NZ resumes flower exports to US

Exports of cut flower and foliage were suspended in September after the discovery of a light brown apple month in a consignment of flowers. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry says the trade suspension could have been catastrophic for New Zealand, with flower exports to the US worth about $12 million a year.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Labour aims to expand NZ’s role in international conflict resolution

The New Zealand Labour Party wants to see the country become more involved in conflict resolution in the Pacific. Labour’s new foreign policy outlines an aim to expand the country’s role in international conflict resolution, with a critical emphasis on the Pacific. Senior cabinet minister Phil Goff says this would mean assembling conflict resolution teams of New Zealand government and non-government organisations and academics with the skills and experience to be able to make a difference. Mr Goff says New Zealand has a reputation as a country which thinks independently and makes a strong contribution in areas like peacekeeping, disarmament, inter-faith dialogue and development assistance.
© RNZI 2008

"Morgan the Plumber" NZ's answer to Joe

The US election campaign has Joe the Plumber, now New Zealand has Morgan the Plumber. Prime Minister Helen Clark has spent the morning at a retirement home in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert, where she took questions from some of the local residents. Miss Clark was then asked by a visiting plumber, Morgan, about the trade apprenticeship scheme. Clutching on to the idea of Joe the Plumber, she spent the next five minutes talking about the scheme. Morgan the Plumber says he was not aware the Prime Minister would be at the retirement home when he went there to do a job, but says he will probably vote Labour as a result of the visit.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Princess Anne to visit Christchurch

The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, has announced that Princess Anne will be visiting Christchurch next month. The Princess will represent the Duke of Edinburgh at the 23rd Commonwealth Agricultural Conference. She will also attend other events, like the 2008 Royal New Zealand Show, Canterbury Racing Club's New Zealand Cup meet at Riccarton. Princess Anne, a former competitive horse-rider, will also visit the Christchurch Riding for the Disabled.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Kiwis say 'crisis, what crisis?'

By MICHAEL FOX - Stuff.co.nz
Kiwis' "she'll be right" attitude has extended to our outlook on the global economic crisis, with only a quarter worried about their financial future, according to a recent international survey. A survey by advertising giant M&C Saatchi found that only 25 percent of New Zealanders were pessimistic about the current economic climate compared with 64 percent of Britons and 36 percent of Australians. M&C Saatchi New Zealand chief executive Nick Baylis said the survey was good news for businesses in New Zealand. "Consumption is driven by consumer demand and psychology, and the comparatively optimistic outlook that New Zealanders have shows there is still opportunity out there for brands that are able to best align themselves with the wider mood of the nation.

$47m boost for ambulance services

Ambulance services have been given a funding boost of $47 million over the next five years. Labour Party health spokesperson David Cunliffe says the money is for reducing part-charges paid by ambulance users and to address single crewing issues. Mr Cunliffe says it has been taken from existing budget reserves and will be distributed immediately. He says further spending in this area will be reviewed after consultation of the Draft Ambulance Strategy is completed in December.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

EasyVote cards in the post

Millions of cards designed to speed up voting on election day are on their way to mailboxes around the country. The 2.9 million EasyVote cards include a voter's name, address, electorate and where they appear on the electoral roll. Similar cards have been used for the past two elections. Chief electoral officer Robert Peden says it will help make voting easier on the day. He says if people give their card to the issuing officer when they go to vote, then the officer does not need to ask them any questions. Anyone who was not enrolled by October 8 will still receive an information pack, but no EasyVote card.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Stamp series remembers Sir Ed's life

NZPA/John McCombe
The life of Sir Edmund Hillary is to be immortalised in a five-stamp series. Each stamp bears an image of major moments throughout Sir Edmund's life accompanied by a fluttering New Zealand flag, including his historic climb of Mt Everest. New Zealand Post general manager stamps and coins Ivor Masters said the release of the series reflected Sir Edmund's status as a New Zealand hero. The series was developed in consultation with Lady Hillary and will be released on November 5.

Air Force Orion makes ice touchdown

An air force Orion has made an ice landing in Antarctica in a bid to help a stranded United States Air Force jet. The Royal New Zealand Air Force said the Orion would return from McMurdo Sound tonight after it responded to a call from the United States National Science Foundation (NSF). It said a USAF Globemaster transport plane had become stranded on the ice with a minor mechanical issue. To get it fixed the Orion was scrambled with spares and three USAF maintenance engineers. The normal aircraft that fly such missions, the C130 Hercules, are currently in East Timor.
© Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2007.

Annoyed wife drove through fences, house

By MARTY SHARPE - The Dominion Post
A Napier woman driving her husband home became so angry with him that she deliberately drove her car off the road, through two fences and into a house - an excursion that is likely to cost her $30,000. Mrs Mona and her husband, Isala, had been at a party before she drove them home. While driving along Cranby Cres in Onekawa, the pair began arguing about an incident at the party. Mrs Mona admitted flying into a rage and deliberately steering the vehicle to the left, up on to a kerb and aiming at a fence. The car careered through two fences before smashing into the side of a house. The house owners are seeking $25,000 in reparation for damages, while a further $3000 is sought in relation to the fences.

Model of Sir Keith Park statue to be revealed

Campaigners for a memorial in London to New Zealand war hero Sir Keith Park are to unveil a model of a statue proposed for Trafalgar Square. Sir Keith played a pivotal role in defending England during the Battle of Britain in World War II. The campaign, started by a British millionaire and historian, has attracted support from the mayor of London, other politicians and celebrities. The unveiling of the statue design on Thursday follows an international competition. It was won by sculptor Les Johnson, who is working on an international slavery memorial statue for Hyde Park.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

$6m ticket in wallet for two weeks

An Auckland man who carried a folded Lotto ticket in his wallet for two weeks has discovered it was worth $6 million. The man decided to check the ticket after hearing a big prize was sold at the Manukau Pak'n Save where his ticket was bought. All of the five winners from a $30 million draw on 18 October have now claimed their prizes.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

New anti-smoking campaign targeting Maoris

A anti-smoking campaign using fake cigarette packs labelled "Maori killers" was launched today. Te Reo Marama (the Maori Smokefree Coalition) distributed packs from the "Maori Killers Tobacco Company" with mock health warnings, such as "Want equality? Smoking is an equal opportunity killer". The packs contain 20 "Maori killer truths" in the shape of cigarettes, while posters and other material have also been distributed. "This is about stimulating discussion in a new form and taking a shot at the tobacco companies for their continued ability to operate in the 21st Century with products that kill 5000 New Zealanders, of which 800 are Maori," TRM director Shane Bradbrook said. He said Maori had been over-represented in smoking statistics, though in the past five years the smoking rate among Maori has fallen from 54 percent to 40 percent.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Church wants to set up 'Destiny City'

The leader of Destiny Church says plans are underway to create a self-contained "Destiny City" for its followers in the middle of South Auckland. Self-styled Bishop Brian Tamaki made the announcement at the church's 10th birthday conference, held over the weekend. Mr Tamaki said donations of more than $2.4 million had already been collected for the creation of the city. The church was three weeks away from securing a eight-hectare plot "in the heart" of South Auckland, TV3 News reported. Plans for the city include a 5000-seat church, maraes, medical centres and schools -- eliminating the need for residents to ever leave. "Every child of every member of this church will never go to a state school again," Mr Tamaki said. He urged the church's 7000-plus members to sell their homes and move to his city "for the purpose of God".
Ed Note: Alarm bells should be going off everywhere over this one.
NZPA

Defective gene increases risk of fatal heart attack

Men with a defective gene associated with high blood pressure are almost twice as likely to die after a heart attack, an Otago University study has found. The three-year study of 1075 people found that men were more likely to die if they had a defective ACE2 gene. The gene, which controls blood pressure in its normal form, causes it to increase when defective. Men were more prone to the effects of the defective gene because it occurred only on the X chromosome, meaning they did not have a second copy that could compensate for it like women. The discovery would be useful for research into tailoring heart disease treatment to patients, Lead researcher Dr Palmer said.
NZPA

Cautious approach urged on winery expansion at this time

New Zealand grapegrowers and wine makers are advised to take a "softly, softly" approach to increasing their production - especially in the current uncertain economic climate. A report from Rabobank says the New Zealand wine industry has been able to reap high prices in a world awash with wine, because demand continues to outstrip supply. But the agribusiness banking specialist warns that another record harvest this year and further production coming on-stream from new vineyard plantings, could tip New Zealand into oversupply if it's not careful.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

East Timorese baby treated for 3.3kg tumour in NZ

An East Timorese baby has had a tumour the third of his body weight removed in a life-saving operation in New Zealand. The 3.3kg tumour was removed by volunteer surgeons at Wellington Hospital in the capital at the weekend, the Dominion-Post newspaper reported. The tumour would have eventually killed the 14-month-old boy had the surgical team not stepped in, said Bill Day, chairman of the Wellington Hospitals and Health Foundation and local Rotary Club president - which organised the trip to New Zealand. Little Alex Gonzaga and his mother Elisa Da Conceicao flew to Wellington from Dili about two weeks ago for the operation involving a 10-strong surgical team. Everything went according to plan and the benign tumour was removed from around his crucial organs in record time - about two hours - on Sunday.

Stock markets pumping

New Zealand's share market has snatched back all of yesterday's losses in the first few minutes of opening. It has jumped 91 points higher to 2,778. The NZX50 is following Wall Street's lead after the Dow Jones index sprang back into life this morning, ending one of the worst months in its history with a strong rally. After days of heavy losses, the Dow Jones index closed 889 points higher, its second-biggest one-day points gain ever. The Dow ended yesterday's session at the worst levels in more than five years. The New Zealand dollar has also risen nearly two cents against the greenback in overnight trade and is currently worth 56.44 US cents.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Leonard Cohen's coming

Leonard Cohen will play concerts in Auckland and Wellington in January, 24 years since he last performed in New Zealand. The 74-year-old Canadian folk singer and his nine-piece band will play Wellington's TSB Bank Arena on January 20 and Auckland's Vector Arena on the 22. Cohen is best known songs include Suzanne, Bird On a Wire, First We Take Manhattan and Hallelujah. Cohen was inducted into the US Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Air NZ to introduce self-service check-in terminals

Air New Zealand domestic passengers at the three main airports will be asked to do the majority of their checking-in themselves by the end of the year. Starting next Monday at Auckland Airport, check-in stands will be replaced by fself-service kiosks, and passengers will be asked to check their own bags in. Air New Zealand hopes it will speed up the check-in and boarding process or passengers and staff. The biggest change comes for people with bags to check in. At present they have to hand their bags in to an Air New Zealand staff member, but at the new kiosks they can print bag tags and then place their bags on a conveyer belt. The main difference for passengers without check-in bags will be that they scan their boarding pass at the gate themselves rather than give it to a person to check, though a checker will be present.
NZPA

Zoo reaches out to thieves after lizards stolen

NZPA/Ross Setord
Hamilton Zoo staff have appealed to the thieves who stole several lizards nearly a fortnight ago to look after them. Thieves broke into the zoo earlier this month and took a pair of Madagascan day geckos and two bearded dragons. The day geckos were recovered a week ago but there has been no sign of the bearded dragons. Zoo director Stephen Standley said the bearded dragons were not fragile but needed to be looked after by someone with a knowledge of reptiles. He appealed to the thieves to return them or look after them.

$750 fine for under-age tobacco sale

The owner of a convenience store in Turangi has been fined $750 for selling cigarettes to a minor. Sanjay Malaviya was caught after he sold cigarettes to a 12-year-old in an operation run by the Ministry of Health. It was his fourth conviction for this offence and he was fined $750 plus court costs on two charges. The Ministry's national director of tobacco control says the fines are at the upper end of the punishments imposed by the court so far. As well as the fines and costs, Malaviya was banned from selling tobacco products for two months.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Bird flu outbreak exercise underway

New Zealand's ability to cope with an outbreak of bird flu is being tested on Wednesday in an exercise at Auckland International Airport. Exercise Spring Fever is based around the scenario that a plane arrived with suspected influenza patients aboard. More than 20 health, border control and Government agencies will be involved as if the outbreak was real. The Ministry of Health says the exercise is designed to test how prepared New Zealand is for a global influenza pandemic.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

UK extends Working Holiday arrangement for young Kiwis

From next month young New Zealanders heading to Britain will be able to work there for two years, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today. At present they can go to the United Kingdom for two years under a Working Holiday Visa which allows them to work for one year of their stay. From November 27 there will be a new visa category under the Youth Mobility Scheme allowing them to work for the whole of the two-year period. Miss Clark said the new arrangement was formally recognised this week in an exchange of letters by the British and New Zealand governments.
NZPA

Australian airline Qantas fined millions for price-fixing cartel

Qantas has been forced to pay $A20 million ($NZ22 million) in fines after being caught in a price-fixing cartel with British Airways.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says Qantas and British Airways fixed prices on fuel surcharges on international air freight between 2002 and 2006. The commission says both airlines have voluntarily made admissions in relation to their actions. The regulator launched proceedings against the two airlines in the Federal Court, and Qantas has entered into a deed of settlement to pay the $A20 million penalty. The ABC reports that Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon says the airline was made aware of the allegations in 2006, and has apologised for the conduct of the employees involved. Qantas has already paid millions of dollars in fines to United States authorities after being prosecuted over international air cargo price fixing. In July, former Qantas executive Bruce McCaffrey was sentenced to six months in a US jail for his role in international air cargo price fixing.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Energy company remains Royal NZ Ballet's sponsor

The Royal New Zealand Ballet have again secured the sponsorship of one of the country's largest energy companies. Meridian Energy, which began its sponsorship in 1999, today announced it would remain the ballet's principal national sponsor for a further three years. Meridian chief executive Tim Lusk said the power supplier was "delighted" to continue the sponsorship of "many dynamic and ground-breaking works". Royal New Zealand Ballet general manager Amanda Skoog said sponsorship was "invaluable." The new sponsorship deal comes into effect from June 2009.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

AXA freezes mortgage funds

AXA has frozen three mortgage funds worth $225 million. The company has suspended withdrawals from its Mortgage Distribution Fund, Mortgage Investment Fund and AXA Investment Portfolio. Interest.co.nz managing director Bernard Hickey says it is due to uncertainty around the Government's deposit guarantee scheme, which does not cover managed funds. He says there is fear people will take everything out of mortgage funds and invest in guaranteed banks or finance companies.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Severe weather warning issued

A severe weather warning has been issued for parts of the South Island and lower North Island. MetService is forecasting a cold front to move over the southern half of the South Island later today, preceded by a few hours of heavy rain in Fiordland and Westland. About 80mm of rain is likely in the ranges from Fiordland to near Otira, with heaviest falls about early afternoon for Fiordland and late afternoon to early evening for Westland.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Insomniacs sought for study

Calling all insomniacs. Massey University is seeking people with sleeping difficulties to take part in a study aimed at helping insomnia sufferers. The university's psychology clinic in Wellington is running the group therapy service, which clinical psychology student Fernanda Mottin will examine as part of her doctorate. The clinic is recruiting people who have longstanding difficulties either falling or staying asleep and who worry too much. Participants would have to pay for the sessions delivered by a registered clinical psychologist, but those taking part in Ms Mottin's research project would be offered a subsidy.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Offer for South African stock exchange

A South African stock exchange in which the New Zealand Stock Exchange is an investor, is the subject of an unexpected takeover offer. The NZX became the largest shareholder in the Bond Exchange after it acquired 22% of its shares earlier this month. The board of the South African exchange has now received a takeover from the Johannesburg Stock exchange, offering nearly a quarter more than the amount paid by NZX.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

New pre-pay phone network launched

A new mobile phone company is challenging Telecom and Vodafone's hold on prepay customers. Black & White is offering 30-day contracts - compared to the two and three year contracts offered by other providers. The company is renting Vodafone's network on a wholesale basis, which allows it to re-package and price its own mobile services. It will have no shops and will do business over the internet, targeting pre-pay customers. Chief executive Jonathan Eele says customers who transfer to Black & White's mobile service can either keep their phone numbers, or swap to its 028 number range.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Exploration company takes stake in Canterbury basin permit

New Zealand Oil & Gas Ltd says it is to join other parties looking for gas in the Canterbury basin. Under the agreement, NZOG is taking a 40% permit interest to work alongside three other companies in the region. Chief executive, David Salisbury, says the company has studied the Canterbury basin concluding it has the potential to produce commercial quantities of oil and gas.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Police push to register prepaid cellphones

By GREER McDONALD - The Dominion Post
The number could be up for criminals who hide behind the anonymity of prepaid cellphones. Police are calling for all prepaid customers to be registered on a national database, to stop pay-and-go phones being used by criminals - who believe there is no way to trace the user and know the phones can be disposed of easily. Phones are available over the counter in New Zealand without buyers having to identify themselves or give traceable credit card details. The call for change comes as officials in Britain plan to extend the powers of state surveillance by ensuring everyone who buys a mobile registers their identity on a national database.

Private radiotherapy centre opens

A private radiotherapy treatment centre opens in Auckland on Tuesday. It promises to lift pressure on the public health system. Auckland Radiation Oncology says the $19 million facility, built by MercyAscot and Southern Cross Hospitals, will help cut waiting lists. With two linear accelerators, it hopes to treat up to 500 people a year within their first week or two of referral. Auckland District Health Board patients currently wait up to 12 weeks or have to be treated in Australia or Waikato. A private radiotherapy clinic is also to be set up in Chrtistchurch within the next 12 months.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

U-17 Women's World Soccer Cup begins tonight

The FIFA's inaugural under-17 Women's World Cup begins at North Harbour stadium on Tuesday night when the home team, New Zealand, plays Canada. Sixteen teams, including Brazil, England, Germany and the United States, are playing 32 matches in four pools in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. Other teams are: Ghana, Japan, North and South Korea, Denmark, France, Paraguay, Nigeria, Costa Rica and Colombia. NZ Football chairman Frank van Hattum says a major goal of the tournament is to attract more young New Zealanders to the sport. The final will be on 16 November.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

We will shut down fake website vows Kiwibank

Kiwibank says it's working to shut down a fraudulent website posing as the bank's, which tries to lure people to enter their online banking details. The bogus site sends a generic message to people by email, advising that their attempt to enter the Kiwibank site has failed. It then offers two options which both link to the false Kiwibank site. Kiwibank spokesperson Bruce Thompson says no bank would contact its customers asking them to enter their internet banking details online. He says all banks experience internet banking scams at some point and he advises Kiwibank customers to never disclose their personal bank details. Mr Thompson says Kiwibank's internet service providers are working to close down the site which has been in operation for about two days.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Labour planning TV channel for Pacific Islanders

A new television channel is planned for Pacific Islanders. Labour released its Pacific Policy this afternoon and says the free-to-air network will be a priority for Labour. It will feature Pacific-focussed programmes and be a mixture of English and Pacific languages. Pacific Affairs Minister Winnie Laban says the Pacific identity is very central to New Zealand's identity and the channel is a hugely exciting step forward. The new Pacific channel could run on the TVNZ Freeview network, or as a free-to-air channel on Sky.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Pacific Islands to be deserted by Air NZ?

Air New Zealand is holding the axe over services through South Pacific islands to the US, saying it needs bigger subsidies to keep them going. The Cook Islands Government is being asked to come up with an extra three million dollars, on top of the two million dollar subsidy it already provides. Routes to Los Angeles via Tonga and Samoa are also at risk. If the service to Samoa is dropped, tuna exported to the US would have to be shipped through Auckland, costing the country millions. Air New Zealand says the flights' performances have been declining and it is seeking the advice of Governments on whether the services should continue.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Migrant numbers may be cut - Australia

Australia may cut the number of immigrants it allows into the country if the global financial crisis raises unemployment levels. Immigration Minister Chris Evans said a decision on reducing numbers would be taken after mid-year financial data is published next month. Around 190,300 immigrants are forecast to arrive in Australia in 2008/09. Mr Evans said the current migrant programme, which is aimed at skilled workers, was designed when Australia was forecasting good economic growth and a skills shortage. If these parameters were changing, he told Nine Network television the government "can turn the taps off" if needed.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Investors putting their money into banks - survey

The financial crisis appears to be driving investors to put their money into banks. ASB Bank highlights the trend in its latest survey of investor confidence in the past three months. For the first time in eight years of tracking investor intentions, the survey found bank term deposits are seen as providing the best returns. Bank savings accounts are the second choice. Support for investing in rental properties continues to drop - but is still more popular than investing in shares, or managed funds.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Netball-Silver Ferns could end year on top

The Silver Ferns netball coach Ruth Aitken says applying more pressure and spoiling Australia's ball led to their win over Australia in Melbourne. New Zealand can now claim the title of world No.1 with a win in the final Test in Brisbane on Sunday. The Silver Ferns fought back from an eight-goal deficit after a horror first quarter to win 46-41. Australia desperately missed shooting duo skipper Sharelle McMahon and fellow veteran Cath Cox, both out with injury. By half time the home side's lead was just one goal, 21-20, with van Dyk finding her range to contribute nine goals from 10 attempts. New Zealand hit the front just over a minute into the second half and extended their lead to four points before Australia rallied to end the period down 33-31.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Aussie oil companies get the hard word on prices

Oil companies in Australia have been put on notice to drop their prices in the coming week. The head of the Australian Government's FuelWatch scheme has been reviewing prices. Joe Dimasi says while there have been some falls in the price of petrol, he is not satisfied the full savings from cheaper petrol in Singapore are being passed on. He says there are more significant price cuts to come on international crude markets and prices at the pump should come down now. Other reports last week suggested Australians were paying as much as 20 cents a litre too much for their fuel.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Claim most strokes can be avoided if early symptoms treated

The Stroke Foundation says it's possible to prevent 80% of strokes if doctors and the public follow a new set of guidelines to treat early symptoms. The guidelines say Transient Ischaemic Attacks, or TIA, indicate that a full stroke is imminent and that immediate medical treatment is required. A TIA can appear as weakness or loss of sight, speech, arm movement, or of facial muscles on one side of the body. The Stroke Foundation says many people think they are safe after recovering from a TIA, but they are likely to suffer a full debilitating stroke. Dr John Gommans, who wrote the guidelines, says four out of five strokes have been prevented by treating immediately those who present with early symptoms.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

'Man drought' now a tourism marketing strategy

NZPA/Ross Brown
Forget about extravagant ad campaigns marketing New Zealand with images of lush bush, beautiful beaches, and fabulous food -- the new drawcard is our shortage of eligible young men. Tourism New Zealand has launched a new marketing strategy in Britain promoting the nation's much-touted "man drought" as the perfect reason for British men to visit. Statistics New Zealand this month said the Kapiti coast, north of Wellington, had just 89 men for every 100 women in the 15-39 age group, that Napier, Rotorua and Gisborne were also short of men, and that an imbalance was showing up in the major cities.

Rugby-All Black 35-man squad named

There are seven new faces in the 35-man All Blacks squad for the upcoming tour to Hong Kong and Europe. Props Ben Franks and Jamie Mackintosh, loose forwards Kieran Read, Scott Waldrom and Liam Messam, and outside backs Hosea Gear and Corey Jane are all included for the first time. Lock Jason Eaton has been recalled as has winger Joe Rokocoko. There is no room for another winger in Rudi Wulf, while number eight Sione Lauaki has also been dumped. The full squad is John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Jason Eaton, Andy Ellis, Ross Filipo, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Jamie Mackintosh, Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam, Malili Muliaina, Ma?a Nonu, Kieran Read, Josevata Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So?oialo, Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake, Piri Weepu, Scott Waldrom, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock. The All Blacks assemble tonight and fly to Hong Kong tomorrow night.
© 2008 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Close chase for Maori seats

The Maori Party is looking set to win another of the Maori seats, and is likely to run Labour very close in another. A Marae-Digipoll released this morning shows Te Tai Tonga candidate Rahui Katene with a 46 to 40 percent lead over sitting Labour MP Mahara Okeroa. In Hauraki-Waikato the race is neck and neck. Maori Party candidate Angeline Greensill trails Labour's Nanaia Mahuta by less than one point. And the party vote numbers are interesting too. In Hauraki-Waikato it is a virtual tie. Meanwhile in Te Tai Tonga, Labour has a commanding 44 percent compared with 29.5 percent for the Maori Party.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Call for free iodine for mums-to-be

By DEIDRE MUSSEN - Sunday Star Times
Pregnant breastfeeding women may get free iodine tablets to help prevent growth and brain abnormalities in babies. Folic acid, taken before and in the early stages of pregnancy to avoid defects such as spina bifida, is the only preventative medication for pregnant women provided by the government's drug funding agency Pharmac. But Pharmac is considering a recommendation by its pharmacology and therapeutics advisory committee to fund an iodine-only supplement. Medical director Peter Moodie said Pharmac was seeking a supplier to find out how much the supplement would cost. Folic acid cost Pharmac $132,000 last year. Iodine was commonly recommended to be taken during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, he said.

'Painless' breakthrough for diabetics

By LOIS WATSON - Sunday Star Times
A breakthrough non-invasive and painless system for assessing people's average blood-sugar levels is about to undergo clinical trials in Christchurch. It could revolutionise the way diabetics' long-term glucose levels are monitored and provide an easier way to identify people with the disease, which affects around 174,000 New Zealanders and their families. Average monthly blood-glucose levels are determined through blood tests. But scientists at Canterbury University believe they can produce a machine which can detect glucose levels accurately by the fluorscence of skin under ultra-violet light. They are working with medical researchers at Christchurch Hospital, to clinically test the machine which could provide diabetes sufferers with an accurate snapshot of their blood-sugar levels so they can adjust their food, exercise and medication without the need for painful blood tests.

Rugby-Canterbury beats Wellington to take Air NZ cup

Canterbury have won the Air New Zealand cup beating Wellington 7-6 in the final at the Westpac Trust Stadium in Wellington. Canterbury led 7-3 at halftime to win its first title since 2004. The only try was scored by Canterbury's Hayden Hopgood. It was the biggest of three provincial rugby finals on Saturday. In other finals, Wanganui beat mid-Canterbury by 27 points to 12 to claim the Meads Cup. It was the first finals triumph in three straight attempts for Wanganui, the home side, who won all 10 of their games this season and dominated the game. And Poverty Bay completed a hat-trick of Lochore Cup wins with a 26-5 victory over Horowhenua-Kapiti in Gisborne.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Wanganui and Poverty Bay win provincial rugby finals

In the second of three New Zealand provincial rugby finals on Saturday, Wanganui have beaten mid-Canterbury by 27 points to 12 to claim the Meads Cup. It's the first finals triumph in three straight attempts for Wanganui, the home side, who won all 10 of their games this season and dominated the game. Earlier, Poverty Bay completed a hat-trick of Lochore Cup wins with a 26-5 victory over Horowhenua-Kapiti in Gisborne. Wellington host Canterbury in the top-flight provincial rugby final on Saturday night. That game kicks off at 7.35pm.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Trade Me

New Zealanders are looking to internet auctions to provide them with a little extra cash in the lead-up to Christmas. Trade Me is reporting a 20 percent increase in listings under some categories, with 40 percent of items selling within the first week. The website's spokesman Mike O'Donnell says the economic downturn has driven up listing figures. He says categories on the rise include trampolines, sporting equipment, mobile phones, toys and whiteware. Mr O'Donnell says businesses are also trying to cash in, because they can reach more people through Trade Me.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

NZ maternity care defended after Australian criticism

A leading New Zealand obstetrician says her Australian colleagues are making an unnecessary battlefield of pregnancy and birth. It follows a letter from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to members, seeking feedback on an Australian government proposal to introduce a system, similar to New Zealand's, of midwife-led care. It cites problems including a reduction in services in rural areas and a maternal mortality report, not yet released, that allegedly shows a doubling in mortality since the system started in 1996. The chairperson of New Zealand's Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee says the letter has generated inaccurate and potentially damaging publicity for New Zealand midwives.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ may help supply N Korea with oil: report

New Zealand is looking at helping North Korea pay for imports of heavy fuel oil as a reward for Pyongyang's disablement of the Yongbyon nuclear facility, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reports. Correspondent Tetsu Okazaki said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington told him that the country was discussing offering financial assistance for heavy oil aid for North Korea through six-party talks. He also reported that Australia was prepared to help take over Japan's share in providing energy aid to North Korea. This was Australia's first indication it was prepared to work with other nations, including New Zealand, to provide North Korea with 200,000 tonnes of fuel oil. Japan has postponed extending its share due to an unresolved issue of abductions of Japanese by North Korean agents.
NZPA

Oil and gas industry training centre planned

By DYLAN THORNE - Southland
The Southern Institute of Technology has unveiled a plan to establish a multi million-dollar industry training centre for the oil and gas sector. The centre is expected to cover 10ha and could include a large survival tank or pool, complete with helicopter underwater escape training and various marine and offshore evacuation devices. Paul Elliott, of Wanaka, has been appointed project manager for the venture. "When the oil and gas industry hits Southland with a vengeance, SIT Workforce, as an industry training provider, is expected to be ready and in a position to service the industry to the highest level.

Clark: Vote for me, not the Greens

By Claire Trevett
Helen Clark is trying to persuade Labour supporters against strategic voting as an increasing number of polls show the Green Party is making inroads into Labour's support base. When she was asked at a meeting with Foodstuffs workers if they should vote strategically to ensure a Labour coalition, she said the best way was to vote for Labour. She said Labour's vote was close to where it was in 1999. "If we can turn out the Labour vote, we will be leading the next Government. This is a down-to-the wire election and we have a very real chance of doing it again. We need to mobilise our heartland."

Students help plant Hamilton's Maori garden

By FLORENCE KERR - Waikato Times
Planting has begun on New Zealand's first traditional public Maori garden at Hamilton Gardens. Wintec Horticulture students were at the end of shovels this week as work began re-creating the pre-European garden, Te Parapara. Horticulture tutor John Walker said it was a great "hands on" experience for the first-year national diploma students. "They are learning not only about the different types of native plants but they also get a perspective on how Maori lived before Europeans." The gardens would consist of native trees, shrubs, ferns and traditional vegetables available to Maori at that time.

Quake shakes Hawke's Bay

An earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter Scale shook Hawke's Bay this morning. The quake at 6.47am was centred 10km west of Hastings, at a depth of 30km, GNS Science reported. The quake was felt in Flaxmere, Parkvale, Westshore, and likely to be widely felt in Hawke's Bay.
NZPA

Dismal weather for Long Weekend

People looking forward to a sunny Labour Weekend will be bitterly disappointed by weather reports predicting wind, rain and snow. However, the Metservice said the wintry spell was expected to be brief with conditions clearing from Sunday. Metservice issued a special weather advisory for Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough and the central North Island plateau, warning of a cold southerly blast expected to hit the areas. The southerly was expected to spread over the south and east of the South Island on Saturday afternoon, and the southern and central North Island on Sunday. Farmers were advised that conditions would be bleak for a time, especially for new born animals out in the open. The southerly was expected to reach the central North Island plateau about midday on Sunday, and snow could lower to about 1000m in the evening, affecting the Desert Road summit.

GE Money to axe 80 jobs in NZ

Eighty GE Money staff in New Zealand will lose their jobs as the company stops offering some of its loan services because of the global financial crisis. The company says it will stop offering home loans through third parties, motor finance and small business finance loans. GE Money Australia and New Zealand chief executive Mike Cutter says the move is due to extreme volatility and the greatly increased cost of funds on the global market. Mr Cutter says the company can no longer make returns on the home loan and motor finance products because of the current economic climate. Mr Cutter says the decision does not affect personal loans, retail store finance, credit cards or the company's insurance services.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Niue set for formal ties with China

Niue’s premier, Toke Talagi, says his country will soon establish formal diplomatic ties with a number of countries. China became the first country to formally establish diplomatic ties with Niue, with Ambassador Zhang Limin presenting his credentials to Mr Talagi in a ceremony in Alofi last weekend. Mr Talagi says the government is in the process of developing formal diplomatic links with other countries.
© RNZI 2008

Greens push for organic farming

Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons wants 15 percent of New Zealand's farming production to be organic by 2015. Ms Fitzsimons says it would help maintain the country's clean green image. She insists making common sense changes towards sustainable farming techniques would be a pivotal investment for New Zealand. Ms Fitzsimons says the other crucial part of the Greens' agriculture policy is to keep farming GM free.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Free public transport card proving popular with elderly

A Government initiative to provide free transport for superannuitants has caused a surge in demand for public transport. Since 1 October, SuperGold Card holders can travel free on buses and trains from 9am till 3pm on weekdays and in the evenings, and all weekend. The $72 million initiative was implemented to increase mobility for the elderly community. Director of Ritchies Coachlines Andrew Ritchie says it has observed an 800% increase in people using its services in Auckland. Mr Ritchie says it is not a problem because there is plenty of capacity on public transport at off-peak times, and it is a great way to get elderly people out and about.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ ranked seventh in the world for press freedom

New Zealand is ranked seventh in the world for press freedom by an international media organisation. New Zealand and Canada were the only countries outside Europe in the top 20 of the 173 countries listed by the Paris-based organisation, Reporters Without Borders. New Zealand shared seventh with Belgium, Latvia, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland on the annual list, released this week. Two years ago New Zealand was 19th and last year 15th. The list was headed by Iceland, Luxembourg and Norway, all equal first. Estonia, Finland and Ireland shared fourth. Canada was 14th , Australia 28th place, the United Kingdom 23rd and the United States 36th. Eritrea was last, ahead of North Korea. Military-controlled Fiji was listed at 79, an improvement from its ranking of 107 last year, Tonga 82 compared to 119 last year, and East Timor 65, up from 94 last year.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Stolen geckos (lizards) recovered

Two rare Madagascan day geckos stolen from Hamilton Zoo on Friday night, have been recovered. At the time, zoo officials thought they had been stolen to order. Three sets of padlocked doors were cut through. The geckos were located by the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday. Zoo director Stephen Standley says they have made a full recovery and are back in their enclosure. Two bearded dragons are still missing.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Kakapo to be released back into the wild

A male kakapo (parrot) named Lee, who was close to death from lead poisoning, is ready to return to the wild after a two-month stay at Auckland Zoo. Lee was found on Stewart Island in 1983. Only 91 kakapo are known to be in existence. During a routine check in August, the Department of Conservation found he had lost a significant amount of weight - dropping more than 1kg to 1.2kg at one point. Blood tests failed to reveal the reason, so the bird was sent to Auckland Zoo, where tests revealed toxic levels of lead in his system. The exact source of the lead is unknown, but DoC says it most likely came from a sinker or gunshot. He's now bound for his old stomping ground on Codfish Island.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

North Cantebury ski field for sale

Popular North Canterbury ski field Mount Lyford is up for sale. Mount Lyford was a high-country sheep station until 1986, when the Simpson family decided to develop the area after battling high snow risk during winter. Over the past 20 years the family has developed the ski field to such a degree that it attracted 20,000 skiers during this year's bumper season. The Simpson family says it is time to pursue other investment opportunities and is calling for expressions of interest in the 700-hectare property. Another Canterbury ski field, Porter Heights, sold for more than $1 million in 2006.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Public asked to report Maui's dolphins sightings

NZPA/Ross Setford
The Department of Conservation is calling on the public to report sightings of critically endangered Maui's dolphins. Thought to be the rarest oceanic dolphin in the world, with just an estimated 111 remaining, it was "extremely important" to know more about the dolphins' behaviour and movements, said DOC marine conservation manager Simon Banks. A sub-species of the Hector's dolphin, the Maui's dolphin is found only off the west coast of the North Island, generally close to shore during summer. The public is asked to report sightings of the dolphins to its 0800 DOCHOT line (0800 36 24 68).

Small bird leaves scientists gobsmacked

By MICHAEL FIELD - Fairfax Media
Scientists are marvelling over a small female bar-tailed godwit somewhere in New Zealand who has a world record for non-stop flying – an epic 11,200 kilometres. A major international study into the birds has been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B and it offers an explanation as to why the godwits fly so far from Alaska to New Zealand in a single bound. The birds flew non-stop for up to and covered more than 11,200km. The flight path shows the birds did not feed en route and would be unlikely to sleep. The study, which involved scientists from around the world, electronically tagged godwits and tracked them, both from New Zealand to Alaska, via Asia and, more recently, from Alaska back to New Zealaqnd direct. One of the birds, a female called E7, set the record of flying the furthest in eight days across the Pacific.

NZ population rising

The population of New Zealand continues to rise. Statistics New Zealand estimates that the population increased by about 40,300 in the year to June. That was mostly due to births outnumbering deaths, which accounted for an increase of 35,600 people. That's the largest rate of natural increase since 1973. Some 53% of the population lives in either Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington or Christchurch.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Vitamin D to be given to elderly

Vitamin D supplements will be offered to people in residential care under a new government initiative to reduce their chance of falling. ACC minister Maryann Street says research has shown people in residential care are Vitamin D deficient because they rarely go out in the sun. This leads to weaker muscles and osteoporosis, meaning not only are they more likely to fall, they may be more severely injured in that fall. ACC have supported the programme at a cost of over $73,000. Taking the supplement will be voluntary.
Source: ONE News

Nun Notches Up National Nz Gardener Of The Year 2008 Title

An 86-year-old Wellington nun who set up a community garden that rents vege plots to apartment dwellers has been named NZ Gardener 2008 Gardener of the Year. Sister Loyola Galvin from the Home of Compassion in the coastal suburb of Island Bay was the clear winner in a public vote from among 15 regional champions. NZ Gardener magazine's ultimate accolade aims to recognise New Zealand's unsung horticultural heroes who use their passion for gardening to give back to the community.
Copyright 2008 Digital Advance Limited

Australia's jobless rate expected to hit 1m in 2010

Australia's jobless rate will more than double between now and 2010, when more than 1 million people are expected to be out of work, as China feels the effect of a global economic slowdown, a leading investment bank says. JPMorgan Australia's chief economist Stephen Walters said a slowdown in China will be detrimental to job creation in Australia in the next two years. "We now expect the jobless rate to more than double to nine per cent in late 2010, from the current 4.3 per cent," Mr Walters said. "Softer growth in one of Australia's leading export destinations means Australia's export volumes will be lower, as will be the terms of trade. That said, on our forecasts, there will be one million unemployed Australians by the second half of 2010." September 1994 was the last time the nation's jobless rate started with a nine, when it registered 9.1%.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

New website contains NZ screen history

Some of the gems of New Zealand film and television are now available on a new website. Funded by New Zealand on Air, NZ on Screen showcases more than 200 film clips and promos, TV shows and documentaries. Some date back six decades. All content has been cleared for copyright. Included is a rare interview with Janet Frame. Director, Brenda Leeuwenberg says full versions of important films are also on the site. These include a documentary about the 1981 Springbok tour, Patu. The oldest item is a movie short from 1943, produced by the New Zealand Film Unit. The site will be officially launched in Thursday.
click HERE for the link
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Historic rugby ticket to go under hammer

A 120-year-old ticket from the first ever international rugby union match, between England and New South Wales, is to be sold at auction in November. The ticket commemorates the first British rugby tour abroad, which was played at the Association Cricket Ground in Sydney on 4 August 1888. The first official international match between England and Australia did not happen for another 20 years, until after federation, in London. The ticket will be auctioned with a New South Wales Waratah cloth badge and together are expected to fetch up to $A2,800 at the sale by Charles Leski Auctions in Melbourne. The 1888 tour was marred by tragedy - the British captain died in a boating accident and was replaced by a man who had just completed a tour of Australia with the English cricket team. In addition, members played a number of Australian Rules Football matches in Victoria and South Australia to help cover their expenses. The auction will also include the sale of an Olympic torch from the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Publisher APN to review operations

Publisher APN New Zealand says it will review its operations as it reacts to the flow-on effects of the economic downturn. The company, which owns The New Zealand Herald, New Zealand Listener, New Zealand Woman's Weekly, The Aucklander and seven provincial newspapers, made the announcement to staff on Wednesday morning. APN New Zealand chief executive Martin Simons said the review and consultation process would affect a small number of staff across the whole company. Last year, APN laid off about 70 staff in a move to outsource sub-editing and layout work to an Australian firm. Ninety percent of its newspapers are now produced from its centralised facility in Auckland.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Lockwood Smith sorry for small handed Asians comment

National's immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith regrets causing any offence after saying Asians have small hands that make them more productive and Pacific workers need to be taught to use toilets and showers. However, the MP said his comments were taken out of context. National leader John Key said the statements could be offensive "and I think it's totally appropriate to apologise this morning". Dr Smith, National's immigration spokesman, was campaigning in Blenheim yesterday when he talked about expanding the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE) to include workers from Asia. The RSE enables employers in horticulture and viticulture to recruit up to 5000 overseas workers a year to meet labour shortages.
Copyright ©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Big oil on East Coast?

Canadian oil explorer Trans-Orient Petroleum Ltd says it believes it has found at least 12.6 billion barrels of oil on New Zealand's East Coast. The company said in Vancouver today that AJM Petroleum Consultants had made an assessment of the company's fractured oil-shale in its 100 percent-owned 890,000 hectare prospect in the East Coast Basin. It estimated the oil available from just 10 percent of the area was 12.6 billion barrels.
NZPA

Time out recommended for humiliated Aussie cricketers

The Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has told his players to get away from cricket for the next four days as a means of dealing with the fall-out from their worst defeat in nearly a decade. Yesterday India rolled Australia for 195, needing only 90 minutes to pick up the last five wickets, to win the second Test in Mohali by 320 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series. The Australian captain Ricky Ponting said he wants his players to clear their heads of Mohali, where he admitted India dominated play from the moment stand-in captain Mahendra Dhoni chose to bat first. The third Test in Delhi starts a week today.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Australia to cut troop numbers in East Timor

Australia will reduce the number of peacekeeping troops it has in East Timor as security there continues to improve. Australian Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said in a statement on Wednesday the East Timorese authorities have shown through their professional handling of the security situation that the time is now right for some drawdown. Mr Fitzgibbon said about 100 Australian soldiers would return home early in 2009, leaving 650 in East Timor. They form the bulk of a 790-strong stabilisation force that includes troops from New Zealand.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Maori artifacts fetch high prices in Aussie auction

Some Maori artifacts fetched high prices at a sale of aboriginal art staged by international auction house, Sotheby's, in Sydney last night. Though the sale at the Museum of Contemporary Art totalled only $3.7 million compared to a pre-sale estimate of between $7.6 million and $11 million, some of the Maori pieces attracted a lot of attention. A waka huia feather box, about 47cm long and carved with scrollwork and tiki carvings, and a 49cm high sculpture of a male figure, with three-fingered hands, and knees inset with paua shell each sold for $A57,000 ($NZ65,200). They had been estimated as likely to sell for an upper limit of $A20,000 each. The New Zealand artifacts were previously held in Los Angeles by a big American collector of aboriginal art, the late Jerome Gold, a graphics designer whose estate put them up for sale.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Rough forecast for holiday weekend

Marika Hill
Holidaymakers should pack their umbrellas and raincoats for what is expected to be a wet and windy start to Labour Weekend. A low developing over the central Tasman Sea today is predicted to bring heavy rain to the North Island and top of the South Island by Friday. MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said this could mean a typical Labour Weekend of unsettled and tempestuous conditions. "It will be raining somewhere on all the days ... it is going to be changeable." Friday's cold front will threaten camping and barbecues in many top holiday spots. Heavy rain is forecast for Northland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty on Friday, followed by showers and light winds next day. Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa will also have a wetter Labour Weekend than normal.

Cricket-NZ beat Bangladesh to take first Test

New Zealand beat Bangladesh by three wickets on the fifth day of the first Test in Chittagong on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Chasing a 317-run victory target, Aaron Redmond top-scored with 79, while New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori made 76 and Daniel Flynn scored 49. It is the biggest score New Zealand has chased down to win a Test overseas.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Used car prices fall

The latest Consumer Price Index shows prices for used cars dropped 8% in the three months to September. The CPI also shows prices for all cars fell 5%. Dealers say sales volumes are down. Car sales are down in Australia also. New car sales have fallen there for the eighth consecutive month. The Australian Bureau of Statistics says September sales are down 1.7% on the previous month.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Raid on zoo's rare reptiles

By NICOLA BRENNAN - Waikato Times
Four unusual lizards stolen in a smash-and-grab at Hamilton Zoo could be destined for the black market. Thieves cut through three sets of chained and padlocked doors and broke into the enclosure - just to the right of the zoo entrance - on Friday night. They smashed a glass panel and caught a pair of madagascan day geckos. They also took a pair of bearded dragons - on loan from a private collector - and attempted to get into the tuatara cage. Waikato Times inquiries found the madagascan day gecko - a striking lime green colour - could be worth thousands of dollars on the black market.

East Timor police stop 20 people heading for Australia

Police in East Timor have detained 16 Sri Lankans and four Indonesians as they prepared to sail for Australia in an illegal boat. Director of immigration Jose da Costa said on Monday that 20 foreigners were trying to reach Australia with false documents when they were stopped in the Betano area on the south coast. They were being questioned at a Dili police command post. Local media report they were heading for Australia in search of jobs.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Govt announces $5.95 million foreign aid allocation

The Government has announced it is allocating $5.95 million to help fund responses to humanitarian emergencies in Iraq, the Palestinian Authority, Sudan and Somalia. Acting foreign Minister Helen Clark said responding to humanitarian need was one of New Zealand's obligations as a good international citizen. "In all these cases the humanitarian emergencies are either caused or deepened by armed conflict," she said. "The support provided through NZAID to areas affected by conflict helps ensure basic supplies and services for distressed peoples."
NZPA

Precious Maori carving stolen in Beijing

By PAUL EASTON - The Dominion Post
There are red faces among a group of Kiwis at an earthquake conference in China after a precious Maori carving from Canterbury University was taken from under their noses. The 37-centimetre-high wooden carving is usually held in Canterbury University's engineering library. However, last week it travelled to Beijing with a New Zealand delegation to the 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering. It was stolen from the New Zealand table during a banquet on Friday, while in the care of delegates from the university's engineering department.

Tropical fish discovered at marine reserve

A tropical fish never before seen off the New Zealand mainland has been discovered at a Northland marine reserve. The Department of Conservation was trialing a remote-operated camera when it discovered the small Damselfish swimming 80 metres down, in the Poor Knight islands off Northlands east coast. Marine biologist Dr Debbie Freeman says the Damselfish was a subtropical species normally found in warmer waters off Australia, and the Kermadec Islands. She says it is the first record of it around mainland New Zealand.
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Election 08' -Greens pick Labour as preferred partner

The Green Party says Labour is its preferred coalition partner, because its policies are more aligned with its own. However the Greens have not completely ruled out working with National. Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says the party's analysis shows it that on the whole, National would take New Zealand in the wrong direction. She says many of its policies head off down a dead end street. "This means that we can not form a government with National, or support them on confidence and supply, although we could work with them in areas where we have common ground."
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

'Extinct' fern rediscovered

Botanists are elated with the discovery of a fern in the Hawke's Bay that had been believed to be extinct. Te Papa museum's botany curator Leon Perrie said the last time the maidenhair spleenwort fern (Asplenium trichomanes) was seen was in the 1950s, but its exact location was never recorded. The current population of ferns comprises just nine plants in a single area of about 15 square metres. The Department of Conservation (DOC) had been notified, but the exact locality was not being released more widely because of the plant's rarity. Dr Perrie said he was elated when the population was discovered during a field trip he made with the Manawatu Botanical Society specifically to hunt for the fern.
NZPA

Study debunks asthma link

By MARIKA HILL - The Dominion Post
Babies given antibiotics in their first three months of life often wheeze by 15 months of age, and asthma rates have rocketed during the past 40 years in line with antibiotic use. Previous studies on child asthma have suggested a link with antibiotic use, prompting warnings against giving them to children. The theory was that antibiotics reduced a child's exposure to bacterial infection, possibly altering the normal healthy bacteria in the gut and fostering the onset of allergies and asthma. However, new research by Otago University's Wellington School of Medicine has found a chest infection – not asthma – is more likely to be the cause of wheezing. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between asthma and recurrent chest infections. Lead researcher Julian Crane said the findings should reassure parents that giving infants antibiotics for possible chest infections will not trigger asthma.

Surge in Sydney population forecast

The population of Sydney is expected to increase to nearly 6 million people by 2036 - up 40%. The population of New South Wales will be more than nine million people by then - an increase of 33%. Issuing the figures in Monday, NSW planning minister Kristina Keneally said they represent an increase of 440,000 people on the 2005 projection of the state's population. Sydney will need an extra 636,000 houses by 2031.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Health alert as dengue fever rages in Pacific

By Craig Borley
Dengue fever is scorching through the Pacific Islands, with Fiji reporting nearly 2000 cases and American Samoa reporting a year's supply of cases last month alone. Samoa, Tonga, New Caledonia, Kiribati and Palau are also reporting unusually high levels of the virus. Dengue fever, transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, is severely painful, debilitating and at times deadly. The outbreak has swept across Fiji in recent weeks. The central region, with almost 1300 cases, and the west are worst hit. Health authorities in American Samoa say the virus has killed a 10-year-old boy and affected almost 200 so far this year. The New Zealand Government's travel advice warning to the Pacific Islands is cautioning travellers about the recent upsurge of the fever.
Copyright ©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Royal visitor shows off Swedish Style

By Alanah May Eriksen
Princess Birgitta of Sweden is in New Zealand for a week-long Swedish culture event. Swedish Style highlights modern trends in design, art, music, gastronomy, travel, business and sustainability. Birgitta Ingeborg Alice, sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf, is the patron for the event. The Swedish ambassador to New Zealand and Australia, Karin Ehnbom-Palmquist, said Swedish Style would help strengthen the ties between the two countries.
Copyright ©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Extra funding pays for more joint replacements

Orthopaedic surgeons have praised the extra funding that has meant more patients getting joint replacement surgery. New Zealand Orthopaedic Association (NZOA) president John Matheson told its annual scientific meeting in Hastings today that 11,500 extra patients had received funding from July 2004 and July 2008 because of funding by the Ministry of Health's National Joint Initiative. The NZOA, a professional body of 185 orthopaedic surgeons, was grateful that more people now enjoyed a substantially better quality of life. "Joint replacements offer perhaps the greatest improvement in quality of life of any surgical procedure available today," Mr Matheson said.
NZPA

Govt seeks submissions on free trade negotiations with US

The Government is calling for submissions on New Zealand's upcoming Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the United States. The negotiations due to begin in March next year, will also involve the other members of the Trans-Pacific or P4 Partnership: Singapore, Chile and Brunei. Trade Minister Phil Goff says the US is this country's second largest export market, accounting for almost 10% of total trade. He says New Zealand's major exports to the US, dairy and meat, would benefit significantly from the removal of export quotas. Horticultural exports to the US, worth $370 million last year and currently attracting tariffs of up to 23% would also be significant beneficiaries.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Cervical cancer drug donated to Fiji

An international drug manufacturer has donated the expensive Gardasil vaccine to Fiji so girls there can be immunised against cervical cancer. The gift by Merck Sharp and Dohme is worth more than $NZ22 million. Radio New Zealand's health correspondent says it's seen as Fiji's only hope for cutting a high death rate from cervical cancer. New Zealand is spending $NZ177 million over the next five years to vaccinate girls against cervical cancer, which kills about 60 women a year in New Zealand. In Fiji, where screening reaches only 10% of women, the death rate's higher, and incidence of the cancer is about five times what it is here.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Low response to Maori teaching incentives

Financial incentives to encourage more Maori to take up teaching careers have not produced a high enrollment rate. The Ministry of Education is offering $10,000 for TeachNZ scholarships for Maori language teachers and an allowance of $30,000 for fluent te reo speakers with previous experience. Despite the subsidy, Waatea News reports only 28 people enrolled this year for the Bachelor of Education Huarahi Maori.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Maori Party supporters favour Labour

There are more signs Maori Party supporters would prefer a post-election deal with Labour. A just released Marae Digipoll of the Wairiki and Te Tai Hauauru seats reveals similar trends to a previous surveys of Te Tai Tokerau and Tamaki Makaurau. In Wairiki almost 75 percent of those polled supported the Maori party going with Labour, compared to just 25 percent who favoured National. Te Tai Hauauru has a similar pattern, with the trend three-to-one in favour of the Maori Party going with Labour over National.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Wholesale deposits next?

Wholesale deposits look set to be covered as the Government and the Reserve Bank continue moves to maintain confidence in the banking sector. Retail deposits in banks and other financial institutions were given protection when Prime Minister Helen Clark outlined the deposit guarantee scheme a week ago. Speaking on TVNZ's Agenda programme this morning Finance Minister Michael Cullen indicated he's getting advice around the outline of a wholesale scheme saying work is being done in the area.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Unemployment to rise say Australian economists

Economists are warning that 200,000 jobs in Australia may go by the end of next year as the global financial crisis takes hold. National Australia Bank economists predicted growth would drop to 1.25% by the middle of next year, with an interest rate cut to 4.5% and unemployment at about 6% by the end of the year, Fairfax newspapers report. The bank's chief economist, Alan Oster, said the uncertainty over jobs could also lead to a quiet Christmas for retailers. "I think Christmas is going to be a lot slower and weaker and then it will continue getting weaker into next year," Mr Oster said.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Kiwi kids mollycoddled

A British childhood expert believes New Zealand children are being mollycoddled. Childhood consultant Tim Gill is in the country speaking at the OSCAR Foundation's annual conference in Auckland. Mr Gill says anxiety about what can be dangerous to children is causing society to become overprotective. He says there is an early years nursery with a tree in the garden, yet inspectors have said the tree should be cut down. Mr Gill says children need to learn how to look after themselves and bounce back from the unexpected. He believes children are missing out of vital life skills because society is too overprotective. He says children need to learn to be resilient. Tim Gill says there is a danger children will grow up not knowing how to deal with common social situations.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Silver Ferns take netball series

The Silver Ferns have clinched the netball series, beating England 61-22, the exact winning margin in the first test. In Saturday's deciding third test against England in Palmerston North, New Zealand created history by winning the series 2-1. The Silver Ferns took control from the first quarter, going to the break ahead 14-8. But it was in the second quarter where they restricted England to just two goals, a feat never achieved before in an international test. With Irene van Dyk shooting at 100% in the first two quarters the Silver Ferns went to the half-time break with the score at 36-10. New Zealand continued the pressure in the third quarter, and took a commanding 34-point lead. The win is a confidence boost for the Silver Ferns, who head across the Tasman next week for their two test series against Australia. Laura Langman, who was captain for Saturday's winning match, won player of the match and of the overall series.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Hospital a heritage site

The Queen Mary Hospital site will be preserved as a heritage site. The hospital is located in Hanmer Springs, which is well known for the therapeutic properties of its thermal pools. Prime Minister Helen Clark says shifting the hospital's ownership to the Department of Conservation will serve to protect, maintain and conserve the historic site. The three heritage buildings include the nurses home, the Chisolm Ward for female patients, and the original Queen Mary Hospital for wounded soldiers.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Dolphin numbers declining rapidly

New research from the University of Otago confirms two of the world's most endangered dolphin species are disappearing at rapid rates. Associate professors Liz Slooten and Steve Dawson applied a standard method to determine whether human-induced mortality is causing the decline of Hector's and Maui's dolphins. Their research has concluded that the already endangered Hector's dolphins are disappearing at rates ten times faster than populations can sustain. Dr. Barbara Maas of Care for the Wild says the newly published research confirms that fishing endangers the dolphins. She says if Hector's dolphins are to be saved, gill nets need to be removed from their habitats.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Lottery-Millions must be won tonight

Now could be the perfect time to start dreaming about what you could do with $30 million. The Lotto Powerball draw is guaranteed to be won by at least one person tonight. But the chances of taking home the prize are slim - calculated to be one in 38 million. Lotteries Commission spokeswoman Karen Jones says there have been queues of people in Lotto shops all week. She says they are expecting to sell more than last week's total of 2.5 million tickets. The commission offers financial advice to any winner who wants it. Lotto Powerball rules state that when the jackpot reaches $30 million it must be won.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Major operation underway to save kauri trees

A major operation is being launched to stop the spread of a fungal disease which has killed hundreds of kauri trees. Kauri trees in Auckland Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Huia, Oratia, Karekare and private land in Waimauku have fallen victim to the disease. The disease has also found near the Waipoua Forest, the home of the country's biggest kauri, Tane Mahuta. Wild pigs are thought to have been spreading the disease through their rootings near the base of the trees. The disease, known as phytophthora taxon agathis (PTA), lives in the soil and can also be spread on the shoes of visitors.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Wairoa stakes no-carbon claim

By BERNARD CARPINTER - The Dominion Post
Wairoa is claiming to be the first district in the country to show it has a negative carbon footprint. The extensive forests in the district help it to absorb more greenhouse gases than it emits, a Landcare Research project has found. The carbon-negative status could make it easier for an industry to gain a resource consent for emissions, and could benefit firms exporting to environmentally conscious markets. Wairoa would also be able to promote itself to tourists as really clean and green, Mr Freeman said. Landcare Research junior researcher Robyn Sinclair found that Wairoa's total emissions a year were minus 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per person, when the national average was plus 16 tonnes.

NZ's largest marine farm approved

The Minister of Fisheries has approved the development of the country's largest marine farm. Eastern Sea Farms has been given the nod for the project, off the coast of Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty. It will cover 3,800 hectares and will concentrate on mussels and spat catching. Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton says the venture will boost the Bay of Plenty's economy, creating 500 jobs during its construction phase and ongoing operation. He says it will offer excellent opportunities to undertake further research and development into offshore marine farming.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Coal mining company strikes pay-dirt

A West Coast coal mining company has reached its goal after two years of tunnelling deep underground. Having ground their way through thousands of tonnes of solid rock, some of it up to four times harder than concrete, this afternoon Pike River Coal reached a seam of coking coal. The find was the result of eight years of planning, as well as two years of digging a 2.2km tunnel. Around a million tonnes a year of coal will be sent from the mine and that will provide a massive economic spin-off for an area steeped in the mining tradition.
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Historic Maori site gets protection

Protection has been organised for an important Maori archaeological site in Wairarapa. The site, which includes terraces and pits, had been at the centre of debate about the position of a boundary fence on a coastal subdivision in Awhea, near Tora, 45km south of Martinborough. Resource consent had approved the legal position of the fence along a ridge line which divided the site. But after negotiations by local iwi Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Rangitaane, the developer and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) it was agreed the fence line should be moved to respect and preserve the site.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

NZ surgeon organises support for US transplant network

New Zealand transplant surgeon Sue McDiarmid has succeeded in pushing American politicians to expand funding for a national organ transplant network in the United States. "We want the number of people dying while on the waiting list to decrease," Dr Sue McDiarmid, a past president of United Network for Organ Sharing, a non-profit group that administers a national organ transplant network, told the Fresno Bee newspaper. The New Zealander has been a friend for more than 20 years of Democrat politician Jim Costa, of Fresno, who sponsored the legislation to more than triple federal funding for the network. It maintains a national transplant waiting list and helps get donated organs to the people who need them.
NZPA

Tornado damages 100 Cambridge homes

About 100 houses have been damaged by a tornado which hit the Waikato town of Cambridge early on Friday. No injuries have been reported. The Fire Service says the tornado came from the west and struck about 3am. Twenty of the 100 homes affected have serious roof damage. The suburb of Leamington was the worst-hit area. Trees and power lines were brought down - leaving many residents without power.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Top lawyers to be known as Senior Counsel

The first of the new tier of lawyers, replacing the Queen's Counsel, will on Friday being given the coveted title of Senior Counsel. The line-up includes Crown prosecutor Simon Moore, with former prime minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer to have his induction in a fortnight. Unlike the QC status, which was reserved solely for barristers, Senior Counsel can now be given to those working in a law firm. This has enabled a number of lawyers, who until this year have been ineligible, to receive recognition as being the legal fraternity's best. Sir Geoffrey and Simon Moore are two of the seven being given the status. The others are David Heaney, Jan McCartney, Crown Prosecutor Christine Gordon and litigators Murray Gilbert and Jack Hodder.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

PSA wary of "razor gang"

The union representing public servants says John Key's plans for the state sector are another reason not to trust the National leader. Mr Key says a National government would cap the number of people employed within the state sector at the current level of 36,000. He is also proposing an expenditure control committee to examine departmental spending. National Secretary of the Public Service Association Brenda Pilott says the union's concerns are not around the cap, but more so about the "razor gang" Mr Key plans to set up, which clearly sets out to cut staff numbers. She says Mr Key told the sector one thing, but has now announced something completely different.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Illegal fishing costs Koreans dearly

Tim Hales/NZPA
Two Korean fishing vessels have been ordered to be forfeited to the Crown and their captains fined $360,000 for illegal fishing in New Zealand waters. Ministry of Fisheries investigations manager Mike Green said the vessels were caught "trucking", which involves catching fish in one fisheries area and reporting it as having been caught elsewhere. It involved about 700 tonnes of ling, which has catch entitlements that are more expensive and difficult to obtain in some areas than others.

Safety campaign for fireworks to be launched

As fireworks season approaches the Fire Service, Police, Environment Ministry and the Environmental Risk Management Authority will launch their third safety campaign. The campaign aims to remind those celebrating Guy Fawkes that "acting responsibly with fireworks will ensure a fun and successful event for all". Posters in retail outlets, 50,000 safety brochures, advertisements and a website (www.guyfawkessafety.govt.nz) will be used to promote fireworks safety. The minimum age for purchasing fireworks is 18 and they can only be sold from November 2-5.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

NZ Deaf Short Film Festival comes to Wellington

Wellington will host the New Zealand Deaf Short Film Festival next year. The festival would be in May and would coincide with New Zealand Sign Language Week. There would be a short film competition for local filmmakers and a showcase of deaf films from New Zealand and around the world. Festival chairman Oliver Ferguson said its aim was to "open the deaf world up and allow both hearing and deaf people to access the films and create more awareness and understanding within the wider community".
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Driving age could be raised next year

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven says the driver licence system could be revamped and the driving age raised as early as next year. Mr Duynhoven says the current learner and restricted licence rules have been in place for 20 years. He says they have found many of the crashes involving young people occur when they are breaching the conditions of their licence.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

US shifts visa waiver programme authorisation to internet

Travellers from 27 countries - including Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand and western Europe - must request authorisation on the internet to enter the United States from January. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday that mandatory prior visa authorisation is required for travellers from 12 January, 2009. Instead of travellers filling out paper I-94 visa waiver cards en route to the United States, the new measure requires online registration. Upon authorisation, travellers can enter the United States for 90 days for business or pleasure. The website is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Key told 'outright fib' about Maori seats - Clark

National Party leader John Key told "an outright fib" to more than a million viewers during Tuesday night's leaders debate, Prime minister Helen Clark said today. Miss Clark was referring to the controversy over National's attitude to the Maori seats in Parliament. National's policy is to start a process to abolish them when all historic Treaty claims have been settled, which it hopes to achieve by 2014. The Maori Party wants the seats entrenched in law and says they should not be abolished without Maori consent. Co-leader Pita Sharples said last week National's leader, John Key, gave him an assurance during a private meeting that the policy would be dropped after the election if the two parties needed to work together. Mr Key has denied giving that assurance, and during the leaders debate he said several times no agreement had been reached with the Maori Party. Deputy labour leader Michael Cullen called on Mr Key to clear up the confusion. He said Mr Key was "slippery" and could not be trusted.
NZPA

New programme to deal with dyslexia at schools

A programme offering schools guidance about dealing with dyslexia was launched today, with all New Zealand schools invited to take part. The Dyslexia Foundation of NZ's guide to tackling dyslexia in the classroom included suggested changes such as replacing white paper with coloured paper that is easier for dyslexic students to read from. The foundation employed British dyslexia consultant Neil MacKay to help create the programme. The foundation said an estimated 70,000 students had the learning difficulty, which had been linked with social dysfunction if not properly dealt with.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Queenstown's jazzfest turns 30

Queenstown's jazz festival is about to kick off its 30th anniversary with a 10-day programme. From October 18 to 27 more than 50 bands and 200 performers will play at the ASB JazzFest Queenstown with a programme of 80 free events and ticketed headline concerts. Festival music director Harvey Maguire said the festival had much to celebrate after humble beginnings 30 years ago when he and a group of dedicated musicians first got together for two days of music over Labour weekend.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

One of NZ's oldest World War II vets dies at 104

One of New Zealand's oldest World War 2 veterans died in Whangarei on Tuesday aged 104. Douglas Morrison, promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 1944 and mentioned in dispatches, had earlier distinguished himself commanding a company of troops among the rearguard protecting the evacuation of forces from Greece in 1941. The newspaper said Mr Morrison gave decades of service to the RSA, farming and sporting groups, and the community. He commanded 29 Anzac Day parades, including one overlooking Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, and was foundation president of the Northland Officers Club. He served in Greece, Egypt and Italy during the war.
RIP Colonel Doug.
NZPA

Students turned away as PM fills theatre

The popularity of Prime Minister Helen Clark on university campuses left hundreds of students stranded at Waikato University. Her appearance at the university's management school overwhelmed organisers. Every space in the 400-seat theatre was taken, with students cramming into the aisles and standing at every possible vantage point. Outside hundreds more students tried to get in, but their efforts proved unsuccessful. Miss Clark proved equally as popular at Otago University earlier in the week, where she outlined Labour's plan for a universal student allowance. In an election campaign tradition for Miss Clark, she has since donned a scarf and addressed Muslims at the Hamilton Mosque for the fourth time as Labour leader. Leaving her shoes at the door, she spoke to around a hundred local Muslims about her government's efforts to improve interfaith dialogue.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Public gains access to Stats NZ database

Statistics NZ has made publicly available a large information database which has previously only been available to paying subscribers. Government statistician Geoff Bascand said the Infoshare database had a range of information which was useful to businesses, community groups, researchers, schools and the general public. Mr Bascand said, for example, if planners wanted to find out how many construction companies of a certain staff size were operating in a certain region, that sort of data was available. Historic information on the Consumer Price Index and tourism figures were other examples of the data available. Mr Bascand said information on the database was constantly updated. Users could get the information over the internet at www.stats.govt.nz or by phoning toll-free on 0508 525525.

Record number being treated for eating disorders - support group

A support group that helps parents of children with eating disorders believes there is a record number of young people being treated at Starship Hospital in Auckland. Four adolescents are currently being treated there. A lack of inpatient services in Auckland has 11 eleven people have had to be sent to Australia for treatment since December 2006. The Eating Disorders Association says Starship is not set up to cope with severe eating disorders. Another group, the Eating Difficulties Education Network, says current funding is not meeting demand.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Real Groovy in receivership

Hard times have hit a legendary music shop. Real Groovy has been placed into receivership, after being put up for sale four months ago following a bad foreign exchange deal. Analysts say the company was probably also harmed by the introduction into the market of mega Australian music shop JB Hi-Fi, which is engaged in a price war with The Warehouse.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Australian Aboriginals use NZ possums to revive cloak-making tradition

Two Aboriginal women in Australia are importing New Zealand possum skins to make traditional cloaks selling for thousands of dollars. One cloak, put up for a charity auction, was last night passed in at $A15,000 ($NZ17,000), the Age newspaper reported. It had been expected to sell for between $A20,000 to $A30,000. Treahna Hamm and Lee Daroch from Victoria base their designs on a few of only 10 traditional possum cloaks remaining worldwide. They said possum skin cloaks in Australia used to be made by mothers and grandmothers for a new baby and progressively expanded to mark milestones in life. The side of the hide without fur was decorated with designs that tell the stories of affiliations, places, totems and groups. But traditional cloak-making died out about 150 years ago, leaving behind only a few relics in museums. The women used a grant from Melbourne City Council re-create the craft, importing skins from possums culled in New Zealand. Killing possums is illegal on the Australian mainland.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

Netball-Rejuvenated England stun Silver Ferns

By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
What a difference two days and a world-class defender made for England, bouncing back from one of the worst performance in their netballing history to produce quite possibly their best. A rejuvenated England side stunned the Silver Ferns 40-38 at the Edgar Centre’s Lion Foundation Arena in Dunedin to level their three-test series at 1-1 heading into Saturday’s decider in Palmerston North. On Monday the Ferns had had everything their own way as they put the hurt on England 65-26, the tourists’ fourth worst defeat ever against New Zealand and, truth be told, a pretty abject sort of display. But England, boosted by the return of towering defender Geva Mentor, transformed themselves into a legitimate international netball team and were good enough to take full toll on a slipshod performance from Ruth Aitken’s Silver Ferns.

NZ woman rescued off coast of Fiji

A shipwrecked woman from Southland says she is glad to be alive after spending a night clinging to a dinghy off the coast of Fiji. Ali Timms was making a trip from Suva to Kandavu Island in a 30-foot yacht with two companions when they experienced engine problems on Sunday. The yacht later hit a reef and started to take on water. Ms Timms and her friends spent a night clinging to an inflatable dinghy in heavy swells, with one of her companions cutting their feet on the reef below. She says their mayday call was intercepted by an American couple, who travelled through the night to rescue them.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Home ownership scheme announced by Labour

A new home ownership scheme has been announced by Labour, aiming to get more people into their first home. Prime Minister Helen Clark has announced details of the scheme on a public estate development in West Auckland this afternoon. Under the scheme, the homeowner will pay for their new house to be built, but the Crown will own the land. Miss Clark says the plan will dramatically lower the cost of home ownership. She says 1,500 sites will be made available over the next four years. The scheme effectively makes the government leaseholders. It has been targeted towards low income families and follows on from the Shared Equity and Welcome Home schemes.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

World Rural Women's Day

Wednesday, 15 October, is World Rural Women's Day. Rural Women New Zealand president Margaret Chapman says it is a day to celebrate and acknowledge the work that rural women do. This year's theme is climate change: rural women are part of the solution. She says there will also be discussions on the Emissions Trading Scheme, and the impact that it will have on rural New Zealand. The event has been running since 1995.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Hydro lakes filling up

The southern hydro lakes are filling up. Heavy rain in the Southern Alps and the spring thaw has pushed current levels past 56%. Low lake levels forced the adoption of a power savings campaign this winter. MCo senior pricing analyst Ashley Milkop says the next few months are critical. Significant inflows have boosted the lakes since August.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

NZ voted top long-haul holiday spot for Brits

New Zealand is again considered as Britain's top long-haul holiday spot. Readers of the Guardian, the Observer and the Guardian website chose this country as their favourite long-haul destination. Peru was the next favourite destination. Travel editor Andy Pietrasik says readers believe there's something romantic about the idea of travelling to the other end of the world and exploring unparalleled wild scenery. New Zealand held the title in 2006. Cambodia, Vietnam and Japan were top in 2007.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand

Cricket-Batting issues remain after win over Bangladesh

Man of the match Ross Taylor struck his third one-day century to set New Zealand up for a series-winning 79-run victory in the third one-day international against Bangladesh. Taylor scored 103 from 119 balls, hitting four sixes, put on 125 for the third wicket with Jamie How who made 73. Bangladesh, chasing 250 runs to win, stumbled to 170 for eight from their 50 overs. Black Caps spinner Jeetan Patel came on at first change and he took two wickets along with Kyle Mills and man of the series Jacob Oram. It was a comfortable win, but New Zealand still has some batting issues that need addressing.
© 2008 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Debate "fairly even battle"

Last night's political leaders' televised debate between Labour's Helen Clark and National's John Key is being judged by one political commentator as a fairly even battle. The debate covered topics including the economy, climate change, law and order and education. Political editor Barry Soper, who was on the panel, says he believes Mr Key won the first debate on the economy by a nose, but given his finance background, should have been out on top at that stage. He says during the third debate on climate change, Miss Clark should have had the upper hand but Mr Key appeared to talk at a more basic level. He says Miss Clark put up a strong case for her party's law and order policies but both leaders came out even on leadership and education.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd

NZ deposit guarantee seen as being effective long term

A financial commentator says the New Zealand Government's deposit guarantee scheme may be more effective and sensible in the long term than measures being taken in other countries. Under the scheme, all deposits in banks and non-bank deposit-taking entities will be guaranteed if the institutions choose to take it up. Once the financial system has stabilised, Brian Gaynor says it will be up to banks to effectively deal with the situation. Mr Gaynor told Morning Report the Reserve Bank has left possibilities open to widen the scheme, unlike other governments around the world which seem to have exhausted all their options at once.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand