and heavy rain have been forecast by the MetService in a severe weather warning issued this morning. People have been warned to expect swollen streams in Otago and Canterbury. A northerly flow sweeping very humid subtropical air over the country was expected to strengthen from tonight. The MetService said gales were likely in many parts of northern and central New Zealand. Rain was forecast for northern Marlborough, Nelson, Buller and Westland, becoming heavy and persistent in later tonight, including the Richmond Range and Marlborough Sounds.
NZPA

Rugby-Win for ABs over Wales 29-9

The All Blacks have beaten Wales 29-9 in this morning's rugby test in Cardiff. The home side dominated the first half and led 9-6 at halftime after three penalty goals from first five Stephen Jones. But the second spell was all black. The visitors drew level almost immediately after the resumption of play and when Ma'a Nonu scored the game's first try, Wales faced an uphill battle. Another two Dan Carter penalties gave him five for the match before Jerome Kaino finished the job off with a try in the final minute. England next weekend at Twickenham now stands in New Zealand's way of another Grand Slam triumph. South Africa crushed England 42-6 in this morning's rugby international at Twickenham in London. Scotland signed off their November test series by scoring six tries to beat Canada 41-0 at Aberdeen. Ireland had a 17-3 victory over Argentina at Croke Park. The Pacific Islanders beat Italy 25-17 in Reggio Emilia.
© 2008 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Top wine awards go to Hawke's Bay

Two Hawke's Bay Syrahs have claimed the top awards at the 2008 Air New Zealand Wine Awards. The Champion Wine of the Show Trophy went to Church Road Reserve Syrah 2007. The Bell Gully Champion Sustainable Wine Trophy went to Crossroads Winery, for its Elms Vineyard Reserve Syrah 2007. The chairman of the judging panel, Steve Smith, said the two winners made a big impression on the 26-strong panel, and that the Church Road Syrah is world-class wine. The awards were dominated by Hawke's Bay and Marlborough, with each region claiming eight trophies.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Whales die after being stranded in Tasmania

Dozens of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding on Tasmania. A wildlife official put the number of stranded whales at 64, and said 13 of those were still alive as of around 8pm local time on Saturday. The whales were discovered by a member of the public at Stanley on the island's northwest coast, local parks manager Chris Arthur said. An attempt would be made to rescue the surviving animals on Sunday, he said. Mass strandings of whales occur periodically in Australia and New Zealand for reasons that are not entirely understood.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Rugby League-Kiwis stun the Kangaroos in world cup final

The Kiwis have caused a major upset by overcoming Australia in the final of the rugby league world cup, winning 34-20. They were massive underdogs against their old rivals but played brilliantly against the Kangaroos who made some uncharacteristic errors during the final. New Zealand were 10-0 behind early on and trailed 16-12 at half-time before taking a hold of the final in sensational fashion at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday night. The new champions made it through to the final after downing England 32-22.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Key meets Rudd

New New Zealand prime minister John Key has met his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd for the first time since winning government. Both leaders pledged to continue the strong relationship between the trans-Tasman neighbours. Mr Rudd told reporters it is going to be a good partnership, saying the interests of the two countries coincide practically everywhere around the world. Mr Key said the pair plan to discuss the close economic relationship between each other, but ruled out a short- to medium-term prospect of New Zealand adopting the Australian currency as part of a monetary union.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Cruise liner rescues men on stricken NZ yacht

A cruise liner has rescued four men from a New Zealand-registered yacht which ran aground on a reef off the Queensland coast. The men activated their emergency beacon early on Friday after the 14-metre yacht ran aground about 500 nautical miles east of Mackay. The yacht was en route from Noumea to Brisbane and sent a mayday call after taking on water in the Coral Sea. The P&O cruise liner Pacific Sun changed its course to rescue the men on its way back from Vanuatu.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Strain on water supply may force restrictions

By TOM FITZSIMONS - The Dominion Post
Wellington is set for years of water restrictions unless residents cut back on reckless consumption or councils stump up $142 million for a new dam. Sprinkler bans introduced last summer for the first time in more than two decades could become routine, along with more radical measures, including water meters and a "trigger-response" summer programme. Councillors and water experts say the strain on water resources is coming from unexpectedly fast population growth, as well as high levels of careless water usage. Greater Wellington regional council chairwoman Fran Wilde said Wellingtonians used about 400 litres of water per person every day, significantly higher than Auckland's rate of 300 litres per day.

Another seat each for Labour and Greens?

National may lose one of its new MPs today and Labour and the Greens could each pick up another seat. The results of more than 200,000 special votes will be revealed this afternoon. Special votes are cast by people living overseas, or voters who are outside their electorate on polling day. Traditionally, the Greens do well from special votes and their eight MPs could become nine with law lecturer Kennedy Graham waiting in the wings. That result would make new National MP Cam Calder a possible casualty given his place on the party list, while Labour's former minister Damien O'Connor could see himself back in Parliament.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Sir Roger Moore in Auckland to launch autobiography

Hundreds of shoppers queued out of the door of an Auckland book store today to catch a glimpse of iconic British film star Sir Roger Moore (aka James Bond). Sir Roger is in the city today and tomorrow to launch his autobiography, My Word is My Bond. At 81, Sir Roger is certainly one of the more elderly celebrities to visit New Zealand in support of their autobiography, but his fans were clearly eager to snap up a copy.
NZPA

Key blames 'reckless' money men for crisis

By COLIN ESPINER in Lima, Peru - Fairfax Media
Prime Minister John Key has hit out at his former money trader colleagues, accusing some of helping trigger the global financial crisis with a "reckless" attitude to risk. In his first formal address since being sworn in as Prime Minister on Wednesday, Key told a gathering of some 500 business leaders from 21 countries at the Apec meeting in Lima, Peru, that financial regulation was urgently needed to haul the world out of the credit crisis. Key said the global economy had been fuelled by an unprecedented amount of credit obtained through "huge amounts of leveraging" by hedge funds and other financial institutions. Introduced to his audience as a former businessman and Merrill Lynch trader, Key went on to harshly criticise his former colleagues in the financial sector, saying hedge fund managers had become unregulated, opaque, and "globally unmanagable".

Cruise liner rescues stricken NZ yacht

A cruise liner has rescued four people including two New Zealanders from a yacht which ran aground on a reef off the Queensland coast. The New Zealanders and two French people on board were unharmed.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Cruise liner racing help stricken NZ yacht

A cruise liner is racing towards a yacht stranded on a reef in the Coral Sea with two New Zealanders and two French people on board. The New Zealand-registered yacht was en route from Noumea to Brisbane when it sent a mayday call on Friday morning that it had a hole and was taking on water. P&O cruise liner Pacific Sun has been diverted from its scheduled cruise and is expected to reach the site, about 500 nautical miles east of Mackay in Queensland, on Friday evening. Rescue centres from New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand are involved in the mission.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ wins best pinot noir at Royal Hobart

New Zealand raider Nautilus Estate has won the hotly contested best pinot noir trophy at the Royal Hobart International Wine Show. New Zealand winemakers have dominated the category in the past 10 years at the show in the state where pinot noir accounts for 40 per cent of production. Nautilus Estate and Villa Maria have won three of the past four pinot noir trophies at the show.

Australia asks to join new free trade deal

By Audrey Young
The free trade agreement begun by New Zealand, Singapore, Chile and Brunei - known as the P4 - two years ago is set to expand even further with two more countries , Australia and Peru, as well as the United States wanting to join. Other Apec countries will be given a deadline and asked to put their hands ups by March if they want to be part of the next expansion. The significant development was announced today by Chile Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley at the Apec trade ministers meeting in Lima, attended by New Zealand's new Trade Minister Tim Groser.

Round the world jet to stop in Christchurch

Ground staff at Christchurch Airport will have to act like a Formula 1 pit crew this weekend as a jet stops off during an attempt at the fastest around the world flight. The record for a flight which passes both poles is 54 hours, set by a Boeing 747SP 30 years ago. The new record bid will be attempted in a Tag Aviation Bombardier Global Express, due to leave London on Saturday morning and aiming to touch down in Christchurch -- its only Australasian stop -- 12.30am Sunday. New Zealand organiser Tony McFarlin of Capital Jet Services said the plane would need to take on about 24,000 litres of fuel during a stop which was hoped to take less than 30 minutes.
NZPA

Thousands to get lessons in parenting

By LANE NICHOLS - The Dominion Post
A Government scheme that sends parents of violent or misbehaving children to parenting courses is to expand to up to 15,000 more families. Officials estimate that children with severe antisocial behavioural problems each cost society $3 million during their lives through crime and other state spending. Parents of chronically disruptive children are now being sent on state-run parenting courses in a bid to address their children's antisocial behaviour - some through court and Probation Service referrals. The 12 to 20-week group courses, which include homework assignments on how to play with children, teach parenting skills such as rewarding good behaviour, setting boundaries and discipline. Hundreds of parents have taken part since last year.

Physical activity survey by SPARC

A survey by Sport & Recreation New Zealand shows less than half of the population meets Government guidelines for physical activity. The survey found 79% of people do at least one form of weekly exercise. But less than half meet the Government recommendation of 30 minutes of exercise at least five days a week: two thirds of New Zealanders walk for fitness and two-fifths garden. More than one million people swim at least once a year. However, SPARC says only 12% of people are totally inactive despite a growth of sedentary past-times like video games and a trend towards longer working hours.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Cricket-Southee star for Black Caps at Gabba.

Underdogs New Zealand made the most of a minefield cricket pitch to take first-day honours at the Gabba on Thursday. The Black Caps surprised Australia and a 12,500-strong Brisbane crowd on the opening day of the two-Test series to dismiss the home side for 214 and then go to stumps with seven runs on the board and no wickets lost. Among an unheralded bowling attack, Tim Southee was the star for New Zealand as he made the early inroads after skipper Daniel Vettori won the toss and elected to bowl. The teenager quickly rewarded him by reducing the world champions to 3-23 with the wickets of Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting with his first 19 balls.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ third favourite destination for British migrants

New Zealand has overtaken France and the United States as the preferred destination for British migrants. But migration figures for 2007 released by the United Kingdom's Office of National Statistics show Australia remains the favourite destination for Britons moving overseas. In total, an estimated 340,000 Britons left the UK last year and 40,000 headed for Australia. About 12,000 British migrants came to New Zealand, which is now in third place behind another traditional favourite, Spain.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Key to meet the Queen

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is to meet the Queen when he visits Britain next week. Mr Key will travel to England, following his trip to the APEC meeting in Peru. He will meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative Party leader David Cameron while in England. Mr Key will meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ Orion searching for Taiwanese fishermen

A New Zealand Air Force Orion is searching a vast area of ocean north of Fiji for 29 missing Taiwanese fishermen. The alarm was raised on 9 November when a burnt-out Taiwanese long liner was discovered abandoned and drifting near Kiribati's Phoenix Islands. Three life rafts were missing from the boat and it is thought that the 29 crew may have used them. The RNZAF was alerted on Monday and an Orion will search an area of nearly 39,000 square kilometres.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Kiwi giraffes head across the ditch

Auckland port will deal with a particularly tall load tomorrow night when two giraffes set out for Australia to take part in a breeding programme. The Auckland-born pair are to be loaded on to a ship at the Port of Auckland and taken on to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, central New South Wales, for a quarantine period. Ntombi, 16 months, will stay at Taronga, while her one-year-old half-brother Forrest will be moved to Australia Zoo.
NZPA

Kiwis rated 15th happiest people in world

By HANK SCHOUTEN - The Dominion Post
Money helps, but for most of us, democracy, freedom, tolerance and religion are more likely to make us happy. That sums up the findings of pioneering United States researcher Ron Inglehart, who coordinates the World Values Survey, a study that ranks New Zealanders the 15th most happy people in the world - ahead of Americans, Australians and Britons but behind Scandinavians, Nigerians and Mexicans. The survey, which began in the early 1980s and now covers 97 countries, is the only global measure of values and attitudes.

Cuba St the star of history website

By DAVE BURGESS - The Dominion Post
The story of Wellington's colourful Cuba St is to be told in a quirky history project with a modern twist. The Cuba Street Memories Project is asking people and community groups to share their experiences and photographs of one of the city's most popular streets on a new website. Named after the early settler ship Cuba, the street became known for its fish markets, which had largely closed by the end of the 1990s. The website project was set up by Wellington Libraries on behalf of Wellington City Council at a cost of $3600, and will be maintained by library staff. The site - kete.wcl.govt.nz - will go live in about two weeks.

Fresh troops head for East Timor

A fresh deployment of New Zealand troops leaves for East Timor on Thursday. It's the sixth rotation of New Zealand soldiers to East Timor since May, 2006. The deployment follows a decision by Australia to withdraw 100 troops. Numbers were bolstered in February following an attack on East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta by rebels. Australia's Foreign Ministry continues to describe East Timor as "fragile".
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

$67,000 fine for polluting Northland stream

A dairy farmer and contractor have been fined $67,000 for polluting a Kaipara stream in Northland. Michael Griffiths, of Kaipara, admitted two incidents of illegally discharging effluent in August last year, making water in the stream undrinkable by stock for at least a week. Mr Griffiths and his company, Prendre Farms, was fined a total of $65,000 for the offending. Contractor Gregory Dassler, who was working on the effluent ponds, was fined $1500 and court costs.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Kiwi wins World Players Scrabble Championship

New Zealand professional scrabble player Nigel Richards has won the World Players Scrabble Championship in a three-day tournament in Dallas. Richards, 41, a Christchurch engineer working in Malaysia, won the United States' 2008 national championship and its US$25,000 ($45,000) prize in Florida in July. He won the players world championship yesterday three games before the end of the tournament, which featured 49 players from Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Britain and North America.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Five star ratings for NZ wineries by Robert Parker Jnr

A respected American wine commentator has given five star ratings to five New Zealand wineries. Robert Parker Jnr - who's been writing about wine for over 30 years - has awarded the five star ratings to a winery in the North island and four others in the South island. In his latest book The Wine Guide, Parker singles out Te Mata Estate, Ata Rangi, Felton Road, Pegasus Bay and Rippon as outstanding wine producers. He rates another 20 wineries as being excellent or good.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

More storms forecast after overnight flooding

Heavy rain caused some flooding in south-east Queensland on Tuesday night. There have been steady falls of between 60 - 80mm across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The ABC reports there is water across some roads, but the weather bureau says there has been no major flooding. Storms are expected to hit the region again on Wednesday afternoon.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Artwork chopped up for wine labels

Waiheke Island's Christensen Estate is marking its final vintage in a rather special way. A massive oil painting is being carved up to make the 2005 Merlot's labels. Karl Maughan's 'Forest Road' is about two metres by five metres and features more than a thousand rhododendron flowers. Maughan says he painted it with a view to it being carved up, believing it would be more fun than designing a traditional sticker-type label. He hopes the bottles will become collectors' items. The batch of around 1,000 bottles will cost $250 each.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Rugby-All Blacks avoid upset

The All Blacks have narrowly avoided a massive upset by scoring a try in the final minutes against Irish club side Munster to win 18-16 and maintain their unbeaten record on their Northern Tour. Heineken Cup winners Munster controlled the game in all facets of play and looked to as if it would repeat the efforts of the 1978 Munster side to be the only Irish team ton have ever beaten the All Blacks. Leading 16-10 at half time thanks to a brilliant try to wing Barry Murphy and some excellent play from first five-eighths by Paul Warwick, Munster showed why it was crowned European champions and continued to dominate the second half. With just minutes remaining in the match, and things turning to desperation for the visitors, the All Blacks were finally able to edge ahead through a try to wing Joe Rokocoko. First five-eighths Stephen Donald missed the final conversion and the opportunity to put a valuable four point gap over Munster although New Zealand was able to hold on and clinch a tough fought, and very lucky win.
Munster 16 (Murphy try; Warwick con, 2 pen, dropped-goal)
New Zealand 18 (Donald, Rokocoko tries; Donald con, 2 pen)
HT: 16-10

Labour Govt ends

Helen Clark has carried out her last official duty as prime minister of New Zealand. She visited Governor-General Anand Satyanand on Wednesday morning to end the Labour Government after three terms in office. With her was the Cabinet secretary who carried letters of resignation from her ministers. Miss Clark was leader of the Labour Party for 15 years until she resigned on election night.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Female footy fans keen to give their opinions

A Canterbury University researcher has been inundated with female football fans wanting to take part in a study. Nearly 100 participants so far have answered questions about why they like to watch rugby and other sports codes. University sociologist Camilla Obel says the days of male only support are well and truly over and clubs are now more welcoming towards women. She says it seems some women are keen on the actual sport while others are just keen to eye up their favourite players. The local study is being run in conjunction with one being conducted in Australia.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Endangered birds off to flying start

The first six endangered stitchbirds hatched in the Waitakere Ranges in west Auckland this spring are off to a flying start. Their parents are some of the 120 stitchbirds, or hihi, transferred from Tiritiri Matangi Island over the past two years. It is thought there may be as many as 20 chicks this year, a huge increase on last season's total of six. Contractors monitoring the birds are as yet unable to get an accurate count as the hihi nests are located 25 metres high in mature Kauri trees. However some of the youngsters flew to the ground to stretch their wings and three bold fledglings hopped over the camera of a park volunteer trying to snap a picture of them.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Finishing touches put to new garden show

It is hoped Auckland's new flower show will be as financially successful to the city's economy as its predecessor. Manukau lost the big-earning Ellerslie Flower Show when the Christchurch City Council bought up the rights. The show pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy. Its replacement, the Auckland Flower Show, at Alexandra Park Raceway in Epsom, opens to the public tomorrow and runs until Sunday.
Today, the judges are deciding which exhibition gardens to award best in show. The entries include a sustainable garden, a sensory garden, a thatch summer house garden, a garden designed for sustainability, one created as a safe haven for native wildlife, a beachfront garden and a pink galaxy garden.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Roger Award nominations revealed

NZPA / David Rowland
Big business may be hoping to steer clear of one annual accolade after the release of the 2008 Roger Award nominees today. Organised by Christchurch-based groups Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) and GATT Watchdog, eight finalists were listed as the worst examples of transnational corporation operating in New Zealand. ANZ, British American Tabacco, Contact Energy, GlaxoSmithKline, Infratil, McDonalds, Rio Tinto Aluminium NZ (formerly Comalco) and Telecom were all nominated.

Kiwi viewing gallery opened by princess

Princess Anne ended her short New Zealand visit yesterday, opening the Conservation Trust's public viewing gallery at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch. The gallery is attached to the dedicated breeding facility for critically endangered South Island species of kiwi including the Great Spotted. The Princess Royal is the patron of the NZ Conservation Trust, an organization dedicated to the conservation of New Zealand species, especially the kiwi. Trust chairman Richard Moore said the viewing gallery will enable visitors to watch the process of breeding from egg incubation through to kiwi hatching and growth.
NZPA

Singapore deal for beverage company

Charlies Group says a leading Asian retailer, Dairy Farm Group, has agreed to sell a range of its juice products in Singapore. Charlies says this may pave the way for a deal that could double the size of the company. The listed beverage company has been expanding its presence in Australia since buying a juice company, Phoenix Organics, in 2006. Australia and other international markets now make up 15% of sales for Charlies.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Rebuilding begins in Nuku'alofa (Tonga) after 2006 riot

Rebuilding has officially begun in Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga - two years after much of the town was destroyed in rioting and fire which killed eight people. A ceremony has been held to mark the beginning of $US55 million construction projects funded by low-interest Chinese government loans. The work is expected to take three years and will include new roads, footpaths, drainage, and other civil works.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Tough stretch in East Timor begins for troops

NZPA / David Rowland
A particularly tough six-month stretch in East Timor starts this week for 149 New Zealand Defence Force personnel, as they prepare to spend Christmas away from family. Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner, family and friends were to attend the troops' departure from Ohakea Air Force Base on Thursday morning. This is the sixth rotation of New Zealand troops to serve in East Timor since May 2006.

Screening helps Tongan children with rheumatic heart disease

A screening programme on the Tongan island of Vava’u has treated hundreds of children for rheumatic heart disease over the last few months. Dr Toakase Fakakovikaetau says between four and five percent of Tongan have have been found to have rheumatic heart disease - the highest confirmed rate in the world. The Vava’u screenings are the latest in a nationwide programme that has seen thousands of children screened. Dr Fakakovikaetau says early detection is important as in its early stages the disease can be treated very cheaply with penicillin. Dr Fakakovikaetau was recently presented with the United States Louise Lown Heart Hero Award for her work in treating rheumatic heart disease in Tonga.
© RNZI 2008

Australian PM to inspect storm damage

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is to inspect the damage in south-east Queensland from storms on Sunday. His flight home from the G20 summit in Washington is being diverted from Canberra to Brisbane on Tuesday. The storms are described as the worst in the region in 25 years. More than 4000 houses were damaged: 300 of them seriously and at least 30 are beyond repair. The ABC reports the worst hit areas include The Gap, Kenmore, Arana Hills, Albany Creek and north-west of Brisbane, towards Samford and Dayboro. Two Catholic primary schools and a number of state schools have been closed until further notice. The State and Federal governments have activated disaster assistance for victims. Brisbane was declared a natural disaster zone on Monday afternoon. Natural disaster relief and recovery arrangements apply to Brisbane City, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Somerset, Logan City and the Sunshine Coast.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Australian Navy to shut down over Christmas

The Australian Navy is to shutdown for two months over Christmas. Federal defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon says it will give staff a rest as the Navy continues to grapple with staff shortages. The ABC reports the shutdown will involve all ships not on operational duties and some staff will be allowed to work from home. Mr Fitzgibbon says the Government is working to address staff shortages in the Navy. He also did not rule out further Christmas shutdowns in future, saying a review was under way into family work balance in the Navy.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Hail storm in Ashburton

Businesses in Ashburton are cleaning up the damage from a hailstorm on Monday. Roger Withell, who grows hydroponic lettuces for supermarkets and restaurants, says a volley of hailstones that came through his skylight sounded like "100 guns going off" at about 4.30pm on Monday. He says the hailstones smashed about 80% of the glass in his glasshouses and also destroyed some lettuces.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Birth numbers rise

The number of births in New Zealand in the last year was the highest since 1962. Statistics New Zealand also says the birth rate is also much higher than normal. In the year to September, there were 64,540 births. Statistics New Zealand says on average, New Zealand women now have children at the age of 30, about five years older than women in the mid-1960s.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

International award for sail training trust

The Spirit of Adventure Trust, which has given thousands of young New Zealanders a taste of life at sea, has been recognised as the world's best trainer. The trust has won the Sail Training Organisation of the Year award from 20 other countries which operate more than 100 vessels offering sail training and youth development programmes. The trust operates the Spirit of New Zealand, a sail training ship which spends 340 days a year at sea and which is believed to be the busiest tall ship in the world.
NZPA

Ban on uranium mining being lifted

The State government of Western Australian is to formally lift a ban on mining of uranium on Tuesday. Premier Colin Barnett says the removal of the ban will take immediate effect. The ABC reports any new leases will no longer contain a provision that uranium mining is not allowed. Mr Barnett says the Government is also looking at ways to amend almost 1,500 mining leases issued since 2002 that prevent uranium from being mined. He says Australia has the largest reserve of uranium of any country in the world and is second only to Canada as the major producer and exporter of uranium.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Pasifika Awards handed out in Manukau

A Fiji-based composer and conductor has taken out this year's Senior Pacific Award. It was handed out at the 11th annual Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards in Manukau last night. Igelese Ete received $7,000 in prize money for his outstanding contribution to the performance and promotion of Pacific music. Career highlights include working as the New Zealand choirmaster for Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Acclaimed Auckland playwright Dianna Fuemana received the Pacific Innovation and Excellence Award. It includes a $5,000 cash prize. Ms Fuemana is credited with being the first New Zealand Pacific playwright to merge the Niue and Kiwi ways of life in the theatre. Her plays 'Mapaki' and 'Packer' received praise both here and overseas.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Knights and dames on way back?

Knights and dames could make a return to the country's honours lists. John Key does not like the anonymous recognition of New Zealanders who have done well. The prime minister-elect wants success to be celebrated. He says the current honours system does that to an extent, but without recognised titles. The titles were scrapped by Jim Bolger's National administration.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

UK award for Westenra

New Zealander Hayley Westenra has won the "classical performer of the year" award at the Variety Club's annual showbusiness awards in London. Westenra, 21, has sold more than three million records, and recently returned to Britain after entertaining UK troops in Iraq. The ceremony is held annually to raise money for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people, the British Press Association reported.
NZPA

College to sell art works

Nelson College says it is being forced to sell art works to cope with a mounting deficit. Headmaster Gary O'Shea says funds from the sale of paintings and books will be used for building repairs and academic projects. One of the paintings is a portrait of the physicist Ernest Rutherford, the school's most famous pupil. A collection of books has already been sold for almost $60,000. Mr O'Shea says money for better education facilities is more important than art on walls. Nelson College is New Zealand's oldest state school.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ-US trade a challenge - incoming Govt

New Zealand's relationship with the United States is seen as a challenge by the incoming Government. Murray McCully, who is to be Minister of Foreign Affairs, says a change in the American administration means he does not know how trade will be developed. Mr McCully told Morning Report that National's international policy won't be vastly different to Labour's stance. He said New Zealand can't afford to have everything changing every time the Government changes. He said National had worked in Opposition to try to ensure that other nations can continue to deal with New Zealand with some degree of certainty.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ looks to launch Disabled Surfers branch

NZPA/Ross Setford
With an aim to get everybody riding waves, New Zealand is looking to launch its first Disabled Surfers branch. Disabled Surfers Association (DSA) national secretary Jim Bradley said disabled surfing had become a huge part of the Australian surf scene and it was time for New Zealand to get involved. The first steps to introducing a similar programme in New Zealand are set to take place next week at a public meeting in Auckland. The meeting will be held from 7pm on Wednesday, November 26 at the Warehouse Conference Centre in North Shore.

Key names Cabinet

By Jacqui Stanford - NewstalkZB
Prime Minister-elect John Key has brought some new faces into his Cabinet, but has left an old one out. Businessman and campaign manager Stephen Joyce has been named transport minister, while campaign bad boy Maurice Williamson is a minister outside Cabinet, with the building and customs portfolios. Bill English has been named finance minister while Nick Smith is environment minister. The new police minister will be Judith Collins, who is to be joined on the front bench by education minister Anne Tolley. Chris Finlayson has been named attorney general and treaty negotiations minister. The other relatively new faces are Tim Groser with trade, Paula Bennett with welfare, Jonathan Coleman with immigration and Kate Wilkinson with labour. Lockwood Smith will be the Speaker.

Better growing conditions lead to fall in vegetable prices

Overall food prices fell last month, mainly driven by lower costs for vegetables. New figures released by Statistics New Zealand show prices dropped slightly, by 0.3%. The price of lettuce fell 50% and tomato prices by almost 25%, but the cost of potatoes rose by 20%. Horticulture New Zealand puts the reductions down to better growing conditions leading to more produce on the market. Higher prices were recorded for food such as meat, poultry and fish, which combined rose 2.4% last month.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Aussie's east coast lashed by storms

Storms are lashing Australia's east coast. Emergency services in Queensland are dealing with hundreds of calls for help as the storms strike an area stretching between Bundaberg and the Gold Coast. Around 145,000 homes and businesses have lost power. The state's Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts says the phone line set up to deal with problems is overloaded and he is calling on people wanting help to have patience. Volunteers are dealing with 350 calls for help in Brisbane alone.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Heavy rain set to fall in parts of both islands

Updated at 10:49am
Several regions are in for some severe weather on Monday as a front crosses the country. MetService says the front will pass over Nelson, Marlborough and Taranaki in the morning, bringing with it heavy rain. It's warning people that rivers and streams will rise quickly. Wellington and Wairarapa are also in for heavy weather, as north to northwest winds ahead of the front could reach gale force. The winds are expected to die down later by about 3pm on Monday. Snow showers in Te Anau could reach road level near the Milford Road tunnel until Monday afternoon
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Malaysia showing for NZ fashion designer

New Zealand fashion designer Jimmy Lim has been selected to showcase his collection at Malaysia International Fashion Week. The 30-year-old Aucklander will show his 2009 collections alongside top international designers in Kuala Lumpur in ten days.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Kingston Flyer up for sale

What is probably New Zealand's best known steam train, Central Otago's Kingston Flyer, is for sale. For around $3 million the new owner will get two locomotives, seven 1898-vintage steam-heated wooden carriages, a 14km railway line, a lakeside cafe and tavern, a 4.6 hectare development site and couple of railway stations. The Kingston Flyer runs twice daily between Kingston, at the southern tip of Lake Wakatipu, to Fairlight, a short distance south, for nine months of the year.
NZPA

Warning goes extreme as Canty heats up

Ian Steward - The Press
The weekend's soaring temperatures have left much of Canterbury tinder-dry, with the Fire Service listing most of the region as either at "very high" or "extreme" fire risk. The Canterbury Plains and an area south of Christchurch to the Rangitata River were particularly at risk, with a deep-red "extreme" fire warning. On Saturday, Christchurch International Airport recorded 31deg while inland areas reached the high 20s with gusty north-west winds.

10,000 enjoy sun at Toast Martinborough

Ten thousand people descended on 10 vineyards in Wairarapa today for the 17th Toast Martinborough festival. The 10,000 tickets sold out in a record five minutes and general manager Rachael Fletcher said the crowd enjoyed a "fantastic" day. The annual wine, food and music festival draws visitors from around New Zealand and Australia. Each of the ten vineyards involved creates its own mood with live music, wine and food. Those attending can walk between the vineyards or catch a free shuttle which runs throughout the day. Ms Fletcher said the sunny weather helped create a "great atmosphere".
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

End of good weather with severe warning issued

Heavy rain and strong winds will put an end to the recent balmy temperatures. The MetService issued a severe weather watch for the Marlborough Sounds, Taranaki, Wellington and Wairarapa. Heavy rain was expected across the Nelson and Marlborough area late Monday morning moving up to Taranaki by midday.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Spirit of Adventure wins award

The Spirit of Adventure, New Zealand's iconic tall sailing ship, has won a prestigious international award. It has won the Sail Training Organisation of the Year trophy, handed out today in Canada. More than 21 countries operate more than 100 vessels, and New Zealand was chosen from among them because Spirit demonstrated excellence in innovation and best practice in youth development at sea. The Spirit of Adventure Trust says it is an honour to be recognised as the top sail training organisation in the world.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Don McGlashan: 'I would rather have sex with a very ugly crayfish'

Anna Rushworth
Leftie Kiwi musician Don McGlashan is fuming after TVNZ used one of his songs to accompany a montage of images celebrating National leader John Key's election victory last Saturday. Anchor Me, by McGlashan's former group, The Mutton Birds, was used during a post-election wrap on TV One last Sunday. In an angry letter to the network, McGlashan said he had never voted National and "would rather have sex with a very ugly crayfish than let them use my music". He accused TVNZ of "an impressive absence of tact". Anchor Me, recorded for 1993 album Salty, was used by Greenpeace - with McGlashan's blessing - to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1985 Rainbow Warrior bombing in Auckland Harbour.

National drops plans to scrap Maori seats

The National Party has dropped plans to scrap the Maori seats as part of its confidence and supply agreement with the Maori Party. National will also review the foreshore and seabed legislation. The incoming Prime Minister, John Key, says if a review leads to changes to the law, protection will be put in place to ensure all New Zealanders can still go to the beach. As part of the deal, the Maori Party co-leader, Pita Sharples, has been appointed Minister of Maori Affairs outside Cabinet and his fellow co-leader, Tariana Turia, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, also outside Cabinet. It is part of a series of governing arrangements National is rolling out, with Mr Key looking to be sworn in by Wednesday.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Birthday swim for Kashin

It is a big day at Auckland Zoo as Kashin the elephant celebrates her 40th birthday. Kashin has been living at the zoo since 1972, and is one of its oldest and most recognized animals. Spokeswoman Abi Smith says the day will be filled with a number of events to mark the occasion. She says Kashin and Burma will treat the crowd to a painting demonstration before they hop in the hippo river for a swim.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Rugby-Win to ABs, beating ireland 22-3

The All Blacks have beaten Ireland 22-3 in this morning's test match at Croke Park in Dublin. Ma'a Nonu and Brad Thorn scored second-half tries after the All Blacks led 10-3 at halftime courtesy of a controversial penalty try. Both teams were reduced to 14 men early in the second half, with Irish winger Tommy Bowe sin-binned on the stroke of halftime for his role in the penalty try, while All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock was yellow carded shortly after the interval. All Blacks lock Ali Williams has been named man of the match. There have been four other internationals overnight. The Wallabies have beaten England 28-14 at Twickenham, the Springboks have come from behind to beat Scotland 14-10 at Murrayfield, Argentina has edged Italy 22-14 in Turin, and France has smashed the Pacific Islanders 42-17 in Sochaux.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Wellington Santa Parade today

It is Santa Parade day in Wellington. The parade is one of the city's oldest events, dating back to the 1960s. It is organised by the City Council and sponsored by the Radio Network, Dominion Post, Tip Top, and the New Zealand Community Trust. The parade starts at two o'clock this afternoon.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

NZers help build Afghan windfarm

A New Zealand company is behind the first wind farm to be set up in Afghanistan in the Panjsher province. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held outside the Panjsher governor's home, which sits at the base of the hill where the energy collection facility is located, the Frontier Post reported today. The wind farm, which is an eco-friendly hybrid power generation and distribution system, will generate the main source of power for the Panjsher Government Compound and the immediate surrounding areas.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Wairakei turns 50

The Wairakei Geothermal Power Station today celebrates 50 years of operation. It was 50 years ago to the day that then Minister of Electricity, Hugh Watt, flicked the switch to turn on New Zealand's pioneer geothermal plant. Contact Energy Chief Executive David Baldwin says the technology developed at Wairakei has made New Zealand a world leader in geothermal power generation. Mr Baldwin says with the help of geothermal energy, New Zealand's power generation from renewable resources could reach 85 percent over the next 15 years. Currently 70 percent of our power is renewable.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Historic hammer used again

The original hammer used to complete the North Island Main Trunk Railway was brought out of retirement today. In a re-enactment of the event in 1908, the current Chairman of the New Zealand Railways Corporation Jim Bolger drove home the "last spike". This marked the centenary of the event which brought the Northern and Southern railheads together between Ohakune and National Park. Public Affairs Manager for New Zealand Railways Corporation Kevin Ramshaw, says the event is significant. Mr Ramshaw says the North Island main trunk line is one of New Zealand's great transport icons.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

NZ has highest rate of skin cancer

New Zealand has overtaken Australia as the country which has the highest rate of melanoma. About 44 New Zealanders in every 100,000 are diagnosed with skin cancer every year, compared to 40 in 100,000 across the Tasman. The numbers come from previously unpublished research carried out by the New Zealand Melanoma Unit. Scientists say both Australia and New Zealand have skin cancer rates which are three to four times greater than in other parts of the world. They put it down to the large number of light-skinned people living at warm latitudes.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Tiki fetches huge price at Sotheby's auction

NZPA/Ross Setford
A greenstone tiki sold at an auction in New York today for $US92,000 ($NZ165,290) -- more than $US40,000 above its estimated price. The 16cm-tall tiki was one of five rare Maori artefacts to go under the hammer at an auction of African and Oceanic art at Sotheby's. A similar pendant about half the size sold for $US15,000, which was within the auction estimate range, while a 43cm hand club which had an estimate of $US10,000 to $US15,000 sold for $US28,125.

Teachers fight to save Shakespeare

By LANE NICHOLS - The Dominion Post
Shakespeare's plays and other great works of literature considered too difficult for some pupils will disappear from classrooms under proposed changes to the curriculum, alarmed principals say. There are also fears that basic content in maths, history and business studies will be axed in a drive to make subjects easier, "dumbing down" schoolchildren and further undermining NCEA. Education officials are reviewing the way secondary-school subjects are assessed in preparation for the new curriculum, to be introduced from 2010. English teachers say some papers, such as level 3 Shakespeare, could disappear. They will discuss their concerns at a meeting in Wellington next week.

Rare bird's eggs incubated at Auckland Zoo

Two eggs from New Zealand's rarest bird have been recovered from a Northland beach and are being incubated at Auckland Zoo. There are only a handful of breeding pairs of fairy terns, which lay their eggs in shallow scrapes in the sand where they are often destroyed by storms or predators. The Department of Conservation helps the birds by removing at-risk eggs and putting them back as conditions improve, often with infertile surrogate parents which encourages the breeders to lay more eggs. Fairy tern numbers have grown to more than 40, after being in the low 30s for several years.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Fears best officers could be lured across Tasman

A recruiting drive from Australia could cost New Zealand its best future officers, the union for frontline police says. The state of West Australia is currently looking to New Zealand for potential police recruits, as well as serving officers. The Western Australia Police is holding recruitment sessions from 18-19 November in Auckland and Christchurch. Police Association president Greg O'Connor says the state's booming economy is hitting its police force hard. Mr O'Connor says at the moment it is possible to earn more as a truck driver than a police officer in West Australia.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

German training for NZ helicopter crews

The first Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel to be trained on the new NH90 military helicopters will be sent to Europe in early 2009 and they may be away for over two years. One RNZAF instructor pilot and one crew member will arrive in Germany early next year to start training on the German army's NH90 tactical transport helicopters, according to flightglobal.com, an aviation news website. They are expected to stay in the country for up to 30 months, in line with a status of forces agreement signed by outgoing defence minister Phil Goff and Germany's ambassador to New Zealand.
NZPA

Call to rein in rodeo protesters

By GILES BROWN - The Press
A rodeo promoter has hit out at animal rights campaigners lobbying Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker to ban rodeos. The International Rodeo will be held in Christchurch today, but Save Animals From Exploitation (Safe) is urging Parker to follow the Auckland City Council's lead and ban rodeos on its land. Rodeo promoter Craig Douglas yesterday rubbished Safe's claims that rodeos were cruel. He said only the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (Nawac) or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had any authority in the matter. The Auckland City Council banned rodeos on its land this year after a submission from Safe, which says rodeo animals are tormented into behaviour such as bucking.

Dairy workers' strike threat on hold

The threat of more than 4,000 dairy workers going on strike over pay is on hold. The Dairy Workers Union and Fonterra have reached a proposed settlement in their dispute. The union, which represents factory workers and drivers, was seeking an 8% pay rise, while Fonterra was offering 5%. The deal will now be put to a vote by union members over about three weeks.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Gallipoli diary sells for $23,000

A New Zealand soldier's Gallipoli diary sold at auction in Sydney on Friday for more than $NZ23,000. Private George Petersen's diary gives a day-by-day account from the April 25 Anzac landings on 25 April 1915 until his departure five months into the eight-month Turkish campaign that cost 11,400 Anzac lives. Private Petersen, from Nelson Company of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, recorded how enemy troops were so close at one point that the Anzacs could touch their trenches with the point of their bayonets. He wrote about one incident in which a heavy bomb thrown by the Turks went off next to him, killing one person and wounding another, but leaving Private Petersen unscathed.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Big sharks loose their tags off Tonga

Half of the six great white sharks tagged near the Chatham Islands in April have shed their electronic tags in Tongan waters -- even though local fishers say great whites are rarely seen there. "All three sharks may still be in Tongan waters or they may have left," Clinton Duffy, a Department of Conservation scientist, told the Tongan newspaper Matangi Tonga. The three tags have popped up near Tonga in the past two months, and Mr Duffy is looking for one which may have washed ashore at Ha'ateiho Beach there, near where it sent out its last GPS signal on November 7. Great whites have historically been thought to live mainly in the cooler waters off New Zealand and Australia. Poasi Fale, a scientist at Tonga's Fisheries Ministry in Nuku'alofa, said there were no previous records of the great whites being sighted around Tonga.
NZPA

Precious Maori artefacts to be auctioned in New York

Rare Maori artefacts, including an unusual pounamu hei tiki, are being auctioned in New York tomorrow (NZT) as part of a collection estimated to be worth up to $US11.5 million ($NZ20.7 million). Sotheby's is offering the Maori items -- expected to sell for up to $US128,000 -- as part of 135 lots of Oceanic and African art from renowned American collectors Frieda and Milton Rosenthal. The big hei tiki, carved with stone tools from a piece of pounamu originally cut to be an adze, is expected to sell for between $US40,000 and $US60,000. It is among items acquired by collector Harry Beasley, who died in England in 1939. The items were purchased from Mr Beasley by New York collector John J Klejman, who then sold them to the Rosenthals in the 1970s.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Descendants gather for Hastings festival

Thousands of descendants of the Takitimu waka (canoe-originally for Maori settlement in NZ) from throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands have gathered at the showgrounds in Hastings for a three-day festival. The festival, hosted by Ngati Kahungunu iwi, is designed to help people understand where they come from and who they are, as well as to enjoy themselves. It has four main themes: performing arts, oral presentations on the history and genealogy from each area of the waka, visual arts, and forums on current and future issues. About 1,500 entertainers, actors and craftspeople from eight iwi and three Pacific nations are taking part. One local kaumatua hopes the festival will encourage descendants of the Takitimu canoe to form a huge family circle all around the world.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Tug pulling fishing trawler wreck off Niue reef

A New Zealand based tug is in Niue, making a third attempt to pull a wrecked fishing boat off the island’s fringing reef at Liha Point.. The long liner Jay Belinda ran aground more than a year ago when it was catching fish for the now mothballed Niue Fish Processing Factory. Attempts are being made to pull two sections of the Jay Belinda off the reef and sink them in deep water. All fuel has been unloaded and there have been no enviromental threats to the area, which is on the east coat of Niue.
© RNZI 2008

Court orders halt to Fiji's People's Charter

Fiji's High Court has delivered a blow to the country's military-led government, ordering it to halt work on its People's Charter, a document that would usher in constitutional changes. Military leader Frank Bainimarama has said his country will not return to democracy until the charter, which includes a blueprint for changing its voting system, has been accepted by the people. The High Court in Suva granted an injunction stopping all work, pending a decision on whether the charter would violate the constitution. A judge said public meetings being held to promote the charter or changes to the constitution must stop.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Plane passenger diagnosed with measles

NZPA/Tim Hales
The recent arrival of an international air passenger diagnosed with the highly infectious English measles has sparked a warning from Auckland health authorities. The passenger arrived in Auckland aboard Qantas flight QF043 from Sydney on October 31. While immunisation had made measles infection rare in Auckland, there was a concern that it could spread rapidly in unimmunised groups, Auckland regional Medical Officer of Health Dr Sheryl Jury said. New Zealand children are immunised against English measles at 15 months and four years of age.

Volunteers sought for heart pill trial

NZPA/Wayne Drought
Volunteers in Auckland are needed for a ground-breaking global trial to test a new heart drug . The new international trial will involve 400 volunteers from seven countries and has been spearheaded by Auckland University. It has already sparked interest in the UK where trials to test the "polypill" or "Red Heart pill" are already under way. The single pill combines four drugs which backers claim could half the number of deaths caused by strokes and heart disease. Men in their 40s and 50s and women in their 50s and 60s are being targeted for the trial, led by the Clinical Trials Research Unit of Auckland University. Volunteers can attend a trial clinic in Glen Innes, Auckland, from next week and may self-refer via the website www.pillproject.org or call 3737 599 ext 82358.

Chch now NZ's second most populated city

The South Island's Garden City has outstripped the capital in population growth and is now the nation's second biggest city. Statistics New Zealand figures show Christchurch has a population of 382,200, 300 more than Wellington.
NZPA

Melanoma vaccine to go on trial

By KIM THOMAS - The Press
Trials of a cutting-edge melanoma vaccine will begin in New Zealand next year as new research shows the country has the highest rate of the cancer in the world. International experts will gather in Wellington today for the first melanoma summit to try to find ways to tackle New Zealand's massive cancer problem. New research by melanoma specialist Richard Martin, of the Auckland-based New Zealand Melanoma Unit, has confirmed New Zealand's ranking as the worst nation for melanoma. Martin, who will present his research at a world conference next year, said New Zealand's high rates of melanoma were due to much of its population being fair-skinned but living in a Pacific country with harsh sun. International trials for a new melanoma vaccine would begin in January.

Call to change nursing language test

The Nurses Organisation says a language test for immigrants is worsening the profession's skills shortage. The union carried out a survey of 175 nurses, trained in countries where English is a second language, and says a new test is needed. It says many of the survey's participants struggled to pass the International English Language Testing System, and could not register as nurses. More than 60% were working as caregivers instead. A researcher for the organisation, Leonie Walker, says immigrant nurses must sit the test to obtain full registration, but it does not assess their ability to communicate with patients or colleagues.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Norovirus outbreak in Hawke's Bay

There has been an outbreak of norovirus in Hawke's Bay Staff at Hawke's Bay Hospital have noticed an increasing number of people being admitted with symptoms of gastroenteritis, which is often caused by the virus. Some staff have also became ill with vomiting and diarrhoea. Two samples tested positive for Norovirus. Hawke's Bay District Health Board chief operating officer Warrick Frater says the hospital has managed to contain the illness with stringent infection control procedures.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Tonga worried about outer island shipping service

The Tongan Government says it is very concerned about shipping services for the outer islands and has called for an update from the government agency which operates the service after the MV Olovaha broke down earlier this week. The ship limped back to Nuku’alofa after breaking down on a trip to Vava’u on Monday evening. It left on the voyage later on Tuesday following repairs. Cabinet wants the Board of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia, which is chaired by the Minister of Justice, to submit a report to next week’s Cabinet meeting on the physical status of the MV Olovaha. It has called for the agency to outline its fall-back position for the inter-island service should the Olovaha break down again.
© RNZI 2008

Petrol prices reach lowest level since July 07

NZPA/Ross Setford
Petrol prices are now at their lowest since July 2007 following the latest cuts announced today. In the 14th consecutive drop since prices peaked at 218.9c in July, BP, Shell, Caltex and Mobil cut prices by 4c a litre today, taking unleaded 91 down to 153.9 a litre. Gull also cut its prices by 4c a litre, to 152.9c a litre for 91 octane. Diesel prices remained unchanged. Petrol prices have fallen 65c a litre from their peak in July. At current prices, it cost $650 less to run the average four-cylinder family car 14,000km a year

NZ children drive Prince Charles insane

NZPA/Ross Setford
The stresses of touring New Zealand in 1981 -- shortly before his wedding to Lady Diana Spencer -- weighed heavily on England's future King, it has been revealed. Prince Charles wrote to friends at the time that if "one more New Zealand child asks me what it's like to be a prince, I shall go demented", Britain's Guardian newspaper reported today. I am beginning to get fed up with the amount of nonsensical rubbish I take all day and every day he said." His comments come on the eve of younger sister Princess Anne's arrival in New Zealand tomorrow to represent her father at the 23rd Commonwealth Agricultural Conference. She will present the award for the Royal Agricultural Society supreme champion animal tomorrow and on Saturday will present the New Zealand Cup at the Riccarton race meeting.

Plant oil not the good oil says visiting expert

Flaxseed oil may not be all it is cracked up to be. The oil is widely touted as a good source of Omega-3, which consists of unsaturated fatty acids believed to be beneficial to a range of health conditions including, cardiovascular, mental health and during pregnancy. But Prof Philip Calder from the University of Southampton, who is the keynote speaker at the Functional Food and Edible Oil Conference, says clinical trials show the body cannot convert plant oils, such as that derived from flaxseed, into Omega-3. He says there is no harm in consuming flaxseed oil, but there are no benefits either.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Lionel Ritchie on NZ Mission

Mission Estate Winery has confirmed Lionel Richie is the headline act for February's concert. Richie has sold more than 100 million albums and has written some of the best known and loved songs in pop history including Hello, Say You, Say Me, and Love Will Conquer All. Mission CEO Peter Holley says securing Richie to perform on February 28, continues the tradition of hosting the very best in international talent. He expects tickets to be snapped up quickly as Richie's concerts are always sell-outs. Richie adds to an impressive list of past Mission Concert performers including Shirley Bassey, Eric Clapton and Tom Jones.