Auckland seminar for Pacific women hailed a success

A Geneva-based organisation says a seminar in Auckland to strengthen trade opportunities for Pacific women entrepreneurs from the Pacific region has been a success and more such gatherings are likely. The seminar was instigated by the International Trade Centre. An ITC representative, Ana Fusipala Kessie of Tonga, says the aim is to help businesses being run by women get organised and build up trade outside of their small island states.
© Radio New Zealand International

$20m for pipfruit research

More than $20 million is to be invested in developing new apple and pear varieties, the Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp says. The Foundation of Research, Science and Technology and apple and pear company Prevar would each invest $10.8 million in a project with the Plant & Food Research programme to fast-track the breeding of new varieties, Dr Mapp said today. "The pipfruit industry plays a large part in the food-based science sector. It is crucial to the New Zealand economy," he said.
NZPA

Bulldoze theatre over my dead body, says UK star

Top English actor Sir Donald Sinden has threatened to lie down in the path of demolishing bulldozers to save the historic St James Theatre. The 86-year-old, who last visited Auckland eight years ago, said all civilised people should gang together to prevent such desecration. "How dare they even think of pulling down the great St James Theatre. Philistines," wrote Sir Donald in a letter backing protection of the theatre. The stage and screen actor is one of many international and national arts luminaries who have called for the theatre to be saved. Once one of Auckland's finest venues, the St James lapsed into decay following its 2007 closure after a fire.
Copyright 2010, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Hooper effigy burnt

The Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, New Zealander Mike Hooper, has been the target of angry protests in Delhi. An effigy of Mr Hooper was reportedly burnt by members of the Rastravadi Sena, or Nationalist Army, who believe he's brought international shame on their country following widespread media attention at the state of preparations for the Games. The Times of India's also reporting half of the volunteers helping with the games have disappeared with their kits and free bus passes. The opening ceremony for the 2010 Commonwealth Games is this Saturday in Delhi.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

McCain Foods expanding at Hastings

McCain Foods is expanding its vegetable processing operations in Hastings following the closure of a plant in Tasmania. The $19 million investment will see the plant upgraded with new equipment, freezers and a more efficient packing line, as well as new bean-processing equipment. Agricultural director Tony Ford says all of the company's bean production will now be done in Hastings. At about 8000 tonnes per year, it will double the amount the beans currently processed in New Zealand. "Traditionally all bean processing has been done in Tasmania, so it is a new crop for Hawke's Bay," said Mr Ford.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

NZ rating outlook seen as stable - Moody's

Moody's Investor Services says the outlook for New Zealand's rating remains stable, underpinned by low public debt and strong control of public finances. New Zealand holds an AAA rating, and the credit rating agency notes this country did not suffer as badly during the global financial crisis as other similarly rated nations. It says economic growth is likely to remain sound, though it will be subdued compared with the 3.3% expansion seen between 2000 - 2007, as households are less willing to take on extra debt.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Eating disorder clinic opens

An $8 million eating disorder clinic will open in Parnell, Auckland, on Thursday. Thrive, an joint venture between Auckland District Health and the Challenge Trust, will treat 15 to 24-year-olds. It is the first facility of its kind in the upper North Island. The clinic will offer nine residential beds and 20-day programme placements. Previously, many patients had to seek treatment off-shore due to a shortage of facilities in New Zealand.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Keeping it Kiwi

The Green Party's kicking off a Keep it Kiwi campaign today, sparked by fears the National Party led Government's has an asset sales agenda. Party co-leader Russel Norman says state owned assets such as Kiwibank are success stories - strategic parts of the economy that should never be sold. The Greens are starting a petition to send the Government a clear message not to start a fire sale of state assets. The campaign and petition will be launched in Wellington later this morning.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

NZers still saving - survey

New Zealanders are continuing to save, despite the recession, but appear to be losing confidence in property and shares. An AMP Superwatch survey of 500 people found 66% are saving for their retirement, compared to 52% five years ago. Marketing and distribution general manager Blair Vernon attributes the shift to the increasing popularity of KiwiSaver. The number of people saving for holidays, emergencies or education has also climbed, with 71% of people now saving for something, compared to 64% five years ago.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Song contest won by Okaihau woman

A Maori mother of two from Okaihau in Northland has won an international peace songwriting competition. Waatea News reports Frances Osborne-Tau beat hundreds of entries from around the world to win the People's Choice award in an on-line competition, giving her a $300,000 recording contract. Be a Li'l Happy was the first song she's written and she recorded it using a $5 guitar she brought at an op shop 10 years ago. She says Oikos Music will record and distribute Be a Li'l Happy through cable TV networks in Europe and North America as well as through digital download sites.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Electric cars being launched in Wellington

Wellington City Council is to begin a trial to gauge the viability of electric cars in the city. Five Mitsubishi, four-seater, battery powered cars will be unveiled at a special launch in Civic Square at midday on Thursday. Wellington is the first city in New Zealand to trial the vehicles, which will be used by companies including Meridian Energy and New Zealand Post.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

'Dancing Turk' charged with wife assault

A South Taranaki kebab shop owner has been found guilty of assaulting his wife in a case that made world headlines after he claimed he was performing a traditional Turkish dance. Hawera District Court Judge Allan Roberts told Allaetin Can today that his explanation for what happened was nonsense and a lie. He found him guilty of assault and ordered him to pay $1500 to Women's Refuge. Police were called to Can's Hawera shop in August after a passerby reported what appeared to be a violent attack by Can on his wife. But Can claimed the pair was performing a traditional Turkish dance called kolbasti in celebration of a profitable lunchtime trade that day. The dance involved mimicry of wrestling and fighting, including hitting, kick and headlocks. Police decided to prosecute after being supplied a DVD of the cultural dance by Can's defence.
NZPA

Auckland Zoo in panda swap with India

Auckland Zoo is sending one of its female red pandas, Khosuva, to India in exchange for a male red panda at Darjeeling Zoo in India. Ten-year-old Sagar is expected to arrive in Auckland early next month and spend a month in quarantine before the public gets to see him. Khosuva flies out tomorrow, leaving behind her mother Maya and sister Amber. She will be used in a re-designed captive breeding programme at the Darjeeling zoo. She has not yet been mated. "Given successful breeding, Khosuva's offspring will be released into the wild - which will be an historic first for Auckland Zoo," said a zoo spokesman. Agriculture officials finalised export protocols in April for the export of a sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, brown bear, polar bear, Malayan sun bear and red panda to India. Auckland Zoo will also send two young Sumatran tiger siblings -- male Jalur and female Cinta -- to Symbio Wildlife Park in New South Wales in late October for captive breeding.
NZPA

Jelly scam exposed

A Korean company has been fined $16,000 for labelling imported royal jelly as being New Zealand made and of high potency when it was neither. NZ Korea Health Limited pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court to nine charges under the Fair Trading Act. The company marketed and sold Green Top Royal Jelly at its Auckland stores with an image of the New Zealand flag and the label 'New Zealand Made'. Sang Rae Kim, who was responsible for the labelling, pleaded guilty to two charges and was fined $12,000.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Conservationists free entangled whale

By KIRSTY JOHNSTON - Stuff
Conservationists say they have successfully freed a humpback whale tangled in rope in the Far North. Department of Conservation staff said that following its release, the whale headed steadily out to sea. This morning they managed to hook the animal through the debris on its tail. At 3.30pm this afternoon staff were able to cut through the debris wrapped around the midriff and tail of the 12-metre humpback. Those carrying out the operation, Mike Morrissey and Patrick Whaley, said they were absolutely delighted by the result. Earlier rescuers attached five buoys to the whale, using the 'kegging' technique adapted from whalers. There have been 10 entangled whales in the Kaikoura area in the past 10 years, and DOC staff in the area have received training in Australia and New Zealand on the kegging method.
with NZPA

Toafa wins Tuvalu’s prime ministership for second time

The Tuvalu Parliament has chosen Maatia Toafa as the new Prime Minister. Mr Toafa won the secret ballot with eight votes to seven against the other contender Kausea Natano. The country held its general election two weeks ago with five new MPs joining ten sitting members. The secretary to the Government Panapasi Nelesoni says Maatia Toafa already held the post between August 2004 and 2006.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Gallipoli survey plans on hold

Plans for a major archaeological survey of the battlegrounds of Gallipoli are on hold because of a dispute between Australia and Turkey about a monument. Historians and archaeologists from New Zealand, Australia and Turkey are supposed to start work next Friday to provide detailed information about military sites at Gallipoli. The survey was agreed to by the countries five years ago, but is now on hold after being delayed by Turkey in protest at a Sydney memorial erected alleging genocide of Turkey's Assyrian minority during and after World War I, which Turkey denies. Turkey objects to the monument. It says the figures are exaggerated, that the deaths stemmed from military conflict and were not genocide. Turkey says it does not want to block the survey of Gallipoli, but concedes it could be delayed while the dispute with Australia is sorted out. New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully is seeking more information, as is Australia's Minister of Veterans Affairs Warren Snowden.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Report commends NZ's response to tsunami

One year on from the massive Pacific tsunami which killed more than 180 people in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, the reconstruction effort continues, with New Zealand organisations still at the forefront. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has released a report on New Zealand's response to the tsunami and how it continues to help with the relief effort. The report says Samoa has made strong and rapid progress in rebuilding and improving infrastructure, restoring essential services, and is beginning the process of economic recovery. In Tonga, however, reconstruction work on the badly affected island of Niuatoputapu has been more difficult due to its isolation, which has added to the cost and complexity of rebuilding. The New Zealand Government donated $12 million to Samoa and $1.5m to Tonga to help provide the necessities of life following the tsunami and to help rebuild communities in its wake. Along with the funding, more than 150 personnel from the New Zealand navy, army and air force were deployed to help, as were 43 medical personnel and members of the New Zealand Police.
NZPA

Bras for 6 yr olds not for sale here

Bonds underwear in New Zealand says it's made a moral decision not to sell bras aimed at girls as young as six. The company's under fire in Australia for creating the "Bralettes", which have gone on sale at K-mart across the Tasman. The garments start in a child's size six - and padded bras have also been developed for girls as young as eight. Bonds New Zealand spokeswoman Nicola Brook says the company here has made the decision that selling bras for girls that young, is wrong.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Waikato prepares for flooding

Waikato is preparing for floods as heavy rain threatens to push already-swollen rivers past their limits. Showers were expected to pound the region for 24 hours from 6am tomorrow, and, with rivers already high and catchments already saturated from last week's storm, Environment Waikato said it was preparing for the worst. "The 70mm to 100mm rainfall predicted for parts of our region, if it eventuates, could result in higher Waikato and Waipa river levels than we saw last week, meaning potential for flooding beside waterways," emergency management officer Adam Munro said. The MetService said Hutt Valley, Kapiti Coast, inland from Taranaki to Tongariro National Park, as well as parts of the South Island would also be hit by heavy rain.
NZPA

Possibly the coolest kid's job ever

One of this year's Toyologists says she's a normal kid just with lots of toys. The search is on for the best kid's job in the world - a Toyologist. Hana Pearce says it's been a dream job testing all the latest and greatest toys. She says after receiving $200 worth every month, she decided to donate some to Burwood School in Christchurch after the quake. Miss Peace says her favourite toy would have to be the most recent pollypocket with a rollercoaster. Applications can be made on Mattel's website www.toylab.co.nz.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Another quake fundraiser planned by Tonga

Tonga is planning a second national radiothon to raise funds for the Canterbury earthquake appeal, after raising more than $500,000 at the weekend. The Tonga Government says there have been numerous complaints from the public that they were not given enough time to organise their donations, so a second appeal will be held on Thursday. Government chief secretary Busby Kautoke has praised the generosity of the people and thanked students for the fundraising they undertook.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Whale rescue mission resumes

A rescue mission to remove a nylon rope and net from a humpback whale, continues on Wednesday morning in the Far North. The Department of Conservation and whale experts managed to attach some buoys on Tuesday in an attempt to slow the whale, but part of the net later broke. One of the rescuers, Ingrid Visser, says they will aim to again attach grapnel hooks to the net. An aerial search for the whale has resumed.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Kiwibank's Maori lending push welcomed

The chief executive of the Federation of Maori Authorities (Foma) is welcoming a push by Kiwibank to step up its lending to Maori businesses. Ron Mark says Maori landowners have struggled to get bank financing in the past. He told Waatea News that while that means they have not got into the financial difficulties some of their neighbours have struggled with, it has hampered their development.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

India wins WOW with 'Loops'

An Indian design using interlacing merino wool felt, has taken the top award at New Zealand’s world-renowned Montana World of WearableArt (WOW) in Wellington. First-time entrants Yogesh Chaudhary and Manas Barve, students of India’s National Institute of Design, not only won the Supreme Award but also the American Express Open Section and $30,000 worth of prizes for their sustainable, innovative garment ‘Loops’. Their design was one of a record 23 entries from India - 21 of which were chosen as finalists. International designers took out 13 of the 35 prizes at this year’s WOW Awards in Wellington on Friday night - in a mesmerising show that had the audience on its feet. Next year's show will be held in August to fit in with the Rugby World Cup.
Copyright 1999-2010 Tourism New Zealand

Steady stream of NZ Games athletes settling in

New Zealand's chef de mission at the Commonwealth Games says a steady stream of athletes is arriving in Delhi and settling in at the accommodation village. Dave Currie says the bowlers, archers and boxers have arrived and many are heading directly to training. The gymnasts, weightlifters, synchronised swimmers, badminton players and some of the athletics team will arrive over the next 24 hours. Mr Currie says conditions in the New Zealand part of the village are improving and he is especially impressed with the dining areas, which are provided by an international company. The Games open on 3 October.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Massive donation from Tonga to Chch

By MICHAEL FIELD - Fairfax Media
Tonga, one of the Pacific's poorest nations, has raised a massive T$833,867 (NZ$705,000) for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund. Raised in a single Saturday radio-thon, it is the equivalent of every Tongan giving T$8.33. If every New Zealander gave the same amount, the Earthquake Fund would get NZ$31 million. "We are very grateful to the members of the public for their generous donations that we have received so far," chair of the coordinating committee Busby Kautoke said. "We are particularly indebted to the Ministry of Education for the fund -raising that was held by schools." He said they were following up pledges that were made via telephone by church congregations, kava clubs, government departments, as well letters of appeal that were sent to business houses. New Zealand currently gives Tonga NZ$16 million a year in aid.

Zero support for pay claim English

By Audrey Young
Finance Minister Bill English says secondary teachers should not waste their time today trying to persuade Education Minister Anne Tolley they should get a 4 per cent pay rise. "There is no point wasting time on the minister - the minister has got no money," he told the Herald yesterday. "But more importantly she's not the audience they have to persuade." They had to explain to nurses, civil servants, police, firemen and doctors why secondary teachers were worth more than twice as much as them for a pay increase. Mrs Tolley is due to speak today to the Post Primary Teachers Association conference in Wellington, following a silent protest yesterday at the primary teachers' conference over National Standards.

Twin lemurs born at Hamilton Zoo

Twin six-week-old ring-tailed lemurs are on display at Hamilton Zoo, the first to be born there since 2002. The twins, born on August 20, were becoming more confident and were beginning to venture away from their parents, Rachel and Bruce, zoo director Stephen Standley said. Revelations that protection of forests and native fauna in Madagascar had deteriorated over recent years made the success of captive breeding populations all the more important, he said. The twins, whose genders are still to be determined and who are yet to be named, are on display along with the rest of Hamilton's ring-tailed lemur colony.
NZPA

Turia warns Maori to be prepared if you leave

Be prepared - that's the Maori Party's word of warning for any Maori planning to move across the Tasman. Co-leader Tariana Turia says her party's receiving more and more calls for help from Maori who move to Australia and then find themselves unemployed and broke. She's reminding them to have money in the bank - because neither the Australian or the New Zealand government will help. And she supports that, believing it's not right for people to move to another country and then expect welfare and support when they've done nothing to contribute to the tax intake.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Rugby Sevens tickets sell out in less than four minutes

Tickets to next year's Wellington round of the IRB rugby sevens series sold out in three and a half minutes on Tuesday morning. It's the 10th year in a row that Wellington's Westpac Stadium will host a full house for the popular event. Tournament general manager Steve Walters says a lot of people missed out on tickets so a hard line will be taken with any ticket scalpers. The IRB sevens season kicks off in Dubai in December; the Wellington round is on 4-5 February.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

EU extends Fiji sanctions for six months

The European Union has extended its sanctions against Fiji for a further six months. The step was first taken in 2007 as part of an effort to encourage the interim government in Suva to help restore democracy, respect for human rights and of the rule of law in the country. The EU says the latest extension follows the continued lack of progress in the implementation of key commitments that Fiji had agreed with the EU in 2007. These commitments relate mainly to the respect for democratic principles, rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

Farming is killing off native fish, study finds

A new study has found that increased pressure from agriculture and dairy farming is mostly to blame for the slow death of native freshwater fish populations. In a report published in the New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, reseachers say that 67% of native fish are in serious trouble. The threat status of 74 freshwater fish was studied. Fifty-one of them were ranked as threatened or at risk of becoming extinct. Most of the threatened species, such as torrent fish and bluegill bully, live in Otago and Canterbury waterways. One of the report's authors, Professor Jonathan Waters, from the Department of Zoology at the University of Otago, says dairy farming has had a major impact on native fish.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Conchords take flight

A real sign that Flight of the Conchords pair Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement have made it in the United States. They've appeared on an episode of the Simpsons. The country's "fourth most popular folk duo in New Zealand" have been immortalised in yellow cartoon form as camp counsellors in the premier episode of season 22 that screened in the US yesterday. They only other kiwis to feature in The Simpsons have been Lucy Lawless and Sam Neill.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Boatie sparks search for whale

Department of Conservation staff are searching for a whale tangled in ropes off the Northland coast after a call from a boatie. A light plane and a boat headed out from Doubtless Bay last night and are back out this morning, looking for the seven metre humpback whale. Carolyn Smith from DOC says they're relying only on the information from the caller who gave a good enough description for staff to be pretty confident it is a humpback whale. She says, once they find the whale, cutting the rope free will be a long and slow process because it's dangerous to get too close to the whale.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

American Samoa closer to passing anti-smoking laws

A bill that would ban smoking in public, and some private, enclosed places in American Samoa has moved a step closer. The American Samoa Smoke Free Environment bill has now been approved by the Senate. The bill would ban smoking in all government and commercial places of employment, bars, restaurants, buses and taxis.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Cleaners keep Commonwealth Games on track

A New Zealand cleaning company is in high demand behind the scenes at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Crest Cleaning's India business has been working to clean the village before the arrival of New Zealand athletes. Director Shika Jain says Crest has now been asked to clean up the living areas of the Australia and Scotland teams. She says unfortunately they had to turn down requests from the Canadian and Irish teams as its focus is on sorting out the facilities for the Kiwis. Shika Jain says around 100 staff are working day and night to clean the towers and they will also service the village 24/7 when the athletes arrive.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Changes raise bar for foreign farm buyers

The Government is moving to make it harder for foreign buyers to purchase large tracts of farmland. Finance Minister Bill English has announced regulations that will allow ministers to take New Zealand's economic interest into account when considering investments in sensitive land. Mr English says ministers will be able to consider a wider range of issues, including large-scale ownership of farmland. The change gives them more tools for rejecting applications, he says. At the same time, he says, if investors commit to New Zealand participation in their investment, that will be considered as a mitigating factor.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Most immigrants plan on citizenship

By HAMISH RUTHERFORD - BusinessDay.co.nz
More than three quarters of immigrants to New Zealand plan to apply for citizenship three years after arriving, a long term survey shows. The latest results of Statistics New Zealand's Longitudinal Survey published this morning showed that 78.4 per cent of migrants either had started, or intended to start, the process of applying for a New Zealand passport three years after being granted permanent residency. Migrants from South Africa were the most likely to want to become citizens (93.3 per cent) ahead of Pacific Islanders (93 per cent) and South Asians (86.5 per cent).

King of Tonga's NZ residence for sale

The King of Tonga's multi-million dollar royal residence in Auckland is up for sale. The 1.6-hectare property, known as Atalanga, has been in the same ownership since 1952. Local government records indicate it has a rateable value of more than $8 million.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Samoa switches to daylight saving

Samoa has for the first time switched to daylight saving. Last year, the Samoa Cabinet approved a report by a committee assessing possible benefits of daylight saving. The committee found that it promotes energy conservation, increases opportunities for leisure, and enhances public health and safety as well as economic growth. However, the introduction of daylight saving was delayed last year following the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
© Radio New Zealand International

Teen seen riding whale off Australia

A teenager reportedly seen hitching a ride on the back of a whale off the West Australian coast was courting death, say environmental authorities. The WA Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) was alerted on Friday afternoon that a teenager had been seen climbing onto the back of a southern right whale close to Albany's Middleton Beach, about 390km southeast of Perth. DEC Albany district manager Mike Shephard said the report was being investigated, adding that even approaching a whale was crazy and illegal. "Adult southern right whales can reach 18 metres in length and weigh up to 80 tonnes," he said in a statement on Sunday. "If you are in the way of a tail slap or when it breaches, you are unlikely to survive."
AAP

New welfare rules come into force

The Government's new Future Focus provisions, designed to put more onus on beneficiaries to find work, come into being today amidst renewed concern over the effects. The Social Security (New Work Tests, Incentives and Obligations) Act, which was designed as part of a push to break the cycle of welfare dependency, includes introducing a part-time work test for domestic purposes beneficiaries with children aged over six, and requiring unemployment beneficiaries to reapply for their benefit every 12 months. Abatement rates will also be increased for some benefits, an initiative which will financially benefit thousands of people and provide an added incentive to work.
NZPA

Otago scientists work out how to 'see' single atom

In a world first, University of Otago scientists have developed a technique which enables them to not only isolate and capture a single atom consistently, but to "see" and photograph this atom. Their work has been published in the scientific journal Nature Physics and is a major step towards building ultra-fast quantum computers. The process takes a matter of seconds, starting by dramatically slowing down a cloud of about 10,000 atoms in a vacuum chamber. A laser beam is then used to hold about 50 atoms. Finally, light from another laser at a particular frequency causes the atoms to repel each other, leaving a lone atom. One atom is so tiny that 10 billion of them side-by-side would stretch a metre in length.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Hobbit filming in NZ under threat, Jackson warns

Filming of The Hobbit in is in danger of being moved out of New Zealand because of a row with an actors' union, Sir Peter Jackson has warned. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), an Australian-based union, is urging actors all over the world to boycott working on the film until the producers enter a collective bargaining agreement with the union. The row has prompted the executive producer of The Hobbit Sir Peter Jackson, to issue a four-page personal statement warning that filming could be moved to Eastern Europe. "If the Hobbit goes east - Eastern Europe in fact - look forward to a long, dry, big-budget movie drought in this country," the statement said. The MEAA says The Hobbit, like Lord of the Rings is a non-union production, meaning there are no minimum guarantees of wages or working conditions and no share of profits. But Sir Peter says Warner Brothers - the US studio financing The Hobbit films - has agreed to share the profits with the actors.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Australian police arrest 39 over coal terminal protests

Australian police have arrested 39 environmental activists who shut down some operations at the world's largest coal port in Newcastle on Sunday morning. Australian police have arrested 39 environmental activists who shut down some operations at the world's largest coal port in Newcastle on Sunday morning. The demonstrators, from the group Rising Tide Newcastle, broke into three coal terminals at about 5am on Sunday and strapped themselves to equipment, stopping their operation. The demonstrators were protesting against the coal industry's impact on climate change and called on the Australian government to put a moratorium on the expansion of the industry.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

National up in latest poll, but ACT slips sharply

A new political poll out shows National continuing to hold a strong lead over the Labour Party. The One News Colmar Brunton poll has National up from 49% support to 54. Labour has slipped three percentage points to 32. The Greens remain the only minor party to poll above the five-percent threshold with 8%. The ACT Party has been averaging about 2.5% support for most of this term of Government. Its support in Sunday night's poll comes in at just 1.1% - the lowest since August 2008.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Computer glitch strands thousands at Australian airports

A computer problem has disrupted the travel plans of thousands of Virgin Blue passengers who remain stranded at airports around Australia. Virgin Blue spokesman Colin Lippiatt says some domestic and international flights will have to be cancelled and others are facing long delays. About 800 Virgin passengers are stuck at the Brisbane domestic terminal as all of the airline's domestic and international flights are delayed. And Adelaide passengers have also been affected by the failure.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Burnt toast costs hospital thousands

A New Zealand hospital is ditching four of its toasters for cafe-style sandwich presses after burnt toast false alarms cost it thousands of dollars in fire service fees. Firefighters were called to Wairarapa Hospital, in the North Island, three times in the past year when toasters triggered smoke alarms in areas not designated as kitchens. That exceeded the number of free fire callouts and the last two false alarms had cost the district health board NZ$2634.20, the Wairarapa Times-Age reported. Hospital spokeswoman Jill Stringer said the presses could still toast bread but because they used different elements they lowered the risk of burning and smoke.
NZPA

Kiwi breaks freediving world record

New Zealand freediver David Mullins overcame nerves, pressure and two aborted attempts to set a world record for distance travelled underwater without a breath at the Naenae Olympic Pool in Wellington today. Mullins, a Social Development Ministry office worker from Wellington, swam 265m underwater with fins to break Frenchman Fred Sessa's record of 255m. The 29-year-old, whose sponsors had paid for two judges to fly in from Australia as well as the anti-doping procedures, nailed the record on his third and final attempt, having aborted his first two after just 100m.
Source: ONE News

Sufferer embraces trial of new MS treatment

By REBECCA TODD - The Press
A Christchurch multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferer hopes being part of a new drug trial will lead to the first registered treatment for her disease. The new drug is for people with the progressive form of MS. It has been developed by Auckland biopharmaceutical company Innate Therapeutics, with trials being conducted at Primorus Clinical Trials, a purpose-built unit in Christchurch. Up to 18 patients are being recruited for the trial, which starts this month. Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand national director Rosie Gallagher said the society was "extremely excited" about the prospect of a new medication. "There has been very little progress in terms of disease therapies for those with this type of MS, and the fact that it is being developed by a Kiwi company and trialled within New Zealand is a great highlight for us," she said. About $750,000 in funding for the trial came from a United States not-for-profit organisation, Fast Forward.

Poll shows Brown in front

By Tim DOWER - NewstalkZB
Len Brown is well ahead in the race to become the first mayor of the Auckland super city. A HorizonPoll survey published online this morning shows he's won the votes of almost half of those who've already sent back their ballot papers. John Banks trails with only 22%. So far though, only about a quarter of people say they've completed their voting paper. Of those yet to vote...36% say they go for Len Brown and 21% for John Banks. Meanwhile, in another Horizon poll, the majority of those who haven't yet voted don't know when the deadline is. 51% of the 570 people asked said they didn't know voting closes at 12 noon on Saturday 9th October, and votes needed to be posted before 5pm on Wednesday 6th October. 82% also didn't realise voting papers could be returned to any of Auckland's public libraries on election day.

Australia may send more personnel to Afghanistan

Australia's new Defence Minister Stephen Smith has foreshadowed a boost in the country's commitment to Afghanistan during a visit to the war-torn country. Mr Smith, visiting troops on the front line at Tarin Kowt, said he would ask the federal government to consider sending more police trainers to Afghanistan to help train the local security forces. The minister earlier met the US commander in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, in Kabul.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Weather still cool, but UV levels rising

A group which promotes sun safety says the beginning of daylight saving on Sunday is a timely reminder that ultraviolet radiation levels are already rising. The group, Sunsmart, says while temperatures are still quite low in some places, ultraviolet radiation levels are already high enough to cause sunburn. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research says the UV index in many areas is now above three, or moderate, for long periods of the day, even as far south as Invercargill. Daylight saving began on Sunday.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Diabetes drug used in NZ, despite Europe ban

A drug used to treat type two diabetes is still being prescribed in New Zealand, even though it has been taken off the market in Europe and restricted in America. The European Medicines Agency has suspended the use of Avandia because of an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients using it. America's Food and Drug Administration says there are significant safety concerns about Avandia and has restricted access to the drug. Medsafe says Avandia is not publicly funded in New Zealand, and is only used by about 100 patients. It will review the decision by European and American agencies and says anyone who has concerns should see their doctor.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

NZ builds up military relations with China

Chinese troops are planning to come to New Zealand to observe pre-deployment training, as the Defence Force builds up military relations with China. Earlier this month, two warships from the People's Liberation Army visited Auckland - the first naval visit for three years - and one of China's top generals has invited New Zealand troops to attend the Beijing Peacekeeping school. Defence Minister Wayne Mapp says the two countries want to develop peacekeeping partnerships. Dr Mapp says the two countries could also work together on disaster relief, and search and rescue missions.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Games chief promises full participation

Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell says there will be full participation by all countries in the Delhi Commonwealth Games. He told a news conference following an inspection of the facilities that all 71 countries will be attending. The first athletes have now arrived in Delhi a week ahead of the Commonwealth Games, though the England contingent's chef de mission has warned there is still much work to do at the athletes' village. The Games have been plagued by construction delays, concern over sub-standard accommodation for athletes, security and infrastructure problems, and health worries due to an outbreak of dengue fever. Several nations, including New Zealand have delayed their teams' arrival in India for the Games, though the New Zealand Olympic Committee confirmed on Friday it still intended to send a team.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Daylight saving starts tonight

The Department of Internal Affairs is reminding people to put their clocks forward an hour when daylight saving begins at 2am sunday. The extra hour of daylight in the evenings runs until Sunday, April 3.

NZ to host injury conference

New Zealand has won a bid to host the 11th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion. Associate Minister for ACC Pansy Wong says it shows the World Health Organisation has considerable faith in the work being done in New Zealand. She says New Zealand is rare in having a national injury prevention strategy, with 16 communities achieving Safe Community Status by meeting the requirements of the World Health Organisation. The five day conference will be held in Wellington from October 1st in 2012.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Rugby holding its own, NZRU figures show

Figures released by the New Zealand Rugby Union show the sport is becoming more popular among New Zealand men, women and children. The report shows almost 150,000 New Zealanders are registered to play rugby this year - a 1% increase from last year and a 6% rise compared to five years ago. However, there were slight decreases in the number of referees, administrators and volunteer helpers, which the union would like to reverse.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Cook Islands parliament dissolved as country heads for November elections

The Cook Islands parliament will be formally dissolved today, as the country heads towards general elections on November the 17th. One of the two main parties, the Cook Islands Party, will use the date of the dissolution of Parliament to release its election manifesto, while the Democratic Party will release its next week. Our correspondent, Florence Syme Buchanan, says a caretaker government will take over from now.
Florence Syme Buchanan reporting from Rarotonga.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Google backs NZ 'monocycles'

The internet giant Google has provided a cash injection for a New Zealand company working on futuristic transport system. Shweeb has been awarded $1.3 million to help turn an adventure ride in Rotorua, into a monorail transport system for high-rise cities. The ride features pedal-powered pods suspended from a monorail. Shweeb says Google's funding will fast-forward the development. The company is one of five worldwide being funded by Google to develop technology for the future.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Tourists told Canterbury open for business

The Government plans to launch an advertising campaign to encourage Australians to visit Canterbury. Prime Minister John Key, who is also the Tourism Minister, says some travel companies have told him tour groups from Australia have cancelled following this month's earthquake. Mr Key says the majority of New Zealand's tourists come from Australia, so it's vital to send them the message that Canterbury is open for business. He says the campaign will be short and sharp, and has the backing of Tourism New Zealand which has updated its website with the current situation in an effort to prevent international visitors from cancelling unnecessarily.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

More severe weather on way

MetService says strong winds buffeting the eastern side of the South Island should ease on Friday evening, but more bad weather is forecast for Saturday. The front that crossed over Southland is gradually tracking up the country and could bring severe gales to exposed places in Wellington and Wairarapa on Friday night. MetService extreme weather forecaster Erick Brenstrum says the next weather front will bring wind and rain to the South Island on Saturday night.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Reef Group shifts nonu operation from Niue to Samoa

The New Zealand based company, Reef Group, is to expand its nonu juice operation from Niue to Samoa. Reef’s director, Philip McNicholl, says the company wants to collect fruit from growers now, and to start its own orchard next year on 80 hectares of land it has access to on Savai’i. Another company spokesman, La’auli Michael Jones, says the company has markets for the Niue product and believes there’s demand for Samoa nonu. The Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters has urged more nonu be grown after a glimpse of the huge market in China during the recent Shanghai Expo.
© Radio New Zealand International

NZOC confirms team still going to Games

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has confirmed it still intends sending a team to the Commonwealth Games in India. There have been concerns about the poor condition of the athletes' accommodation at the Games Village, concerns about infrastructure and security, and an outbreak of dengue fever in Delhi. The NZOC on Friday was briefed on the problems by president Mike Stanley and secretary-general Barry Maister, who made a flying visit to Delhi earlier this week. Mr Stanley says there is still concern about the as-yet untested transport system and about health and hygiene in the Games Village, but these are being reviewed on a daily basis. Mike Hooper, the head of the Commonwealth Games Federation, insists that the problems will be resolved in time. The Games are scheduled to start on 3 October.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

NZ soldier, home and recuperating

By Lesley Deverall - NewstalkZB
A New Zealand soldier injured in Afghanistan when he was crushed as a wall collapsed on him, is now recuperating in New Zealand. The SAS soldier sustained a broken jaw and leg. He's expected to make a full recovery. The soldier was initially transported to a Coalition medical treatment centre in Germany before returning to New Zealand aboard a commercial flight.

Indonesia trip back on - but not to Australia

United States President Barack Obama is to make a trip to Indonesia in November, but Australia is again off the itinerary. The ABC reports Mr Obama earlier called off two previous plans to visit the two countries - first to concentrate on passing his health care reform bill and then over the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. The president will now go to Indonesia as part of a trip that will also take him to South Korea for a G20 meeting and to Tokyo for the APEC summit. The US ambassador in Australia has given assurances that Mr Obama will eventually visit Australia.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Rare turtle with pneumonia needs surgery

Vets at Massey University are fighting to save the life of an endangered sea turtle with pneumonia after it washed up on a Horowhenua beach. The green sea turtle is usually found in tropical waters, with Australia's North Queensland coast its closest known habitat. This 70cm long female was found on Otaki Beach on Wednesday morning, suffering from dehydration, shock, a fractured shell and pneumonia. Massey wildlife veterinarian Kerri Morgan it was the first turtle she had seen in New Zealand. "It's unusual for them to venture this far south, the cold water has given her 'cold shock' and we are doing what we can for her," Ms Morgan said. The 28kg turtle would be kept at the university's wildlife centre in Palmerston North until she was well again.
NZPA

NZ vets to return to Korea

New Zealand veterans will fly to South Korea this weekend for commemorations to mark 60 years since the Korean War. The anniversary of the liberation of Seoul in 1950 is on Tuesday. The Korean Vets Association says some soldiers will see where they fought, but others won't because of the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea. National secretary Doug Callender, says that for veterans who have not been back since the war, the changes in Korea are remarkable, particularly in Seoul which has been built back up from nothing.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

NZ in walkout during speech by Ahmadinejad at UN

New Zealand was one of more than 30 delegations that walked out of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday during an address by the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran. Mr Ahmadinejad referred to conspiracy theories suggesting that the United States orchestrated the September 11 attacks in 2001. The US has described the remarks as abhorrent. Mr Ahmadinejad also used the General Assembly podium to attack Israel. He has previously raised doubts about the Holocaust of the Jews in World War II and said Israel had no right to exist.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Rugby-Stags end 39 year hoodoo, retain Ranfurly Shield

Southland have retained the Ranfurly Shield by beating Auckland 9-6 in Invercargill tonight. The win - the first by Southland over Auckland since 1971 - came off the back of some staunch Stags defence in what was a classic Shield encounter. Auckland had long periods of territory and possession which they were unable to turn into points as Southland held out on a freezing night at Rugby Park. Southland hooker Jason Rutledge was instrumental in his team's performance making a number of crucial turnovers throughout the game. Southland: 9 (Robbie Robinson 3 pen) Auckland: 6 (Matt Berquist 2 pen).
Halftime: 3-3.
Source: ONE Sport

Call for whale rescue volunteers

 LATEST:  The Department of Conservation (DOC) is calling for as many volunteers as it can get tomorrow to help refloat 24 pilot whales stranded on a remote Far North beach. Today howling winds up to 100kmh hampered efforts to rescue 24 surviving whales at Spirits Bay, east of Cape Reinga. A crew of 100 volunteers and 60 DOC staff has worked tirelessly through the day to move the survivors from a 5km stretch of beach to the stream at the southern end of Spirits Bay, where they will be kept tonight. The plan is move them 50km by truck to Rarawa Beach, on the east coast, and refloat them tomorrow. Eight trucks, more mats and haybales had been assembled for tomorrow's effort and DOC incident controller Jonathon Maxwell said they needed "all the help we can get". "There's no getting around the fact that we need person power, especially at Rarawa Beach tomorrow morning." Anyone wanting to help should contact the Department of Conservation first on phone (09) 408 6014, then drive to Rarawa Beach. Warm wetsuits and wind-proof clothing are a must.
NZPA

More severe weather on the way

MetService has issued a severe weather watch after another night of snow in the Southland region. Another front is expected to bring further north-westerly gales and heavy rain as it crosses the South Island on Friday, and on to the lower North Island on Saturday morning. The strongest winds are likely about inland Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington, Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay, south of Napier, as well as about coastal Southland and South Otago. MetService says there is a risk of the winds again reaching severe gale in exposed parts of these areas. Many state highways are closed by snow in the South Island.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

NZ athletes advised to delay travel to Delhi

The New Zealand Olympic committee is delaying the departure of athletes to the Commonwealth Games in India and has still to confirm if New Zealand will compete at all. The first teams - lawn bowls, hockey and badminton - were to leave this weekend but the New Zealand Olympic Committee says it is now clear the Games Village in Delhi will not be ready. Team delegates including NZOC president Mike Stanley and secretary-general Barry Maister have carried out an inspection, after chef de mission Dave Currie described the accommodation as uninhabitable. Mr Stanley and Mr Maister will return to New Zealand on Thursday.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Popular breast cancer test 'unproven'

By Martin Johnston
Health authorities are warning women against thermal imaging for breast cancer detection and one expert even says the industry should be shut down. Thermal imaging or thermography is growing in popularity among women for early detection of breast cancer. A national chain, Clinical Thermography, says some of its clinics are booked months in advance for screening checks that cost $199. But the Health Ministry and several cancer and medical groups, including the College of Radiologists, yesterday released a statement saying they don't support the use of thermography for breast cancer screening or diagnosis "because there is insufficient evidence to do so". College representative Dr Mike Baker, an Auckland radiologist, said last night that the industry should be closed down - "because there's no scientific evidence to support thermography". "Increasingly, I am seeing women with breast cancer who have had a clear thermogram. I am also seeing women told following a thermogram that they are likely to have breast cancer, when they don't. This is also extremely distressing."

Five more routes added to national cycle trail

Five more cycle trails have been approved as part of the New Zealand cycle trail project. The rides are Bay of Islands to Hokianga, Hauraki Plains, 'Pathway of Fire', the 'Old Ghost Road' and Roxburgh Gorge. Prime Minister John Key says all 18 trails on the national cycle way have now had their funding confirmed and are either under construction or ready to enter the construction phase.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Coal volumes down in Queensland

Not enough coal is being produced to fill the number of ships waiting to be loaded off north Queensland. The ABC reports about 41 ships are anchored off the Mackay coast. But Integrated Logistics Company says there is enough coal to fill only 12 ships. The ship queue for the Dalrymple Bay terminal peaked at 69 ships earlier this year. Company spokesman Mario Checuti says the drop in production does not appear to be an attempt by mining companies to artificially inflate prices.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Stormy weather helps new zoo arrival

Stormy weather may have helped along the birth of a new zebra at Auckland Zoo. A healthy baby zebra was born in the early hours of Tuesday morning to 18-year-old mum Itika and first-time dad, seven-year-old Machano. Auckland Zoo's Pridelands team leader Nat Sullivan says stormy weather in the wild is the perfect time for a zebra to give birth as it helps disguise the smells of birth from predators. On his feet and walking within the first 20 minutes of life, the energetic male foal weighed 36kg and is the fourth offspring of Itika.
Source: ONE News

Tired but coping

By LAWRENCE HAKIWAI - NewstalkZB
A new shift of volunteers and DOC staff has relieved the overnight crew working on the whale rescue at Spirits Bay, near Cape Reinga. Dozens of people have worked throughout the night, with one person assigned to each whale, and a DOC staffer on the beach says they're tired but coping. Rory Renwick says today's efforts will be concentrated on moving the 24 whales still alive into the lagoon at Spirits Bay, ready for transportation to the more sheltered Rarawa Beach tomorrow. Currently the whales are spread across five kilometres of beach, and will be moved using lifting equipment, diggers and trucks.

Kiwi woman gives birth to third set of twins

A "lucky" Bay of Plenty woman has pulled off a 1 in 500,000 feat - after she gave birth to her third set of fraternal twins. Thirty-one-year-old Tressa Simonsen, of Papamoa, Tauranga, gave birth to Kelly and Kramer earlier this month, adding two more boys to an already male-only family. "I'm a bit of a whiz at it now, she told The Bay of Plenty Times. "But I'm very lucky because the new babies are great and feeding and sleeping well." Her first two sets of twins were born naturally, but this time around she had a Caesarean. She had never used fertility drugs.
NZPA

Rheumatic fever rife amongst Maori in Bay of Plenty

Rheumatic fever has been found to be rife among Maori families in the Bay of Plenty, in stark contrast to families of European descent. Research by Toi te Ora, the public health service of the Bay of Plenty and Lakes District Health Boards, reveals children in the Maori community have a one in 39 chance of getting disease. That compares to one in 10,000 for New Zealand European children. Paediatrician John Malcolm says the best defence is swabbing sore throats to detect the bugs which cause rheumatic fever.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Red Cross quake grants now available

A hardship grant of $1000 is now available from the Red Cross to people in need because of the Canterbury earthquake. People who have suffered substantial health, welfare or financial hardship can apply for the grant from the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Commission. The agency says the hardship grants are different from emergency grants that are already being paid. National programme manager David Neal says applications should be processed within five working days. People can apply at council offices, te Puni Kokiri, Income Support offices or by phoning the Government helpline.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Detained campaigner due back in NZ

A Greenpeace campaigner detained by Indonesian police on Sunday is due back in New Zealand on Thursday. Suzette Jackson and six therss were filming on a palm plantation in the province of East Kalamantan when they were detained by security guards working for an Indonesian company, Sinar Mas. The trip was part of a campaign to persuade the New Zealand Government and Fonterra to stop imports of palm kernel, which Greenpeace has linked to the destruction of rainforests.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Last year's grades may affect loan access

University and polytech students say they are shocked to find out that last year's grades could determine their access to student loans next year. In May, the government announced that those students who failed half their courses would not get loans. But many were unaware that the policy took into account grades from 2009 as well - a year before the policy was announced. More than $10 billion is owed under the student loans scheme and the government is cutting back by cracking down on access to student loans.
Source: ONE News

Road journey for stranded whales

Source: ONE News/NZPA
A pod of pilot whales stranded on a Northland beach are to be relocated by road for release at another beach because weather and sea conditions have ruled out refloating them where they are. Department of Conservation (DOC) staff were alerted to the stranding at Spirits Bay about 90km north of Kaitaia at 11.30am this morning after a local spotted the pilot whales on the sand. Staff counted 74 pilot whales spread across two kilometres of beach, 25 of them dead, others were probably injured from being washed onto rocks. More were becoming stranded and there were up to 50 just offshore. Whale rescue organisation Project Jonah has said the weather and sea conditions at Spirits Bay mean refloating of the whales there is not possible. The decision has therefore been made to relocate the whales by road to Rarawa Beach for release there tomorrow morning, said Project Jonah chair Mark Simpson. He said volunteers are still needed at Spirits Bay this evening and overnight. Anyone who wants to help is reminded to come prepared for the cold, wet and windy weather. Help will also be needed at Rarawa Beach tomorrow morning to assist unloading the whales and stabilising them in the water prior to release, Simpson said.

Quake families given free holiday in Napier

The Napier City Council has organised a free week's holiday for 15 families badly affected by the Canterbury earthquake. Mayor Barbara Arnott says it is fitting for a city devastated by the 1931 Hawke's Bay quake to help some of those worst affected by the Canterbury quake on 4 September. Mrs Arnott says the Christchurch City Council has been inundated with offers to help families, but the Napier offer has appeal as it is an entirely free package, including return airfares and accommodation. The mayor says it is a privilege to help families forget about their problems for a while. The council plans a range of activities for the 60 adults and children who are due to arrive on Monday.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

PM hopes NZ can compete

The Prime Minister is hoping the New Zealand team will still be able to go to the Delhi Commonwealth Games, despite the withdrawal of some Australian and British athletes. Parts of the athletes village has been deemed unsanitary, on top of security concerns. John Key says it'll be very distressing if the controversy signals the end of the Games. He describes it as a longstanding event that New Zealand has always competed well at.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Hillary Clinton to visit NZ

By LAWRENCE HAKIWAI - NewstalkZB
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is to finally visit New Zealand in November. The United States Embassy says dates and an exact itinerary will be released closer to the time. She cancelled a planned trip earlier this year after the Haiti earthquake.

Former premier Lui to chair Niue internet foundation

A former Premier of Niue is to chair the board of the charitable foundation that provides free internet services to the people of Niue. Frank Lui says the IUSN Foundation, which was established 13 years ago, will continue to develop and upgrade its services. He says the priority is to get a second satellite dish installed to provide back up and extra bandwidth.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

National lead poll by 8%

A new political poll gives National an eight percent lead over Labour, with 20 percent undecided. The results come from in the latest HorizonPoll voting intentions survey covering nearly 4,000 New Zealanders. ACT is down to two percent, and worse news for the troubled party, only 40 percent of its 2008 voters remain loyal. Some 28 percent of ACT voters have switched to National.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

More than 70 whales stranded

By MICHAEL FIELD - Stuff
An urgent appeal for volunteers has been made after more than 74 pilot whales have stranded at Spirits Bay at the very top of the North Island. The Department of Conservation say they were called at 11.30am and found pilot whales spread across two kilometres of beach, 49 alive and 25 dead, with more still stranding. There are still up to 50 whales just off-shore. Volunteers from Project Jonah, Far North Whale Rescue, and other DOC offices in Northland and Auckland, along with members of the local Te Hapua community are on their way to help. According to DOC Kaitaia Area Manager Jonathan Maxwell, the effort required to save so many whales will be considerable. "We need as many volunteers as possible, as it will be at least until tomorrow before we can look at refloating them, which means caring for them over the next two days," Mr Maxwell said. DOC is asking anyone who is able to help to come to Spirits Bay campground.

Expert warns Maori language could die

Source: ONE News/Breakfast
A Maori language expert claims the future of te reo is at risk, with his research showing it could be dead in 50 years. Dr Rangi Matamua says fewer New Zealanders are speaking fluent Maori and the language is in desperate need of a lifeline. "We are hearing more of the language, but there is misconception due to the development of Maori language through television, pre-schools, radio and the like, that the situation has improved," Dr Matamua told TV ONE's Breakfast. "In many cases it has, but when we are talking about the language being a spoken language, and the main form of communication in Maori homes, research is telling us that the amount and quality of the language used is actually decreasing." He said that if the culture and language is to survive, getting more people to speak te reo in the home, naturally, is crucial.

Plenty of life in Maui gas field - Shell

A petroleum conference in Auckland has been told the Maui gas field still has plenty of life. The field, off the coast of Taranaki, was written off as depleted several years ago. Maui is New Zealand's biggest ever gas discovery and has churned out gas through the 80s and 90s. In 2003, it was predicted to be all used by 2007 but better technology found ways of extracting low pressure gas and finding hidden pockets of gas. It will last between three - 20 more years, with the most likely scenario toward the upper end of that range.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Thin models not wanted by designer at Fashion Week

A Fashion Week designer has decided to shun what she calls stick-thin professional models for models with more curves. The 10th New Zealand Fashion Week officially began on Tuesday, with designer Sera Lilly showing her collection on models she feels better represent real women. The professional standard for a model is a size six or eight, but models in her show ranged from sizes eight to 14. Ms Lilly says she street-cast all 45 of her models because she wants to send a positive message to the women who buy her dresses. The industry side of Fashion Week continues until Friday and the event open to the public during the weekend.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Put pedal to the pavement

Greater Wellington is recognising people who regularly leave their car at home and encouraging people to go the extra mile this Car-Free Day. As part of the celebrations, groups of cyclists will commute to Civic Square from 12 different locations around the region this morning. Sustainable transport projects coordinator Susan Hutchinson-Daniel says it's important to give credit to people choosing public transport, or getting some exercise on the way to work. Ms Hutchinson-Daniel says it's not too late to get involved and people should check Greater Wellington's website for details.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Team of 61 announced by UK for world rowing championships

One of the biggest teams that will attend next month's world rowing championships on Lake Karapiro, New Zealand, has been announced. Britain will send 61 athletes. Britain head to New Zealand as overall winners of the World Cup circuit. At the final Rowing World Cup in Lucerne the team finished with 11 medals out of the 14 Olympic events, four of them gold.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Asylum seekers end protest

Nine asylum seekers in Sydney have ended a protest on the roof of a detention centre after 29 hours. The men, who are Tamils from Sri Lanka, had threatened to jump off the roof unless the Immigration Department agreed to review their applications. The BBC reports they came down after talks with officials from the UN's refugee agency, which may now look into their cases. Earlier this month more than 80 asylum seekers broke out of a detention centre in the city of Darwin to stage a protest over conditions.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Serious delay looms for start of Delhi Games

The Commonwealth Games in Delhi could be facing a serious delay to its start date, as the head of the Games federation expresses grave concern about the state of the athletes' village. The village is due to open on Thursday, but Michael Fennell says many matters remain unresolved since delegates visited the residential zone on 15 September, and he has written to the Indian government. New Zealand's chef de mission Dave Currie has visited the athletes' accommodation and says it's hard to see how the Games can start on 3 October. He told the BBC the Commonwealth Games Association must sort out the problems. Mr Currie says athletes should still plan to come to Delhi even though the village is not yet ready. Earlier, the New Zealand Olympic Committee said the allocated accommodation for athletes at the Games village was unliveable, and it had been forced to find alternative quarters.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

NZ funded business centre raring to go in Tonga

A new centre aimed at upskilling business people in Tonga is ready to throw open its doors after receiving nearly 300,000 US dollars in the first year of aid funding from New Zealand. The Centre is a one-stop shop where businesses can come for advice, training or help with accessing finance for new investment. The President of Tonga’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Paula Taumoepeau, says small family enterprises will be one of the centre’s main targets.
© Radio New Zealand International

Opening Samoa citizenship seen as politically contentious

An academic in Samoa says opening up citizenship for ethnic Samoans abroad remains a contentious political issue. In a weekend newspaper column, the acting Prime Minister, Misa Telefoni, said he wanted anyone who could trace their roots to Samoa to be granted citizenship. Misa said Samoa should follow India in regards to its open citizenship which has helped boost India’s economy. The director of the National University’s Centre of Samoan Studies, Fonoti Dr Lafitai Iupati Fuatai, says it’s not the first time the idea’s been raised. He says from an economic perspective, it seems like a good idea but there are still those who are concerned about the implications on voting and political rights.
© Radio New Zealand International

Hallensteins to give clothes away

A Christchurch menswear store will be celebrating the ``brotherhood of Cantabrians'' by giving away thousands of dollars' worth of clothing. At 7am on Friday September 24, Hallensteins in Cashel St will open their doors and give the first thousand customers a free hooded sweatshirt, t-shirt, a pair of cargo shorts and a pair of socks. A store spokesperson said the freebies were worth $125,000 and urged ``all men to come down and show their support''. `The `Brothers' concept comes from the heritage of the Hallensteins brand. The label was founded in 1873 by one of the Hallensteins brothers, and after a weak trading period his brother came in to help him re-build the company. It has flourished ever since.'' The giveaway would run until stocks last on Friday only. All other customers on Friday September 24 at Cashel St store would receive a 50% discount.
The Press

Tonga chief magistrate Palu dies

Tonga’s Chief Police Magistrate Samiu Palu died suddenly on Saturday, after collapsing at his plantation on Tongatapu. Mr Palu had been a magistrate for over 20 years. Matangi Tonga says his sudden death leaves the Tonga lower courts with just three magistrates, compared with the 10 who presided over hearings last year.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Cathedral OK to open again

Christchurch Cathedral is to open again to the public from Wednesday as its earthquake damage has been found to be superficial. The church has been closed as a precaution over the past fortnight, as has its tower which is a popular tourist attraction. Scaffolding will remain in place around the cathedral as some stonework is repaired, but the doors will open on Wednesday at 9am. Dean Peter Beck says he is grateful there is no serious damage. Anglican church services will resume on Sunday.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Anti-odour fabric smells like success

By Samantha Hayes
New Zealand Fashion Week doesn't officially start until tomorrow, but scientists have beaten the fashionistas to the bubbly. They're celebrating a world first range of fabrics that are resistant to body odour. "If you've got chemical treatments in there, which stay in the fabric, they don't migrate out, then they can prevent bacteria from growing and they stop the odour from occurring," says Dr Stewart Collie, senior AgResearch textiles scientist. Textile scientists at AgResearch spent several years and hundreds of thousands of dollars developing the home-grown fabrics. A handful of local designers like Alexandra Owen, Annah Stretton and Stitch Ministry have had the chance to test them out. They're keen to use the anti-odour fabric, but for now, demand exceeds supply. AgResearch is showing these fabrics at Fashion Week because they need to find a business partner to mass produce them at an affordable price.

NZ in for storm with a difference

By TOM PULLAR-STRECKER - The Dominion Post
A cyber storm will be unleashed on dozens of businesses and government agencies in the next few weeks, testing their ability to withstand geek Armageddon. The multimillion-dollar international exercise is the third co-ordinated by the United States' Department of Homeland Security. Also taking part will be Australia, Canada and Britain. At the eye of the storm in New Zealand will be the Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection, which was set up in 2001 as a unit within the Government Communications Security Bureau to defend the country from cyber attack. Cyber Storm II, conducted in 2008, tested New Zealand's ability to cope with a simulated hacker assault on its energy and banking industries. Participants included national grid operator Transpower and three of the four main banks. In Australia, water companies were targeted and the US simulated both real and virtual attacks on chemical companies and transportation.

Chinese visitors boost tourism numbers

By HAMISH RUTHERFORD - BusinessDay.co.nz
Record visitors from China in August drove a 4 per cent increase in total tourist numbers. The number of Chinese tourists visiting New Zealand in August more than doubled over the same month a year ago to 9700, exceeding the previous record of 9000 in August 2007, Statistics New Zealand said. China was the main driver for a 4 per cent increase in total tourists in August to 168,100, while visitors from Japan also increased strongly over August 2009, when the country was affected by the swine flu pandemic.

Fashionistas come out to play

Auckland's Viaduct Harbour will be abuzz as the New Zealand Fashion Week shows start today. The 10th year of the event was officially launched last night. Managing director Pieter Stewart says the best of New Zealand fashion will be on display in a packed schedule that features both established and emerging brands. She says there's now a strong group of New Zealand designers which have established themselves over the past five years including Cybele, Hailwood, Huffer and Stolen Girlfriends Club. Ms Stewart says it's hard to believe the show is in its 10th year but is pleased with how far the New Zealand fashion industry has come in that time.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Commonwealth Games accommodation 'unlivable'

Another blow for Commonwealth Games organisers - and it particularly affects New Zealand. The Times of India is reporting that New Zealand, Canada, Scotland and Ireland are objecting strongly to the condition of the accommodation given to them. It's being described as abysmal and "unlivable". Toilets in particular are said to be in a "mess". Sources say the apartments, which are left unlocked through the day and night, were found to be dirty.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

'Every child needs a dictionary'

Every child should have a dictionary as young people are suffering from a vocabulary deficit, literacy and child development specialist Professor Tom Nicholson says. Mr Nicholson, from Massey University's College of Education, said kids were failing to build their vocabulary, threatening their learning, confidence, future job prospects, relationships, and the ability to understand jokes. "In this increasingly technological world, we don't have the same opportunity to build vocabulary," he said. "Reading is coming to be seen as boring and useless, parents are the last bastion of defence against this peer culture where kids don't see the need to build vocabulary." In his new book Teaching Reading Vocabulary, Mr Nicholson urges teachers and parents to encourage children not only to read more, but also to use a dictionary and a thesaurus. The dictionary remained the "holy grail" and every child should have one, he said.
NZPA

Vaccine for dengue fever trialled in Perth

Researchers in Western Australia are hoping a new vaccine against the potentially deadly dengue fever will be available within five years. The ABC reports the mosquito-borne virus, which causes severe fever, vomiting, headaches and joint pain, is present in all tropical regions around the world. The Institute for Child Health Research in Perth says a team is about to conduct the final set of clinical trials before the vaccine can become commercially available. The Institute says it has taken 10 years to develop the vaccine which is now one step away from becoming licensed.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

University of Canterbury operating again

Lectures resumed at the University of Canterbury on Monday, two weeks after being closed because of the earthquake. Staff, students and the university administration have agreed that some lectures should be reorganised, exam timetables compressed and a study break shortened to reduce the impact of the quake. One of the main problems is the closure of the main library for the rest of the year, but vice-chancellor, Rod Carr, says steps have been taken to make sure students do not miss out. Twelve academic publishers have granted special free access to e-publications so students can still get information electronically and by inter-loan.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Government won't stop athletes from going to Games

Prime Minister John Key says the Government will not stop New Zealand's Commonwealth Games team from going to Delhi. Police in India are playing down the significance of an attack that injured two Taiwanese tourists, one of whom suffered a serious stomach wound, while Commonwealth Games organisers said the shooting would have no impact on the event. New Zealand Olympic Committee officials are seeking more information about the shooting, while chef de mission Dave Currie is doing final checks on security and facilities in Delhi. Prime Minister John Key said the Government has been assessing the situation and providing the NZOC with unfiltered advice about the security risks from its own sources and from partners including Australia and the United Kingdom. Mr Key said the NZOC needs to make a decision by Friday. The Games begin on 3 October. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs updated its travel advice for India on Monday. Officials warn of a high risk of terrorist attack in Delhi and said Australians should pay close attention to their personal security at all times.
There is an excellent NZ Government travel advisory site available at http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/ NZ citizens can also register on this site so you may be assisted/contacted in an emergency, updated with latest travel news etc.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Southland bracing for more snow storms

Southland residents are being warned to stock up on emergency supplies, with more snow, storms and gale-force winds forecast. Up to 20 centimetres of snow has fallen in the region since Friday, accompanied by very cold temperatures. MetService says a front is passing over the city on Monday afternoon and will bring snow showers in the evening and on Tuesday. Civil Defence controller Neil Cruickshank says residents should be prepared for road closures and power cuts and should avoid unnecessary travel.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Daylight saving starts this weekend

New Zealanders will soon be able to say goodbye to dark, wintry evenings spent huddled at home now that daylight savings is fast approaching. The Department of Internal Affairs is reminding people to put their clocks forward an hour when daylight savings kicks in this Sunday at 2am. It suggests people put their clocks forward before going to bed on Saturday to avoid any inconvenience. The extra hour of daylight in the evenings runs until Sunday, April 3. The department also says daylight savings is an "opportune time" for people to check their household emergency plans, survival kits and smoke alarms.
NZPA

Only a third of kids eat five-plus a day

By SUSAN PEPPERELL - Sunday Star Times
A major new study on the eating and exercise habits of Kiwi kids and young people has revealed only a third of them eat the recommended five-plus servings of fruit and vegetables a day. They're also watching too much TV, and the older they get the less exercise they do. The survey, commissioned by Sport and Recreation New Zealand (Sparc) in conjunction with the ministries of health, education and youth development, surveyed more than 2500 children and young people between the ages of five and 24. The first national survey of its kind, it aimed to assess dietary habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. It wasn't all bad news. Just over 60% of respondents are of healthy weight, nearly 80% eat breakfast each day and most know the importance of eating healthily and care about doing the right thing. As for the problem of getting kids to eat their veges – the survey indirectly came up with a solution. Grow your own – 93% of children growing vegetables at home or school actually ate them.

Quake rugby match tickets selling quick

BY MARC HINTON - Fairfax Media
If you want your free tickets for Saturday's Canterbury-Wellington rugby free "earthquake relief" match in Christchurch, you had better be quick. As at early Monday afternoon 20,000 of the 38,000 tickets available for AMI Stadium had been snapped up, and Canterbury officials were expecting the rest to follow pretty quickly. After the earthquake that struck Christchurch and its environs early on the morning of September 4, Canterbury rugby and key partners (the NZRU, Tui, AMI, Vbase and TicketDirect) decided to do their bit to provide some relief for the battered region. So, it was elected to make match tickets free for the match against the Wellington Lions. The Canterbury union is urging the public to be patient in applying for tickets. They can be booked at www.ticketdirect.co.nz (phone 0800 224 224), Champions of the World in Colombo Street in Christchurch, or from participating Warehouse outlets in Canterbury.

NZ third in economic survey

New Zealand ranks third in the world in a survey of economic freedom. The country has retained the ranking behind Hong Kong and Singapore in the survey produced by the Fraser Institute in Canada. Business Roundtable executive director Roger Kerr says countries with freer economies do best in terms of growth and levels of income. He says while New Zealand has retained it's ranking, it's overall score has been slipping since it peaked in the mid nineties.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Feisty kiwi chick survives quake

A healthy kiwi chick has hatched at Christchurch's Orana Park, allaying fears that the earthquake had damaged the egg. The magnitude 7.1 quake on September 4 caused a power outage of four hours as well as rocking the delicate egg inside its incubator. Orana Park staff were worried about the state of the egg and so were delighted with the arrival of the healthy chick on Friday night, public relations manager Nathan Hawke said. The kiwi would be called Ruwhenua, which means shaky ground or the shaking of the land. ``We think this name will serve as a reminder to us of the impact the earthquake and aftershocks have had upon Christchurch and Canterbury residents,'' head keeper of native fauna Tara Atkinson said.
NZPA

Beefed-up Crown Minerals to chase deepsea gas

New Zealand oil and gas exploration will get a substantial boost in government resources, including funding to chase deep-sea methane hydrates that have yet to be commercially exploited anywhere in the world. Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee announced the initiatives this morning at the biennial Petroleum Conference in Auckland, this morning. New Zealand's methane hydrates are "potentially some of the most accessible in the world as they occur close to shore and in water depths from only 1000 metres, which is much shallower than those identified in areas such as India, the Gulf of Mexico, Japan and Korea."
Copyright 2010, APN Holdings NZ Limited

$3.2 million for Westland cycle trail

More than $3 million is to be poured into developing a bike trail, aimed at tourists, between Greymouth and Ross on the South Island's West Coast. NZCT programme manager John Dunn said the Government was investing in the trail to help develop a sustainable tourism business that would generate lasting economic benefits for the local communities involved. The trail would be one of 18 in New Zealand that would show off the country's landscape, culture and communities. "The Westland Wilderness Trail has a rich history with sections of the trail route running along original tracks laid by Maori greenstone gatherers and New Zealand gold miners," Mr Dunn said.
NZPA

Cash drive for Rainbow Warrior III

By Olivia Carville
The third Rainbow Warrior is to take to the water next year. The 25th anniversary of the bombing of the original Greenpeace flagship in Auckland was in July and the organisation is calling for New Zealand support for Rainbow Warrior III. Bunny McDiarmid, executive director of Greenpeace, said the third Rainbow Warrior would "not only carry the name but it will carry on the spirit". Rainbow Warrior III is being built in Poland and the protest group hopes it will be finished by October next year. Greenpeace has already received $100,000 in donations but needs $400,000 more. The original Rainbow Warrior was bombed in 1985 by French intelligence agents to prevent it from protesting at Mururoa against nuclear tests there. The ship now rests at the bottom of Matauri Bay in Northland.

Jet sparks rumours of Metallica's arrival

Speculation is mounting that rock heavyweights, Metallica, have touched down in Christchurch. The band are set to play two gigs at the CBS Canterbury Arena on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Sightings of a private jet parked at Christchurch International Airport had fans on social networking sites buzzing with rumours that the band had arrived. Tickets sold out in under 30 minutes when they went on sale in July. Metallica last performed in New Zealand at the 2004 Big Day Out.
The Press

Hacker disrupts Parliament-funded website

The site, inthehouse.co.nz, is paid for by the Clerk of the House of Representatives. The website lists Questions in Parliament, can show footage from the Parliament TV service and lists Bills before the House. The site was on Monday morning showing a Turkish flag and states it's been hacked with the message "best regards to all world" (sic). A spokesperson from the Office of the Clerk says it will review its contract with the private company maintaining the website,
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Historic rugby posts up for auction

Two historic - and somewhat heavy - pieces of rugby memorabilia are going up for sale from next week. Eden Park's two goalposts, which have been up since at least the infamous Springbok "flour bomb" test in 1981, are being auctioned on Trade Me as new, lighter goalposts head to New Zealand to replace them. The proceeds will go to the Christchurch Earthquake Relief Fund. "We don't know exactly how long they have been at the ground, and we're trying to contact some former groundsmen to see if they know," Eden Park Trust Board marketing general manager Tracy Morgan said. "But we are confident they have been there since at least the Springbok tour in 1981." The two most famous matches played at the ground with these posts were the 1981 All Blacks-Springboks test, in which flour bombs were dropped by a low-flying plane on to the ground, hitting at least one player, and the inaugural Rugby World Cup final in 1987, which New Zealand won.
NZPA

Aussies plan assault on our sauvignon blanc

By ROB O'NEILL and ANDREW CLEARY - Sunday Star Times
Australia's winemakers are plotting an assault on New Zealand's lucrative UK export market with a new wine style they describe as a "sauvignon blanc killer". Unable to match the fruity and grassy flavours of Marlborough sauvignon blanc, Australian growers are positioning "semillon blanc" for launch in the UK's biggest supermarket chain, Tesco, later this month. Australia's winemakers, like their New Zealand peers, are struggling with production oversupply, but the Australians are also fighting an uphill battle to see off new world challengers and protect their traditionally dominant share in markets including Britain and the US. Dan Jago, chief wine buyer for Tesco, Britain's largest supermarket chain and the biggest single buyer of Australian wine, says British shoppers are increasingly looking for lower alcohol, more refreshing wines, such as South African whites or sauvignon blancs from New Zealand.

Sailor finds himself adrift among Queensland sharks

By Abby Gillies
A Kiwi sailor spent a terrifying 12 hours in shark-infested waters off the coast of Queensland after falling overboard while sailing solo from the Gold Coast to Cairns. Dennis McManaway, 71, suffered a suspected heart attack and awoke to find his 11.5m yacht Grizzly Bear sinking and no memory of how he came to be in the water. The Marlborough fisherman managed to cling to an inflatable dinghy until he was rescued by a passing fishing boat 70km off the Queensland coast. McManaway spent more than a week in hospital before flying back to New Zealand on Thursday. Family believe he may have suffered a heart attack aboard the yacht but they say McManaway is recovering well at home.

MMP report marks Womans Suffrage Day

Today is Women's Suffrage Day, and to mark it a report on the impact MMP (voting method used for national elections) has had on women's representation has been released. The voting system came in in 1996, and its future will be the subject of a referendum at the next election. Report authors Women for MMP said it has made a big difference in the general party ranks and in Cabinet. The group said that MMP has also seen some big policy gains for women, such as paid parental leave and flexible working hours, and increased spending on women's health. New Zealand became the first country to give women the vote with the passing of the Electoral Act on the 19th of September 1893. The United Kingdom and the US did not grant women sufferage until after the First World War. Women in Switzerland did not get the right to vote until 1971. Women did not gain the right to stand for parliament until 1919 and our first female MP, Elizabeth McCombs was not elected until 1933.
For more on Women's Sufferage Day go to nzhistory.net.
Source: Newstalk ZB / ONE News

Opinion split on economy

The Government's handling of the economy is winning few new friends, according to a survey released this morning. Of the people who voted National at the last election, just over half think the party's doing a good job while the majority of Maori Party voters disapprove of it's economic plans. The HorizonPoll survey tested opinion amongst more than 3,000 people. Business people were more likely to support the government while public sector workers like teachers, nurses and police officers were less happy: 35% of this group disapproved of the financial strategies while only 26% backed them. Overall, 28% approve of the Government's handling of the economy, while 29% disapprove, the rest are either neutral...or just don't know.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Southland loses stadium as snow collapses roof

Southland's indoor stadium will have to be largely rebuilt. Most of the roof buckled under the pressure of heavy snow on Saturday and collapsed. The stadium's general manager, Nigel Skelt, says the velodrome is the only part of the venue that has come out unscathed: everything else, including seating, has been destroyed. Emergency Management Southland is meanwhile warning people to stay at home and only travel on the roads if absolutely necessary. It says all roads are still open but some are marginal, and there is potential for further snow showers, with ice expected overnight.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Promises may have to be broken, says Gillard

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has warned that key promises she made during the recent election may be broken because of the "new environment" of a hung Parliament. The ABC reports Ms Gillard as telling Fairfax newspapers that it is no longer "business as usual" for major reforms, including anything associated with climate change. What she said before the election on climate change no longer applies, she says, because a committee of politicians and experts will now develop the policy.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Southlanders told to stay home, as heavy snow hits

Emergency Management Southland is warning people to stay at home and only travel on the roads if absolutely necessary. About 10 centimetres of heavy snow has blanketed some coastal roads in the province, making conditions treacherous, as a major storm continues to affect large parts of the country. Part of the roof has collapsed at Stadium Southland. MetService is forecasting more cold southwest winds and snow to near sea level to spread over Southland, South Otago and Dunedin.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

11,000 without electricity after storm

Electricity companies are estimating 11,000 customers in the North Island are still without power on Saturday, following the storm that snapped power poles and toppled trees. The severe storm in the North Island on Friday left more than 60,000 customers without power at some point during the night. In Auckland, lines company Vector says about 2000 were still without power on Saturday, of which about half were in Piha, west of the city. Vector says about 30,000 customers around Auckland lost power at some stage during the storm, caused by trees falling on lines and a large lightning strike at about 8.30pm. Further south, Powerco said about 9000 customers were without supplies. The worst affected areas were Thames, Coromandel, Kerepehi, Paeroa and Whanganui.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Turkish court will apply NZ law in custody row

By Geoff Cumming
A Turkish court will apply New Zealand law in a hearing to decide custody of a 3-year-old New Zealand boy taken to Turkey as a baby by his mother. The unusual hearing before the Istanbul Family Court looms as pivotal in the three-year struggle by Auckland publisher Bruce Laybourn to have his son Dylan returned to Auckland. Mr Laybourn's Turkish lawyer will put before the court a New Zealand parenting order granted in June awarding custody of the boy to the father. His Turkish-born wife Nil, a New Zealand citizen, took Dylan to Istanbul to visit family in May 2007, when he was 4 months old, but never returned.

Onehunga rail line reopens for passenger services

Auckland rail commuters will be able use the Onehunga branch line for the first time in 37 years, as celebrations are held on Saturday morning to mark the line's re-opening. The line was the first to run in Auckland in 1873, connecting Onehunga to the central city. It was closed to passenger services a century later. A spokesperson said the re-opening will coincide with a local heritage festival and a steam train would be used to mark the first trip.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand